Delivery Dilemma - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Golfitz · 10-28-2010, 03:50 PM

Okay, so I'm sitting here in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert, counting down the days unit I get back home to my family, and my brand new 2011 IBM 2LT RS, which will be delivered to my driveway in December!

Since this site is pretty much my only form of entertainment, I've been poking around in different areas, (since I've never seen, touched, and surely never driven my new car) and one thing that I've seen over and over is the warnings about swirls when washed by an amateur w/the improper technique. Now, since the internet here is slower than Chinese Democracy, I haven't been able to watch the popular "junk man" videos, etc...

So, to my question(s). #1, would it be odd, or even necessary to request that the dealer NOT wash my car prior to delivery? and #2, do I dare ask my WONDERFUL wife who authorized this purchase, to NOT wash it upon arrival (as she would surely think I'd want since i keep my cars cleaner than ER operating tables)...or do i suck it up and just buff out the swirl marks later?

I'm sure some will think this is a bit much, or over the top, but am borderline OCD when it comes to my cars and this is my 1st new car, and what a bad-ass car it is.....thoughts?

ravensjeff · 10-28-2010, 03:56 PM

Let the dealer wash it if it needs it. That way you can see any issues prior to signing any papers. Can't tell if it's scratched if it's filthy. I wouldn't be anal with the wife either- you'll need her approval when you start buying custom exhaust, Cold Air Intake, etc.

pennor · 10-28-2010, 04:04 PM

NAW! Let your dealer wash it and clean it up for you. I actually had my dealer prep mine and hold it at the dealership for over a week until my wife returned from an out of state trip. The car was to be primarily hers, it was to be her birthday present and I wanted her to be the first to drive it.

If your dealer is any good they will have it spit polished when they deliver it. I told my dealer the story and they were more than happy to detail it, store it safely and had it on on the delivery carpet the morning that my wife and I went down to take it home. They even had birthday balloons attached for her because I told them it was her birthday.

AnnaBear@SpartaChevy · 10-28-2010, 04:23 PM

I don't think it's unusual at all to ask them NOT to detail it. I have had more than a few of my Camaro Customers want theirs 'untouched'. Since it's not the middle of winter it can't be that dirty, therefore you should be able to spot anything the way it sits.

In fact, my Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible customer already asked me not to do ANYTHING to the car. Not even take off the protective shipping plastics.

abaucom21 · 10-28-2010, 05:19 PM

Since I worked in Qatar for two years I understand your desire to return to Orlando (at the time my home was Dallas).
I am not the expert, but here are my suggestions based on my experience on Camaro5 since I joined mid March this year. Darker colors, such as your IBM, tend to show swirl pattern streaks when wax is applied and buffed with a hand held rotor machine (thus swirl). Best to hand wax & hand buff yourself. Do not get freaked out with washing. Just dry the car quickly to avoid water spots which are more obvious on darker paint. So let the dealer wash the car as I am sure they know what they are doing. Simple washing, and dry it off is not going to damage the paint. I am sure your wife would like to have your car clean the first time you see it so don't worry. Suggest you pay attention to wife first, Camaro second, upon your return (LOL).
I would avoid having the dealer apply any 'paint protection'. Also don't pay the dealer for any interior treatments, do it yourself. I admit my 2011 Summit White is not as labor intensive as your IBM or black. Since I took delivery in Aug. car has been washed at a non-brushless car wash many times (horror!). I gave up trying to determine what are the best wash/wax products so I use Meguiars for everything. Hand wax and occasional spray-on wipe-off detailing spray. No streaks, swirls, water spots, etc. on my abused Summit White. As with all my previous and current autos, I wash as necessary, wax once or twice a year, treat leather interior twice a year. My 1996 white Sebring LXI coupe looked new when I traded for my Camaro, my 1998 Pearl White Riviera looks almost showroom new. The Sebring, daily driver, no rust and I have lived in Canada for seven years.
Reading auto boards can make a new car owner a little paranoid. Your car will get paint chips, dings, etc. Just keep up with the cosmetic maintance and enjoy your new Camaro.
I am sure others can add additional insight into care of the IBM color and check with the specific color boards on this site.
I would suggest you get a clear bra installed before 'love bugs' start in Florida (also lived in Miami for many years). Recently I drove round trip from Ottawa Ontario to Richmond VA. I installed a clear bra on only the front bumper the week after I took delivery. High speed Interstate driving for a total of 23 hours and the front was covered with bug hits. They all washed off at the non-brushless car wash when I returned to Ottawa.

