Care - paint protection, leather protection
 

I have paint protection and leather protection on my Shinka.

Not sure about the external paint care with paint protection on. Do I just wash the car and that is it or should I be doing more? I spoke to the dealer, he told me just to wash. I'm not sure they know too much about their products.

Same thing for the leather. Shinka has those Alacantra inserts as well. If the dealer applied leather protection, should I be doing additional work - clean & protect? What about those alacantra inserts?

The concern is so that I don't strip the protection that they have applied.

If it is recommended to provide additional protection, what products are suitable that wouldn't strip existing protection and how often should I apply them? I'm not looking to do extra work if the protection that the dealer has applied is more than adequate.

Thanks.

Sorry....
 

Someone has to burst that bubble for you.

The "Protection Package" is just polish, probably all gone by now. (if it was ever there.)

How they gonna put leather protector on alcantara? Most of that stuff would just stain it and was probably never applied - I know I wouldn't do it to a new vehicle.

Those dealer options are just "profit packs" - anything to make a buck, glass etching, undercoat, fabric scotchguarding, all just extra reasons to gouge.

Sorry if I sound jaded, years of dealer experience will do that to you. :cool:

Yes, I know, most of the products are over rated. I usually get rust protection on my vehicles and they seem to work ok. Then again, the true test would be to keep the car for 15 years to find out if they really work.

With the paint protection, I have washed the vehicle after one week of owning it, and it seems that water is still beading off. Have not had much experience with those, but they say they re-apply it after 2 years. Don't know...So, I take the recommendation to wax is still there or would I start when the water no longer is beading off?

As for the leather treatment, yes, it would seem odd if they applied anything to alacantra inserts. Although I can see them applying scotch guard type of product there. Is there any sort of maintenance on them? As for the other leather, should I take it with a grain of salt as well? I mean, the guarantee is there that the leather will not discolor, crack, and some other claims.

Any input would be appreciated. I know with leather if you don't clean/condition it, it tends to wear off at the point of entry into the car - that's where you rub your paints against leather the most.

Edit: forgot to mention that I have wiped off some bird droppings off the car today and it came off like butter. So, there is something there but the question remains how long will the protection last?

I am most concerned about my leather. I bought my 04 rx-8 3 weeks ago May 13 2006 (couldn't afford new) and Im in love with the dual red and black leather interior. I plan on keeping the car for at least six more years and I don't want the leather to look like **** after a few years. I've never had leather interior before and Im clueless as to which brand of conditioner/cleaner would work most effectively on the 8. Any suggestions?

Most products will work well. Some people use the cleaner and then a conditioner, while others, including myself, cleaner&conditioner in one.

Cream Cleaner/Conditioner

Spray Cleaner/Conditioner

These have UV inhibitors as well. It's a personal preferance, spray or cream.

check this site out...
 

AutoGeeks has top of the line products as well as tons of information on how to keep your interior & exterior like new!
:beer05:

www.autopia.org click LEARN and read up.