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What sets Permagard apart from other products on the market?

With so many products out there competing for your attention, it can be hard to know which one will deliver the results you want to your customers. There are a lot of claims of being the best on the market, without much information to back it up. At Permagard, we like to be totally transparent about what gives us the edge over our competitors, so you can make the smart choice for you and your customers.

Innovation and Quality Assurance

We are deeply committed to consistently improving our products, and this can’t be done without constant research. Since 1997 we have continued our ongoing commitment to polymer science, constantly testing and innovating the technology we use to ensure it is of the highest standard. A Permagard protection treatment runs a lot deeper than just an impressive shine. Each product is scientifically backed and works on a molecular level, which hasn’t gone unnoticed. Our high performance, environmentally safe Reactive Polymer Technology has now been trusted to protect over $100 billion worth of aircraft, cars and yachts across the globe. Luxury brands such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific, and the largest privately-owned dealer groups, such as The Suttons Group, already use Permagard exclusively for their factory backed and statewide vehicle protection programs – you can’t argue with science! 

We care about helping you to deliver the best results, and saving your customers time and money. Offering a lifetime guarantee across our exterior and interior protection products demonstrates our confidence in the longevity and effectiveness of our treatments. We’ve got one shot to impress you, and we already know we will. 

We offer a lot more than just great products

It’s not just our products that give us confidence, it’s everything we offer alongside them as well. We pay close attention to who we partner with, and look for dealerships that share the same customer-centric values we have. Warranty claims are completed quickly, and we make a point to never penalise the customer if they feel dissatisfied with any aspect of the service provided. 

Permagard has a flat management structure, meaning someone can contact us at any time to discuss any queries or issues they have. The fact our client retention is 99.9% speaks volumes when it comes to how we conduct the business side of Permagard. 

Our training program keeps our team at the top of their game

Quality should never be compromised, and to ensure this every single one of our team goes through a rigorous training programme in order for them to deliver the high standards you and your customers deserve. 

Our technicians are chosen based on their high skill level, and are then trained to become experts with every one of our products. We offer products made with the highest quality ingredients and technologies within the manufacturing process, ultimately delivering the best products to market. Our team is made up of dedicated scientists, chemical engineers and trained applicators all working to provide quality results that will keep your customers coming back to you. 

The Permagard Quality Improvement Plan is our ongoing journey to be better than we were yesterday. Our commitment to this has led to the plan being certified to the ISO14001 (Environment), OHSAS18001 (Health and Safety) and ISO9001 (Quality). 

If, like us, you want to deliver the best service, unbeatable products and unwavering customer satisfaction, we can add value to your business and provide your customer’s vehicles with a shine for life. That’s the Permagard promise.

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Your guide to protecting your cars during winter

It seems like winter rolls around faster every year. One minute we are loving the Australian sunshine, and the next we’re caught off guard by the cold. It’s easy to overlook the effect this can have on our cars. Our advice? Don’t. It will benefit you and your dealership both financially and environmentally.

Here’s our advice on protecting your car from winter:

Be aware of your battery

Batteries are integral to car function, and it’s vital you keep an eye on them during the colder months. Very cold batteries struggle to deliver as much current as they normally would, and this is especially the case if you are dealing with an older, used car. Check the spark plugs, and for any signs of erosion, whilst also ensuring cars are kept under shelter to offer it protection.

Auto fluids need all the help they can get in the cold.

Cooler temperatures can cause car fluids such as oil, antifreeze, brake, transmission and wiper fluids to be less efficient. Ensure all your fleet’s fluid levels are at recommended levels at all times during these months. Keeping a full tank of gas will prevent condensation building up in the fuel system and then subsequently freezing.

Keep the optimum level of pressure in tyres

Depending on where your dealership is located, in the really cold months you may experience some ice on the roads. Cold weather compresses air, causing your tyres to decompress too. Keep an eye on over-filling them, as this reduces grip.

Know when you need to warm engines before driving

If you are driving a car that was made pre-1980, then the chances are you need to warm the engine before heading off on the road. This allows the correct mix of fuel and air to circulate in the engine. Any car newer than that will have fuel injectors and sensors, meaning you don’t need to sit and wait for the correct fuel levels to enter, as it will just happen automatically. For these cars, just start driving, increasing speed gradually.