01pewterz28 · 10-28-2010, 06:11 PM

Which Central Florida dealership are you taking delivery? I would not let any of the Courtesy Chevrolet dealerships touch my car, I have had Starling Chevrolet detail all of my cars no issues.

Sean

robsls3 · 10-28-2010, 11:00 PM

Just pray you dont have rail dust issues on it.

01pewterz28 · 10-28-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsls3

Just pray you dont have rail dust issues on it.

A good clay bar job will get rid of rail dust

Sean

Apache64a · 10-29-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfitz

Okay, so I'm sitting here in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert, counting down the days unit I get back home to my family, and my brand new 2011 IBM 2LT RS, which will be delivered to my driveway in December!

Since this site is pretty much my only form of entertainment, I've been poking around in different areas, (since I've never seen, touched, and surely never driven my new car) and one thing that I've seen over and over is the warnings about swirls when washed by an amateur w/the improper technique. Now, since the internet here is slower than Chinese Democracy, I haven't been able to watch the popular "junk man" videos, etc...

So, to my question(s). #1, would it be odd, or even necessary to request that the dealer NOT wash my car prior to delivery? and #2, do I dare ask my WONDERFUL wife who authorized this purchase, to NOT wash it upon arrival (as she would surely think I'd want since i keep my cars cleaner than ER operating tables)...or do i suck it up and just buff out the swirl marks later?

I'm sure some will think this is a bit much, or over the top, but am borderline OCD when it comes to my cars and this is my 1st new car, and what a bad-ass car it is.....thoughts?

i HAVE BEEN WAITING 9 WEEKS FOR exact IDENTICAL CAR AS YOURS. It is Bayed, code 4800 and not sure where it is between Ontario, Canada and Vero Beach, FL.
OH yes...............thank you for your service to our country. My family started in the Civil War up to Viet Nam.
LTC Dick Cantner.........Flew an AH1-D Cobra.

CamaroScotty · 10-29-2010, 06:15 PM

If you don't have it washed, it's hard for the selling dealer to make a claim for transport damage. I pressure wash all of them before the truck driver leaves, so me can check the cars over good.....and they can come in PRETTY DIRTY!

10-28-2010, 06:11 PM	#6
01pewterz28 #TeamBeckyD Drives: 2017 HBM 2SS Convertible A8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 10,494 View My Garage	Which Central Florida dealership are you taking delivery? I would not let any of the Courtesy Chevrolet dealerships touch my car, I have had Starling Chevrolet detail all of my cars no issues. Sean __________________ #TeamBeckyD FIFTY HBM 2SS VERT

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10-28-2010, 03:50 PM	#1
Golfitz Drives: '11 IBM 2LT RS w/Silver Stripes Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 23	Delivery Dilemma Okay, so I'm sitting here in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert, counting down the days unit I get back home to my family, and my brand new 2011 IBM 2LT RS, which will be delivered to my driveway in December! Since this site is pretty much my only form of entertainment, I've been poking around in different areas, (since I've never seen, touched, and surely never driven my new car) and one thing that I've seen over and over is the warnings about swirls when washed by an amateur w/the improper technique. Now, since the internet here is slower than Chinese Democracy, I haven't been able to watch the popular "junk man" videos, etc... So, to my question(s). #1, would it be odd, or even necessary to request that the dealer NOT wash my car prior to delivery? and #2, do I dare ask my WONDERFUL wife who authorized this purchase, to NOT wash it upon arrival (as she would surely think I'd want since i keep my cars cleaner than ER operating tables)...or do i suck it up and just buff out the swirl marks later? I'm sure some will think this is a bit much, or over the top, but am borderline OCD when it comes to my cars and this is my 1st new car, and what a bad-ass car it is.....thoughts?

10-28-2010, 03:56 PM	#2
ravensjeff 100% Chevy & Harley Man Drives: 2010 2SS: Blown LSX 376-B15 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eldersburg,MD Posts: 2,211 View My Garage	Let the dealer wash it if it needs it. That way you can see any issues prior to signing any papers. Can't tell if it's scratched if it's filthy. I wouldn't be anal with the wife either- you'll need her approval when you start buying custom exhaust, Cold Air Intake, etc. __________________ LSX 376-B15, TVS2300 SC, Harland Sharp Rockers w/ Trunion Bearings, ATI Balancer/keyed, AR LT Headers/Borla Catback Exhaust, DSS 1400 HP Axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, 3.70, Hotchkis Springs/Sway bars, Forgeline SO3P Aluminum Wheels (20x9.5 F/20x11 R)w/ Hidden Titanium Hardware, Nitto NT05 Tires (27540ZR20 F/31535ZR20 R), Billet LPE brake/gas pedals, Escort 9500ci Radar Detector Laser Jammer, Roto Fab CAI with Ice Silver box, Carbon fiber tube/MAF Housing Assy, LPE Aluminum coil covers, SS9 Sleeper Fiber Glass Hood (ACS), Carbotech 1521 ceramic brake pads, Elite catch can.

