Auto Protectants

[JW]

I have a question about auto protection products. We have a new vehicle and the dealer presented us with these products. What recommendations do you have?
1) 3-M Scotchcal plastic hood, fender, o. s. mirror and door edge protection.
2.) Diamon-Fusion glass protection.
3.) Strike Force I, II and III - Exterior Protectant, Vinyl and Leather, and Fabric and Carpet Protectants.

Jim W.

[GL Troll]

1. Search this forum for info on “clear bra” for the 3M product. Don’t Google it if you’re under 18 – you may get some interesting results.

2. Diamon looks like a huge rip-off.

3. Strike Force? Never heard of it. I’d pass. It just sounds bad. If I was a betting man, I’d bet this stuff’s expensive junk. If you’re interested in detail products, spend some time reading these threads to get advice.

[ByByeAmericanPie]

My girlfriend has the 3M clear things and personally I dont like them. They are adhesive patches that are applied to the surface and over time dirt accumulates on the adhesive edges and is difficult to impossible to get clean. I'd leave it alone.

As for the other sealants/protectants, unless the dealer is giving them to you for free, stay away from them. This is a HUGE profit maker for the dealer and will offer no more protection than something you could apply yourself. Personally, based on my recent experiences, I would do it myself and put some of Adam's Machine Super Wax on it.

[CharlesAFerg]

I agree 100% with ByeByeAmericanPie, as the 3m laminates are absolutely amazing, and can still be polished! (Recently encountered one two weeks ago on a beautiful E92 335i, blue)

Originally Posted by GL Troll

1. Search this forum for info on “clear bra” for the 3M product. Don’t Google it if you’re under 18 – you may get some interesting results.

Rofl...
In all seriousness though, buy a clearbra if you're getting a new car - I wished it would have been around in '89 when my car came out, my car wouldn't look like Pippi Longstocking...


Also, those sealants from the dealers are indeed a ripoff.
One example would be Xylon, which claims to be endored by Boeing. Still, even if it is "endorsed," that doesn't mean it's used. It was indeed used for testing, and only for the alluminum plating around the lips of the jet engines, that's all. Apperently it didn't fate too well either.

Also, they don't tell you that you must come back around twice a year or so for application. Nothing special, and they usually contain silicones as well.
Yuck. Stay away from it and go buy some Klasse, Zaino, or P21S 100% Carnauba.

[JW]

Thanks for the help in our decision.

Jim W.