I took delivery of a black 2005 TL. Upon delivery, there were several surface scratches. The dealer had his crew buff them out. Now instead of scratches, I'm left with swirl marks down the side of the vehicle. I'm taking the vehicle back because he says he can fix them. I asked him how and he said he doesn't know until he lets his people see it. What can he do other than what I can do with the polish, etc? Would another coat of clearcoat be a better option? Is there anything specific I can ask him to do that would eliminate them?
Thanks.

 

It's fairly common for the dealer to put swirl marks on the paint. That's why I always specifically tell them NOT to wash my car. If you have a random orbital polisher, use some 3M Swirl Mark Remover or Maguiar Swirl Mark Remover 2.0. That stuff will take it right out. Then apply your favorite wax on top of it.

 

No, there is nothing you can really tell then that will prevent then from swirling the car again. It is like trying to teach someone to to do their job, in a quick conversation..The swirls were applied simple because of poor detailing habbits (i.e. one wash bucket, not washing from the top of the car down, reused econo detailing supplies, etc), you won't be able to tell some one to "stop swirling my car", because they probably don't know they are doing it, innocent ignorance, if that excuse helps. They (dealer detailers "car cleaners") don't inspect the car with proper lights, like good detailers do, they just " CLEAN " the car, I wouldn't say they detail it. A proper detail SHOULD take at LEAST four straight hours with multiple people.. If they say they'll have your car back to you in an hour and a half, tell them to forget it.

There are many great detailers that will tell you straight to your face, "It's going to take me close to ten hours to fully detail your car, and I'll be back tomorrow to apply a final coat". Those detail typically will range from $250 - $450CAD, varying from region to region based on the demad for service (higher in Cali then Alabama) and weather (the hotter it is the nicer your car should look, lol). These details are worth every penny, if done by a good detailer, because the car's finish looks better than new and lasts for months and months, depending on their product choices.

The main thing I find is you have to try to imagine what you would expect someone to pay you for ten hours of work, meticulously inspecting and correcting the finish and shine of your entire car, inside and out, engine and all. Espically when the car looks like it has been freshly painted, not detailed, once you are done, with exception of stone chips.

 

Well said Patrick.

 

Since it's a new car, you should ask them to replace the car since it is not new as advertised and agreed upon.

If that is not workable, have them pay for you to take it to a reputable detailer of your choice who will do the job right to remove the swirls (caused by their detailers using a high speed rotary polisher). This way, you choose the detailer that you are comfortable with.