Scotchguard Question - what is it and is it worth it?

[drivin_me_nuts]

... I have been offered this on my 'new' LS460 on the inside and outside for £295.

So my question is, is it worth it?

Edit: I think i've found the answer myself elsewhere in that it's more about marketing than anything else.

Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Monday 7th March 21:38

[PJ S]

Inside useful for easy clean-up of spills, but the exterior is only going to generate profit for the dealer - first hand wash you visit will have most of it off, if not with the TFR, then the gritty mitts/sponges rubbed all over.

[OctyVrs]

It's effective. Dirt doesn't get ingrained in the carpet. Spills don't soak in. Hoover end doesn't cause friction on the carpet. I always use it.

Not at £295 though, i buy the tin off ebay for £4.50 delivered and treat each car myself. Lasts ~3 months, maybe longer but it's definitely loosing its ability at 3 months.

I'd highly recommend it at £5 and DIY. I'd think you were mad at >£50 for someone else to do it.

[H13BSM]

I use a type of scotchguard made by prochem for upholstery and its awsume and will last about 12 months solid. But for long lasting protection look to get g-techniq c1. The best in long term protection, and good to have on a lexus due to its soft paint.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Thanks for the replies. Interesting and curious that the Lexus dealership say they guarantee if for 3 years..

[ColinM50]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Thanks for the replies. Interesting and curious that the Lexus dealership say they guarantee if for 3 years..

So what does this guarantee mean? Let's look at the outside of the car first. Are they saying it'll never get dirty or need washing? No don't think so. So are they saying it won't get stained"? Well I've never had paint stain apart from sticky bugs splatted on it and they come off with a bit of rubbing, so what's the exterior Scotchguarding guarantee providing? Anything else and it'll be "oh no sorry sir, the guarantee doesn't cover that 'cos you've let the car get wet/haven't washed it enough or at the proscribed intervals; washed it with the wrong kind of shampoo/water; used the wrong kind of car wash/haven't used a car wash and just about any excuse they can think of to wriggle out. And if the worse comnes to the worse, they'll just wash and do it again at a cost of what a fiver or so?

And I'm sure you can pick up similar excuses for the interior. Daughter in law had her Meriva scotchguarded before buying but with a five and three year old the seats and carpets are stained with spilled drinks and crisps etc and the scotchguard rep says ah well that's excluded 'cos you didn;t wipe it up at the time or........insert your own excuses". As someone else says, it's just a marketing ploy

[MrC986]

Apparently if the dealer/valeter/detailer applies the kit properly & you have an 'incident' and cannot remove the offending mark etc they will professionally remove it at their own cost. Most people seem to think that the interior is worth doing, especially if you have 'small people' in the car regularly.

I know for a fact that many good valeters will treat a decent sized car for about £150 inside/out dependant on the condition of the car. Previous comments about how much the kit costs are generally accurate - it is probably sub £50 with a very large mark up/commission to the dealer/salesman for a full kit ie inside/out.

FWIW, I tell all my friends to politely ask the salesman to remove it from the invoice (they assume you want it & hence just put it in the figures) unless they will provide it FOC!