Who's going to allow there dealer to wash their car? - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Z Boss · 02-03-2012, 10:20 AM

Transportation to the dealer goes by rail for most of us. That rail transportation deposits grit on the paint and in some cases in my area, may include small metal particles (don't know where that comes from.) When the car is PDI'ed \ washed, if the tech does not pay attention to the surface prep at wash time, washing the car in a traditional manner will cause the swirl marks, thus our concern. It really depends on the condition of the exterior when the car arrives but the wash rack guys really don't deliver that much TLC. I plan to inspect the car on arrival and make a decision then. Or maybe I'll just close my eyes and wait for the dealer to call me when it's ready to roll - yeah right!!

Happy_Dan · 02-03-2012, 10:31 AM

If they put swirl marks in the paint, they just have to buff it out.
I will clay mine when I get it home and THEN buff it and then polish.

heRS · 02-03-2012, 10:37 AM

Never again. Whoever washed my Camaro at the dealer (it certainly wasn't the person who sold me the car) found an extra tough spot on the hood... and scrubbed hard this way.... and then scrubbed real hard that way... and left a big ol' 8" X about the width of a scrubby-sponge in the paint. Took me a while to buff it out.

Z Boss · 02-03-2012, 11:02 AM

Does anyone kow are high dollar ZR1 \ Z06 Vettes are handled and prepped? I will ask the OE paint supplier for a Camaro ZL1 recommendation if someone will research the Vette prep. More to come.

stymie · 02-03-2012, 01:13 PM

NOT all CHEVY dealers are created equal. While one may do a splendid job, the other might be swirl-city OR worse! There's a LEXUS dealer way South of me that does a superb job for under $150. Another good outfit locally, KC DETAILING, comes out to wherever you are with all the proper gear to gently pressure wash, clay bar & hand wax... It's kinda expensive!

tmandoug1 · 02-03-2012, 01:29 PM

I plan on intercepting the truck when it comes down the Turn Pike, no way they unload it without me being there. The first Toy in my life will be handled with kid gloves. I will inspect their washing station and we shall see after that.

GunnyG · 02-03-2012, 01:32 PM

Took mine to Weseloh Chevy in Carlsbad for an oil change. Faukers washed it without even asking me if I wanted it.

Needless to say, soon as I saw how messed up it was, I got it detailed.

S-eatin-grin · 02-03-2012, 03:08 PM

My SS is special to me but when I arrived at the dealership in mid Feb. and saw 20+ vettes and Camaro's there and a ZR1 and some Lotus vehicles and about 5 other models that cost more than my car it kinda put things into perspective...it is/was a special car...but not even close to the most expensive thing on the lot....they did a good job prepping it but I got it stuck in the snow in my driveway and had to call some friends to help me "extract" it without damaging it...ah memories! Be careful out there all you early March deliveries. I wanted mine so bad I drove it in less than great road conditions. Hope you have a sunny day when your time comes.

72MachOne99GT · 02-03-2012, 04:55 PM

That link was a good read, but man... it's gonna take a lot of patience to not just drive the hell out of the car the first day.

Rinse
Rinse again
Wipe/Rinse between wipes
claybar
sealant/buff
wax

Hm...

Shurenuff · 02-03-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Dan

If they put swirl marks in the paint, they just have to buff it out.
I will clay mine when I get it home and THEN buff it and then polish.

True, and while it wouldn't be the end of the world if the dealer ends up washing it, it all boils down to minimizing the time I'm spending correcting the paint. That's the main reason why I'm going to request the dealer not wash it.

Happy_Dan · 02-03-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurenuff

True, and while it wouldn't be the end of the world if the dealer ends up washing it, it all boils down to minimizing the time I'm spending correcting the paint. That's the main reason why I'm going to request the dealer not wash it.

I can totally understand that. I live in NH and have to drive home from PA so I expect I'll have lot's of work to do on the paint when I get home.

I expect some quality time with both my rotary buffer and the orbital for finishing. Who knows, maybe even some color sanding to get rid of orange peel.

Flavorwrench · 04-15-2012, 08:55 AM

Seems to me if the car buyer thinks he is that smart about this topic of Automotive Detailing and has such high expectations, one would at least know enough to buy from a dealership that employs a person that can wash a car. Really??

2012ZL1 · 04-15-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikaRokBowTie

LMFAO,how much friggin water was in that bucket,few hundred gallons

based on the size of the bucket, I'd estimate 6000 to 7000 gallons.
60-70,000 lbs (35 tons) of water sure looks like it hurts.

DangerZL1 · 04-15-2012, 09:50 PM

Based on my previous experience watching a car get washed with a pole brush and a bucket and the comments in this thread, I chose not to let the dealer wash my car. The sales manager wasnt too happy, but the finance guy said I made the right choice. It wasn't too dirty, and I didn't add any scratches after foaming it down twice and using an Adams wash MIT and microfiber towels.

