SurfaceCare - Worth it?

[mlgators]

My OB will be in soon so we were at the dealer this morning speaking to our trusted friend who works there (he’s been in the business for 30 years). I know he wouldn’t recommend things that he wouldn’t get himself, but I wanted to see if anyone here has any experience adding the SurfaceCare, good or bad. It seems like a great deal for $700. Any info is appreciated!

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[kyle_conrad]

I'm not 100% sure what it is? Like I get the part where they apply an exterior and interior protectant/finish, that makes sense, but since you can purchase it for up to 7 years and it's transferrable, what else does it cover? Do they do that protectant again? Even the official Ford brochure (https://pictures.dealer.com/newinsbayshorefordfd/44b39b450a0e09a72831a2fb0ba3621d.pdf) doesn't really make that clear.

 

[mlgators]

I'm not 100% sure what it is? Like I get the part where they apply an exterior and interior protectant/finish, that makes sense, but since you can purchase it for up to 7 years and it's transferrable, what else does it cover? Do they do that protectant again? Even the official Ford brochure (https://pictures.dealer.com/newinsbayshorefordfd/44b39b450a0e09a72831a2fb0ba3621d.pdf) doesn't really make that clear.

I have the same thoughts and question. If we pull the trigger, we want to do it before we take delivery so we don’t have to bring it back. Our friend/dealer said it’s an all day process.

 

[kyle_conrad]

Looking around online, it looks like that "warranty" part means you can bring it in and they'll clean it/reapply? This is from another site:

Any one have thoughts or look into the Ford Surface Care? I usually just pass over the add on sales pitch things but this didn't sound so bad. For $500 they add a paint protectant on the outside and a scotch guard on the inside. Then for 5 years if anything happens (I have two kids and dog) they will clean it/fit it with rental car reimbursment. Food/drink, blood, vomit, crayons, gum, pet stains. Doesnt sound like a bad idea to be honest. My old vehicle has so many stains and I have lifted so many melted crayons. They said bad odors too and my kid has spilt milk in the seats before and that's just awful. Am I missing something?

https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/ford-surface-care.8063/

But it sounds like a lot of dealerships just kind of shrug and don't care. For the price they charge, I would bet you could find an aftermarket auto detail place that would put something a little better on it.

 

[Meanderthal]

Sounds like a ceramic coating, which you can do yourself. There are some of these coatings now with graphene in them too. Most that are available to the general public are good for 2-5 years. Getting into the 7+ year range usually comes from “professionally installed”.

I have applied a few ceramic coatings to my personal vehicles in the last decade. They are a very nice thing but do take some effort. It kind of goes along with what I prefer, which is that I want to take the time to do a great job and then have an easy to maintain high gloss finish. Most of these finishes also recommend a detail spray to help maintain them.

 

[MJE]

Yes, if it’s the coating, I find it worth it as an easy to maintain (or no maintenance beyond washing) & I believe the dealer will do a better job than I could. But I live in an area where cars are perpetually dirty for 6 months a year because it’s warm enough to melt & dirty things up,t hen gets too cold again to hardly brave teh car wash lol.

 

[Meanderthal]

Applying a ceramic coating is pretty easy but does take some time. Like a lot of things, the hard part can be preparation. Paint correction is generally the hardest part and takes the longest time. Most people would not be doing any paint correction on a brand new vehicle. Because these cars travel on trains, I would highly recommend an iron remover wash before any paint protection goes on. That may, or may not, be a part of what would happen at the dealership. It is surprising how much contamination can be on a brand new car. That is how I learned about “clay bars” nearly 20 years ago.

 

[mlgators]

Applying a ceramic coating is pretty easy but does take some time. Like a lot of things, the hard part can be preparation. Paint correction is generally the hardest part and takes the longest time. Most people would not be doing any paint correction on a brand new vehicle. Because these cars travel on trains, I would highly recommend an iron remover wash before any paint protection goes on. That may, or may not, be a part of what would happen at the dealership. It is surprising how much contamination can be on a brand new car. That is how I learned about “clay bars” nearly 20 years ago.

Thanks for the info. I’ll definitely ask them about the iron remover wash!

 

[13MikeH]

So far I have three applications of Meguiars pro series ceramic wax on. All winter with snow sleet and slush, one trip through the self spray car wash, the bronco comes out spotless. My other vehicles have one coat and seem to leave some salt residue. The sport looks like t is still fresh off the lot. Cost...$22

as far as effort, it's no more difficult than standard waxing and you can cover the whole vehicle before buffing and removing excess. I swear by it

 

[Deleted member 6350]

My OB will be in soon so we were at the dealer this morning speaking to our trusted friend who works there (he’s been in the business for 30 years). I know he wouldn’t recommend things that he wouldn’t get himself, but I wanted to see if anyone here has any experience adding the SurfaceCare, good or bad. It seems like a great deal for $700. Any info is appreciated!

If I were you I would ask about Ceramic Coating Sealing the Paint for like 5-7 years. We had ours Ceramic Coated for $800.00 bucks. was told regular price was 1200.00 but since I asked about friend of his he said the 800.00 would be ok so I gave him 900.00 bucks when done, he told me that covers the Entire Outside of the car. the roof, all the windows, all the lights, all the grey parts even the rims were coated in Ceramics.

 

[mlgators]

If I were you I would ask about Ceramic Coating Sealing the Paint for like 5-7 years. We had ours Ceramic Coated for $800.00 bucks. was told regular price was 1200.00 but since I asked about friend of his he said the 800.00 would be ok so I gave him 900.00 bucks when done, he told me that covers the Entire Outside of the car. the roof, all the windows, all the lights, all the grey parts even the rims were coated in Ceramics.

Was this at a dealer or different place? Two different local places have quoted me $2,000 just for the outside ceramic coating. ? I’m in Central Florida, so love bugs.

 

[Deleted member 6350]

Was this at a dealer or different place? Two different local places have quoted me $2,000 just for the outside ceramic coating. ? I’m in Central Florida, so love bugs.

Sorry this was at this gentleman's house, he had his 2 car garage turned into a Detail Garage. This is his full time job by word of mouth, plus I had to wait for 2 months to get me in. But ya Shop Around is all I can suggest. I’ve seen prices around $ 1200.00 to $ 1800.00. and yes I’ve ran into your bug season on the highway around Ft. Pierce I remember.

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