Welcome hoghead! I'm going to put in my 2 cents and try to help. If you find it helpful awesome, if not than at least I tried.
I am new to the forum, first post, been searching here and I am looking for the best sealant / protection to apply to my wife's new Chrysler 300.
As you might have already seen, you will get a thousand different answers. Seeing that you only have three posts, I will answer in the most simplistic ways I can. If you are some what familiar with detailing than I apologize in advance for being so simple.
There isn't really a "best" paint sealant, coating, or wax. People have their favorites and will debate one product over another, but again there really isn't a best.
It is a Black car. The dealer wanted $1000.00 for their Paint and interior protection. I think that is "offensively" to much. I think it was possibly Dupont R 2000.
I'm not sure where you're located, but I myself wouldn't go with a dealer protection plan. I understand that there is an exception for every rule, but in my case, most dealer protections are not worth the money they charge. Not saying I wouldn't pay 1000.00 (I charge around that much routinely), but I wouldn't pay a dealer. As for finding a quality detailer (if you don't want to tackle this by yourself), there are more than a few ways of finding one. Go to all the review sites and start researching. You will probably start seeing a trend of certain people's names popping up with great reviews. Then all you have to do is call and inquire. Being that you found this site, you show a commitment of wanting to take care of your car. So continue to read up on this site and if you find a detailer, use your new found knowledge to inquire about the detailer's procedures.
I have read here on the forum that there are other similar products available such as MCKees 37 and Collinite 845.
Both products are great in my opinion. I suggest reading on here about the differences between waxes, sealants and coatings. Also, go to the autogeek store and read the reviews of each of the aforementioned categories.
A few things to keep in mind:
Do a search in this forum for= before and after. Reference the pictures of the "befores" to gauge your own paint. It's not a rock solid way, but it will help train your eye so as you can give an honest assessment of your car, to you. It will also help you to understand the time it truly takes, to thoroughly detail a car.
If you do decide to use a professional, some key questions you can ask that will help you to decide is- when can the detailer view your car? Do you have to go to them or can they come to you? What are some of the products they use? Do they carry insurance? What precautions do they take as in- do they use a paint gauge, tape off all trim, process of washing? If the coating/sealant they use is something you're not familiar with or don't want, will they be willing to use a product of your choosing if you supply it? (If I don't have what a customer wants I will actually buy it as long as it is within reason, and then charge accordingly)
Just remember that if you do go with a detailer and have any questions about anything the detailer says, post them up here and people will help you to understand. Plus, there are many people here that are blunt and will not hesitate to call b.s. on shady procedures.
Lastly, keep reading on here to learn how to properly care for your car. Who knows, maybe the detailing bug will bite you as it has for many of us.