Simoniz System 5?

[jxr209]

Firstly, I'm a proud owner, as of yesterday, of a black 05 SE-V8. This is my first SUV and I think that I will remain addicted to this babe for a longtime. I will be having some fun in the blizzard today. I read a lot of helpful discussions on this forum before making the purchase. This is a fantastic site and I thank all members...

Now, to the question...Dealer is offering a new paint protection package called 'Simoniz System5' for $460. This is suppose to prevent damage from acid rain, tree sap, UV, bug guts etc.
This has a 5 year warranty.

Has anyone applied this to their 4R?
How well does it work?

Thanks

 

[dcampen]

I have no knowledge of this particular system but I would guess that it is the typical high markup dealer bunk - probably costs the dealer about $5 to apply.

 

[sharp4runr]

I bet that money can be put towards some good detailing products...

I passed on the dealership protectant when I bought my truck.

 

[tkr128]

I'd skip on it. We had Perma-Plate on one of our cars and some other system on the other and if you look at the warranty, there are a lot of conditions where it doesn't apply. The Perma-Plate warranty even said if you didn't have it "refreshed" every once in a while, it would void the warranty. I'm not sure about the Simoniz system, but they're all pretty much the same. Invest the money on some quality detailing products and take care of the car yourself. I guess I don't have to tell you I declined it on my 4Runner.

 

[sdk8505]

I just got a bunch of Zaino stuff for mine and it cost me about $80, and it should last me a year or two. I just need the weather to warm-up a little so I can get to it.

 

[MicaBlue03]

Don't know specifically about the system 5 stuff, but every dealer-applied treatment I've heard reliably about has been little more than a waste of money.

I'll second the Zaino recommendation. It's not actually a wax, but some sort of polymer product. Few drops of an activator in a small bottle with 2-3 oz (really!) of the product and you can do the entire vehicle once, and some areas twice.

It's a good shine and amazing protection--much more durable than all the waxes. My vehicle is garaged and not driven a lot, but I just rinsed it off today (didn't scrub it; just rinsed off gross dirt and any possible ice-melting chemicals) and it's still beading well after 18 months. Yes, that's 18 months and the protection is still there. Cost for the basic stuff is maybe $25 (mail-order) and it will do the vehicle perhaps 6 times.

 

[sdk8505]

I bought the clay, plastic cleaner and scratch remover (works great on the instrument panel lenses), and a few other things from Zaino and I am anxious to use them. I have never heard anything but great reviews about Zaino. Everyone always seems amazed at the shine and depth of the color.

 

[cdoyle]

I know a guy who bought a brand new Dodge pickup, and got the Simoniz paint stuff put on it.

He is sooooo unhapppy with it. The truck looks like has a bad wax job on it. It has this hazy looking swirl marks. Almost like how when you don't get all the wax off?

He was going to take it back and try to get it fixed, but I haven't talked to him in awhile so not sure whatever happened.

Just pass on it, it's just an easy way for the dealer to get more money.

 

[sdk8505]

I think that a lot has to do with the person who applies it. I am sure most of these "systems" will give good results if applied properly. I have seen posts where there was a problem with Zaino and the answers seemed to suggest that the guy applied it too heavy.
My only problem with the dealer stuff is the price. My wife's Highlander came with "the package" which consisted of paint and fabric protection, and window etching. They wanted $619 for it. I said I didn't want it and certainly wouldn't pay that much money for it. They wound-up giving it to me for dealer cost which was around $200, which wasn't bad since every Highlander at the 3 dealers I went to had it, so there was no way to get one without it at that time.

 

[kimboy]

I have my 4rnr Simonized, and since the vehicle lives outside, (not under any trees) I've been happy with its results. Can I even say results? Anyways, I have a silver truck, and considering you have a black one, its going to be difficult to keep it clean.

Perhaps if you Xpel your vehicle, or at least the front, you can save yourself against the real damage of rocks, nicks, scratches.

 

[Hitman]

I'm a firm believer in skipping these so-called dealership paint protection systems.

Just keep it washed and waxed and it should look good for many years....

 

[my04runner]

I ended up getting this on my trucks. Main reason was my wife. We had a Solara and I was out of town. Turned out while I was gone a bird left a big present on the paint during the summer. Needless to say paint was ruined. If this does happen again I get a free paint job.

 

[blumax]

I have a perma plate contract and nowhere does it require a reapplication. This could be the dealer just wanting to get their customers back in the dealership to sell them maintenance but Perma Plate does not require and maintenance after the initial application.
These products will not improve your sex lives nor will it prevent wars. However, my experience with Perma Plate has been positive. I couldn't tell you how well it protects the paint/interior but I can tell you that they pay claims. That was all I was interested in when I purchased my 2012 Runner..... I was not about to believe some finance manager who tells me that the stuff will protect my paint for 7 years. I use an over the counter synthetic sealer from Meguiar's that seems to work for about 4 months then I apply it again. Then again Meguiar's does not cost $500.00 but they also don't pay for repairs if the product does not perform like they say it will. Don't be naive and think that you can ask a person that makes their living directly or indirectly about a product that competes with them. They seem to get stuck on how the product performs against any claims made instead of considering the possibility that a bird or those damned love bugs in Florida can and will damage your paint.