Paint protection?

I just picked up my '16 Tacoma and I am interested to know what I should do for paint protection. I asked my salesperson but they didn't know much about this subject. My questions are:

1) Is any protective applied from the factory (wax, paint sealant, etc.)
2) If #1 is no, how long should I wait until I apply wax (or similar)?
3) What is the best option for paint sealant?

I live in a harsh environment so I have always applied wax to my vehicles to help with the salt that we have to deal with.

In the past I have clay bared, polished and applied wax to my truck. How long should I wait to do this on new paint. Build date for my truck was 10/29.

 

I did opticoat as soon as I got it home

 

Good question. I was wondering about this as well in addition to how effective is the paint protection option from dealer

 

I'd be more worried about getting something applied to your frame. I sprayed 3 cans of fluid film under my truck day after bringing it home.

I used meguires ultimate liquid wax on the paint.

 

Paint protection from the dealer is just wax with a warranty

 

As sad as that is, it made me laugh....thank you for the advisement on NOT to get that while in the finance office next week.

Thanks

 

you should really polish it before applying sealant. You won't believe the crap the paint will have on it being new

 

They threw in free "zaktek" paint protection on mines. Is this anygood however?

 

most dealer "paint protection" usually does include a machine polish before sealant. So it might be shinier, but you basically got a free wax job

 

I would clay bar it and apply a good sealant right away. You could apply a coat of wax on top of the sealant for extra shine and depth but not necessary as the sealant should protect up to six months as long as you use good soap when washing your truck and don't use car washes as their soap is a lot stronger and harsher

 

If you paid for toyoguard then a sealant was applied at port so you should be ok for a few months...

 

For less money than the dealership gaff wax you can opti coat and I've seen that last ten years

 

My dealer would not wax my truck even though I offered to pay for it. He said they just don't offer that service. I feel like he said this because I refused his $500.00 Simonize offer on my black truck. A simple "Google" search will tell you all you need to know about the snake oil.

 

Clay, klasse sealant (at least annually) wax (optional), spray wax following each wash. Keep a good spray Detailer and microfiber in your truck for random cleanings like bird droppings or paint sap etc...

 

My advice is to wash and clay the vehicle, carefully dry, then:
1. Use a product such as Opticoat or Carbon Flex C9 (from Chemical guys)
2. Top that with a polymer sealant
3. Top that with a wax

I'm taking delivery of my truck very soon. It's supposed to be here within the next week or so. I've already told the dealership I want the truck with the PDI tape still on and to NOT wash it or clean it in any way. I'll take care of all of that myself and I'll be doing what I mentioned above

 

Obviously, you can approach this in a lot of ways. To summarize the above:

- wash and wax it, better than nothing
- wash and seal it, arguably, better than a wax (will likely last longer)
- wash, clay, and wax (my #3 choice)
- wash, clay, and seal (my #2 choice)
- wash, clay, seal, and wax (my #1 choice)
- wash, clay, coat

Wax will give your paint depth and look darker/wetter
Sealer will make your paint bright and glassy/mirror-like

Meguires Ultimate Liquid Wax is great (it's actually a 100% synthetic polymer sealer).
Megs Ultimate liquid won't stain trim. I love it- super shiny, easy app and removal.
It also comes in a paste, but the paste will stain trim.
These are Meguires longest lasting products $20-25.

Megs #21 synthetic sealant 2.0 is also a nice product (but better longevity with the Ultimate).
#21 is the pro version (compatible with rotary) of NXT.
I'd go with the Ultimate, though.

Meguires Gold Class Carnuba Plus is a nice hybrid (sealant and wax properties)
Darkens paint, looks awesome but won't last like a sealer.

$20 Collinite 845 Insulator Wax-Easy to Use Carnauba+Polymer Wax Sealant-High Gloss Shine+Durable Hydrophobic Beading & Long Lasting Paint Protection for Cars/Boats/Trucks/RVs & Motorcycles (16 fl oz)

Collinite 845 is a really durable carnuba liquid wax (with sealer-like durability).
Collinite 476 is a super duper durable carnuba paste wax, but 845 removal is easier.
Both Collinites are inexpensive but awesome products (lots of fans on TW).
Lots of shine. A great protectant for winter-time salt and road grime.

I hear really good things about Menzerna sealer ($25).
I've not used it.

Then there are the boutique sealers- will run you about $40 instead of $20-30.
Jet seal and blackfire are commonly mentioned on TW.
Lots of guys like to experiment with these.
In my opinion, Meguires and Collinite are "good enough".
Really, they're great products.

I've not used coatings. They are more durable and applied much less frequently. If you're a guy that enjoys detailing, go with a sealer and/or wax so you can do it more often. Also, coatings are typically at a much higher price point.

 

I just re-read your post and saw you mentioned salt and a harsh environment. I'd strongly recommend one of the collinite products for the winter. I'm in SD/MN/ND so it's harsh up here, too. Lots of winter salt and chemicals. I'm doing a rotation on my truck. Collinite for the winter (just applied it this week) and Meg's Ultimate Liquid in the summer months. Take your pick on the collinites. Both need to be applied THIN and they're tough as nails. 845 is easy, but 476 is more durable. That's not to say 845 is a weakling. It's tough stuff, too. You can do two coats of either if you want.​

If you're up for a project, put the collinite over a coat of Ultimate sealer, but let the Meg's cure for 24 hours first. My two cents.

I've read that our paints are "baked on". So that you don't need to wait to put any kind of protectant on top. I don't know for sure, but I'm inclined to believe it to be true. Otherwise every car on the market would come with a 60 day no-wax warning. I think the waiting period is for older technology painting techniques.

 

Check out junkman
https://www.youtube.com/user/Junkman2000

and Autogeek

 

Everyone is talking about clay bar. How do use that? New to me.

 

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