Dealer applied sealer/polish waste of money?

[Cowbell]

I'm picking up a new 30' Serenity in a couple of weeks. The dealer will offer me the seven year exterior finish warranty that covers staining, bird poop, no need for wax, etc. They say the product will last more than seven years.
Cost is hefty at $1,950 for 30 feet.
I have never paid for this extra coating when buying a car and not sure I want to start now.

Opinions?


Thank you!

[n2916s]

Well, the aluminum that your trailer is assembled from was coated by the manufacturer. It is a durable finish. Places where that surface has been cut (Windows, doors, vents...) is subject to filiform corrosion, which is generally harmless but unsightly.

If you google "filiform on Airstreams" you will learn a very effective way to deal with it by simple regular maintenance.

Personally, I would wash it when it is dirty and wax it once or twice a year. I use Walbernize but there are other effective options.

The money you save will buy lots of gas, or 25 years of National Park annual passes...

Mike

[grizbear]

I would not pay for that option. My camper is 12 yrs old and have fellow campers at nearly every campground ask me if it's a new one. I have been using something called Glare it's an airplane polish and now being sold on Airstream's web site. I use it with a porter-cable polisher one or two times a year depends on the trees we have been under or how close to the ocean we were camping. It's also sold on their own web page glare.com. It is not a wax and bonds to the finish where wax will melt off in high heat. Makes washing much easier too. Good camping Rand

[Mrjkq]

Save your money, AS finish is very durable, regular washes and occasional waxing will keep her pretty!

[Moflash]

Read the warranty.It will state if the product fails they will reapply again for free.They will not repair damages........Lol
I use Mcguires synthetic paste wax $22 takes about 2 hours.

[Cowbell]

Thanks for the input! I feel the same and with my current 27 International, I wax a couple times per year, and it's good excersize!
I will check out the Glare product mentioned. I currently use Walbernize and it's just OK..

[BAB]

I have had good luck with Glare as well. You can find it on the internet, and they do sell it in the store at JC...

[WestieHouse]

National Park passes are free to those over 62. One time cost is about $10! Best deal in the USA.

[wavelength]

What a rip off $1950 for a wax job. I would have canceled the order and gone somewhere else. Makes me wonder what other tricks the Dealer has up his sleeve

[Echelon73]

Which Glare product do you guys use? The "Air-Glare" formula?

[TheCabin]

I use the ultra wash and pro polish. First time purchase from the AS store and after that from the Glare website. I also try to wipe in a outward motion when near the edges of the plates. Since AS never completes their builds by recoating the cut edges I try not to disturb the exposed coating/plate interfaces.

Despite all our cleaning effort to prevent filiform, it is never as good as if AS would just recoat the edges after they create them.

[suemeacham]

Is your polisher variable speed?

[Cowbell]

The dealer has not officially offered the service yet but I know it's coming so I inquired about pricing. They all offer extra services like this, or extended warranties, both auto and rv dealers. The profit is very good!
Instead, I ordered Glare products through Amazon today.