Experiences with Six Star Paint treatment anyone?

My wife has just bought a 3 Maxx Sport and has been offered a paint protection treatment by the dealer through Six Star Platinum Solutions (http://www.sixstarsolutions.com.au). Has anyone had any experience with this?

The sealant uses PTFE (i.e. non-stick pan type technology). They offer a lifetime warranty, however I am a little skeptical. About 15 years ago DuPont indicated that PTFE's added no protection in paint (unless baked on at over 300 Celcius). However it could be that advances in technology (nanotech etc) means that they have overcome such limitations. I believe that a product in the US (and marketed here) has been patented as providing a working P.T.F.E protection.

It is quite pricey, but if it works it may be worth it.

I welcome any feedback/comments from members.

[duglet]

From my experience...all a waste of money...never had it..and wont...

Best treatment is a nice wash and polish/wax....

Carbra or other add on protective devices....

But each to their own...

Cheers
DUG74

[AZNTieN]

[quote=mhwigston;12110]The sealant uses PTFE (i.e. non-stick pan type technology).

Teflon?

If you wax.... dry the car like dug then you won't need it lol

but really i think its crap
and if you get chips scratches etc you gota go back to them to get them to patch some paint protection on it apparently from what i've heard

[CLLee]

I 'had' paint protection on my car (and paid for it), and it's the biggest mistake I made*. It's basically a synthetic sealant (wax). It will offer protection, as will normal car wax. It just last longer than off-the-shelf wax, but eventually, it will wear off. Only after I picked up my car and read the fine prints of the PP cert, did I realised that the warranty is subject to an annual re-application (at my cost) and inspection. Then I had an accident, 1/4 of the car was re-sprayed. Now what? Then someone dented my door, resprayed again... and on and on. Now think of the cost of all those re-application. After a while, I realised my washing method (pre-Detail Addiction era) was crap and I had swirls all over. So, I took up the courage to go for a Stage 1 Final Inspection Detail, which of course removed the stupid paint protection and all the swirls and scratches that my car had accummulated. Now I'm using some of the best products to maintain the paint and good looks of my car, and believe me, it look way better than any Paint Protection.

But, if you're not fussy about appearance, and don't want to get your hands dirty, then it's worth considering. Someone suggested getting it for the sake of the warranty, because, if ever your car paint is damaged by bird poo, tree sap, acid rain, etc etc etc, you can get it fixed at no cost.

Just my 2c....

* Should have gotten the bodykit instead...

[A Pirate]

me too waste of $1800 don't bother not worth it wax/polish and look after the paint yourself and save the money for mods!

[OzCJ]

I got the 4 pack protection done via the dealer primarily for warranty on the paint and body in general - why?? Because my work as a project engineer requires me to move from site to site every year or so (so far cement mill & now sewage treatment plant) & the stuff in the air / roads is pretty corrosive.

I have not had any problems with the product as it does what it says it can do. Dont get it done thru a dealer, go to six star solutions application centres directly and get a quote (it would be cheaper I believe).

Are you by any chance getting a car from Rockdale Mazda?

[Zoom05]

If you must get it, either try and get it thrown in for free or go aftermarket and cut out the middleman.

[A Pirate]

Parramatta & Sutherland Mazda also goes to 6star.

[OzCJ]

$1800 - is too much, cut out the middle man.
From what I have heard, a re-application costs approx $88 per panel of the car, so you do the numbers and worst case you are looking at a cost of $800.
Go to Six Star directly, I would say.

Thanks for all the replies - seems like one positive direct experience with Six Star, but no consensus on paint protection systems in general. I have managed to get details of the Six Star paint care plan and warranty details. Interestingly there is no requirement to go back for expensive ‘top-up’ applications – so no recurring costs but inspections are required at 1, 3, 7 and 10 years and a “small fee may apply” – need to check what that may be. The warranty will be deemed invalid if “polishing or waxing” occurs.
• Could be a worry, since it sounds like the film is so fragile that a mere bit of wax or polish removes it (so can it really protect for a lifetime??)
• If the film is removed and the paint is damaged in some way and you have not used waxes nor polishes, how could you prove that the damage was due to normal weather wear and tear? They could just say you used wax/polish and simply refuse to honour the warranty.

They also stipulate a preference for using their Platinum Car Wash, but state that any low PH wash is acceptable.

Seems like the cost will be around $800 for the paint job, but looks like the interior care (another $100) may be included if dealer is pushed (Hornsby Mazda), and have already negotiated a good deal on the vehicle, so no chance of getting the complete system thrown in. Need to ask if Six Star does private deals, but looking around, similar PTFE-style (i.e Teflon) schemes cost around $550 - $600 direct, with a further $150 for interior protection, so no real difference in price. These are sourced from vehicle detailing companies that use products like Toughseal or Colourshield (same as the USA product called 5-Star), and Glare (thought this uses a different sealant that contains Glassplein (a silicate-based one)) and each typically provide 5-year warranties.

