OTown

My car was in mint condition and was nicely prepped for winter. Unfortunately I got a scratch on the trunk and sprayed some ONR on it and rinsed with water just to see the extent of the scratch and left it for winter and decided to address in the spring/early summer.

The car was with the dealer having warranty work done. I stressed it must not be washed. Despite having 'no wash' on the work form and key it was washed. Swirl central. Around the scratch there is also significant scratches. A stone chip on the hood (which I hadn't previously seen) also has scratched around it as if whoever cleaned the car tried extra hard to clean these areas.

I'm not happy at all. My concerns are they may have washed the wax off as I don't know what products they use, and I am also dying to get the paint, especially around the paint chip and scratch sorted. And of course all the paint swirls. The problem is it's -20c although my garage is just above freezing. Are detailers working in this weather? What can I do to limit damage as the cold weather and salty roads are set to continue for a month at least.

*sigh*

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

well, if you are adamant, you can detail your car now in -20 weather.

or, you can stop worrying about it and address it in the spring. dont wash the car.
let the car get grimey!
once it warms up, do a complete detail. from fog light to tail light.
this way, you'll correct any kind of paint issue and be protected for the summer.
you cant do anything now, so dont stress over it.

C8N

I would just make sure there is wax on the car and wait until weather gets warmer for the full detail.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

translation: dont worry about it. you wont die.

OTown

Thanks. I'll take some deep breaths. They thought they were helping me out by washing it despite seeing the 'no wash' instruction. In their defence though they do want to make the situation right. They offered to detail it themselves so I will think about it and decide whether it's worth going that route or using a dedicated detailed when the weather is better. I just want to get it fixed first time around and not risk taking off too much clearcoat.

C8N

If it were me, I would not let the dealer take care of this unless you know for sure that their detail department is competent.

Most dealers I have seen just hack away your clear coat with a rotary on wool pads.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

i agree with C8N, i'd wait till spring and have a professional detail it.

or diy!

Turbocoop

iTrader: (3)

Or make the dealer pay for a professional detail job. My old dealership had a dedicated detailer and he did a pretty good job, but I wouldnt rely on someone who is paid hourly to detail every single car that is traded in or sold to do my car

OTown

I am going to speak to their detailer (they're part of the dealership bodyshop and detailing business). I've already expressed concern to the service dept they may not know what they're doing after they were not forthcoming about what their step by step process is.

Thanks all.

C8N

I get the feeling that the dealer will insist on giving them a chance to fix the damages. If I were you, I would say screw that and ask for 1 yr worth of oil change or something of that nature and just take care of the swirls and scratch DIY.

OTown

The scratches are quite bad and I don't have the confidence with this paint (used to German paint). If they can't fix it they will be paying for a detailer or respray. It's just things like this that left me thinking 'wtf'

C8N

Ouch! from the pic, there are couple of deep spots in there and if anything, it looks like it will need wet sanding. Is this OEM paint? If so, those deep ones aren't something I would recommend for DIY.

OTown

Exactly. It's 4 months old so pretty new.

OTown

And I have racked and racked my brains as to how this could've occurred



The vertical scratch and slight one at the top that runs parallel for about 1cm is my doing. Certainly not the left to right scratches that must've taken quite some time to build up.

Thanks for all the feedback. I swear the dealer thinks I have OCD so it's been good to bounce this back and forth with like minded individuals to gauge my reasonable/unreasonableness.

OTown

By way of an update, two and a half hours at the dealership discussing options. Their bodyshops general feedback was you will have scratches anyway as you have a black car and they always happen when you wash the car so no point worrying about it. So a complete waste of my time.

I then get a call asking for the car for two days and they will fix it. Awaiting details as to how they will fix it but I have no faith at all. I feel stupid for even trying to be flexible with them on this.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

they are idiots!
and would have them pay for a pro to do it! i wouldnt let them hacks touch it again!!

OTown

Waiting for a call back and will continue to push for it. Feel stupid for even trying to work with them on this.

C8N

Swirls and scratches are almost unavoidable especially on a black car. Like they say, you don't own a black car.... it owns you!

OTown

With paint correction every few years to resolve, not after it's 2nd wash and a new car.

The 'fixed operations manager' shouted at me down the phone. A complete contrast to everyone from salesman to cashier I have dealt with at Camco Acura. For me, it's not the mistake, it's how it's dealt with and shouting at a potential return customer is poor.

OTown

By way of an update, they had it in to fix. It was machine polished without claying first and some swirls and scratches remained because 'there isn't much clearcoat left' and started talking about peeling on the roof in summer if I'm not careful!! But when I mentioned microns he didn't seem to understand.

It really didn't look like they could've taken much clear coat off so I hope he's just not accurate. I can't believe someone could have a car 4 months old with barely any clearcoat left. I wasted so much time (5+ hours) I just couldn't be bothered and took back the car and will pay myself to get it done.

OTown

Finally got my hands on a Paint gauge and thickness around one of the scratches above us 83microns and rest of panel is over 100. Not sure how they manage to f it up so bad.

Jesstzn

Is this a 2014 ? Some of those marks are conducive to what would happen with brush washing.

Dealership service departments dont read anything , i do the same as you but stick a post it on the speedometer too and I tell the service manager the wash will cost them $400.

Another point.. If the shop can't tell you the procedure then don't use them .. They don't know what they are doing... Thus the no claying before the polish.

OTown

Yes it is a 2014. So much time wasted back and forth I just can't deal with them anymore.