Dealership offering "Polysteel Enviromental Protection" really?

[oldmodman]

Everyone always jumps up to call these detailer up sells a scam. I agree that charging hundreds for the product is definitely scam worthy, but has anyone ever actually tested these products?

I would be curious to see how they actually perform, if at all.

Tested?

No.

Seen how the products work on a neighbors new car?

Yes.

They bought a new Jag from the "Valleys Biggest Dealer" and got sucked into the paint protection program. I do not know who manufactured the product but the results and longevity are not good. After twenty hand washes using DP soap which I gave him, along with the MF towels and two buckets with grit guards, there was absolutely no beading.

Since he was going to go back to the dealer to complain I asked him if he wanted me to correct half the hood. He did, so I did. Two stage polishing plus Fuzion and it looked amazing. The metallic blue popped like it had never done before.

The dealer himmed and hawwed and eventually agreed to give him the same amount he had paid in services. And I did the rest of his car. He went back and got 2.5 new tires for free.

 

[gar1948]

I just purchased a Hyundai that came with super polysteel interior and exterior no charge. I had purchased 303 high tech fabric guard before finding out I had the polysteel. My question is should I apply the 303 on top of the polysteel or would that cause a problem or be ineffective as a second fabric guard? Thanks for any feedback on this.

 

[jgibson2980]

I have worked at a local high end car dealership . They use to sell these products . The wax was just some low grade sealant , the interior protactant was about the same as armor all , And for the carpet and mat it was just some 3m scotch guard . This package cost around 500 or more to be applied . You were given the left overs and they were only about 16 oz bottles that most people never use . I can remember the name of the product but they made us stop ordering good products for used car details and just use this crap .

 

[PiPUK]

Whilst I do suspect that you guys are right about this particular scenario, it is worth pointing out that there ARE coating products which would necessitate this level of cost. Don't forget just how much money some of you guys will spend on a tub of wax!

 

[KneeDragr]

Whilst I do suspect that you guys are right about this particular scenario, it is worth pointing out that there ARE coating products which would necessitate this level of cost. Don't forget just how much money some of you guys will spend on a tub of wax!

What coatings cost $800?

 

[WickedLou9]

What coatings cost $800?

Might as well repaint the car for that kinda money. The most expensive product I could imagine is the opti-coat which is 50 dollars per application and probably 6-8 hours of prep. say 400 dollars in labor, 50 dollars in product? Then... double it? there is no way to justify 800 dollars. It's a scam, plain and simple. Anytime any wax like product talks about Teflon you know right away it's a scam. Teflon has to be applied at very high temperatures. You can't just smear it onto the paint and have it work. Teflon has to be baked on at up to 700 degrees F for it to adhere. Otherwise it's just going to blow away in the wind.

 

[cardaddy]

Whilst I do suspect that you guys are right about this particular scenario, it is worth pointing out that there ARE coating products which would necessitate this level of cost. Don't forget just how much money some of you guys will spend on a tub of wax!

Point well made, re boutique products. OTOH, I highly doubt even hi-line dealers would be applying GTechniq or even Opti-Coat for that matter. But.... with the amount of time, labor, materials just to get to the point of a proper install of the above me thinks the dealership would have to charge more like $1500.00 to make it worth their while. :dunno:

 

[KneeDragr]

Might as well repaint the car for that kinda money.

800$? Must be talking about Earl Scheib! Make sure to tell him not to paint the wheels, lol!

 

[PiPUK]

What coatings cost $800?

Might as well repaint the car for that kinda money. The most expensive product I could imagine is the opti-coat which is 50 dollars per application and probably 6-8 hours of prep. say 400 dollars in labor, 50 dollars in product? Then... double it? there is no way to justify 800 dollars. It's a scam, plain and simple. Anytime any wax like product talks about Teflon you know right away it's a scam. Teflon has to be applied at very high temperatures. You can't just smear it onto the paint and have it work. Teflon has to be baked on at up to 700 degrees F for it to adhere. Otherwise it's just going to blow away in the wind.

Opti-coat is one of the high price products in the detailing arena. However, protective coatings are used in a vast array of sectors and I believe that automotive is a relatively small sub-sector. There are a vast array of products ranging from those you know through to those used elsewhere which may cost many thousands of dollars per litre to manufacture.

With regards to teflon: In some regards you are correct but consider silica coatings - you can't just throw sand onto the paint and have a nano-coating either. However, we do know that you can indeed effectively solubilise silica through solgel processes (as example). Fluoro polymers like teflon (not exactly Teflon - Dupont would own you if you tried that!) are the same. The use of fluoropolymer precursors is not that uncommon and I do know of several products which genuinely result in fluorinated polymeric finishes. The matter of whether it is a good idea or not is not worth visiting.

 

[57BORNTORUN]

So me and my gf just got a 2012 Mini and the dealer offered "Polysteel Environmental Protection" it "keeps your mini looking its best, inside and out, for up to 6 years. This Teflon based paint sealant acts as a barrier between your Minis interior/exterior finishes and harmful effects of fading, spills, and sun. Like a permanent wax." And it's only $795!!! Do people really fall for this crap.

My salesperson knew I detailed cars but the finance person had no idea so I started asking questions about it. He got very uncomfortable quick and changed the subject when I mentioned I detailed cars.

I have a bridge for sale.It stretches from 714 to Indian st. here in Stuart FL.It`s not complete yet so I can reduce the price.(Sound somewhat familiar).:nomore:

 

[Fishincricket]

Yes.

These types of paint protection plans as well as any other add-on they can sell you are termed "Profit Centers" or something like that. I don't do the "new car" thing except for once but from what I understand there's really not a lot of profit left in just selling a new car due to price competition via the introduction of this thing we call the Internet, (kind of simplistic explanation but a part of the big picture), so the profit comes from anything and everything the sales people can hook you with.

Considering the average person doesn't know the difference between a squirrel and a swirl these types of add-ons probably keep the dealerships in business.

Meanwhile the honest dealerships who don't even offer that crap are going out of business because they can't make a daggum dime of profit anymore.. It's a shame that the consumer so readily succumbs to the BS and goes with the flow. :shakes_head:

 

[Johny B]

Yes.

These types of paint protection plans as well as any other add-on they can sell you are termed "Profit Centers" or something like that. I don't do the "new car" thing except for once but from what I understand there's really not a lot of profit left in just selling a new car due to price competition via the introduction of this thing we call the Internet, (kind of simplistic explanation but a part of the big picture), so the profit comes from anything and everything the sales people can hook you with.

Considering the average person doesn't know the difference between a squirrel and a swirl these types of add-ons probably keep the dealerships in business.

The difference between a swirl and squirrel

:iagree:100%