CAR PAINT protection is not essential, but it can help. You don’t need to go through the dealership though and you can save your hard earned cash but doing it yourself.
From quick coats to ceramic sprays, the best car paint protection is cheap and easy to apply.
Car paint protection can come over as one of the most controversial upselling products around.
However, there are some genuine benefits to having your paint professionally protected.
If you’re wondering what car paint protection is, you need to first understand what it is not.
It’s not something your paint job absolutely needs – these days paint is applied very professionally and clear coats on top of the colour coat do a fine job of protecting it.
It does not invalidate your warranty so far as paint damage is concerned either. A defect is a defect and your statutory rights are not affected.
What the best car paint protection does is add a toughened clear film to the clear top coat of your body work.
It’ll help prevent against stone chips, swirl marks and minor scratches—things that show up demonstrably worse on dark paintwork.
Though waxes and polishes can do the same thing when applied two or three times a year, if your lifestyle doesn’t allow for this extra effort, then a paint protection job could really suit you.
Here’s the kicker: professional valeters can offer these ceramic layers for as much as £1,500 in some cases.
If you’re looking to save a wedge, check out our suggestions for do-it-yourself products that could help make washing easier and get rid of the need to wax ever again.
Note that to get a really professional looking job, you might need to treat yourself to an electric buffer.
We like the Kent Q8009, as it’s a bargain and comes with decent quality polishing pads.
1. Boora Car Paint Polish, Sealant & Protector
- Boora Permaseal 10 Year P.T.F.E, £24.97 from Amazon- buy here
The Boora two-step process is a testament that getting a paint sealant job right is totally a game of patience.
If you’re someone who gets bored easily, better rethink your strategy now.
Using the best of German nanotechnology, this Permaseal long-lasting car paintwork protection system comes with a ten-year guarantee.
Protecting your car from the sun, salt, bird poo and grime, you’ll find washing a doddle after applying Boora’s mid-priced protector.
Following a damn good wash, clay, rinse and dry, the final seal is a diamond-hard layer that gleams like a mirror.
2. Chemical Guys Car Paint Protection and Sealant
- Chemical Guys Jetseal, £34.99 from Chemical Guys- buy here
US-based specialists Chemical Guys are complete geeks when it comes to the detailing world.
They have formulated this ‘Protection Beyond Need, Shine Beyond Reason’ paint sealant, which also comes as a matte finish if you prefer.
Developed originally for aerospace, the anti-rust nanotechnology can be applied to paint to repel the “harshest environmental elements”.
The acrylic crystalline content bonds chemically at a molecular level, with the clear top coat within 15 minutes of application.
Two coats are required for full protection and the ‘wet look’ high-shine finish is phenomenal.
3. Meguiar’s Synthetic Car Paint Sealant
- Meguiars 21 Synthetic Sealant, £22.78 from Amazon- buy here
If you want to maintain that flawless swirl-free finish all the time, you may need to apply this Meguiar’s 21 every three to six months, which makes it more like wax or polish than a long-lasting sealant but you can build up the layers over time.
Initially, Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze requires two layers, applied 24 hours apart, but once the paintwork is protected, mess like bird soil just flicks away.
It’ll make your colour noticeably deeper and darker. Users vary in how much they use – much depends on the size of the car—but you can always add more.
4. Pearl Nano Armour Spray
- Pearl Nano Armour Spray, £14.99 from Amazon – buy here
Easy to use and designed to offer optimal, long-lasting shine, Pearl Nano Armour Spray might be the only wax protection your car needs.
Engineered to work at a nano level to give your paint the boost it needs, simply spray all over your car, leave for 15 minutes and wipe off with a microfibre towel. You’ll notice the difference straight away.
5. Shine Armour Fortify Quick Coat
- Shine Armour Fortify Quick Coat, £19.99 from Amazon – buy here
Designed as a sort of one-stop-shop for your car’s paint protection needs, Shine Armour’s Fortify Quick Coat washes, waxes and coats your paint at the same time.
With a blend of surfactants and Sio2 ceramic coating, this 3-in-1 paint protector offers a long lasting shine. So long, in fact, that just one application can last for between six and 12 months.
Ideal for giving an old car a spruce up, it boosts paint without damaging its surface.
6. Speed Guard Nano Tech Spray
- Speed Guard Nano Tech Spray, £14.97 from Amazon – buy here
With in-built nano hydrophobic coating, this Speed Guard spray is engineered to repel dirt, water and UV rays. This ensures your car’s paint stays clean and blemish free for longer, while retaining a factory-like shine.
Once sprayed to your vehicle the coating instantly bonds to your paint, acting as a sealer, making it ideal for older cars that require a refresh. Designed to be as easy as possible to use, simply wipe off after 15 minutes or so.
7. 9H Nano Ceramic Coating
- 9H Nano Ceramic Coating, £19.99 from Amazon – buy here
A heavy duty protective layer, this nano ceramic coating kit is made as a sealant layer that fends off pollutants including bird’s droppings, salt corrosion and scratches caused by stones.
Simply squeeze on to the included sponge and apply in straight, back-and-forth motions to your car. Leave for up to three minutes then remove excess residue with a microfibre cloth.
Your car will instantly appear shinier but more importantly the paint will be shielded, meaning you can drive in the knowledge your car’s exterior will looker newer, for longer.
8. GTechniq C2 Liquid Crystal Spray
- GTechniq C2 Liquid Crystal Spray, £17.80 from Amazon – buy here
Engineered with GTechniq’s Smart Surface Science Technology, this liquid crystal spray offers long-lasting paint protection for both new and old cars.
The finish will leave your paint with an unrivalled gloss thanks to its hydrophobic qualities, which repel water and lock in shine for longer.
Apply to one panel at a time, and simply wipe off after 10 minutes for a finish that will look as though it’s come straight out of the paint shop.
Do new cars need paint protection?
It’s not essential to get paint protection on a new car. Dealers will often offer it as an optional extra, tempting you to fork out. Essentially, it all depends on how often you’ll use it and where it’s stored overnight.
Paint protection is usually either a protective film or a spray applied directly over the top of the paint, which coats it and protects it from bird poo, salt corrosion and stone chips.
If you tend to park underneath trees or near busy roads, it’s advised that you opt for paint protection, or apply some of your own to elongate the lifespan of your paint.
Does car polish protect the paint?
Car polish is largely misunderstood. In short, it doesn’t protect the paint; instead, it’s actually abrasive and removes a thin layer of paint or clear coat.
The idea behind using polish is to remove small scratches and imperfections. It therefore shouldn’t be used regularly. Wax, on the other hand, does protect paint. It should be used after polishing to add a layer of protection to the paint, which helps against UV rays, stone chips and the like.
What is the best way to protect your car paint?
One of the best ways to protect car paint is to wash it regularly. The longer bird droppings and tree saps sits on your paint, the more chance there is of your paintwork being permanently damaged.
Weekly washes are ideal, and if you can, do them by hand. Car washes aren’t always maintained correctly, and the brushes used are often dirty which results in unwanted scratches.
Washing your own car by hand eliminates this fear, and you can ensure the job is done correctly. In terms of sealants or ceramic coatings, look for a spray or cream and apply panel by panel. But you only need to do so once or twice a year.
Our selection of the best car paint protection might help on the outside, but a good car vacuum cleaner will keep things tidy inside.
Looking for more motoring recommendations? Check out our dedicated Sun Selects motoring section.
To browse our full range of Sun Selects recommendations, be sure to head back to the Sun Selects page.
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