Happy winter driving!

 

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Air-conditioning system care guide

Common issues with air-conditioning systems and how to fix them.

A car’s air-conditioning system is put through its paces all year round, cooling drivers and passengers in summer and warming up the car cabin during winter. With so much use comes a multitude of concerns. Here are the most common problems faced by car-owners, and the best ways to handle them.

There’s an odour problem

A musty or mouldy smell circulating through a car is a sign of dirt and moisture build up in the air-con system, which equals bacteria and mould. Even if the air con remains unused for a period of time, it still gathers dust which is sent flying through the air next time the fan is turned on. Not only does this mean bad smells travel throughout the cabin, but bacteria and mould spores are sent into the cabin’s air as well, to be inhaled by drivers and passengers and lead to respiratory and sinus problems.

How to fix it: 

While consumers may plug an air freshener onto the vents and call it a day, it’s definitely not a long-term solution. Introduce them to Hygiene Labs™ Antimicrobial Shield, which is a non-toxic protectant actively attracts and kills organisms mechanically to reduce risk of cross-contamination and mutation. It bonds to a car’s interior surfaces and also permeates through the air-con system to ensure clean air circulates through the cabin.

The air con isn’t pumping out a lot of air

This problem quite often goes hand in hand with an odour issue, so while it’s possible that the issue could be a faulty fan or loose hose connection, it’s likely that weak airflow is due to a blocked cabin filter. A blockage is usually caused by a build-up of dirt and debris, which, if left for too long without cleaning, will block the vents so limited air can actually circulate.

How to fix it:

Depending on the severity of the blockage, the air-conditioning filter may need a thorough clean or a complete replacement. Either way, up-selling a replacement/declogging job with a sanitisation treatment – and implementing a regular sanitisation routine – is important to ensure cleaner air and also to prolong the good condition of the filter, saving consumers time and money further down the track.

The AC isn’t blowing out cold/hot air

Although this may be another blocked-filter situation, it could also be something more complex within the air-con system itself, such as a blown fuse in the compressor, broken cooling fan or leakage due to a lose or broken hose connection.

How to fix it:

While this sort of technical issue requires far more complex repair and replacement, it’s still important to use the opportunity to educate consumers about the need to regularly clean and sanitise their cars’ ventilation system. It makes ongoing maintenance easier, meaning less headaches for them – and you.

 

 

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Your post-purchase used car guide

Purchasing a used car is a little more complex than buying a new one. Here’s everything you need to do to ensure the process is a smooth one.

1. Transfer your insurance…

Remember to do this before you drive your new (well, used) car home, so you’re covered from the minute you get the keys. Prior to collection it’s best to confirm with your insurance provider that policy benefits will roll over after the transfer.

2. And the registration

It’s the buyer’s responsibility to transfer the registration from the seller to them. Check your state’s requirements and timeframes for this process, as it can vary – and ensure you’ve got the finance to cover any transfer fees and stamp duty.

3. Replace all the fluids

If you know that it’s been quite some time since the car you’ve purchased has had a service, or if you can’t confirm when the last service was, it’s a good idea to book the car in for a once-over once you’ve received it. During that time, technicians can replace the engine oil, transmission oil and brake and clutch fluids to that you can be sure that the car is 100 percent road ready.

4. Sell your old car

Trading your old car in, is easy, but you might get more bang for your buck if you sell it yourself. The biggest pain point when it comes to selling your car yourself is time – time to wait for curious buyers, time to show them the car and time to make a sale. Allow yourself plenty of time to get a sale out of the way – particularly if you are relying on the funds to help purchase your new vehicle.

5. Treat the car to a top-to-toe refresh

Just because you’ve bought a used car, there’s no reason you can’t resurrect that new-car smell – or shine. Restore the car to as-new condition with a Permagard Refresh Program. Our trained technicians will be able to restore the paintwork’s original lustre and sanitise and protect the interior of the car’s cabin to keep it looking and feeling new.

 

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Choosing the right tint for your car

Whether you need to block out UV rays or hide from paparazzi, window tinting is practical and stylish – and one of the most commonly requested aftermarket products around.

