Did you purchase Dealer Paint Sealant on your Ram ?

[M Barnett]

I have frequented a discussion board on auto painting for a long time and when I asked this question, I got a resounding "Never put teflon on your paint. " These guys know their buisness and they seem to prefer Zano. On my big trucks, I order them with Imron Paint. The Arizona sun has no effect on it. Never polished or waxed.

Michael

 

[Blu-meanie]

I purchased that crap. About two months later I get two bird s*** etchings and a dozen or so pine pitch marks on the hood. Took the stealer three trys before they sent it to someone who could hide them. Now they have come back. Whatever someone put on it has worn off.

If I hadn't bought this crap I would have had wax or something on it to protect it. I would like to get really personal with the company that sells this useless stuff.



DO NOT BUY IT!!!

 

[DBazley]

More paint sealant vs. wax thoughts

Sounds like the Honda dealer was more honest than Dodge in this case.



Basically: There is no "lifetime sealant", unless you park in a garage full time. Then and then only... ..... which is why Honda said "needs an annual reapplication". Even the best Sealant products like Perma Shield Finish Guard or Perma Plate, or *, need annual re-application, and then you know they're using some advanced sealant probably a "polymer/acrylic", because no wax can last more than 2 months due to it's properties that allow it to wash off & melt off rapidly.



The reason the sealants get tagged "Teflon" that being more an adjective than a noun. It's what it does, not necessarily what it contains. You know, to convey a picture "so smooth, nothing sticks, it's like teflon. "



Folks who get it usually swear it's amazing how it holds up, with the only complaints usually



It's too high priced (at $ 400 up front, yeah that's true).



They hate going back each year at $ 75 bucks a trip (in addition to the $ 400 up front). If you did that on each rig you drive, it'll run ya some dollars.



You could use a basic wax, but a Carnauba, say Zymol or Mother's Gold (really any type wax) give perhaps 2 months max protection, being generous. So 6 times a year to keep the rig nice. Nice thought, but most of us won't be that devoted, especially if you've got 3 or 4 rigs at home, that's 18 to 24 wax jobs a year. Your neighbors will think it's all you do wax EVERY OTHER weekend.



Well, then how do we get the best protection (like a fresh dealer Polymer sealant job well done) for peanuts? Da Da... ... . that's what we do, and have done for 14 years now. The best of the Dealer paint sealants is what Perma Shield Finish Guard is... ... for about $ 2. 50 per application on a full size truck. I won't mention cost here, but you math whizes can read between the lines when I say the Quart does 10 Dodge trucks with canopy top.



Those interested can check out the Classified ads in the "Vendor Promotions & Group Purchases" on this site, to see how we bend over backwards to prove this, at our risk, no less... ... as it is it's a try it for free offer... . who else will do that for the TDR group... only cause the boss here is a TDR guy and know's what the result will be for those who take advantage of the offer... ... . Nuff said. Oo.

 

[DBazley]

Question for Blu-Meanie

Did they provide you with a written warranty for the sealant ? If so, it should provide for your satisfaction, up to and including re-painting if necessary.



By all means (here's the lawyer in me), force their hand and ask for the repaint if you got damage after purchasing the sealant. I assume you bought it for the "peace of mind" as well as to protect the rig. They should be held to the terms of the agreement.



One reason I say this: Some dealers sell sealant on lots of vehicles, and they may forget to apply it (accidentally or perhaps fraudulently), leaving you in the un-enviable position of being paid up and unprotected.



Or it may have been applied, but just a lousy quality product.



Bottom line: Their liability probably extends past just sending to a cut & buff & hoping that makes you go away. A close reading of the warranty will be helpful here, to see if they'll pay for a repaint in the case of damage.

:--)

David

 

[mimprevento]

Paint Sealant

I turned it down along with the extended warranty and the time share in the Brooklyn Bridge that was offered- this is two notches below snake oil- just wax the truck regularly- clearcoat is paint sealant- dealer sealant is profit

 

[Blu-meanie]

It was down to repaint it if it ain't fixed. Now it's back, yes, I will be taking it back to them. I really hate to have it repainted, but I will not let this go. The amount I paid for this rig and the "promise" of the treatment will not be forgiven. It's time they did the "put up or shut up" thing. I hate dealers! Too bad the Cummins isn't in something other than a Dodge. Now, where do I start the un-bomb?

 

[DBazley]

Dealer woes

What a hassle, most dealers. Our Dodge came from Dave Smith Motors in Idaho, and I've got to give them credit, they were great. Then again, my local dealer was what "drove" me to go to Idaho for the best deal and the best treatment in terms of respect, fair price and least amount of hassle.



The local sales manager was fairly oblivious about why a local (San Diego) customer would fly out of state to buy a rig, and wasn't even curious. He just said he wasn't able to compete with the "Guy in Idaho who sells Dodge's".



It's partly demand. They have 50 trucks (perhaps 30 Cummins) per month alotment, and 200 truck buyers competing, so they start figure that with those odds, they can pretty much do whatever they wish, and you'll still buy.



Not a good reason, of course... ... . but the only explaination that makes logical sense.



One thing I appreciated, the salesman at Dave Smith Motors (Mike Johnson) gave me great counsel on the truck equipment so I optioned it correctly. I've met many who got pushed into a model they were not happy with due to poor equipment package choices !



They didn't push options, just told me I could get em, if I wanted em. I said yes to undercoating & window tint, but no to the dealer paint sealant, because my business is supplying that product already.



Besides, I don't have time to drive to Idaho each year for the re-do!



Glad to hear you're holding your dealers feet to the fire in any case!