New Car Protection

[charv94]

Upon collection of your precious new car,

What did you do to it to ensure that it holds its new car look for as long as possible?

Did anyone go for the Autoglym package that VW provide?
Anyone go to a private detailer for some supaguarding?

or has anyone taken the approach that a wax a few times a year and maybe a detail once a year is enough to keep the car looking spick and span?

[monkeyhanger]

Autoglym came with my car as a surprise freebie for VW making it 9 weeks later than anticipated. Some dealerships will do an ol job of it, others won't (mine did). The kits can be bought for next to nowt on ebay - you're paying for the labour and the dealership's large profit margin on the product.

Externally I went over everything with G-Techniq C2V3 sealant - you can use it on all external parts (so no having to mask off unpainted plastic bits etc) and leaves everything with a water-repellent coating that feels very slippery to touch. I'd personally do it myself twice a year and save paying the dealership £300. No sealant will save you from stone chips though.

[Hawaii-Five-O]

This may get bumped to detailing, but before it does I'll add my vote to the G-Techniq C2V3 sealant (daft name). Amazing product and lasts at least six months after application. Easy to put on, cheap to buy and gives a finish like glass. Water beads up for 6-9 months after use. It also makes it much easier to wash a filthy car as dirt falls off because of the protection. Also stops excessive build up of break dust on your alloys too. I apply twice a year which isn't too bad for a busy new dad like me

Can't fault it.

I used to use Hardcore XXX carnauba wax by Chemical Guys on my last car and this was also fantastic. Smells yummy too!

[JBirchy]

My advice, don't pay for the dealer to to the Autoglym protection, put simply they don't prep the surface properly before applying the product. Use a detailer and ask them to contact the dealership to go and detail the car before collection. They will spend the full day on it, clean it properly and apply better products. If you go for a ceramic sealant protection it will last at least 12 months. Not only that, it's probably cheaper than the £400 VW quote. Pro detailers often charge around £200-250 for a single day New Car Protection.

Depending on where you are, I might be able to recommend someone for the job?

[dereks]

Mime's went straight to the detailer and got applied with Carpro C Quartz, been on 7 months now and still beads like it has just been applied.

[Mark V GTD]

Another vote from me for the detailer - make sure dealer does not touch the car and book it in to a pro detailer. As Birchy said he will lavish a full day on the car and cost around 200 quid or so (and prep the paint properly). Mine was done at Unique Detail at Toddington and looked stunning when i picked her up. The dealers valeter will have only an hour to do the same job and it will not be sealed either (unless Autoglym thrown n or purchased)....

[p3asa]

I asked them to simply remove the protective sheets and power wash my car to avoid any damage.
Since I knew the hand over was only taking place in the car park I didn't think it would take any more excitement away and to be honest it never.

Like others here I applied G-Techniq C2V3 sealant for its initial protection and was delighted with the results. That is until I applied SONAX Xtreme Protect & Shine Hybrid NPT on my daughters car the week after and its still going strong whereas mine has long gone.

But certainly better to get it done yourself than have the dealer do it as they are under pressure to get X amount done per day.

[charv94]

My advice, don't pay for the dealer to to the Autoglym protection, put simply they don't prep the surface properly before applying the product. Use a detailer and ask them to contact the dealership to go and detail the car before collection. They will spend the full day on it, clean it properly and apply better products. If you go for a ceramic sealant protection it will last at least 12 months. Not only that, it's probably cheaper than the £400 VW quote. Pro detailers often charge around £200-250 for a single day New Car Protection.

Depending on where you are, I might be able to recommend someone for the job?

Ok that has cleared it up, Im based in solihull in the midlands?

[Wo-Wo]

If you don't fancy doing the detail yourself give Neil OCD Finish a call, he's based in Brum I think? Mention me and he might do you a deal?

Neil @ WOWO

[JBirchy]

My advice, don't pay for the dealer to to the Autoglym protection, put simply they don't prep the surface properly before applying the product. Use a detailer and ask them to contact the dealership to go and detail the car before collection. They will spend the full day on it, clean it properly and apply better products. If you go for a ceramic sealant protection it will last at least 12 months. Not only that, it's probably cheaper than the £400 VW quote. Pro detailers often charge around £200-250 for a single day New Car Protection.

Depending on where you are, I might be able to recommend someone for the job?

Ok that has cleared it up, Im based in solihull in the midlands?

Spoiled for choice with excellent detailers in that area. Give either Russ @ Midlands Car Care a shout, or possibly Scott @ Beau Technique. Both guys are excellent and will give it the proper treatment. Russ @ MCC has done several new GTI's/R's in recent weeks.

See if this works... https://www.facebook.com/MidlandsCarCare/photos/pcb.762217050482985/762216857149671/?type=1&theater