Geek_In_A_Stang

Ok, so my '07 GT Premium is arriving in the next two or three weeks and I'm looking for some advice on paint protection. I've read a lot about getting Zainofied but I don't really have much time to spend doing all that myself. With my 2000 GT, I took it to Ziebart for the undercoat/rustproof and paint protection package. I've taken it back annually ever since. I've been pretty happy with that, but two things will be different this time.

My old car was only driven in the summer (no rain or snow), but the new one will be more of an every day driver (still looking to avoid the nasty snow days here in PA). Also, Ziebart now has their "Diamond Protection" that is apparently tougher than the old stuff. Of course, the dealer would like me to go with their stuff which "lasts five years," but we all know how true that is (snake oil anyone?).

I was thinking about getting the Ziebart package and also X-Pel. First, any thoughts on the plan in general? Second, if I go with Ziebart/X-Pel, which one should I do first (I was thinking Ziebart so they don't mess up the X-Pel with their buffers). Thoughts??? I plan on keeping my car for at least 6 or 7 years and I'd like to keep it looking pretty without spending hours on it each week. I am picky and I love to take care of stuff, but my wife + 2 year old + 9 mo. old + job promotion (i.e. more work) just isn't leaving me enough time for all that. I'd rather spend my free time enjoying it and driving it, but I still want to keep it as pristine as possible.

Thanks all!

Jesse

Glenn

I wouldn't bother with any of that stuff any more. Had it done to my 2000 and I don't beleive it has done all that much for keeping my finish all that great looking.
Wash it, clay bar it, wash it and then wax it once every 6 months or so. You could even skip the clay bar if you wanted. Should take less than 2 hrs. Have the honey help you while the kids take a nap. Either that or pay some one to detail it every couple of months.

Glenn

even if you don't want to wax it I still would not get those protection packages, and just drive it.

titanjc

To protect the front bumper / hood paint, you should look into the 3M clearbra. I've heard nothing but good things about it, and unless you know it's there, you won't notice the line on the body of the car at all.

kevinb120

I would just go with a good easy-to-apply wax like MgGuires NXT. I wouldn't worry too much about the front, but I would get headlight protectors, as they are easilly scuffed. Personally I like the Ziebart under car protection packages, they do very good work. I'm getting the sound deadening package to reduce all the noise from stuff hitting the bottom of the car like sand and pebbles, but not the full undercoating. I'm not a big fan of clear bras personally. And get a decent power washer to make life easier(comes in handy for a million other things anyway).

When you pick up the car, just go over it VERY carefully to make sure there is no defects or scratches before you drive away with it. It's hard to get that stuff fixed once you leave.

Geek_In_A_Stang

I think I'll definitely get the undercoat, given all the construction (lots of dirt on the road as they build us a new one), crappy weather, etc. that we get around here.

Any brand/model recommendations?

I hear ya on that one! I wish that I had been pickier when I picked up my first GT in 2000. Both doors actually had a dent and paint chip/crack on the inside/underside (couldn't be seen unless you stood on your head). I'm guessing that something went awry on the door robot at the factory??? Anyway, I found it when I got home and they gave me a can of touch up paint (woo hoo). There were other problems too (a couple of dents in the trunk gutters, etc.). I was just a young pup and didn't really know how picky I could be, and the dealer was all too insistent that I was being too picky as it was. Any advice on how to best get the dealer to cooperate (as I do plan to be picky). I mean, besides being nice about it.

Anybody else have thoughts on the Ziebart/X-Pel vs self-wax vs nothing debate???

Jesse

dapmustang

I had Ziebart Diamond Gloss on my 2000 Mustang for five years. It cost ~ $225 to apply the FIRST time, and $125 for the yearly re-do. I also got it for my 2006 Mustang, first weekend home.

If you WANT to do all the work yourself - time and effort - then as others have said, use the very best products you can find and do the work yourself. Nothing wrong with that.

If you don’t want the work and can afford the initial application plus the $125 yearly re-apply, go the Zeibart route - but NOT from the dealer. Let the dealer sell cars, let Ziebart do the Diamond Gloss.

Was it worth it to me … ABSOLUTELY! If I had time and energy, sure, I would do it myself, but alas, my younger days of such vigor are long gone.

