"The same stuff dealers charge hundreds for" Ad crap

K_M_J · 03-14-07, 11:46

Hello forum, I am wondering about some stuff I ran into on the internet and was curious if you could help me out in finding the validity of what was claimed.

It was some product called "zilene" or something, but I'm pretty sure it started with an "x." It was claimed on this site ad that this product was the "finish that the dealers charge you hundreds for." & "It's not available to the general public, but only to car dealers themselves."

Myself, being sceptical, have to ask you a few of questions,

1) Is there some kind of dealer used sealant that works better than conventional products?
2) What are some good product(s) to do the most extraordinary job on a freshwater boat's paint?

-thx

Danase · 03-15-07, 05:53

1) No. It is all gimmick and lies. Personally I think it should be illegal for dealers to make such claims. Also, 90% of the dealers will do more damage than good when they "detail" your car.

2) For Marine work I am a huge fan of Collinite.

velobard · 03-15-07, 05:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

1) No. It is all gimmick and lies. Personally I think it should be illegal for dealers to make such claims. Also, 90% of the dealers will do more damage than good when they "detail" your car.

+1

Quote:

2) For Marine work I am a huge fan of Collinite.

It works great on your car as well. Very nice appearance and great durability.

AL-53 · 03-15-07, 06:12

Its called Xillion..and it is nothing but your average type sealant with a whopping price tag....I have seen bottles for sale on ebay of both the zillion and also the Simoniz one..the kits were under 20.00 for the cleaner and sealant...so if they are 20.00 there and the dealer charges 500.00 -700.00 for a application..wow nice profit for a 20.00 investment...

This stuff is no better than average sealant..I have seen cars that have it on and they lost the lustre after 4 months..and paint was grabby...

Save your money..much better out there..for less

Al

themightytimmah · 03-15-07, 09:56

Xzilon doesn't live up to their claims...period. If you've got a boat to do, definetly look at Collinite, and consider Polycharging 845 if you really need extra durability - thats what I plan on using on the next boat I get stuck detailing.

sudds · 05-16-07, 07:00

I got hold of a brand new bottle from a friend who runs a shop at a dealership. He told us about a video the rep for the product showed him They sprayed the treated area with spray paint. It wiped off after drying. Well, one of my guys had put a carbon fiber hood on his Honda, so we tried it on his old hood. Worked like advertised. We then proceeded to wash the hood with Dawn soap. We washed and dried it 5 times over the course of the week. We did the paint test again. Would not come off.
It is like any other sealant. Good, but no miracle in a bottle.

DMikeS4321 · 06-24-07, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

1) No. It is all gimmick and lies. Personally I think it should be illegal for dealers to make such claims. Also, 90% of the dealers will do more damage than good when they "detail" your car.

2) For Marine work I am a huge fan of Collinite.

You're wrong. My Mom purchased a new Subaru and paid for the Xzilon application. Now, one month later, I can wipe the brake dust off her wheels with my fingers.

I got some from a friend at the dealership. I put it on my car and shortly later a bird crapped berry juice all over the hood. I let it sit for a WEEK in the hot sun. Admittedly, my car is a kind of royal blue, not too dark, but the bird crap wiped off with a kleenex.

I'm no expert, but I have to say that I've never seen anything like it before.

Just my 2 cents...

P.S. I'm NOT a professional detailer, so I can't talk on your level, but... I also don't have 2 or 3 hours every week or two to detail my car. The Xzilon doesn't discolor the black rubber and plastic and it doesn't leave white powder in all the cracks. It's fast (I put it on my Mercedes in about 20 minutes) and it doesn't require a buffer or any polishing, wipe on, wipe off. It works...

Reflectionz · 06-25-07, 08:45

a dealer sold that sealant package on a used mercedes. although they sealed in some bad water marks on it and the customer complaint.. the guys at the detail couldnt remove it so they had me do it. it did seem like there was a layer of something that was hard to break through because it took forever to get rid of those watermarks! usually, i cant even feel the difference buffing a car thats been waxed but this stuff did seem like it had some durability to it!

i dont think its guaranteed for a lifetime, but i believe it is a redicolous time like 2 years? 5 years? hey! dont a lot of waxes & sealants claim they last longer than they do? klasse sealant claims a year, but give it 2 months and its gone.

kleraudio · 06-25-07, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMikeS4321

Now, one month later, I can wipe the brake dust off her wheels with my fingers.

but the bird crap wiped off with a kleenex.

First off, welcome to Autopia

Now, for some constructive critisicm.

One month is not a long time for a sealant. Any sealant will last a month, give it 2 or 3 more months and I can almost guarantee that the brake dust is not coming off that easily.

Second, please dont use a kleenex to wipe off bird bombs, its mar city man. Grab a nice MF and take care of it.

Now Im not bashing that sealant, I mean cmon its a sealant. But I am bashing the dealerships that charge 700 bucks for the service and then customers call me and say they dont need a wax or sealant because they never have to wax their cars again. That is what I cannot stand.

I have a post somewhere on here called "I never have to wax my car again", you should check it out.

Again welcome to Autopia! And say goodbye to your credit cards!!!

Jim

PhaRO · 06-25-07, 09:52

The long lasting things are gimmicks. Years ago I bought some products from a Kar Kraft supplier. They carried a line of products for dealer protection packages which weren't Kar Kraft brand and I don't recall the company. As I recall dealers bought the product and warranty cards which were underwritten by an insurance company. It's just a numbers game. Most won't ever bring the car back. It's an amazing scam if you ask me that seems to keep working. I love when someone says "I never have to wax my car again, all I have to do is put this finish renewer on every 3-6 months". Translation I paid $500 for a paint sealant and now instead of waxing I apply paint sealant.

SVR · 06-25-07, 09:59

Upon reading your post, I thought it was xylene, used in slate floor sealers (got slate at home)

Notice to everyone - don't ever pay for paint protection from a car dealer
They are not in it to provide max protection but easy add on services that give them maximum profits

JuneBug · 06-26-07, 05:33

I have a friend in the bodyshop biz that works with big car dealers to get a car ready for sale. He says they pay him 75 bucks to detail (seal) a car and then charge the customer 4-500 for a "protection package for paint" - like someone said, it's just a way for the dealers to bend you over.