What did you do to your truck when you first took delivery as far as paint protection and interior protection against the elements? did the dealer try to seek you a product and did you take it?
I know you were under the 2G thread and saw no sub-topic. So your thinking was probably to go UP one level under the Honda Ridgeline forum to see the Paint type threads. But you need to go up yet another level... Under Honda Accessories, Care..etc
I did ceramic tint and OptiCoat Pro on the paint. But, I always do that on my vehicles. I makes it a ton easier to wash them for the next several years.
I skip the dealer stuff, since I am willing to pay to get it done right after delivery.
No dealer options for me - too expensive & questionable quality imho. I put a coat of Wolfgang paint sealer on it & used their leather cleaner & conditioner on the inside. Even my service advisor was impressed with the results.
Exterior - the truth that nobody wants to hear is that all waxes and polishes are only temporary and can damage the clear coat in some instances. Just keep it clean. If you like a slick finish something as easy as Turtle Wax Ice is not harmful and works great. None is needed. The UVA and UVB shielding of these products minimal at best. Wax does nothing. Use a polish.
Interior - a can of Scotch Guard is as good or better than anything the dealer can put on. Use if you choose.
Dealer paint sealers and interior treatments are a SCAM. They often don't do anything at all and charge you for it. That the truth of the industry.
Sorry to be so blunt, but that's the way it really works. You can do as well or better than any dealer, but really nothing is needed.
If you read the fine print of their warranty you'll find it's worthless.
Just trying to be honest. These are "packs" from the dealer designed to give them higher profit margins. They really and honestly often do NOTHING but charge for the treatment and never do any treatment at all. Especially if you are in a hurry.
Some will tell you it's already installed and want to charge you for it. That is a LIE and they are just trying to rip you off. Same goes for nitrogen in the tires, VIN engraving (it's already there) and many other things.
New cars sales are to take advantage of the weak minded. DON'T be WEAK MINDED.
Just purchased an RTL-E. I used to pay the dealer cost of their exterior and interior cleaner. Since it was a rip-off and I learned the product needed to be applied regularly to actually add value/work......I would call in about once a year and make a claim (ie: "I have tree sap" on the car I can't remove."). The same guy would come to my house each year. He taught be quite a bit about the whole process. He even gave me product.
My previous car was in accident this summer. I knew I wanted to SEAL the paint. I found autogeek.net on the internet and that led my down a long path of researching. They have some great products and I landed on Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0. I sealed my RTL-E. I will re-seal about once a year. I always use a spray wax when I wash my cars. (learned that tip because I use a spray wax every time I pull my ski-boat out of the water). Current spray wax I'm using and will buy again: Pinnacle Souveran Liquid Spray Wax. (I buy it by the gallon when autogeek.net has their buy one, get one free sales).
Conclusion: I'm no longer giving the dealers $700 or $800 for an exterior sealant that only cost $40.00. I now buy the products at autogeek.net and do it myself.
INTERIOR: I bought Pinnacle Leather Conditioner. Love the product so far. (I treated my 2 other leather vehicles but haven't pulled the trigger yet on m RL only because I'm enjoying the "clean car" smell. 0).
So to those who have tried the Opticoat or cQuartz, the $500-$1000 cost is having it done by a detail shop? That seems totally worth it to me. I'm buying a BE in a couple months and I am already stressed out about having black paint on a vehicle again!
I looked up some of these coatings and they all seem very similar. Any particular reason one is preferred over the other?
I only picked Ceramic Pro because it was a new-comer on the scene. I don't think it matters, but I can't say... I've never seen the two comparisons next to each other. I read somewhere that someone felt Opti-Coat is a little more hydrophobic and Cermic Pro is a little tougher. Can't say I back up that statement, as I don't know.
I've been pleased. But it is still a young application for me. It could be totally crap after a year.. don't know yet. Opti-Coat has a big fan base as they have been around for a while. I'm not going to hype any product, but washing is breeze with Ceramic Pro... but it should be on a new vehicle anyway. But the thing shines like nothing else. And there is not an drop of wax on it.
