Dealer offered services

[Sig Schecter]

Just leased a 2021 Big Horn Night Edition. I was passed on to a guy who tried to sell me some protection packages. I said no but I have until the end of the month to get them done at the “discount”. So I am here wondering what your opinions are.

Services offered:
Acid rain Sealant - “eliminates the need to wax your car, protects against acid rain, industrial fallout, bird droppings, tree sap and tar.”

Fabric Protector - “repels food and beverage stains, makes clean-ups easier, prolongs fabric life”

Rust Inhibitor - “permanently bonds into all crevices, cavities, and other rust prone areas. No holes drilled - fog mist system”

Underbody protector - “seals the bottom of your vehicle from salt, stones, and rust. Reduces road noise”

I can get the first two for $299. I can get all four for $598. On the surface they seem like good ideas. Here are the only reasons I can think of that align with needing any of these. I live in Ohio and there is salt on the roads more months a year than not. I park under a tree that does drop some sap in the spring. Bird poop sucks and tends to find my vehicles. I hate waxing and do end up with dings on the front end from all the freeway driving I do.

What is your opinion on these services? Are they gimmicks or do they do what they say they do? Are the prices good, better, or worse than similar services offered elsewhere?

At this point I do not know if I’ll want to buy out the lease or not. This is my first lease so I’m not familiar with the turn in process and how picky they can be.

Thanks for your time!

 

[noodles]

Price point looks legit. The ceramic internal/external package was almost 2K, I recall.

 

[chrisbh17]

One at a time -

Acid rain sealant - Ive paid $1000.00 to have one of my vehicles professionally paint corrected and coated with a "permanent" coating. I wouldnt trust a dealer job for 150. Even if their magic stuff worked (which I dont think it does), you will need to reapply anyway, so find a good detailer or surf the net to DIY it. its not hard, especially with existence of spray-on ceramic coatings.

Fabric protector - honestly not sure they do anything, but even if they do, I think you can buy your own Scotchgard-type product and apply it yourself

Rust inhibitor/underbody protector - nothing is going to be permanent, so look into Fluid Film, Krown, NH Oil or Corrosion Free Rust Cure. I bought a "pro" sprayer and apply Rust Cure on the undercarriage every year.

In the end it might cost you more than the dealer is offering, but you will end up with much better products and much better results.

 

[Musky Mike]

I think the first 2 are BS, the 3rd "Rust Inhibitor" would be a good idea, not sure about the last one. Seeing you're in Ohio, it would be a good idea to get the rust inhibitor, but it needs to be done every year. You could ask for a multi-package deal for the rust inhibitor, something like what they offer for an oil change package. I would also ask what they use and make sure it is a name brand rust inhibitor and they spray inside of the frame rails and body. There are access points to spray inside of the frame rails and body. If they are just "fogging" the underside, you would be better to go to the Pros to have it treated right.

 

[Sig Schecter]

Sounds like they are just trying to make some cash promoting subpar applications that sound good but aren’t.

Think I’ll pass. Thanks

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Just leased a 2021 Big Horn Night Edition. I was passed on to a guy who tried to sell me some protection packages. I said no but I have until the end of the month to get them done at the “discount”. So I am here wondering what your opinions are.

Services offered:
Acid rain Sealant - “eliminates the need to wax your car, protects against acid rain, industrial fallout, bird droppings, tree sap and tar.”

Fabric Protector - “repels food and beverage stains, makes clean-ups easier, prolongs fabric life”

Rust Inhibitor - “permanently bonds into all crevices, cavities, and other rust prone areas. No holes drilled - fog mist system”

Underbody protector - “seals the bottom of your vehicle from salt, stones, and rust. Reduces road noise”

I can get the first two for $299. I can get all four for $598. On the surface they seem like good ideas. Here are the only reasons I can think of that align with needing any of these. I live in Ohio and there is salt on the roads more months a year than not. I park under a tree that does drop some sap in the spring. Bird poop sucks and tends to find my vehicles. I hate waxing and do end up with dings on the front end from all the freeway driving I do.

What is your opinion on these services? Are they gimmicks or do they do what they say they do? Are the prices good, better, or worse than similar services offered elsewhere?

At this point I do not know if I’ll want to buy out the lease or not. This is my first lease so I’m not familiar with the turn in process and how picky they can be.

Thanks for your time!

I'm a fan of the rust inhibitor for trucks that spend their time in the Upper Midwest and the New England area. As long as the product/materials are from a well known brand and like one of the other posters said about getting inside the frame rails. If they are only fogging the undercarriage then your money would be better spent with a pro.

Now, for the fabric protection, if they use anything like what we have at my dealership then I'd be all for it. The stuff we use is top notch and it repels damn near everything.

 

[Sig Schecter]

I'm a fan of the rust inhibitor for trucks that spend their time in the Upper Midwest and the New England area. As long as the product/materials are from a well known brand and like one of the other posters said about getting inside the frame rails. If they are only fogging the undercarriage then your money would be better spent with a pro.

