Dealer offers these two services. I've always heard that undercoating is a good thing to do if you're going to keep the vehicle for a awhile. This Paint sealant thing is new to me. they say it means you never have to wax it, and with all the posts about lousy paint jobs and rust I'm wondering if it's a good idea. Anyone had these done yet or have any opinions? Thanks.

 

I read in, I think consumer report, That cars painted after 2002 or 2003 have a sealant in the paint. They said that to pay for a sealant was just a rip off. Now this is the only place I have read this. I personal believe it. But it is up to you. Undercoating is always a good thing IMHP. If anyone else knows of this sealant in the paint thing I would like to know about it too. Nothng wrong with waxing. It helps protect and it looks good.

 

Today's paints are weaker that in years past, due the govement mandants on solvent content and so forth. If you ever go to a dealership in a big city, you can tell the cars that have been sitting for a long time. they will have "lot rot", ie acid ran depressions in the paint. Some of these "sealers" are an added element to protect todays weaker paints. Due they all work? No, of course not. Is it really that high to purchase? Some are great products, others are not. Remember, unless you go to a hassle-free dealership, like where I work (we give our best price on everything upfront, not like Saturn but similar), everything is negotiable. Don't ever pay what they ask for it. We use Simonize 5 and it appears to be well worth the money and the paint warranty that Simonize backs it with (5 years). I get nothing for this, I'm just throwing my .02 experience out there.

 

Do you really need undercoating in Oregon? Are the roads frequently salty in the winter? I know that here in Tennesse it isn't needed. I certainly wouldn't pay for either.

 

We have the biggest and best and sand dunes on the coast in Oregon. But it is full of salt. Plus that new stuff they put on the roads when it is icy, I don't trust as being non corrosive(sp). It also helps alittle when the rocks are getting thrown up from your tires. Anyway that's what my brain thinks.