paint sealant?

[ballboy]

Just ordered a Mazda 3 GT w/Gfx and will take delivery around the end of this month. First brand new car and is very exciting to say the least.

Question though... the Diamond Kote paint sealer, rust-proofing, etc, that the dealer offers...? Anyone with an opinion on the worthiness of this stuff? I know it's a high profit centre for them, but do you know if it's even worth doing. Do I really need additional paint protection? Does Mazda clear coat their vehicles at the plant?

thanks for your time and answers. Most appreciated.

 

[dulog]

The car does have a clearcoat, but you do need extra protection, just not done by the dealer. I'd recommend washing, claying, then waxing soon as soon as possible or else having a reputable detailer do it for you. That's my 2cents. Also, a great place to read about interior/exterior care is autopia.org.

 

[wongpres]

Welcome to our forum and please add your location to your profile (User CP->Edit Profile->Location).

Yes, the vehicle is clear coated from the factory (99.99% of all vehicles are nowadays).

Regarding paint sealer, if you wax/car polish your car anyways then it's not necessary, but if you want someone else to do this for you then go ahead and get the paint sealer (these paint sealer programs typically require a re-application after some period of time).

Regarding rust-proofing, it depends on where you live, how long you plan to keep the vehicle, the cost of the dealer offering, and the type of protection (rust-proofing vs. undercoating is the first difference). For me, living in an area with snow/salt and keeping the car for a while, I decided to decline dealer undercoating and instead get rustproofing done with Krown (oil-based).

 

[nulldaddy]

Personally I never get that stuff when I buy a vehicle. To me its a waste of good money. Miguires has some good 3 stage waxs for not to much money, easy to apply and protects the finish. Couple cans of Scotchguard for the interior. May be an undercoating from a private company like Line-X (way cheaper than factory), and your good to go. Don't let the salesmen bulls*** you. (dance)

 

[ballboy]

Thanks all, for the quick feedback.

"Welcome to our forum and please add your location to your profile" -done.


"Regarding rust-proofing, it depends on where you live, how long you plan to keep the vehicle, the cost of the dealer offering, and the type of protection (rust-proofing vs. undercoating is the first difference). For me, living in an area with snow/salt and keeping the car for a while, I decided to decline dealer undercoating and instead get rustproofing done with Krown (oil-based)." - Live in BC. Rarely snows on the coast, so not much salt at all. Undercoat sounds attractive, given the noise-dampening effects they boast of in addition to the metal protection, but as a "smarter than your average bear" consumer, am cynical of anything out of a salesman's mouth. The rust-proofing, as explained to me, is a gel material sprayed into metal seams and folds and holes that prevents the condensate water from contacting metal on surfaces where there is no paint applied. But... if all the metal is pre-dipped iin a rust inhibitorat the factory before assembly, is this a useless procedure? I guess it bears some discussion... . look forward to it.

thanks again folks, from rainy-as-heck B.C.

 

[Mike R]

It's all a bunch of BS. Make sure they don't try putting a pinstripe on it and charging you for it....

 

[wongpres]

Yes, the sheetmetal is dipped with anti-corrosive at the factory

 

[ballboy]

thanks guys. Looking forward to being an official 'club member'. Just gotta wait for that slow boat from Japan with my car on it to get to Canadian shores now.