boltsfan

Just turned in '06 C230 and leased a new '09 C300 Sport on Friday night. Color is black (regular) with 18" AMG wheels. Car is beautiful!

The finance guy suggested having the new car clayed and then having a teflon coating applied. Cost is $450 and takes about 4 hours with 2 guys. They claim I will not have to wax the car for 2 years and will make the black even more black and I will not need to worry about swirl marks.

Any thoughts...?

I appreciate any feedback.

Thank you.

Sportstick

I would pass. The very fact that it was the F&I (finance and insurance) guy making a product offer should set the alarms off....he probably is selling leather protection too...and run out the door screaming if they try to sell you rustproofing as well! Typical sales tactic to hand you off to F&I to sweeten the deal for them. Check out Consumer Reports advice on this topic. Also, go to the high-end import body shop in your city and ask, if still in doubt. When I sold cars in the last century, we had something similar...the claims were not as strong, but the profits (shared among the store, F&I person, and salesperson) were very good.

Krytech

I would also pass on their service. I contemplated a similar service but after asking around it became obvious the service is a cash grab as are most services are that are sold by the F&I person. If they have a wheel warranty that covers bent rims and blown tires for cheap, I would consider that but that is it.

I ended up bringing my car straight to a detailer to have him clay and polish and apply sealer to the car. Used all Zaino products. Great outcome! For the $450 they want for this, you could have your car detailed each spring and fall for 2 years. Much better results if you ask me.

Congrats and good luck!

boltsfan

Thank you Sportstick. You confirmed my suspicion since it was the finance guy trying to sell me.

Still... just wondering if it is a good idea to do it or just wax the car every few months. Want to avoid as few swirl marks as possible.

Thanks!

AMGTTV8

I used to work for a dealer that sold this stuff and IMO it's a complete scam...

They made me take this stupid class, and expected me to believe that 1 application would last x amount of years (3 or 4 i think, not sure anymore).

Realistically, I think that you pay for them to pool their clients money together in case a claim is made.

Realistically, that is all you are paying for. Insurance on weather/nature related paint damage.

The interior stuff is even worse...good luck getting that sticky, slippery oily residue off your dress pants.

Unless one plans on having horses run wild through the cabin of their car, pass on this incredible waste of money.

Sportstick

Full detail with wax/polish twice a year....just after winter and just before winter.

I think you want to AVOID as MANY swirl marks as possible......GET as few as possible!?!?!

boltsfan

Yes... avoid as many swirl marks as possible.
Am fairly certain it is not possible to avoid them totally.

Thanks to all of you for the advice...

Glyn M Ruck

There are high tech polymer sealants available that will easily last 4 years - stop environmental crap adhesion to paint & protect against swirls. There is a process called Auto Armor in this country - have had my last three cars done new - never polish them. Nothing sticks to the paint - tar - bird crap etc. Cars paint is perfect & swirl free after 5 years. Not a mark. My dealer is always amazed when I make them do a body inspection before service. Water still beads on the paint surface

Cost $75 - applied.

RLE

Here's a long-ago quote from a millionaire Porsche dealer:

"There are many products which are made to be bought, and some products which are made to be sold."

Glyn M Ruck

+1 - US$ 450

Derspeed

How much more black can it be?

Ron Jr

Spinal Tap love it.

Seriosly you can not avoid swirls on black cars but you can minimize the damage. Only wash/dry in one direction not circles straight scratches are harder to see. Use the two bucket method for washing your car and use good quality microfiber towels.