# "What is this add-on"? Thread

**URL:** <https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618>\
**Category:** Off-Ramp\
**Created:** [June 5, 2020, 9:59am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618 "2020-06-05T09:59:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![trism](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/trism/32/26973_2.png) [@trism](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/trism)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 9:59am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/1 "2020-06-05T09:59:13Z")

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You want to “protect your investment,” don’t you?

Who doesn’t love “peace of mind”?

Ask about or discuss the relative value (or lack thereof) of various add-ons here.

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**Author:** ![trism](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/trism/32/26973_2.png) [@trism](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/trism)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 9:59am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/2 "2020-06-05T09:59:59Z")

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“Phantom Footprints”:

> [@2020 BMW M340i loaner MSRP 60k 26% Discount, $530 down, $530 a month. Texas. Deal check](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/2020-bmw-m340i-loaner-msrp-60k-26-discount-530-down-530-a-month-texas-deal-check/260223/25):
>
> A scam

 ![image](https://leasehackr-assets.b-cdn.net/original/3X/a/d/adbf8caf1a8200cffa325ecf1a683e5cdca3e7c2.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Batistuta](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/batistuta/32/70364_2.png) [@Batistuta](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Batistuta)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 11:34am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/3 "2020-06-05T11:34:49Z")

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Trucoat

[![](https://leasehackr-assets.b-cdn.net/original/3X/5/6/56048a4759eb22954e26923c9e6bb90829378ec7.jpeg "Fargo (1996) - TruCoat Scene (2/12) | Movieclips") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2LLB9CGfLs)

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**Author:** ![trism](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/trism/32/26973_2.png) [@trism](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/trism)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/4 "2020-06-10T15:55:57Z")

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> [@BMW protection packages?](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/bmw-protection-packages/262375):
>
> I just recently leased a BMW and while finalizing the paperwork the had the protection department or whatever come speak to me. They were trying to push about 6 different protection packages at me adding an additional $150 to the monthly bill. I ended up only going with the Maintenance Package and the Wear & Tear package. Both of those together added an additional $50 to the monthly bill. They were then also trying to push the tire and wheel package on me which would be another $50 a month alone…

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**Author:** ![ethanrs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ethanrs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ethanrs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ethanrs)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/5 "2020-06-10T16:08:24Z")

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Wheel Protection can be great but never pay over $700 for it regardless of the brand.

We offer legit coatings at our dealership and pre-install them on our higher MSRP cars (Ceramic Pro) instead of low dollar stuff like StarGard or ScotchGard. Most people buying our SVRs and Autobiographies like having it and already have it installed on the more exotic cars they own.

And gap is useful if you’re purchasing. Maybe excess wear depending on the brand (+1 for Audi Care).

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**Author:** ![anon98469396](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/anon98469396/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@anon98469396](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/anon98469396)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/6 "2020-06-10T16:21:59Z")

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I like ceramic coatings but prefer to pick them myself and have my trusted detailer apply them. Tire and wheel protection is almost becoming mandatory these days with the super low profile tires put on every vehicle regardless of whether or not it’s a performance vehicle. If you are in the same zipcode as a pothole, you are going to need it.

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**Author:** ![ethanrs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ethanrs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ethanrs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ethanrs)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:29pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/7 "2020-06-10T16:29:17Z")

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We mainly apply ceramic pro for the scratch protection for ourselves while the car is in stock. A porter lightly rubbed the side of my sold Satin Mescalito Black Velar SVAD with a hose while washing it and caused $6,300 in paint damage. Something similar happened to another satin full-size and a satin Velar as well. It makes life a little less stressful when the car is ceramic coated first thing when it gets to the store for satin cars (although we apply it to higher MSRP gloss finish cars as well).

My point in my previous message was that customers appreciate it because it is a legitimate product with name value, not some foo-foo magical serum that “makes your paint sparkle like new until the end of time.”

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**Author:** ![anon98469396](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/anon98469396/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@anon98469396](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/anon98469396)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/8 "2020-06-10T16:38:08Z")

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Ouch. I love that color. I’m glad you are using the good stuff and not the crap some of the dealers use. You’ve always been a straight shooter on here though, which I appreciate as I’m sure a lot of people do.

When I had mine applied, I was told that it wasn’t going to deflect lasers and boulders or mean I didn’t every have to wash it again. It is, however, much easier to wash and it has kept things like road tar and paint from sticking to the surface. I think it’s well worth it even on a leased vehicle if you really care about taking care of the finish.

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**Author:** ![neverhaveleased](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/neverhaveleased/32/103159_2.png) [@neverhaveleased](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/neverhaveleased)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/9 "2020-06-10T16:58:52Z")

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I’d be wary about a dealer putting on ceramic vs a known detailer. A good detailer will correct or at minimum polish the clear coat before applying. That’s where the high cost comes in. Don’t pay $1000+ if you aren’t getting any correction. Additionally, these coats only last 2-3 years so if the dealer did it a year ago and the car has been sitting in the elements since then you’ve lost much of the protection.

