Brand new vehicles usually come with some form of protective coating to protect them from dirt and debris during transport. These coatings are short lived, and they don’t compare to a professionally cured ceramic coating. When you buy a car at a dealership, one decision you’ll have to make is whether to pay extra for a better protective coating.
We’ve previously discussed the return on investment (ROI) of dealership paint protection. Now let’s focus on whether you should opt in for dealership paint protection.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What is dealership paint protection?
- Things to consider with professional paint protection
- Making the decision
What Is Dealership Paint Protection?
Anyone who’s ever purchased a vehicle from a dealership understands “the menu.” It’s the series of add-on purchases to complement your new ride, like gap coverage, roadside assistance, tire and road hazard protection, and automotive paint protection.
We’ve covered this topic far and wide in previous posts, like this one: What Are Automotive Ceramic Coatings?
Here’s a brief refresher: Paint protection is a professionally applied coating that creates a “shield” across your car’s painted surfaces. It helps defend against outdoor elements, dirt, salt, and similar hazards that could damage the car’s paint job.
These protective coatings aren’t all created equal. Each dealership will provide a different type of paint protection. We’ve compared several of them with Cilajet to see the differences.
How to Decide if Paint Protection Is Worth It
The best way to decide if adding paint protection to your new ride is worth it is to consider these criteria.
What elements will your car be exposed to?
From snow and ice to extreme heat and outdoor material, cars come into contact with a wide range of hazards. These can directly affect your car’s appearance, with the potential to fade your paint’s color or eat away at the paint.
For example, if you live in more northern areas, you’re likely driving on heavily salted roads for a good part of the year. All that salt can eat into unprotected paint if you don’t rinse it off after traveling.
Think about the elements your car will be exposed to. Paint protection makes more financial sense if your car will be exposed to elemental hazards on a regular basis.
How will you store your car?
Do you typically park in a garage, in the driveway, on the street, or under a tree? Car owners parking anywhere other than indoors should heavily consider professional paint protection.
How much does your vehicle cost?
Luxury vehicles can maintain their high-end appearance (and their value) with paint protection.
Is the vehicle new or used?
Saying yes to paint protection makes sense in both scenarios. If you’re buying a new vehicle, you can maintain its shiny appearance with a protective coating. And if you’re buying used, paint protection may help you preserve the vehicle’s current condition.
How long do you plan to keep the vehicle?
If you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long time, paint protection is a worthy investment. You’re more likely to get your money’s worth since quality paint protection lasts for several years.
How important is the vehicle’s exterior appearance to you?
This is an easy one: if you want to keep your vehicle looking like new, investing in paint protection is a no-brainer.
Which paint protection product does the dealer offer?
This is the most important factor to consider since dealer offerings will vary. Some don’t last as long as others. Some cost more than others. And some simply don’t live up to the hype. Ask what brand the dealer uses, then do your homework to see if it’s worth your time and money.
What Cilajet Recommends
We’re obviously biased, but we will always recommend paint protection for vehicles. We’ve seen how our protective coatings hold up over time and help vehicles maintain their luster and even their value.
While we would like you to choose Cilajet, the most important thing is protecting your paint and prolonging the life of your vehicle’s appearance. Make sure you do your research on the paint protection provider, their reputation, warranty, and cost. These can vary widely between providers and have a direct impact on the service you receive.