02-03-2012, 10:20 AM	#29
Z Boss Camaro Addiction Drives: 68SS81Z2887IROC97Z28SS,12ZL1,22ZLE Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 338 View My Garage	Transportation to the dealer goes by rail for most of us. That rail transportation deposits grit on the paint and in some cases in my area, may include small metal particles (don't know where that comes from.) When the car is PDI'ed \ washed, if the tech does not pay attention to the surface prep at wash time, washing the car in a traditional manner will cause the swirl marks, thus our concern. It really depends on the condition of the exterior when the car arrives but the wash rack guys really don't deliver that much TLC. I plan to inspect the car on arrival and make a decision then. Or maybe I'll just close my eyes and wait for the dealer to call me when it's ready to roll - yeah right!! __________________ ZL1....thank you Chevy Gods! 2012 Camaro ZL1 VIN #0004 ZL1, Ashen Grey, Black Leather, 6 speed, suede, exposed carbon fiber weave, gray stripe Current Status: Cruisin' !! 3800 Produced: 1/27/2012 6000 Delivered To Customer: 4/27/2012

02-03-2012, 10:37 AM	#31
heRS Raised by Wolves Drives: IBM 2010 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 5,980 View My Garage	Never again. Whoever washed my Camaro at the dealer (it certainly wasn't the person who sold me the car) found an extra tough spot on the hood... and scrubbed hard this way.... and then scrubbed real hard that way... and left a big ol' 8" X about the width of a scrubby-sponge in the paint. Took me a while to buff it out. __________________ Tori click the sig pic to view my build thread

02-03-2012, 11:02 AM	#32
Z Boss Camaro Addiction Drives: 68SS81Z2887IROC97Z28SS,12ZL1,22ZLE Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 338 View My Garage	Does anyone kow are high dollar ZR1 \ Z06 Vettes are handled and prepped? I will ask the OE paint supplier for a Camaro ZL1 recommendation if someone will research the Vette prep. More to come. __________________ ZL1....thank you Chevy Gods! 2012 Camaro ZL1 VIN #0004 ZL1, Ashen Grey, Black Leather, 6 speed, suede, exposed carbon fiber weave, gray stripe Current Status: Cruisin' !! 3800 Produced: 1/27/2012 6000 Delivered To Customer: 4/27/2012

02-03-2012, 01:32 PM	#35
GunnyG Da WHALE Drives: 2014 Stingray, 2015 Panamera 4 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oceanside, Ca - Originally from KCMO Posts: 8,878 View My Garage	Took mine to Weseloh Chevy in Carlsbad for an oil change. Faukers washed it without even asking me if I wanted it. Needless to say, soon as I saw how messed up it was, I got it detailed. __________________ Project MantaRay...Underway

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PQs Camaro [COTW 9/20/10]	PQ	Member Car Journals	5664	07-28-2020 12:10 AM
White Lightning....The Story Begins	CamaroKid300	Member Car Journals	409	10-01-2018 09:22 PM
5th Gen Suspension -- The Book	JusticePete	Suspension / Brakes / Chassis	151	05-07-2015 05:52 PM
Dealer Car Wash?	ambientweather	Camaro Convertible Forum	1	09-18-2011 01:19 PM
My LLT is BLOWN! Connecting rod is loose...	Camarodriver	Camaro V6 LLT Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	158	12-05-2010 01:43 PM

02-03-2012, 10:31 AM	#30
Happy_Dan Happy_Dan Drives: 2012 IOM Camaro ZL1 #569 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New Boston, NH Posts: 2,239	If they put swirl marks in the paint, they just have to buff it out. I will clay mine when I get it home and THEN buff it and then polish.

02-03-2012, 01:13 PM	#33
stymie Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: KC, MO Posts: 438	NOT all CHEVY dealers are created equal. While one may do a splendid job, the other might be swirl-city OR worse! There's a LEXUS dealer way South of me that does a superb job for under $150. Another good outfit locally, KC DETAILING, comes out to wherever you are with all the proper gear to gently pressure wash, clay bar & hand wax... It's kinda expensive!

02-03-2012, 01:29 PM	#34
tmandoug1 Deep Sea Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. Posts: 969 View My Garage	I plan on intercepting the truck when it comes down the Turn Pike, no way they unload it without me being there. The first Toy in my life will be handled with kid gloves. I will inspect their washing station and we shall see after that.

02-03-2012, 03:08 PM	#36
S-eatin-grin Drives: 2013 2SS/RS AGM Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: WV Posts: 1,170 View My Garage	My SS is special to me but when I arrived at the dealership in mid Feb. and saw 20+ vettes and Camaro's there and a ZR1 and some Lotus vehicles and about 5 other models that cost more than my car it kinda put things into perspective...it is/was a special car...but not even close to the most expensive thing on the lot....they did a good job prepping it but I got it stuck in the snow in my driveway and had to call some friends to help me "extract" it without damaging it...ah memories! Be careful out there all you early March deliveries. I wanted mine so bad I drove it in less than great road conditions. Hope you have a sunny day when your time comes.

02-03-2012, 04:55 PM	#37
72MachOne99GT Anthrax Popcorn User Drives: 2013 GT500 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,286	That link was a good read, but man... it's gonna take a lot of patience to not just drive the hell out of the car the first day. Rinse Rinse again Wipe/Rinse between wipes claybar sealant/buff wax Hm...

04-15-2012, 08:55 AM	#40
Flavorwrench Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 67 RS-SS TwinTurbo Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 147	Seems to me if the car buyer thinks he is that smart about this topic of Automotive Detailing and has such high expectations, one would at least know enough to buy from a dealership that employs a person that can wash a car. Really??

04-15-2012, 09:50 PM	#42
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,935	Based on my previous experience watching a car get washed with a pole brush and a bucket and the comments in this thread, I chose not to let the dealer wash my car. The sales manager wasnt too happy, but the finance guy said I made the right choice. It wasn't too dirty, and I didn't add any scratches after foaming it down twice and using an Adams wash MIT and microfiber towels.