Stargard - Mercedes

[Randolph]

Hello all,

My friendly Mercedes-benz dealer has offered to apply this treatment to my approved used merc. It says this:

Stargard “Offers a protective coating to the soft water based paints now fitted to modern cars and protects against stone chips. Stargard also guarantees that you will not need to polish for 3 years.”

Comesin at £395. Does anyone know what this is? Is it worth it or could a layman do something similar for a fraction of the price?

Thanks

David.

[finlo]

Randolph said:

Hello all,

My friendly Mercedes-benz dealer has offered to apply this treatment to my approved used merc. It says this:

Stargard “Offers a protective coating to the soft water based paints now fitted to modern cars and protects against stone chips. Stargard also guarantees that you will not need to polish for 3 years.”

Comesin at £395. Does anyone know what this is? Is it worth it or could a layman do something similar for a fraction of the price?

Thanks

David.

Yes, a coat of Mr fix or similar that retails for about a fiver lashed on by the YTS kid.

[Randolph]

Ahh thanks, so a good wash, polish, wax and then applying a paint selant will achieve the same?

[undred orse]

Mrs Orse's Gla came with this. Complete waste of money in my opinion. A coat of a decent wax would be more effective and if you put a sealant on or use a hybrid wax then you'll be well ahead.

I would not waste even £5 on it from our experience.

[PompeyReece]

Randolph said:

Hello all,

My friendly Mercedes-benz dealer has offered to apply this treatment to my approved used merc. It says this:

Stargard “Offers a protective coating to the soft water based paints now fitted to modern cars and protects against stone chips. Stargard also guarantees that you will not need to polish for 3 years.”

Comesin at £395. Does anyone know what this is? Is it worth it or could a layman do something similar for a fraction of the price?

Thanks

David.

These types of products are generally offered by dealers as a deal sweetener but are always over priced and there are cheaper, better alternatives.

Looking at the details, it appears to be similar to a ceramic coating in that it bonds to the surface but the only decent stone-chip protection I know of is a PPF which is extremely expensive per car. So I'm naturally sceptical about their stone chip protection claims.

I would avoid and seek alternatives if you're wanting to get this done.

[Randolph]

thanks gents, when I wash my car I usually use ONR and them AutoGlym super resin polish and then leave it at that. would anyone recommend a good sealant for a novice? The car is black.....would autoglym extra gloss protection be a good call? Thanks!

[Zippy181054]

Seems to me it’s clear most comments on here regarding Star Guard to your car are negative...whether it’s applied to albeit a Mercedes or a Ford...the Star Guard applied by the main dealer is guaranteed from the elements :ie bird droppings which can (if left) ruin paintwork...It is also applied to the interior with the same kind of warranty....if however you apply it yourself then this warranty will not exist...it’s sort of a one off insurance premium....as they say “ you pays yer money and takes yer chances”

[Chubbyross]

If you’re not into detailing and just want good long-term paint protection then I’d pay a professional detailer to machine polish the paint and then apply a decent ceramic coating. If a dealer’s going to get it done for you they’ll pay the bare minimum and do a rubbish job.

Personally, I don’t like ceramic coatings as I like to machine polish my cars once a year and mess around trying different waxes and spray sealants.

[mmm-five]

Zippy181054 said:

Seems to me it’s clear most comments on here regarding Star Guard to your car are negative...whether it’s applied to albeit a Mercedes or a Ford...the Star Guard applied by the main dealer is guaranteed from the elements :ie bird droppings which can (if left) ruin paintwork...It is also applied to the interior with the same kind of warranty....if however you apply it yourself then this warranty will not exist...it’s sort of a one off insurance premium....as they say “ you pays yer money and takes yer chances”

Bot or troll?

It doesn't mean you never have to wash it - just that you don't have to polish it - although how many people who buy this crap actually understand the difference between washing, waxing and polishing?

There'll be something in the paperwork saying the guarantee is only valid if you follow the prescribed 144-step washing maintenance procedure to the letter...including self-flagellating before every wash and wearing Starguard underpants.

[Monkeylegend]

Zippy181054 said:

Seems to me it’s clear most comments on here regarding Star Guard to your car are negative...whether it’s applied to albeit a Mercedes or a Ford...the Star Guard applied by the main dealer is guaranteed from the elements :ie bird droppings which can (if left) ruin paintwork...It is also applied to the interior with the same kind of warranty....if however you apply it yourself then this warranty will not exist...it’s sort of a one off insurance premium....as they say “ you pays yer money and takes yer chances”

It's a rip off, as is gap insurance, tyre insurance, and other add ons purchased from a main dealer.

[E63eeeeee...]

It's also a bit of an odd proposition, "our paint is crap, but if you pay us 400 quid we'll make it a bit less crap for you"

[Sheepshanks]

Monkeylegend said:

It's a rip off, as is gap insurance, tyre insurance, and other add ons purchased from a main dealer.

I got ti free, and still felt ripped off. I'm convinced it wasn't applied to the car - all I got was a bit of paper to sign and a care-kit.

Comment above is right - the T's & C's are onerous. Bird muck has to be cleaned off quickly and the car has to be washed with a "conditioner".

[Chubbyross]

mmm-five said:

Zippy181054 said:

Seems to me it’s clear most comments on here regarding Star Guard to your car are negative...whether it’s applied to albeit a Mercedes or a Ford...the Star Guard applied by the main dealer is guaranteed from the elements :ie bird droppings which can (if left) ruin paintwork...It is also applied to the interior with the same kind of warranty....if however you apply it yourself then this warranty will not exist...it’s sort of a one off insurance premium....as they say “ you pays yer money and takes yer chances”

Bot or troll?

It doesn't mean you never have to wash it - just that you don't have to polish it - although how many people who buy this crap actually understand the difference between washing, waxing and polishing?

There'll be something in the paperwork saying the guarantee is only valid if you follow the prescribed 144-step washing maintenance procedure to the letter...including self-flagellating before every wash and wearing Starguard underpants.

Reads like a bot.

[5harp3y]

snake oil

Stargaurd / Amorgaurd / brightshine

loads of the peddled by the dealers

[Chris32345]

Chubbyross said:

If you’re not into detailing and just want good long-term paint protection then I’d pay a professional detailer to machine polish the paint and then apply a decent ceramic coating. If a dealer’s going to get it done for you they’ll pay the bare minimum and do a rubbish job.

Personally, I don’t like ceramic coatings as I like to machine polish my cars once a year and mess around trying different waxes and spray sealants.

And the prices most would charge for that it's not worth doing unless something more pricey

[vikingaero]

Looking at the Starguard products and aftercare packs on FB etc, shows that they are just repackaged Diamondbrite stuff.

If you really want to buy a sealant and DIY, you can often get Autoglym Lifeshine 1,2&3 (glass, paintwork and interior) on FB for £5-15 for an unused kit.