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JUST BOUGHT A NEW CAR? HERE'S THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO

Congratulations on the new car. Now — before you put any kilometres on it — here's the most important step most new car owners skip entirely.

THE MYTH OF DEALERSHIP PAINT PROTECTION

Almost every car dealership will offer you paint protection as an add-on — typically for $800–$2,000. Sounds good in theory. In reality, most dealership "paint protection" packages are overpriced wax or basic sealant applications with inflated warranty claims, applied by staff who aren't specialist detailers. The products are rarely professional-grade, and the prep work is almost never done properly.

We're not saying all dealer protection is bad — but for the price, you're almost always better off visiting a dedicated detailing studio.

WHY NEW CARS NEED PROTECTION IMMEDIATELY

New paint seems invincible — but it's actually at its most vulnerable in the first few months. Melbourne's UV radiation starts oxidising unprotected paint immediately. Bird droppings and tree sap can etch into fresh paint within hours on a hot day. And swirl marks can start forming the first time the car goes through a car wash.

The clear coat on a new car has never been contaminated, which actually makes it the ideal time to apply a ceramic coating — the bond is cleaner and more effective on virgin paint.

WHAT WE RECOMMEND FOR NEW CARS

• A thorough decontamination wash to remove any transport contamination or dealer prep chemicals
• A light paint inspection to check for any factory defects or transport scratches
• Professional ceramic coating application while the paint is in perfect condition

Starting from $800 for a Gtechniq CSL 5-year coating, protecting a new car at The Detail Lab Melbourne is one of the smartest investments you can make for its long-term value and appearance. Book within the first few weeks of ownership for the best results.