The ceramic itself shouldn’t cost more than $100 for materials and it’s about 1-2h in labor if there is no polish step. As an amateur detailer I spent a day cleaning/polishing and ceramic coating my fart car V60. Clear coat takes years to degrade even sitting in the sun so no way would I spend big money to protect a three year leased car.

It does make the car much easier to clean so there is some value for the lessee.

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**Author:** ![ethanrs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ethanrs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ethanrs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ethanrs)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/10 "2020-06-10T17:10:58Z")

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> [@neverhaveleased](#):
>
> I’d be wary about a dealer putting on ceramic vs a known detailer. A good detailer will correct or at minimum polish the clear coat before applying. That’s where the high cost comes in.

We don’t apply it. We outsource to a very very reputable local dealer, they do full paint correction and ceramic pro application.

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**Author:** ![HersheySweet](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/hersheysweet/32/201247_2.png) [@HersheySweet](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/HersheySweet)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/11 "2020-06-10T17:25:01Z")

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> [@ethanrs](#):
>
> caused $6,300 in paint damage.

Jesus. 6300 for one panel & correction or a whole repaint?

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**Author:** ![ethanrs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ethanrs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ethanrs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ethanrs)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/12 "2020-06-10T17:28:05Z")

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> [@HersheySweet](#):
>
> Jesus. 6300 for one panel

It was two doors, one fender, one rocker panel. Also just so happened it was a literal billionaire client (who happens to be the most anal guy in the world) that was purchasing not leasing, and needed the car delivered that day for his daughter (it was her surprise present for her 16th birthday). Literally everything that could have gone wrong did, and with the worst client for things to go wrong with.

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**Author:** ![neverhaveleased](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/neverhaveleased/32/103159_2.png) [@neverhaveleased](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/neverhaveleased)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/13 "2020-06-10T17:32:52Z")

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How would have a ceramic coating help? I’ve read and watched plenty on this. There’s potentially a small benefit for swirl reduction (the kind you get from improper washing). But for any scrape that is deep enough it can’t be polished out, no ceramic coating is going to help. Paint protection films potentially could, but protecting a whole car runs multiple thousands.

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**Author:** ![ethanrs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ethanrs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ethanrs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ethanrs)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/14 "2020-06-10T17:39:21Z")

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Our cars are stored outside. Bird droppings + satin paint = 💩

Also, we have found that they are slightly more resistant to light light scratches. You’d have to be familiar with factory satin paint to understand the benefit. Satin paint is extremely easy to scratch, and once it’s on the car there is no buffing it out. And when I say light scratches I mean light, like the corner of your apple watch touching the paint, button on the back of jeans touching the paint, hose touching the vehicle, etc.

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**Author:** ![HersheySweet](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/hersheysweet/32/201247_2.png) [@HersheySweet](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/HersheySweet)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/15 "2020-06-10T17:39:54Z")

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Story time, what happened? Stall? Repaint?

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**Author:** ![ethanrs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ethanrs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ethanrs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ethanrs)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/16 "2020-06-10T17:41:29Z")

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That is quite the story time. I’ll post it in here in a bit when I little spare time to day.

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**Author:** ![Kctham18](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/kctham18/32/239135_2.png) [@Kctham18](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Kctham18)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/17 "2020-06-10T17:42:50Z")

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Hmm 😂 nice to have a billionaire dad that bought me a $150k RR for my 16th birthday lol lifestyles of the rich & famous 😁

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**Author:** ![neverhaveleased](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/neverhaveleased/32/103159_2.png) [@neverhaveleased](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/neverhaveleased)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/18 "2020-06-10T17:45:56Z")

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Ok, I understand. Satin paint is a different beast all together.

It’s protecting your inventory as much as it protects the customer post-purchase

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ethanrs](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ethanrs/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ethanrs](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ethanrs)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/19 "2020-06-10T17:56:13Z")

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> [@neverhaveleased](#):
>
> It’s protecting your inventory as much as it protects the customer post-purchase

Exactly 👍

Satin paint is awesome but to be brutally honest it really isn’t worth the headache. I wish we would just satin clear bra gloss cars (same cost as factory satin paint option) but the problem is that it doesn’t residualize.

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**Author:** ![neverhaveleased](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/neverhaveleased/32/103159_2.png) [@neverhaveleased](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/neverhaveleased)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618/20 "2020-06-10T17:59:03Z")

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I would never get it on my car, but I’m a penny pinching hacker and not a billionaire 🙃

[Next page](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/what-is-this-add-on-thread/260618.md?page=2)
