Black Rocket

Hey all

I recently bought a black RX8 with leather pack. I love it.

I want to get the paint protection, leather preserver etc.

What do you recommend?

I've been quoted about $2000 for the package.

labrat

I believe you can get this done at places independent from dealers for much less. While there might be some merit in an internal protection pack, I have my doubts about the paint protection packs. For what its worth, I believe in regular application of a good quality long-lasting polish. I use Nu-Finish every 3 months, and wash in between with a wash-and-wax. Still looking gleaming after 2 1/2 years.

Rafa

Wow i would take my chances of not doing anything!!!
For 2,000 grand my brother replaced all his leather inside of his Supra, but that is a small interior...

fatmarco

Fantastic Black Rocket!
I would strongly recommend against buying any extras as the mark up is 60percent plus. Paint protection is a product you can buy (100bucks) and apply and is nothing more, wears off after a couple of months just like any wax. I would recommend spending your hard earned money buying a complete set of quality products and spending the time to apply it properly. I use the step products from meguires and it is fantastic. You have paint cleaners, wash, conditioners, polishes and wax. There is also the clay bars, quick detailers and specialised applicators etc. All up about 200-300bucks and much better protection.
But you need the time to do it properly.

Good luck,
Fatmarco.

takahashi

Agree with your logic.

I use the same Macquire product as fatmarco. The clay bar and detail spray is magic. I can renew Mrs Taka's Barina before trading in for a SP23.

Hard wax is worthwhile once a year and can keep shiny with soft resin polish in between.

I also have a black RX-8

Good luck

labrat

Whichever way you cut it (pun intended), clay bars are abrasives, albeit fine ones, and you are removing paintwork. We've had this discussion before, but my opinion is that the synthetic based polishes give a better bond to the paintwork, are much easier to apply, don't give you build up, and are at the end of it, much cheaper than the "rich, natural waxes" which are claimed to be in the expensive formulations.

At the end of the day, ya pays ya money and ya makes ya choice, but my belief is that there's more than a dash of snake oil and a pinch of bullshit in some of these expensive polishes.

Black Rocket

Thanks - this is very useful.

Where can I get those products? Is there a website?

Gomez

Which products? Meguires? Any Autobarn, Repco, Supercheap Auto etc.

Do not pay anything at the dealer for paint, underbody or leather protection. It is a blatant rip-off. An honest dealer will tell you that.

There is a term in the trade for the dealership chick with the big ***** who sells this stuff to the new car punter.....she is known as the "Ming Mole". Not very flattering, I know. Her job is to hook you up with the Ming rustproofing, paint protection etc. She also sells aftermarket alarms and other dealer fitted accessories. Dealers make a big quid on this stuff. Her cleavage takes your mind off how much you are paying......

labrat

They didn't wheel her out for me... guess they thought I was too old <sigh>

timbo

....and you pay LCT on anything that goes on the invoice at the time of purchase...just handing money to the Government

Gomez

Nah mate, you must have bought on a Monday or Friday. Ming Moles like having long weekends!!

It's the "more discerning" gentleman who are the main targets. Their wallets are deeper.....

EZZY

i still rememebr her (the mazda accessories woman) face when i told her the reason why i wouldnt buy the factory paint protection thingo...

xxup

Not us either... We got some desperate chick who turned grumpy when we said NO!

deano

My cousin got one of those paint protection things done on his Falcon GT and if you look at the car in the sun you can see a million swirl marks on it. He is very unhappy with it and apparantely needs a specialist to remove the swirl marks.

Its horrible. Polish it yourself by hand with a good polish and get some good leather care stuff for the interior. I use the armour all leather wipes on my interior, they are okay but do make the leather a bit slippery.

Deano.

labrat

I'm glad my wife didn't see that. She reckons its an expression of my good taste and discernment that I chose her, although she has hinted it was a lapse of judgement when she said yes. She might also agree on the deep pockets thing, but says in my case its coupled with short arms.

Gomez

Hahahahaha.....