Why am I so sold? My 2000 Mustang was repainted because it had environmental fallout damage. Not acid rain as Diamond Gloss should protect from, not bird poop. We don’t know what caused the damage. Something burned through the clear-coat down to the color layer - small dots all over the topside of the car. BUT - the insurance company paid for ALL of it (under comprehensive coverage, $3700) even for a four-year-old car - because the paint looked PERFECT, and they had to restore it to like condition. I could not tell the difference between the after new-paint look as compared to the before paint-with-diamond-gloss look. Well worth the investment, in my case. And this was a non-garaged car, through hot summers, leaf-staining falls, and snowy winters.

This isn’t Diamond Gloss vs. Zaino or others. It’s do-it-yourself vs. outsourcing. Again, you can do as well on your own. But if you want to farm off that duty to others, I think the Zeibart product is fine - just not from the dealer. Just make sure you do SOMETHING - don’t leave the finish unprotected.

jacostang

+1 I love the 3M Clear Bra it has saved my front end so many times< Including the headlight and fog lenses!!!! A little pricey but how much to repaint the nose of your car etc. And if you plan on re-selling it it will pay for itself in a second!! Other than that, a good car cover and clay bar and wax!!!!

www.atlasarmor.com

DoctorQ

+2 on the 3M Clear Bra. Here's my write-up on the X-Pel 3M product I bought and had installed:

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=63019

kevinb120

As far as paint issues when new, Dealers will fix any scuffs or chips as long as it is noticed before you take it. Typically you will have no issues if its only a few days later, but it's hard to get something fixed like a scratch 2 weeks later without it being noted originally(otherwise dealers would fiix every chip anyone ever got). Paint defects are covered under warranty, but of course if it is at least noticed on day one you will never have to worry about haggling to get it fixed.

cookiemonster

Where can I buy headlight protectors? I've never heard of them before ...

kevinb120

You can find them in tons of places like ebay. They are the 8mil thick removeable clear bra protectors, sometimes called shields. If you plan on keeping the car for a long, long time, you can even get new take-off headlight assemblies for like $200. If it starts looking tired after 6-7 years, just bolt in new ones...I'm getting ready to get a set of painted rocker panels to throw in the attic.

X-pel is one of the bigger brands:

http://www.autoanything.com/lights/6....aspx?kc=ff186

V10

We've discussed this many times before. All of those so called "paint protectants" are no different than a polymer polish that you can buy at Walmart for less than $10 (Eg Meguires NXT as Kevin said above)

Read the fine print and you'll see that that super special paint sealant has to be reapplied every year.

Also, don't waste your money on Zebart unercoat / rust proofing.

Geek_In_A_Stang

You're right, but I'm ok with that. I've been paying Ziebart to do that every year since I got the 2000 GT (initial app was ~ $300 I think, then ~ $80/yr after that). Despite good intentions, I probably just won't get around to doing it myself.

metroplex

Klasse All-In-One.

chorpeac

I'll vouch for the 3M clear bra. I have had mine on since Jan 2005, and it is in great shape still. A little waxing like normal, and it works wonders.

V10

If you're OK with paying Ziebart $300 + $80 / year, that's fine. I just wanted to make sure that you understand the paint protectant (& the Simoniz, Dupont, etc. stuff many of the dealers try to sell for $300) isn't any better than good polymer "waxes" any of us can buy at Wal-Mart or Pep-Boys.

I bought a 2006 Lincoln LS out of dealer stock. The dealer had put on a Dupont paint sealant at a price of $600 (I think the price included 2 more annual applications). I told the dealer $600 for wax was a deal breaker so the dealer knocked the price down to $0 to make the sale. When I got my LS home I found that the "sealant" had been only applied to the hood, roof & trunk, there was nothing on the doors, fenders & bumpers.

Cowtown

+whatever on the clear bra. I also say nay to the paint protection schemes. I'd just give it a really good wash and wax. Later on do a claybar and wax before the fall and then again in the spring/early summer. It's not that much time and really it'll save you a small fortune and product just as good results. The claybar is great and most people can get away with 1 per year.

Hollywood_North GT

Agreed. All those 'paint protection packages' are a scam. Today's paints and clearcoats simply don't require more than a good wash, claybar and wax - all doable by the owner if he/she feels so inclined.

Just don't buy the Turtle Wax Liquid Claybar Ice product. Total crap that doesn't include an actual claybar at all.

metroplex

Klasse All-in-one. One of the easiest products to apply and remove and it isn't very abrasive at all.