Paint & Interior Fabric Protection for new SEAT Leon?

[FRTSIman]

My new SEAT Leon FR TSI1.8 DSG is due for delivery at the end of October, and the dealer is trying to persuade me to pay extra for Supaguard Paint & Fabric treatment. Does anyone know if this is really worth it, as I have heard that garages make a large profit on these treatments and also if it isn't done properly, that the paint finish can end up permanently damaged? I also don't like the idea of treating the Alcantara upholstery with anything that might in anyway change the colour or texture of the fabric or make it feel sticky. Another SEAT dealer tried to sell me an alternative brand of the same type of treatment, so I would really appreciate any useful advice. I intend to look after the car and clean it regularly myself and I will not have any passengers who are likely to mess up the interior, so I don't need a substitute for my own care of the car.

 

[Bubbs]

I wouldn't bother with it. You can pick the kits up on ebay for £40 ish.

Every time I buy a car the dealers try to sell this stuff to me, and every time I refuse.

Actually, even if it was FREE I would not have it. Well, I'd have the kit off them, but I would not let the dealer apply the stuff. If you are careful and look after your car yourself, with careful washing / waxing / sealant / clay bars etc you will end up with the exterior being protected just as well, if not better than with this supagard / diamondbrite / whatever-it-is stuff.

My parents bought a new Golf a few months which had one of these treatments applied (although I don't think they paid for it). The valeter had made a right hash of it, cos the paintwork felt like sandpaper, where they'd not applied nor removed the stuff correctly.

If you are desperate to spend £300 on having the car prepped in the best possible way, then perhaps the best thing would be to have the dealer NOT do anything at all to it, other than maybe remove the plastic shipping wrap. Instead, collect the car in the state it rolled off the transporter, and drive it to a professional car detailer. Pay him/her £300 and you'll end up with MUCH better results.

 

[Husbandofstinky]

Amen to that. Leave the Supaguard stuff well alone from the paintwork. Overpriced and applied by a monkey.

I wouldn't like to comment on the fabric protection as never had it. However the supaguard I have had over the years on three piece suites etc has been worth the extra imo. So if you can get some of that and DIY it might be a good idea.

Whatever you do, try on a piece of material you can't see first just in case.

I have had the Leon for over 9 years now (from new) and there were no supaguard products on the interior. It has lasted well and if looked after properly you really don't need the stuff imo. If you go to Maccy D's and throw coke all over the interior of your car regularly then that might be a different story.

As for the paintwork everyone has their own preferences and methods. I don't have the time for a proper detail any more and will try amorall 'shield' polish for the first time this weekend on the Skoda. It is only a couple of months old now so hopefully it shouldn't be too hard work. However the Superb is a bit of a barge and a lot of panel work compared to both the Seat and the Honda. This stuff came out top in a recent Autoexpress polish test.

 

[Wimbledonian]

I never opted for the internal stuff because my wife's allergic to it and you get the chemical smell in the car for weeks. Did get external Supagard (for not much money), and it lasted about 18 months. Good to get a boxful of shampoo sachets and some bird poo foam thrown in. But doing sealant myself now with the excellent Carlack68 product set.

 

[Alzak]

Is just waste of money and typical salesman buls... Get your car to proper detailer not just will be bit cheaper but much better ...