17 replies to this topic

[mandarinvx]

Hi, I will be taking delivery of my new Astra in just over a week, and hope to seek some advice! One of the 'optional extras' on the list was a "paint protection" package called something DiamondBrite (can't remember the exact name ). This was a £300 optional extra, and at the time I couldn't justify it for a bit of hard wearing polish, and I remeber people on here in the past saying that it only cost the garage about £20 to do Question is, with the cars iminent arrival, what products can I apply to it as soon as I pick it up to help give a relatively long-term level of protection. Ie are there any products out there that are similar to this DiamondBrite stuff. Or am I just best giving it the full Meguires treatment as I do with the VX? I figure nothing that I do is going to cost me anywhre near £300 so I wont have lost out Any comments / suggestions greatly appreciated

[i need nos]

i havent tried yet but my local car spares shop sell a clear spray film that protects the car from stonechips etc, i know its 15 quid a can but not sure on its efectivness and ease of use, i would try it but have stonechips already so wouldnt do me any favours,

[mandarinvx]

Cheers nos, I'll have a look into that one, If it's like a laquer I'll have to give it a miss, never been too great at spraying!!! BTW the car will be metallic black - not sure if being metallic it will need a different range of products My work bud has exactly the same car but in silver (2 months old now), he paid for the paint protection option and I caught him washing it with fairy liquid last night I don't even subject my company Vectra bus to that sort of abuse let alone the fact he's probably just washed his £300 down the drain (literally!)

[mandarinvx]

Found it!!!

was called Diamondbrite after all, they sell it on ebay

Can't believe my mate paid £300 to have his done, when I've just bought the same thing for £6.24

THIS PLACE is the cheapest by a long way, and buy it now (they have 100% feedback too)

I take it I can just give her the Meguires works after I've applied this stuff

[NAUGHTY]

My opinion & experience: 1. All these dimaondbrite and similar products are not effective or neccecarry.Waxing/glazing your car is just as effective and you should be doing that anyway. 2. The only effective way besides a wax/glaze to protect your car is to have professionaly fitted 3M film, which is sold under many various names (the name is of the company that cuts the film and distributes it). If you go for this you must get a very very very very experienced fitter to do it. It's great stuff and worth every penny if you are fanatical about your car. You can choose different size kits to suit your needs and budget from just the nose to all the sides and mirrors.

Edited by NAUGHTY, 17 August 2006 - 06:10 PM.

[mandarinvx]

Cheers mate, As it's just a basic Astra I think I'll just get the small kit (dependant on cost ) then add the diamondbrite to the rest of the car! Off to get some quotes...

[walkes]

Have it on the VX and it seals the paint. It does not stop stone chips but preserves the colour well .

[mandarinvx]

Have it on the VX and it seals the paint. It does not stop stone chips but preserves the colour well .

Good stuff, I'll go ahead and do it then! Stevieyid has recommended a good wax too, called Collinite - tho it's american and not many suppliers over here.
The car has arrived now, was at dealers ealier trying to work out how to remove the grille to spray it (seems to be held on with plastic rivets!

[Ungarsee]

I've just been to Bluewater and took advantage of the car valeting service there (not cheap but highly recommended) In addition to the usual they offer a service called Silver Seal. The blurb on the flyer for it says; "Like a knights armour, Silver Seal Paint Protector defends your paintwork from attack by rain, sun, sleet, ice, snow and other pollutants. Once treated, all forms of traffic film, dirt & dust are easily removed. Providing you clean the car, using a neutral detergent it will retain that showroom finish all year round" It's also guaranteed for 3 years if it's done on a brand new car (Or if it's under 5 years with under 25,000 miles on it). I can't remember how much it was but I'm sure it was under £200. They're number is 01322 624 448 if you're interested and they're called Motor Clean I'm hoping to get it done myself towards the end of this year or early next year so I'll post up on here with results.

[B5M_VX]

speaking from a personal point of view, on diamond brite. It is good. It wont prevent the stone chips that armourfend will. Ive sold silverseal and diamond brite. Silver seals warranty isnt as good as the diamond brite one. Diamond brite is 6 years reguardless of vehicle age, and if your not happy they give your money back. Silverseal is a 1 stage treatment, basicly just a polish. Diamond brite is a 2 stage, 1st stage cleans paint, second stage is more polish related, and seals the paint. unlike the kits on ebay, when bought from a dealer you get 2 extra bottles, a wash and wax and conserver. These work with the paint. The kits on ebay dont come with the warranty paperwork either. The wash and wax could easily be subsituted for a regular wash and wax. The conserver is a little diffrent. These can be seen in this auction >here< the warranty isnt valid I belive unless applied by a dealer with dealer stamp so no money back option available. The conserver works with the treatment on the paint work and recleans it. If you apply any of the treatment available dont then polish it with any other polish. If you do you will simply remove the treatment and wont be work bothering with. The conserver can be used on stuburn marks like a polish to remove marks. The theory is you never need to polish your car again. If I was buying a car I'd opt for it. I have dont all my cars in the past with it. Check what kit the dealer is selling for £300 if may be the top kit with things you don't need. The basic kit we retail at £199, the top kit at £299 which includes a carry case and other cleaning products, alloy wheel cleaner, window cleaner etc and a product similar to rainX. Have a look at the website and watch the video etc. They also sell direct. People who we have sold it to in the past often buy it again which says somethign for the product, those who buy it and don't use it propoly don't buy it, but its dead easy to Valet there part exchanges when they come in!! Our valeters also have to wear overalls and a mask when applying the treatment.