Now, for the fabric protection, if they use anything like what we have at my dealership then I'd be all for it. The stuff we use is top notch and it repels damn near everything.

Aside from just asking the sales guy and accepting his response, how would I verify how it gets applied? I assume it’s not a visible film that is sprayed on...?

 

[chrisbh17]

Aside from just asking the sales guy and accepting his response, how would I verify how it gets applied? I assume it’s not a visible film that is sprayed on...?

There are several things that could be applied. Some are paint on, some are rubberized and some are oil-based.

The only one you should consider is oil-based. Paint (and even worse, rubberized) look really good, until they get knicked/cut/scratched, then all they do is hold sand and salt, which turns into rust (and sometimes UNDER the coating where you cant see it until its too late)

I would ask what product they are using, maybe even ask to see other vehicles that have had it "installed" already.

The undercarriage of my truck looks like a greasy mess, but if you swipe your finger through the oil-based undercoating, the truck looks like the day it left the factory. If I ever sell it, I will pressure wash all of the oil off before showing it. Even with all the greasiness, you can see there is basically zero rust (driveshaft has surface rust, but thats normal)

 

[Travelin Ram]

Lease? It’s not your vehicle! Why would you pay to protect it? Are they going to change the value at the end of lease? And credit you for turning it in in superior condition?

 

[Sig Schecter]

Lease? It’s not your vehicle! Why would you pay to protect it? Are they going to change the value at the end of lease? And credit you for turning it in in superior condition?

I guess my concern is being charged for excessive wear and tear. Being unfamiliar with leasing I am also unfamiliar with what they consider excessive or not. Those dings and chips from unavoidable rocks sounds like something they could nit pick but if there was a coating that reduced that then I’d look into it. If it’s not excessive or not something they care about then of course I wouldn’t want to protect their vehicle anymore than I have to.
The whole not “needing” to wax it is an appealing option whether or not it’s my truck. With my arthritis I’d rather not wax anything, mine or not. But I still want a shiny truck.

 

[Musky Mike]

Sorry, missed it was a lease...no need pay for rust inhibitor if your turning it in at the end of the lease.

 

[Quint]

They don't give to s**ts about rock nicks. Even minor door dings are usually ignored when you turn in a lease. You shouldn't drop one penny on any of those things unless you expect to keep the vehicle. Even then, I would question most of them. DON'T DO IT. They are straight out asking you to pay $598 to protect THEIR asset. That is 100% BS.

If you are worried about stains, buy some seat protectors. If you are worried about rust (I live in MN), buy yourself an annual car wash. In the winter I go 2-3 times per week to get the salt washed off the undercarriage. In the summer I go usually once per week to get the bugs washed off. You are likely going to pay for car washes anyway, so just fork out the $100-$200 for the annual and be done with it.

Don't pay them to protect THEIR truck.

 

[CVX20]

Can't see the point if you're not planning on buying it out at the end of the lease.

 

[SniperDroid]

I live in Ohio, too. Use a good car wash once in a while, to get a good undercarriage wash in the winter. Gets the salt off. If you don't want to hand wash like I do, get a monthly pass. Those Items aren't there to help you, there to make more money for the dealer. If your lease is less than 48 months, don't waste you cash.....

 

[Sig Schecter]

I live in Ohio, too. Use a good car wash once in a while, to get a good undercarriage wash in the winter. Gets the salt off. If you don't want to hand wash like I do, get a monthly pass. Those Items aren't there to help you, there to make more money for the dealer. If your lease is less than 48 months, don't waste you cash.....

Only 36mo. Yeah I’m gonna pass on them. Need to find a car wash that has an under carriage wash. I’m afraid to not use touch less washes though and most of the touch less don’t touch the undercarriage.

 

[dieseldave]

Is the ceramic coating really worth $1000. How long does it last ?

 

[chrisbh17]

Is the ceramic coating really worth $1000. How long does it last ?

Most of the $$$ is in the prep work. Paint correction is the biggest thing (removing swirls, scratches, etc) because once the coating is on, if there are any imperfections you will see them until the coating is manually removed (polishing) and reapplied.

I believe in the coatings, personally. Paid my detailer to use OptiCoat Pro, and now 6 years later the water still beads and falls off as fast as I can fire it at the surface. I paid him because I cant get OptiCoat Pro which is considered "permanent".

My RAM and my other car I used 22PLE HPC and did it myself. 2 years later those still bead like day 1 as well, especially impressive on the RAM because its parked outside 24/7. The expected lifetime of that coating is 5-7 years, Ill probably end up re-doing it before then just because.

So, "its worth it" to me. With a wife and 2 kids and their activities I dont have much time to spend prepping and sealing/waxing my vehicles at least once a year.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Keep your money you are only protecting there vehicle, most of the dealer applied services are done by there towel jockey at 0 interest in your ride.

 

[WmHBonney]

EVERYTHING I have ever read about those dealer add-ons has said that they are dealer profit. Save your $$$. I get my vehicles sprayed at the local Rust Check shop every year for less than $200.