"Teflon" Sealant?

[Cjymiller]

I am thinking of getting my car serviced with this package when I take delivery. Can any of you speculate what this might be? I plan on calling them to ask about the time frame of the "periodic" re-applications.

I'll also be asking them what is required to maintain the sealant and what kinds of things will break down the "teflon" sealant prematurely.

[zooki]

The problem with a true "Teflon" coating is it has to cure at a very high temp(normally over 400-500F) to bond to the surface. I found this:
http://www.toefco.com/teflon-coatings-on-cars.htm
Which may explain the "Teflon" coating they are talking about. I wouldn't waste my money personally...

[sklimo]

I was detailer after tech school for few years and I used Blue Coral Teflon inffused wax and it worked great.I used it as a second coat of wax. It does bead water like you wouldn't believe. but that was years ago. So Teflon could be in any good off the shelf wax now??

[sklimo]

Originally Posted by zooki

The problem with a true "Teflon" coating is it has to cure at a very high temp(normally over 400-500F) to bond to the surface. I found this:
http://www.toefco.com/teflon-coatings-on-cars.htm
Which may explain the "Teflon" coating they are talking about. I wouldn't waste my money personally...

That I didn't know. I did know that didn't last as long as it claimed. Thanks:happy0180:

[Greg Nichols]

Originally Posted by zooki

The problem with a true "Teflon" coating is it has to cure at a very high temp(normally over 400-500F) to bond to the surface. I found this:
http://www.toefco.com/teflon-coatings-on-cars.htm
Which may explain the "Teflon" coating they are talking about. I wouldn't waste my money personally...

Glad you posted this up, I didn't have a reference for the statement I was going to make.

Cheers,
GREG

[russv]

I smell a rip off.

[Anthony Onorato]

Personally, I wouldn't like the "clay bar" to be the last step before a sealant, especially one as seemingly "permanent" as this one. I would want AT LEAST a light finishing polishing step to be added before any sort of long lasting sealant like that. Any marring or slight scratches from the clay would be locked in.

[russv]

Perhaps this may help in your decision:

http://www.ultratint.com.au/truthaboutpaint.htm

[TommyFive]

Originally Posted by Cjymiller

I'll also be asking them what is required to maintain the sealant and what kinds of things will break down the "teflon" sealant prematurely.

Avoid it. Teflon is one of the next great threats to wildlife - much like mercury, we're starting to find growing amounts of Teflon in wild-caught fish and other wildlife. It's a crazy substance with fantastic properties, but it does wear out and wash away, and it finds itself in our water.

Not to get all enviro on a car forum (don't worry - I love me some burning fuel), but this seems to be a net negative given the reapplication. Opticoating can be done for about the same cost and should last without recoating, or you can simply wax your car a couple times a year.

[Cjymiller]

Originally Posted by TommyFive

Teflon is one of the next great threats to wildlife - much like mercury, we're starting to find growing amounts of Teflon in wild-caught fish and other wildlife. It's a crazy substance with fantastic properties, but it does wear out and wash away, and it finds itself in our water.

Good point man. Thanks for bringing it up. I'm not some tree-hugging-hippy but I do live in Northern California and I do love me some outdoors.

[Tamoor]

I got this from the dealer... for $900 bucks lol but with it i have a warrenty for 5 years i dont have to wax or anything and if the paint is damged due to bird dropping, tree sap, pollutants or fades they fix it. Is it worth it? IMO it gives you sort of piece of mind and i dont have to wax or clay bar my car for the next 5 years so sorta but i mean at the same time if this stuff was so amazing you would think it would be a factory option not dealer!

[Clembo]

My 'old fashioned' opinion is that this stuff has been a dealer scam for years. Big money to them for very little return to us (if any).

Exactly what do they consider 'damage'? Only damage to modern clearcoats would be etching from acid rain or bird droppings which can usually be removed by polishing and minimized in the first place with any good sealant / wax. You can do more damage at an automatic car wash and I'll bet that's not covered.

Fading? I just pulled factory stripes off a 5 year old Mustang and you can't even see where they were. Modern clearcoat paint doesn't fade.

Take a few hours every few months and give the car a good wash, clay bar, polish and wax (or seal). You and your car will be better served for a lot less money and you'll enjoy bonding with your car as well.

Edit note - most warranties are covered by an insurance carrier, NOT the dealership, and for obvious reasons. They will fight you tooth and nail for any claim, that is, if they are still in business when you need them. Leaves the dealer 'harmless' as usual.

[Captain_Awesome_Pants]

[chenshuo]

The "teflon" that the dealer is putting on your car is actually PPS Teflon, a.k.a PPS/PTFE coating. They simply refer to it as teflon because they want you to think it's the hard ass material that they coat your fry pan, which is not exactly the same. You can think of it as a much "milder" version on your car. It's mostly just an indication that the coating has a low coefficient of friction. Most wax/sealant that you put on actually attract more dirt in the summer, where as PPS Teflon doesn't attract as much. You'll find it's easier to wash off bug tar on a car that has PPS Teflon coating than cars with regular sealant. It simply means it's a slippery-er coating.

Two years ago i tried this product called "5 star shine", which is a PPS Teflon paint protection for cars. They claim it lasts up to 5 years, but it doesn't. HOWEVER, it does last longer than normal sealant, and it's more slippery. In my experience it lasts about a year or so. I've applied sealant and wax on my cars before. You can feel when you get normal car sealant on your hands, it can be washed off with soap right away. I applied PPS Teflon on my car, i got those on my hands, and i could still feel the "weirdness" on my hands for 2 days with regular hand washing.

PPS Teflon is something that lasts longer than regular sealant, but personally I wouldn't apply it again because I don't think the value justifies the cost. After i got my BRZ i read many great reviews about Opti-coat so i got that done instead.