10-28-2010, 04:04 PM	#3
pennor Drives: 2011 2LT - 73 Corvette 454 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 240	NAW! Let your dealer wash it and clean it up for you. I actually had my dealer prep mine and hold it at the dealership for over a week until my wife returned from an out of state trip. The car was to be primarily hers, it was to be her birthday present and I wanted her to be the first to drive it. If your dealer is any good they will have it spit polished when they deliver it. I told my dealer the story and they were more than happy to detail it, store it safely and had it on on the delivery carpet the morning that my wife and I went down to take it home. They even had birthday balloons attached for her because I told them it was her birthday.

10-28-2010, 04:23 PM	#4
AnnaBear@SpartaChevy Drives: 2011 Camaro 1SS Manual Synergy Grn Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sparta Chevrolet, Sparta, MI Posts: 2,107	I don't think it's unusual at all to ask them NOT to detail it. I have had more than a few of my Camaro Customers want theirs 'untouched'. Since it's not the middle of winter it can't be that dirty, therefore you should be able to spot anything the way it sits. In fact, my Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible customer already asked me not to do ANYTHING to the car. Not even take off the protective shipping plastics.

10-28-2010, 05:19 PM	#5
abaucom21 Drives: 2011 2LT White, 1966 TBird conv. Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ottawa Ontario Posts: 682	Since I worked in Qatar for two years I understand your desire to return to Orlando (at the time my home was Dallas). I am not the expert, but here are my suggestions based on my experience on Camaro5 since I joined mid March this year. Darker colors, such as your IBM, tend to show swirl pattern streaks when wax is applied and buffed with a hand held rotor machine (thus swirl). Best to hand wax & hand buff yourself. Do not get freaked out with washing. Just dry the car quickly to avoid water spots which are more obvious on darker paint. So let the dealer wash the car as I am sure they know what they are doing. Simple washing, and dry it off is not going to damage the paint. I am sure your wife would like to have your car clean the first time you see it so don't worry. Suggest you pay attention to wife first, Camaro second, upon your return (LOL). I would avoid having the dealer apply any 'paint protection'. Also don't pay the dealer for any interior treatments, do it yourself. I admit my 2011 Summit White is not as labor intensive as your IBM or black. Since I took delivery in Aug. car has been washed at a non-brushless car wash many times (horror!). I gave up trying to determine what are the best wash/wax products so I use Meguiars for everything. Hand wax and occasional spray-on wipe-off detailing spray. No streaks, swirls, water spots, etc. on my abused Summit White. As with all my previous and current autos, I wash as necessary, wax once or twice a year, treat leather interior twice a year. My 1996 white Sebring LXI coupe looked new when I traded for my Camaro, my 1998 Pearl White Riviera looks almost showroom new. The Sebring, daily driver, no rust and I have lived in Canada for seven years. Reading auto boards can make a new car owner a little paranoid. Your car will get paint chips, dings, etc. Just keep up with the cosmetic maintance and enjoy your new Camaro. I am sure others can add additional insight into care of the IBM color and check with the specific color boards on this site. I would suggest you get a clear bra installed before 'love bugs' start in Florida (also lived in Miami for many years). Recently I drove round trip from Ottawa Ontario to Richmond VA. I installed a clear bra on only the front bumper the week after I took delivery. High speed Interstate driving for a total of 23 hours and the front was covered with bug hits. They all washed off at the non-brushless car wash when I returned to Ottawa.

10-28-2010, 11:00 PM	#7
robsls3 Account Suspended Drives: 2010 camaro 1SS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oaklawn, IL Posts: 862 View My Garage	Just pray you dont have rail dust issues on it.

10-29-2010, 06:15 PM	#10
CamaroScotty Account Suspended Drives: Your new SLP Camaro! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cedarburg, WI Posts: 6,790	If you don't have it washed, it's hard for the selling dealer to make a claim for transport damage. I pressure wash all of them before the truck driver leaves, so me can check the cars over good.....and they can come in PRETTY DIRTY!