There is no chemical that will protect a car's paint from oxidation or the acids in bird droppings for the lifetime of a car. If you look at the "fine print" in the warranty of the products, they all "require" that the product be applied every year to maintain warranty. If not, they have other impossible clauses that ensure that when the paint fails due to not being maintained, that their lifetime warranty will be voided.
There are many sites on the web that talk about paint protection and there are lots of sites that provide huge mis-information in an effort to sell their products.
Here are the facts:
Modern car paints are a two stage paint, not including the metal coatings and primers that are used, you get a color layer and then a clear layer (known as a clear coat). Both are paint based. The clear layer just adds a depth of shine to the color below it.
There are really two different types of paint protection products on the market: waxes, and sealants. What is the difference?
Waxes are usually based on a naturally occurring substance like Carnuba. Carnuba comes from a plant and when applied to a car dries to a very hard surface that covers the paint like a suit of armor does for a warrior. Carnuba plants come in various levels of quality that result in much different protection from the products that use them. Brazilian is thought of as the best. Most carnuba waxes that we buy over the counter use a very low percentage of carnuba wax compared to other fillers and products that allow it to remain in a liquid or paste form. The more expensive the carnuba wax, usually, the more content you get. In general, carnuba content is between 2% and can be as high as 80% (but you pay big dollars for these).
Sealants are a totally different animal. They are man-made products that are completely manufactured chemicals. The sealant is designed to "bond" with the paint on a chemical level in order to provide protection. This process is much the same as those "last all day" sunscreen products are for people; you apply it once and then you can swim with it while it still protects you from the sun. Sealants last longer than waxes because they are designed to last longer. To extend Sealants life, there are products known as Glazes that reinforce the sealant by adding a bonding layer that sticks to the sealant.
What I find most frustrating about products like permaguard is they claim to last forever on every car. How they can make that claim is beyond me. Each car is treated differently. The car that sits in a showroom on a rotating display unit probably would last forever because the sealant used (and permaguard is just a sealant) would never be exposed to anything. However, most of our cars are exposed to acid-rain, bird droppings, road grime, and salts. These things deteriorate the chemicals and cause them to wear down. When they eventually wear off, then the unprotected paint is left to weather and fail. Most people don't even notice that their paint has oxidized and doesn't shine up like it did until it shows signs of failure.
Your best defense against paint wear is to regularly detail and maintain your car. Using proper car wash soap (instead of dish cleaner) is the first step.
Finally, no product can stop micro-scratches from happening in the surface. They have not yet invented an impermeable material that can withstand anything. If they did, it would be mixed into the paint and metal and the car would last forever.
Please don't fall for the gimmicks that claim permanent and long-lasting paint protection. If they say to apply their product once and never have to apply it again, then you are being scammed.
At best, a daily driven car that is washed and cleaned once a week will have a sealant last a year. If you drive in a place with lots of rain, snow/salt, or lots of birds like to practice on your car... then be ready for it to last far less. 3 months or more...
A wax? Don't hope for more than 2 or 3 months from it under ideal conditions; If you get one of the high quality (read that as meaning "high carnuba percentage") then maybe a little longer than that.
Finally, waxes and sealants are used to protect the paint and to create a deep and wet looking shine. Proper car washing techniques will extend the life and reduce paint damage from washes.
Check out the detailing forums
HERE or also
HERE if you would like more details about proper car care. Also check out these forums if you would like to read more information on waxes, sealants, or the dozens of other car care products.
These sites seem to best filter out the marketing-hype and the mis-information that floats around the web. They are real people working on real cars. Some of the before and after pictures are... well... check them out!
Cheers
Jon
EDIT: Permagard's just offering a service to people. "bring in your car once a year and we will put on a sealant". You just have to hope that once a year is enough in your area. Do it yourself and save a bunch of $$$ or find a good detailer in your area to help you out for much less.