http://www.jewelultra.com/home.htm

[mandarinvx]

speaking from a personal point of view, on diamond brite. It is good. It wont prevent the stone chips that armourfend will. Ive sold silverseal and diamond brite. Silver seals warranty isnt as good as the diamond brite one. Diamond brite is 6 years reguardless of vehicle age, and if your not happy they give your money back. Silverseal is a 1 stage treatment, basicly just a polish. Diamond brite is a 2 stage, 1st stage cleans paint, second stage is more polish related, and seals the paint. unlike the kits on ebay, when bought from a dealer you get 2 extra bottles, a wash and wax and conserver. These work with the paint. The kits on ebay dont come with the warranty paperwork either. The wash and wax could easily be subsituted for a regular wash and wax. The conserver is a little diffrent. These can be seen in this auction >here< the warranty isnt valid I belive unless applied by a dealer with dealer stamp so no money back option available. The conserver works with the treatment on the paint work and recleans it. If you apply any of the treatment available dont then polish it with any other polish. If you do you will simply remove the treatment and wont be work bothering with. The conserver can be used on stuburn marks like a polish to remove marks. The theory is you never need to polish your car again. If I was buying a car I'd opt for it. I have dont all my cars in the past with it. Check what kit the dealer is selling for £300 if may be the top kit with things you don't need. The basic kit we retail at £199, the top kit at £299 which includes a carry case and other cleaning products, alloy wheel cleaner, window cleaner etc and a product similar to rainX. Have a look at the website and watch the video etc. They also sell direct. People who we have sold it to in the past often buy it again which says somethign for the product, those who buy it and don't use it propoly don't buy it, but its dead easy to Valet there part exchanges when they come in!! Our valeters also have to wear overalls and a mask when applying the treatment.

http://www.jewelultra.com/home.htm

Hi, thanks for the input, very appreciated
I have recieved the two bottles now and will apply them when the car arrives. Went to see it yesterday, but not picking it up until the 1st Sep. There was a scratch on the bootlid - unbelievable, they can't even look after a brand new car Told them to sort or I cancel
I have had a read through the website and it says that the conserver contains a mild cutting solution, I presume that if this doesn't remove the Diamondbrite then a wax should be OK. I have ordered a tin of Collimite from the US so hope I can still use it.
I think I might experiment on an area that is out of sight first

Cheers,

Adam

[B5M_VX]

The conserver is chalk based and "identifies" any areas of paint that the diamond brite has warn away on. Use on a small area wont realy make alot of diffrence, if you intend o keep the car polished regular then dont bother with diamond brite. Its designed to to emlinate polishing

[mandarinvx]

The conserver is chalk based and "identifies" any areas of paint that the diamond brite has warn away on. Use on a small area wont realy make alot of diffrence, if you intend o keep the car polished regular then dont bother with diamond brite. Its designed to to emlinate polishing

In your opinion, what would I be best doing?
As the car is black I will probably wash it once or twice a week, I have had a look on their website and a large bottle of the conserver is £23 - good value if that is the only treatment I ever have to use!!! I think I've kind of convinced myself actually
Is it relatively easy to apply, it says you have to apply the 2nd stage in even lines to avoid leaving swirl marks
I suppose I can always use the collinite on the VX

[B5M_VX]

try the diamond brite for 12 months, if you feel it isnt any good polish it.

[mandarinvx]

try the diamond brite for 12 months, if you feel it isnt any good polish it.

Cheers chap
Can I get the conserver from a VXL dealer? they want £7.05 to post a bottle of it

[B5M_VX]

You can buy it so long as they are a diamond brite dealer. May be cheeper buying it direct. As another alternative you could try the guy who has a 2 page article in this weeks Autocar, he charges £5000 and can take upto 2 weeks to polish your car!! He does offer an alternative at £375

[mandarinvx]

Stevieyid sent me some links to products to use,

One of them was THIS at £486 a pot!!!

I'm going to have a play with the Collinite wax on the VX when it turns up, I'll post a few piccies up when finished

Thanks for all the help and advice guys

Adam

[Joe-Turbo]

as I will need to get the front resprayed soon and may poss be able to get the rear done under warrenty (few little bubbles in paint) would it be an idea to get diamondbrite aplied after the respray the also have armourfend fitted as well?