Picking the right kind of window tint needs more consideration than you might think. Here are some handy hints to make your decision easier:

1. Get the legal lowdown

Every state and territory has different regulations when it comes to how dark your tint can be – and what windows it can be applied to. Professional window tinting companies know the ins and outs of what’s legal and what’s not, but it pays to do some research of your own first.

2. Know your shade

You may be surprised to learn that there are so many different tints that go beyond your standard black, including bronze, grey, gold and amber. Do some research online to check out the different shades on cars in the same colour as yours, so you can decide what tint shade looks best!

3. Check the UV grade

With the harsh Aussie climate, it makes sense to go for the highest-grade window tint you can. Our tint can block out up to 99% of UV rays, protecting you and your passengers and also shielding interior cabin surfaces from the harsh effects of the sun.

4. Protection for a lifetime

For peace of mind, go for a window tint backed by a lifetime warranty (like ours!*). Even with proper care, some window films may need to be replaced over time, so a lifetime warranty will ensure those potential small repairs won’t leave you out of pocket.

*Warranty terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

 

 

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5 Handy Car Care Hacks

In a perfect world, our cars would never break down, they would never get dirty and they would stay exactly how they looked when they first left the factory, BUT, let’s get real here. Stuff happens. Especially when you live a very busy lifestyle, on the go, with a family or with many passengers getting in and out of your car bringing the outside, inside!

The best way to make car maintenance (and your life) that little bit easier is by forward thinking, prevention and maintenance. Not all of us have the time or money to get our cars valeted or serviced every single week so, here’s 5 simple car care hacks that will help you to prevent damage and keep on top of dirt and mess in an easy and cost effective way.

1. Crumbs in your nooks and crannies?

The inside of a car is full of hard to reach places, where things like sand and crumbs can collect. There are also knobs, buttons and dials that also get sticky and grubby very quickly. To keep on top of every day traffic and prevent the build-up of dirt, keep a soft bristle toothbrush in your glove box as a handy tool to give the small cracks, gaps and compartments of your car a once over every now and again. It’s a great accessory to use when vacuuming, particularly for sand.

2. Sticky fingers and snotty noses?

Keep a box of tissues or napkins and some trusty hand sanitiser close by. True life savers if you have children or enjoy going on road trips and eating inside your car. We absolutely love Stayzon’s alcohol free sanitiser, which is safe to use on anything from hands and face to surfaces and accessories. Ultimate travel companion!

3. A load of old rubbish?

If your car is prone to becoming a bit of a refuse site, with plastic bottles and wrappers everywhere, keep smells, spillages, dirt and grime to a minimum by creating a waste bin which you can place in one of the foot wells. Grab a large plastic cereal container with a flip lid and line the inside with a plastic bag.

4. Necessities and accessories?

For those who spend a great deal of time in their car, it can often become like a second bedroom, packed full of things like spare gym gear, toiletries, shopping bags and for families, there may always be a need for toys, baby change gear and so on… Keep everything tidy and in one place by popping a compartmented storage box in the boot of the car.

5. Pesky pet hair?

Our gorgeous, adorable fur babies are a joy, but their fur can be something we are trying to remove forever! Avoid dirt, fur and odours by investing in a pet seat hammock to help keep your pets out of direct contact with your beloved car seats. There are lots of different styles and qualities online and many have buckles so you can keep it in one place and ensure your interior remains protected. Maybe even an investment for those with kids!?

If keeping your car clean and in mint condition is a big priority to you, simple life hacks such as these are a great way to help stay on top of daily dust, fluff and other stuff. Give some of these a go and prepare to be amazed!

For a long term solution to car protection, Permagard’s interior and exterior treatments are a great way to add prevention over cure. Our treatments use state of the art technology like no other, helping to keep your car shiny, protected and fabulously fresh. With a lifelong warranty for all customers, which covers most things including elemental damage, Permagard is a great way to add ongoing peace of mind and a touch of luxury to any new or used car.

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Why Permagard’s worth the upsell

There are few moments more exciting than buying a new car. I mean, your first-born child is probably up there, but for the rest of us, a shiny new vehicle will be the apple of your eye when you first roll it out the door.

