I just ordered a 2K4 SL, black on black with VDC and sunroof. Trading in my 97 Infiniti I30t (great car). I'm contemplating getting a paint protection package, "The Protector", and wanted to get some input from you guys. I live in Chicago and the weather can get pretty brutal with road salt in the winter and acid rain otherwise. I normally don't have the time to wax and polish myself, just end up taking it to a soft cloth car wash. I negotiated the price down to $350 and the dealer's spiel of how this will last for years and is baked onto the finish has got me thinking. What's the consensus? Is it worth it or just a glorified wax job? Thanks in advance

 

what is the paint protection package???

 

i've heard of it but never asked what product it was. I'm interested to find out what it is though.

 

I have heard that these protection packages are nothing more than a spray on substance that they ding you a couple hundred bucks for. I would vote no. The paint will hold up. I have never had an issue with paint on any car I have owned, and I live in a very extreme environment, Phoenix.

 

It's a dealer offered aftermarket package for that provides warrantied protection against "weather induced loss of gloss, fading and chalking caused by: acid rain, tree sap, bird droppings and ultra violet rays. It also has road salt corrosion protection. Supposedly it's a multi step application -- I don't know.

 

that should come with every car.

 

I'd have to call BS on the PPP. Just another way to take money out of your pockets.

 

Agreed

 

The paint protection I had installed or adhered is a 3M product used like a clear bra. I recently had the package done by ENVISAGE. Because I'm in LA and do a lot of highway driving I've seen the effects on my previous Nissans and chose to make the investment. I'm not certain if it's the same thing Nissan is offering. I'm pleased with my decision thus far. I am waiting for my headlights to get a thicker shatter proof package. Just do a search under "paint protection" and it should give you more detailed info. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

Edmund's http://www.edmunds.com/news/column/l...7/article.html

 

don't do it. all you are getting is a normal turtle wax job. I don't care what anyone else says. They will rip you off, just like the carpet prtotection they want to sell you, all of it is BS.

You want a good shine and protection on your car, use Zaino wax. chech my home page to see the shine. If you would like more added protection, put on the 3M clear bra, that is what I use. For the carpets use 303 Aerospace carpet protection, this stuff is bad a$$.

good luck...

Jr

 

How much are the 3M clear bras running?

 

from what i've found, the hood/fender/mirror kit is $189, and the bumper kit is $369. that's Xpel's 3M kits. The headlight protection is $69.

 

on the g35 forums, people say that a 3m clear bra for their cars run about 600 installed

 

It's $995 in my area. Depends on who installs it. I love it. Just took a 500 mile trip in the car and it was nice to just wipe the bugs away knowing no paint was damaged.

Don't try to install it yourself I watched and it looked like a pain if you don't know what you are doing. More than likely you will mess up and lose the money you have just spent.

-Ed

 

My entire kit cost 450 including hood, bumper, mirrors and healights installed.

 

mine was 400 installed in Charlotte, NC. Since then, I had
replaced (hail damage to hood) the hood piece for 115 and I
put it on myself. Have someone put on the bumper piece for you.

 

Regular wash and ocasional wax will protect against bird droppings, acid rain etc...

The dealers put this stuff on every car then add it to the price re: the Edmonds link mentioned above.

When you sit down with the salesman or finance guy, make your best deal then make it clear that you don't want ppp or fabric protector or undercoat or... Be firm. Tell them to take the price off the top or you walk. They will do it. Be firm! They want to close the deal.