Cilajet Protective Coating

[AZBG]

My fiancé and I are buying a new 25' International. The dealer is trying to sell us on a protective coating called "Cilajet" (http://www.cilajet.com/products.html). $1250 for interior and exterior application. They claim that the aluminum has factory applied uv protection, but when the panels are cut and riveted they are exposed and need protectant applied. Is this total BS or has anyone had a good experience with this product?

[graysailor]

I was offered a similar product and bought it. Probably just snake oil but this is an excellent topic and would like to read more responses.

[DHart]

We agreed to buy the Cilajet exterior and interior protection on the 30' IF the price is $800, which was far more than it was worth! There is some protection given by the application of the product on the exterior and on the leather and vinly interior. And there is a warranty of sorts against corrosion and tears/stains to the leather and vinyl.

How good that warranty policy is, I cannot attest to. I would say that this interior and exterior coverage is really worth about $300, and dealer cost is probably about $75 (product and labor together, not including service/repair coverage.)

I should point out that the vinyl flooring is very thin and very soft. We use carpet runners and a berber rug under our recliners to minimize potential damage to the soft, thin vinyl.

In future, for a 30' coach, I'd tell the dealer that I would buy it for $400, but pass on it otherwise. Or, better yet, just spend the $250 to $300 and get a good detailer to apply a good quality sealer, which could probably be done, depending on your geographic location, for about $250 to $300.

If you don't mind doing the work yourself... that's an option as well.

[AWCHIEF]

As you said "total BS". Snake oil car sales men have been suckering people in on this scam for years. Get a quality car wax and spend a relaxing afternoon putting it on yourself.

[DHart]

I should add that buying the Cilajet at a highly discounted amount was part of the negociation to buy down the finance rate by 1/2 point... so as a deal, it all worked out to our satisfaction. But the Cilajet is simply a sealant, a pretty good one as it seems, but a sealant nonetheless. If you can work a better deal by being willing to add Cilajet, don't pay the asking price for it. Be a tough negociator.... YOU have the buying power decision and they don't want to lose you as a buyer!

[lbdesign]

DHart, they are only offering me .25% off with the Cilajet purchase (discounted). Did you have to buy more than just the Cilajet to get .5 off the rate?

And did you find that the interior coatings created any smell, or altered the surface feel of the ultraleather cushions?

I was surprised to find they make it an all or nothing deal -- that you can't decline the interior surface application.

I wish we could find someone who's had it for 5-7 years to get a report on effectiveness.