Buying a new car is expensive. It’s also stressful, especially once you’ve settled on a price and payment plan and then the dealer tries to upsell you on add-on options. It’s so easy to say no, no, no when you see the menu of available upgrades and services to enhance your purchase. But no isn’t always the best answer.
Auto paint protection is one potential upgrade that can deliver an ROI on your upfront costs. It helps you preserve your car’s appearance by actively repelling contaminants (such as acid rain, bugs, and road salt) and preventing fading, oxidation, and rust.
We want to make sure you’re making the right decision about adding paint protection if your dealer offers it. Here are five questions to ask that can help you decide.
1. What does this protect my car from?
Why it’s important to ask: You want your vehicle covered for the conditions you’re likely to face based on where you live, where you park your car, and your daily commute. A person who parks under a tree every night is likely to have different challenges than someone who parks in a garage. The same goes for street parking at work vs. a parking lot or garage.
Your goal is to make sure the paint protection product you’re investing in meets your protection needs. A good protective coating should protect against multiple elements, like UV rays, tree sap, bird droppings, saltwater, road salt, and other debris.
2. Can I come back later and add paint protection?
Why it’s important to ask: Maybe auto paint protection isn’t in the budget right now. Or maybe you want more time to think about adding auto paint protection to your new ride. Knowing your options matters, as this may take some of the pressure off of you to make a split second decision.
3. Will this product require less upkeep?
Why it’s important to ask: Not all paint protection is created equal. You want to feel like you’re getting your money’s worth, so something like needing to wash or wax your car less could affect how you value paint protection. You’ll be spending less on car care, which helps offset the cost of keeping up your car. Plus you’ll save time over the course of several months (or even years) by not having to wash and wax your car as frequently.
Knowing how to care for your vehicle after it has received paint protection is critical to extend the life of your vehicle’s paint.
4. Is there a chance this product can ruin my paint or void my warranty?
Why it’s important to ask: Never assume the dealer’s products are safe for your paint. Typically, the risk is low or non-existent. But it’s always good to understand any risks (great or small) that might come with a protective coating.
5. Will this product still let me put stickers or decals on my car?
Why it’s important to ask: If you like to add your own flair to your vehicle, like stickers or decals, make sure you’ll still have this option if you get a protective coating. You should also ask if you need to wait a certain amount of time before applying any stickers to avoid messing up the paint protection.
Bonus question: What paint protection do you offer?
Some dealerships offer competing paint protection products. We are not sure why, but it happens. Do your research to ensure you’re getting a quality product.
Be Prepared With Paint Protection
When you’re dropping cash on a new car, it’s best to have these questions ready at the time you’re making the purchase. This way, you can make an informed decision about paint protection and ensure the extra investment is worth it. Do your research and choose paint protection from a dealership that is knowledgeable about the paint protection products they offer.