Whole Toughseal/Colourshield /Glare paint protection DIY kits cost from about $100-190 – so if we go for one, it’s a question of deciding whether to do the preparation work ourselves (probably about a few hours of labour) in preference for saving some money against the (dubious?) benefits of a warranty.

All in all, it seems that (like religion or politics) there are believers and non-believers. There are some strong views held/put forward in support of these products, whilst there are some equally strong views against them as a complete waste of time and money. I am coming to the view that if these paint protection systems were that good, then the vehicle manufacturers would be applying them themselves as a normal part of vehicle improvements. The lifetime warranty from Six Star is tempting though (if you can trust it) ...

[OzCJ]

Originally Posted by mhwigston

The warranty will be deemed invalid if “polishing or waxing” occurs.
• Could be a worry, since it sounds like the film is so fragile that a mere bit of wax or polish removes it (so can it really protect for a lifetime??)

They also stipulate a preference for using their Platinum Car Wash, but state that any low PH wash is acceptable.

Whole Toughseal/Colourshield /Glare paint protection DIY kits cost from about $100-190 – so if we go for one, it’s a question of deciding whether to do the preparation work ourselves (probably about a few hours of labour) in preference for saving some money against the (dubious?) benefits of a warranty.

I am coming to the view that if these paint protection systems were that good, then the vehicle manufacturers would be applying them themselves as a normal part of vehicle improvements. The lifetime warranty from Six Star is tempting though (if you can trust it) ...

OK, with the warranty - carry a bottle of Meguiars Speed Detailer (NXT Gen) stuff, just in case; and use it once in a way to give the car that extra something, this shouldnt void the warranty, but please check with 6 star beforehand and note any details.

The 6 star PP is not a film - its a longer lastng wax compound.

You can use any of Meguiars car wash products as they are all pH neutral, I received an OK from 6 star.

If you decide to use the Glassplexin product, you can get professional application done.

I too wish car manufacturers used this stuff, but its all about cost cutting these days; I am going to contact 6 star about the inspections early next week - keen to know what I should do between Year 1 & Year 3 as far as maintenance goes...will keep you posted.

Good luck with it all.

[RED3VIL]

Im against the idea of paint proteection

- It costs too much
- If you plan on keeping the car that long, just do a really good job with washing /waxing etc.....

[Drnrg]

dont pay $1800, i got mine (stupidly i might add) for $800, leather protection of the entire interior of the car and paint sealant on the outside

[Jinxed]

The one i have is different...its a fluro polymer, not based on wax, no inspections, no reapplication, lifetime transferable warranty and if i do have an accident reapplication is covered by my insurance. It dosnt cost $1800. And i'm very happy with it, as i dont have to wax my car....ever.

Originally Posted by Sweet_3

Im against the idea of paint proteection

- It costs too much
- If you plan on keeping the car that long, just do a really good job with washing /waxing etc.....

Agree completely.

Snake oil paint protection suits some however.

no one needs paint protection!

wash 1nce a mth, wax every 3, polish/wax every 6 and the car will look like new for years to come!!

[AZNTieN]

I completely forgot about this thread

My mate has a swift with six star solutions paint protection on it

cost him $760 this was thru dealer

have a look at this
Paint Protection

[Jinxed]

Paint Protection is the only way you will get a warranty on your paint for things like bird/bat droppings, colour fading, oxidisation, tree sap ect.
IF you dont want to be constantly waxing, then get it done.

Originally Posted by ebony-mps

Paint Protection is the only way you will get a warranty on your paint for things like bird/bat droppings, colour fading, oxidisation, tree sap ect.
IF you dont want to be constantly waxing, then get it done.

Pfft! Bird/Bat/tree sap droppings if left long enough (more than 12hrs) can fook your paint regardless of whatever snakeoil has been applied to your car. Colour fading/oxidisation shouldn't happen within the warranty period providing the car has been reasonably cared for (if it hasn't, your snakeoil protection warranty won't be valid anyhow).

I'm a mobile car detailer and I offer this service but thus far I have refused to sell it to a single client as it's a CROCK!!

$600 + for this crap vs getting your car cleaned once a month, wax every 3 mths and polish/wax every 6mths. I know which I and ALL of my clients go for!

[OzCJ]

Working on a variety of projects from cement mills to sewage treament plants, paint protection is the way to go....I got it done.