Exterior Sealant - Yes or No?

[ldj2018]

Hi There!
I am a new owner of a 20 Telluride in Pearl White. I know from previous makes I have owned such as Honda - they offered a clear protectant sealant on the car that help protect from paint chips etc. basically anything that could damage the paint. Does anyone know if Kia offers that? How to get it? Dealership only? I am not car savvy but would love to keep my ride looking new for years to come. Willing to protect it!

Thank you!

 

[AzuNyan]

Also would like to know this. I wonder if this also be purchased outside of kia (like autozone or even amazon)

 

[jw_tx21]

Paint Protection Film. There are many threads on the subject. It's expensive, and should be applied professionally.

Also, Ceramic Coating can be done - but that won't necessarily help with rock chips.

All are aftermarket options - don't need a dealer to apply PPF.

 

[MrCody]

Paint Protection Film. There are many threads on the subject. It's expensive, and should be applied professionally.

Also, Ceramic Coating can be done - but that won't necessarily help with rock chips.

All are aftermarket options - don't need a dealer to apply PPF.

Is there a link to the related threads? Sorry I'm not familiar with how to search the forum.

I have a similar question - I'll be picking up my new 2021 S AWD next month and the dealer offered the coating (described as scotch guard) for paint and under carriage at $1,250. Is this worth the extra money? I live in a mid-west state that get's a decent amount of snow so the roads are often salted in the cold months. Would the factory finishes be good enough, or is it is the extra coating money well spent?

I'd appreciate any insight, thanks!

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[Familyman20]

Read through KIAs warranty and see if the coverage will suit your needs for length of ownership regarding rust if thats your concern. Id imagine it would be sufficient.

As for paint protection I'd save your $1250 from the dealer and invest in other products. Ceramic coatings and paint protection films were once regarded as an exotic expense for a vehicle reserved only for the wealthy. In recent years its become more mainstream and affordable. Still expensive with professional installation but theres plenty of diy alternatives. Google search is your friend. YouTube as well. GL

 

[MrCody]

Planning on keeping the Telluride for 10+ years (I don't have a long daily commute), so it'll be a longer term car for our family. I know that factory car finishes have come a long way since I bought my last car, a 2005 trailblazer. The blazer took about 12-13 years to show some rust on the under carriage, and still has no paint chipping or rusting on any of the panels.

I'm leaning towards passing on the extra protection, and appreciate the insight!

 

[jw_tx21]

Planning on keeping the Telluride for 10+ years (I don't have a long daily commute), so it'll be a longer term car for our family. I know that factory car finishes have come a long way since I bought my last car, a 2005 trailblazer. The blazer took about 12-13 years to show some rust on the under carriage, and still has no paint chipping or rusting on any of the panels.

I'm leaning towards passing on the extra protection, and appreciate the insight!

I wouldn't spend the money on the dealer offer. That is probably 95% pure profit. Paint Protection Film is probably your best bet for long term care. I haven't done it yet, but lots of folks have. On the forum, if you're on your phone, click the magnifying glass icon on top right and you can search for Paint Protection Film or PPF threads.

One consideration with PPF, is that you can just do your front end (hood and front panels). Maybe a bit on back - debatable. You will have to remove the front letters on the hood - but they can be put back on at a good shop.

Check out the threads for lots of details and cost estimates.

Ceramic Coating is nice - but more for aesthetic appeal rather than protection from rock chips. It will protect the paint and finish though. You can scotch guard your interior if you wish with your own products.

FWIW, my dealer offered an exterior paint protection and interior protection with 5 year warranty for $500. So, $1250 seems very high.

Other than that, take care to wash and wax the vehicle regularly and your paint will remain protected.

 

[MrCody]

I wouldn't spend the money on the dealer offer. That is probably 95% pure profit. Paint Protection Film is probably your best bet for long term care. I haven't done it yet, but lots of folks have. On the forum, if you're on your phone, click the magnifying glass icon on top right and you can search for Paint Protection Film or PPF threads.

One consideration with PPF, is that you can just do your front end (hood and front panels). Maybe a bit on back - debatable. You will have to remove the front letters on the hood - but they can be put back on at a good shop.

Check out the threads for lots of details and cost estimates.

Ceramic Coating is nice - but more for aesthetic appeal rather than protection. You can scotch guard your interior if you wish with your own products.

FWIW, my dealer offered an exterior paint protection and interior protection with 5 year warranty for $500. So, $1250 seems very high.

Other than that, take care to wash and wax the vehicle regularly and your paint will remain protected.

I appreciate the insight and quick tutorial of the forum! Sounds good, I will do some additional research and save my $1,250 for some other fun accessories.

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[jw_tx21]

I appreciate the insight and quick tutorial of the forum! Sounds good, I will do some additional research and save my $1,250 for some other fun accessories.

And as for snow and salt, I haven't lived in that climate for 10 years, but most modern vehicles (20+ years) won't rust when exposed to salt. Just wash undercarriage regularly. Others on the forum may have some additional advice on that.