It depends on how many coats/layers you purchase, each one needs time to cure. I don't beleive Opti-coat requires a black light... but Ceramic Pro does. It hardens under black lights for 24hrs for each layer purchased.
I see that Opti-Coat can use applied at home...I'll look into and may go that route. If I get it, it might help me not wax my truck every couple of months, and maybe I'll end up taking less time washing it weekly.
Looks to be about $80-90 for 20cc, which states is enough for about 2 coats.
Can you tell me where you found it for sale as a DIY? I've only found "Knock-off" products. If you DIY... Just keep in mind, it seals in your paint as is... flaws, water spots, no going back. But I purchased a supplement of another brand to use if I had to re-wipe/coat a scratch that I had to polish out. Ceramic Pro doesn't sell to consumers (I don't think), so I bought another brand for that type of thing. I would like to buy DIY kits of the real product if I can. So far, I bought this... but I haven't needed to apply it yet. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C0YDXO8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My detailer did full paint correction to make the paint perfect then installed Xpel Ultimate film on the hood, front fascia, head lights, and mirrors. The entire truck was then ceramic coated with Kamikaze ceramic.
They also installed window film on the front side windows. I went slightly lighter than the rear factory tint.
Jim at Definitive Detailing does amazing work. He's also done my GTI and my fiance's Escape with fantastic results. Usually he's doing much higher end cars.
I'm shocked that some of you spend the time and money researching and applying things to your RL! Good for you guys, it just seems that the ROI isn't there for me.
I operate under the premise that the paint and clear coat from the factory is designed to hold up to everything mother nature throws at the truck. Secondary premise: I won't have the truck for 20 years.
I use a pressure washer... and that's it. <snip> I'm shocked that some of you spend the time and money researching and applying things to your RL! Good for you guys, it just seems that the ROI isn't there for me..
There's a lot said right there in red. Just speaking for me, I don't like to wet-sandblast my vehicle with a pressure sprayer. The same could be said for anything you spend your money on as ROI comes in different shapes for different folks. But there is practicality to these products. You fall into a crowd majority, that's all.
My dealer MADE me put on perma plate (ceramic coating) on the leather and exterior paint. But the more I looked into it the more I wasn't too upset. Has a 7 year warranty and helps protect it from all this nasty sap up here in the Pacific Northwest. But comes with a price
My dealer MADE me put on perma plate (ceramic coating) on the leather and exterior paint. But the more I looked into it the more I wasn't too upset. Has a 7 year warranty and helps protect it from all this nasty sap up here in the Pacific Northwest. But comes with a price
I've been aware of ceramic coatings for a while, but opted against them. We will pick up our RTL-T AWD in a few weeks and I'll be having IGL ceramic coating put on out here in Havasu next winter. I'm a bit of a believer now. There are many options for ceramic stuff today. The shop that did it also sells Ceramic Pro, but in his opinion, this is as good and very cost effective. I paid $299 for our old Viper in the pic. I've always taken good care of this vehicle, but this coating took it a new level of shine. Dust blows off of it. It's more slipperier than it's ever been. He did the wheels and glass too. I notice much less brake dust as well. This car is in it's 18th year and we've put 121K miles on it since new. I also don't enjoy waxing vehicles nearly as much anymore
For any do it yourselfer's out there I would sugest you consider RejeX.
I found it recommend some years back on the Corvette Fourm I joined.
It is strictly a "soil barrier / anti stain protector". Depending on the number of
washes it's good for 6 to 12 months. It will not enhance the shine at all.
You will find it sold by airplane supply vendors ...
Lots of boat guys use it too. For me I go to the local you wash it then hit it with Turtle Wax Ice. No residue and also does a nice job on the plastic trim. Takes about 15 minutes to do.
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