GardX & maintaining factory fresh paintwork: General advice

[LRWmotorsport]

Now the dust has settled on the excitement of ordering a Clubsport a couple of weeks ago I'm wondering if the GardX treatment I ordered as a dealer extra is worth the hard earned cash that is is going to consume.

My previous experience with bodywork has been with a mig, Upol & a rattle can. I've never really considered maintaining factory fresh paintwork.

Any advice welcome.

[Booth11]

Personal choice but I would not let a dealer apply any type of protective coating to my car.  They are not noted for their care and attention and may cause more harm than good with poor application methods, plus the prices tend to be a rip off from the dealer.  You can buy nano coating from good detailing websites that are not difficult to apply yourself for a fraction of the price the dealer will charge and the product may well be superior.

As for maintaining it yourself, a ceramic or nano base coating (either professionally (pro detailer) or self applied) will help to repel dirt and protect the paintwork from damaging contaminants but of course you still need to maintain the car through washing, though a coating will maintenance easier.

If you want some pointers on looking after your car regardless of whether you have GuardX or similar applied - take a look in this thread which give some pointers and useful links.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=277318.0

[KyleB]

I'd agree with Booth on this one. Definitely don't let them prepare anything. Take the money you'd spend to a detailer and get them to put on a ceramic coating.

Not only will you be getting a superior protection, it'll be applied properly with decent equipment. My car was full of swirls when I collected it and they hadn't done anything but the basic wash.

[kalimon]

I was offered it free of charge and told them not to bother.
That should tell you everything

[dubber36]

I fell for this dealer scam back in 2002 when I bought a new Leon Cupra. I think I paid £250 for a Diamondbrite treatment. After a couple of weeks it was as good as gone and lots of swirl marks were showing. It appeared as if the dealers had quickly washed the car, applied a glaze to fill in the swirls they had inflicted, then smeared the sealant over the top.

A couple of years ago I thought I'd give AG Lifeshine a go on my aging Mk6. After 2 full weekends of meticulous machine polishing, the product was applied exactly as AG directed. All the car has had since then is careful 2BM washing every 5-6 weeks, and I have to say I'm very impressed. Nothing sticks to it that won't come off with a couple of passes of the wash mitt, and the only maring is from where it may have got a little too close to the hedge on narrow lanes. I'm sure was on top would increase the depth of shine, but at least the properly prepared paintwork underneath is still in excellent condition.

[LRWmotorsport]

Thanks very much for the detailed (no pun intended) replies.
Food for thought there, thinking I'm better off cancelling the GardX at the dealers and going elsewhere.

I haven't got the spare time at the moment to give it the attention it deserves. Booth's link was a bit of an eye-opener.

Can anyone recommend a Detailer around Chester?

[Wo-Wo]

Not a million miles away:-

http://www.miglior.co.uk/

[LRWmotorsport]

Good shout!
Thanks

[KyleB]

Honestly mate for what you're probably paying for the GuardX from the dealers a proper detailer will be able to do you a much better deal.

[Booth11]

Honestly mate for what you're probably paying for the GuardX from the dealers a proper detailer will be able to do you a much better deal.

Agreed, that's where my money would go - pro detail.  I do it myself but if that was not an option then pro detail.

OP - Stay well clear of dealer doing anything on your car if you can help it. Book a pro detail and arrange to drive your car straight from the dealer to the detailer, and then a couple days later it will look amazing and you'll be so glad you cancelled the dealer applied GuardX.