So what happens at the point of purchase when the retailer is throwing in all the extras and then starts to upsell you? How do you filter through the add-ons and select what is worth your time and money?

Undoubtedly, we have all heard about paint protection and enough people have given that wide-eyed shake of the head to make anyone believe that protecting paint is an unnecessary waste of money. And to be fair, this premise is not entirely unfounded.

For years, the market was saturated with overpriced and underperforming tonics that amounted to little more than snake oil. Products like this had little to no scientific research and offered such limited protection that it isn’t any wonder you would think yourself hard done by if you had bought into the gimick.

Well, finally, we can leave those days behind. Permagard has extensive real world evidence and quantifiable data that supports the products. The polymer based paint protection offers a barrier that, unlike wax or polish, which can eventually deteriorate the paintwork, will bond to the paint particles and prevent damage caused by environmental factors.

Not only does the data express efficacy in terms of prolonging the durability of the paint on your car, it also indicates better performance. Permagard has developed its technology for over 14 years, working in the Australian commercial aviation industry.

Although your car may not be facing extreme temperatures up to 50 degrees above or below zero, facing high speed winds while travelling faster than 800kph, or suffering from drag at altitudes of 30 thousand feet, it is still facing extreme conditions that are inherent to Australian climate.

Permagard is insulative, protective and has a lifetime warranty. This means that for a discerning buyer, Permagard will offer tangible benefits, boosting re-sale value and reducing the amount of time you need to spend washing.

Will your car look better for longer with Permagard by insulating paint and prolonging brightness? Definitely. Will your paint protection last longer than your car? Maybe. Will your car be as precious to you as your first born? Let’s not answer that in case we get in trouble, but you get the picture.

Don’t trust just any paint protection, though. If you have a genuine financial interest in how you will protect your new car, then a coating of snake oil will not cut it. You need the real deal and the realest deal is Permagard.

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Birds, planes & Mercedes-Benz

Why is Permagard important for your new car?

Ok so you’ve heard that Permagard protects from any kind of environmental damage, but why exactly is this important for your new car?

Well, to take an analogy provided by Permagard Automotive’s General Manager, Andrew Forster, it works similar to a phone cover. When you buy a new phone, you probably have no issue spending 10-20% of its value on a protective case in order to prolong the life of the phone, right? So why do we second guess spending 5% on paint protection for our car, which is so much more valuable?

And what exactly do we mean when we say industrial fallout? For those living near the fringes of suburbia, facing industrial production on a daily basis, and heavyweight semi-trailers crawling down narrow residential streets, environmental damage is all too real. Black dust, chemical-laden atmosphere and acid rain all contribute to the slow degradation of paint on your car.

Australia’s harsh climate

Australia is infamous for its harsh climate to begin with, we are also the benefactors of a giant hole in the ozone layer that makes our region particularly susceptible to UV damage from the sun. On top of this, the majority of our population live beside the ocean where cars are caked in salt daily.

Bat droppings, or guano, are highly acidic and can cause significant damage to the paint. Not to mention bird excrement, another acidic biological factor that can affect the paint on your vehicle. Permagard not only places a protective layer over the coat of paint, bonding with paint fibres at a molecular level, it also makes the car incredibly easy to wash.

An easy-to-wash car is worth its weight in gold

A car that is easy to wash is worth its weight in gold, for the value of your time alone. Imagine being able to clean up any kind of salt water cakeage, fine black production dust or even bird droppings off your car with little more than warm soapy water on a soft cloth. Well, this dream is made real by Permagard’s aviation level technology.

Permagard’s proven technology was designed to reduce parasitic drag at a microscopic level by smoothing out the porosity of paint. While it may seem overkill to use a paint protection product that was originally designed for airplanes, the fact remains that Permagard works to protect your car from the everyday damage caused by something as simple as a light breeze with a percentage of salt, or something as heavy as a fly-by of a small population of seagulls.

Additionally, Permagard is the first paint protection product in Australia that is endorsed by a manufacturer of the automotive industry. And if it’s good enough for Mercedes Benz then it is better for the person buying a Mercedes Benz.

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