Paint protection and detailing recommendations please

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I am about to collect my new Aston Vantage V12S and am keen to have it detailed and PPF'd. Can anyone recommend a firm in the Southampton area and does anyone have experience of Auto Protek in Ascot or Chipguard in Waterlooville? Thanks

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Thanks Any other feedback appreciated

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Thanks chaps, I was seriously considering Paintshield and their reviews were second to none, they were also very accommodating on the phone, but the logistics for me were a nightmare, hence looking elsewhere...

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Stuart J said:

If your getting it PPF'd unless ithas serious issues and if that bad you would reject it you are waisting good money getting it detailed PPF is the finish and it will hide minor issues. I thought this was total twaddle until a contact who owns a firm who do Ppf told me. His own cars aren't detailed just filmed , mclaren, gt3rs etc . He did my Alfa 4c without it being detailed and it looks stunning

He's not local but I suggest you do some research for yourself. Your money's better spend paying for it to be transferred in a covered truck from dealer to Ppf when new and asking them to reject if it has issues.

Then once it's PPF'd get a good detailer to look after it

Edited by Stuart J on Tuesday 21st June 06:48

Thanks, that is very interesting - as only one company (chipguard.co.uk) has mentioned that to me. I have to say that I saw the new car myself at Aston Martin under fluoroescent lights and the paint looked good to my novice eyes. I think I'll have it professionally waxed before the film is applied but I'm not now intending to spend the £800 some detailers suggested!

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doorman said:

Steve at www.paintguard.co.uk is very local, and would recommend him 100%..

Thanks Doorman!

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Thanks, they suggest waxing is ok - even encouraged, but not application of ceramic coatings etc as the film struggles to stick then apparently

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Thanks for all your feedback. The car is now booked in to Steve at Paintguard as many of you have suggested - and it was he who first suggested that having the car fully detailed prior to applying PPF would be a waste of time. I am buying from Newport Pagnell, so a long drive and am collecting the car in person. I'll do me best to avoid stone chips on the way back and may even use A roads rather than the motorway. I'll ask Steve whether it is worth me sticking some temporary film on it for the journey home - it will look st but not my main concern!

I have to say , that with the saving on the detailing and his price on the PPF, I am saving almost 50% compared to Paintshield and Topaz. All bar one review of his work has been very positive and I know someone who is trusting his Ferrari to him imminently. Let's hope this is one rare case where you get more than you pay for!

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DarkMatter said:

Hope it works out well for you!

Thanks, fingers crossed! He's about to be trusted with the only brand new supercar I've ever bought. In fact it is the only brand new car I've ever bought...

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Thanks Stuart - I called the guys at Paintguard and they suggested using masking tape which seems a very sensible idea. It reminded me of the way some people use duct tape to protect their cars at the Vmax events. I popped to my friendly bodyshop and picked up a couple of rolls. The car will look dreadful and I fully expect Aston to be horrified, but there you go! I think I'll cover the whole painted front bumper, leading edge of the splitter and of the bonnet. May do the mirrors and rear arches too. I'm hopeless at posting pics but if someone can give me an easy method then I'll put some up when I get back on Friday

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Well, a big thank you to all of you who recommended Steve at Paintguard/Chipguard. I collected the VV12SR from the factory and had them wrap it up for my drive home. It attracted a lot of looks as people assumed it was a factory disguised new model!

I am pleased to say that it reached Steve looking good and he and Paul set to work on it the next day. I am very, very pleased with the result

It was certainly worth having the car treated to a clay bar first, it looks stunning. Steve has done a brilliant job applying the Suntek and even changed the design around the headlights to avoid having to use a join.

I had initially intended to use Paintshield or Topaz, PS were very helpful but the logistics weren't good while Topaz in London failed to return my calls three times. Steve's price was FAR less than the others quoted and I can't imagine they could have done a better job.

I have no idea how to post photos, but if someone is happy to post them for me please drop me a line and I'll email them to you!

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SpikeBmth said:

nice one, glad it all worked out well.

I just click the upload an image above the reply box to post photos

Thanks, that sounds easy. In ten years I've never noticed it

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Well, here are the promised photos...I hope!

Wrap, factory style!



Covered in Suntek by Steve at Paintguard, having been lightly detailed by his colleague Paul:



Very, very happy with the result