 

[vinylhaircut]

I appreciate this thread. I am certainly googling and reading plenty, but it's the *opinions* of the people on this thread - who have no skin in the game - that I value. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

[Tobstertx3]

I went for a full PPF for the front of my Kia Stinger not long after I purchased it. Was It expensive, hell yeah! Was it worth it? Yes, after 2 years there is not a mark on it and other Stinger owners I know have a number of chips on their front bumper. Am I planning on doing it for the wife’s Telluride? Undecided at the minute. Not sure if that helps anyone or confuses things more

I know I would not get it done at the dealers. There are specialists who only do this and are experts. Also shop around, prices vary.

 

[ldj2018]

Read through KIAs warranty and see if the coverage will suit your needs for length of ownership regarding rust if thats your concern. Id imagine it would be sufficient.

As for paint protection I'd save your $1250 from the dealer and invest in other products. Ceramic coatings and paint protection films were once regarded as an exotic expense for a vehicle reserved only for the wealthy. In recent years its become more mainstream and affordable. Still expensive with professional installation but theres plenty of diy alternatives. Google search is your friend. YouTube as well. GL

Curious which warranty you went with. I am going to go through mine as well to be sure I understand what it covers.

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[ldj2018]

Gr

I wouldn't spend the money on the dealer offer. That is probably 95% pure profit. Paint Protection Film is probably your best bet for long term care. I haven't done it yet, but lots of folks have. On the forum, if you're on your phone, click the magnifying glass icon on top right and you can search for Paint Protection Film or PPF threads.

One consideration with PPF, is that you can just do your front end (hood and front panels). Maybe a bit on back - debatable. You will have to remove the front letters on the hood - but they can be put back on at a good shop.

Check out the threads for lots of details and cost estimates.

Ceramic Coating is nice - but more for aesthetic appeal rather than protection from rock chips. It will protect the paint and finish though. You can scotch guard your interior if you wish with your own products.

FWIW, my dealer offered an exterior paint protection and interior protection with 5 year warranty for $500. So, $1250 seems very high.

Other than that, take care to wash and wax the vehicle regularly and your paint will remain protected.

Great stuff. I did reach out and found out that just the front bumper $600, just the hood $600. Those together - maybe $200 taken off to combo them but about the cost I’m seeing.

 

[alexdrums]

If you are going to take the plunge, also do the PPF on the outside mirrors, those take a beating.

 

[SVoigt]

Yeah, I did the full front end, hood, mirrors, and cups... So far so good...

 

[blitt]

"Other than that, take care to wash and wax the vehicle regularly and your paint will remain protected."
[/QUOTE]

Probably the best overall advice.....practical, efficient, more "direct work" involved but far less costly, and after 50 years of different levels of car ownership, my opinion is that the paint quality on the Telly is far better than some I have owned and the regular use of "high quality" hand applied wax/protectant products produces beautiful results. Rock chips are another story....SUV's are just that "utility" vehicles used in the everyday world and will be subject to the chips and scratches and effective, high quality protection from that is VERY costly and I would reserve that for cars of "show value." I want mine to look as nice as possible within the "reality" of use.

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[WD80PD]

I wouldn't go through the dealer for any of that.. They are in the business of making easy money.

 

[alexdrums]

Probably the best overall advice.....practical, efficient, more "direct work" involved but far less costly, and after 50 years of different levels of car ownership, my opinion is that the paint quality on the Telly is far better than some I have owned and the regular use of "high quality" hand applied wax/protectant products produces beautiful results. Rock chips are another story....SUV's are just that "utility" vehicles used in the everyday world and will be subject to the chips and scratches and effective, high quality protection from that is VERY costly and I would reserve that for cars of "show value." I want mine to look as nice as possible within the "reality" of use.

Yes, and the fact that the PPF only lasts a few years and then you have to do it AGAIN is kind of a bummer. And the second time would be even more expensive, because now you have to take the old stuff off! Even if you didn’t do it a second time, you still have to take the old stuff off after awhile because I am sure it would start to look pretty shabby.

 

[Familyman20]

Curious which warranty you went with. I am going to go through mine as well to be sure I understand what it covers.

I was referring to the factory warranty. We still haven't taken delivery from ordering in December. As mentioned already I too don't believe that modern vehicles have issues with rusting out. Im comfortable with the factory warranty regarding this concern. It shouldn't be an issue for as long as we own it

 

[ldj2018]

"Other than that, take care to wash and wax the vehicle regularly and your paint will remain protected."

Probably the best overall advice.....practical, efficient, more "direct work" involved but far less costly, and after 50 years of different levels of car ownership, my opinion is that the paint quality on the Telly is far better than some I have owned and the regular use of "high quality" hand applied wax/protectant products produces beautiful results. Rock chips are another story....SUV's are just that "utility" vehicles used in the everyday world and will be subject to the chips and scratches and effective, high quality protection from that is VERY costly and I would reserve that for cars of "show value." I want mine to look as nice as possible within the "reality" of use.
[/QUOTE]
Great advice. This is the first car I’ve bought so I think I am overly cautious to start but the cost is the biggest hurdle but I still want to make sure I do what’s right long term.

Other side of it is what products do you use for waxing? I’m reading once every three ish months?