Ok... so some of you may know that I just bought a new car. With the deal came unlimited lifetime car washes (drive through) and once a year detailing inside and out. I'm not nearly as into detailing my car as some of you are and I'm planning on ditching this car in 2-3 years anyway. On to my question.... They applied permaseal wax and scotchguarded the interior. They'll re-apply during every detail. Anybody heard of this stuff? Should I do anything as far as removing it before its re-applied?

The demo they had for it was pretty cool. They took a brand new car on the showroom floor (red focus) and spray painted a big black line down the hood. We sat around and let the paint dry, and then it just was wiped off with the cleaner (the same stuff they apply)

I got it in a package deal with all oil change and service for now till 60,000 miles. I figure even if the permaseal is crap I'll get my money's worth with the car washes, service, and once a year detail.

 

so you can take your car through a drive-thru wash as many times as you want?

 

I haven't heard of 'Permaseal' but, if it's like most of the snake oil that the deaslerships push, it's probably average stuff at best.

The spray paint demonstration sounds similar to 'Billy Mays Hayes' and some brand new, AS SEEN ON TV, car care product.

As for the free washes and detail...

This is user-beware as well. While they may get some of the grime off of your paint, they may be inducing a boatload of additional problems like scratching, marring, and accelerated oxidation. That said, they may not and it may be a super-quality establishment (although, I'm a bit of a conservative type when it comes to something like this).

The detail... well... it's like this, the term 'full detail' is a very misused word. One guys' detail is the lowest-paid kid on the lot washing with a brillo pad and waxing with 320 grit whereas my definition is going over it with every step necessary to make it like it came off of the factory line - or even better. Obviously, they're probably not going to pull out 320 grit on you but, again, the term is very subjective and really doesn't mean most to much coming from a stealership.

Heck man... drive down to the Berkely Pit observation deck... stare out over the water... wonder how long it's going to take for the arsenic-tainted water to interact with the aquifer there and think about how many things you've seen a dealership do to save a buck. After you've thought about that, think about why they would make their wash/detail system different.

Best of luck on it...

-RP-

 

I know you're not going to happy with some of the answers here, but I've got to agree with RockPick - again. All of those "services" offered to buyers in the Finance office of a dealership just prior to you signing the final papers are HUGE money makers for the dealership. How do they make so much money? First, the material costs are next to nothing. (I could spray silicone on your hood and then wipe dried paint off.) Second, their labor costs are about the same. (Like RP said, the lowest paid person generally gets the job.) Finally, all of those services get you back to the dealership - where they can "suggest" that you need another service that they actually charge you for. Said another way, the chances of you just getting a free oil change and not needing anything else are next to zero.

I wouldn't let a "dealer detailer" touch my vehicle with a ten foot rag. Of course if one did and screwed up - they could always offer me a dealer repaint job - for $4,000! Best of luck.

 

While I agree with the posts made by RP and 2stroked, I have a different POV. While most of us in this section wouldn't let the dealer change our oil, let alone get anywhere near it with any material for paint, you may be different.

If you're the average consumer, you may be ahead of the game. Most people I see on the road don't wash their vehicles, let alone put anything on the paint for protection. If you're not the type to spend a few hours washing your truck on the weekend and detailing occasionally, then this is probably a good option for you - and since you've already paid for it, not much you can do now.

 

Guitarman - To answer your question... Yes. I can take it through the drive through wash as often as I like. 3 times a day every day for all they care.

I do consider myself the "average consumer." While I may occasionally (2-3 times a year) wash and detail my car myself, I generally just take it to the drive threw (through?) car wash. (Side note, I have the dumb today and cant spell or type)

I'm sure they make money on it, but I think I'll probably save on it vice taking it to the car wash. It really didn't cost that much, and considering I get oil change & services (whatever the manual recommends for the milage) I'm not too worried about getting my moneys worth.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll let you know how it holds up.

 

I didn't even get a comment on the Berkley Pit note? I'm very let down. HA!

That thing is a HECK of a hole in the ground! I know that area pretty well -- I've done a boatload of work down 90 in the "Phosphate" area. Spent many a'night in Deer Lodge and have eaten at the Broken Arrow ooooodles of times.

 

If you aren't OCD, the service you overpaid for will probably keep it looking acceptable to you without you having to do any work yourself. Gotta remember, this is a tough crowd in here.

 

Sorry RP... I got cut short on my reply, I had to run back to class. It is a huge ugly hole in the ground. When I moved here last summer to go to school, one of the houses I looked at had a well for drinking water. The owner tried to convince me it was safe, but when you are a mile downhill from that nasty thing, well water just doesn't seem safe.