Car wash at dealership

[uflraptor]

I guess I just needed to vent to people who know how I feel.

My wife had to take her car to the dealership for some “recall” work. Then the dealership thinking they are doing something nice run it though their “scratch machine” oh I’m sorry I mean car wash.

Neither of our cars has EVER seen the inside of car wash since we’ve owned them. I could not believe how many scratches one pass though a “car wash” can cause. It was amazing.

How sad that the general public actually cares so little about their car’s finish that they allow this to go on. I know the dealership is only trying to do something nice but they really should ask before messing with something they obviously know nothing about.

[Big Leegr]

I feel your pain. Last time that happened to me I complained (but not there, as it was dark... go figure.) and I think they had it in their heads that I was looking to get ANOTHER wash for free. Ugh.

Fortunately, this type of scratching *usually* comes out fairly easily when it's done only once.

Good luck!

[sal329]

Write a note DO NOT WASH and leave it on the dash. Also tell the servic advisor to not wash the car. 1 out of 4 dealers I worked for had a good car wash system. They had a machine that sprayed the car with water at a nice pressure nothing over kill, the wash guys would use the 2 bucket method all buckets had grit guards, they used a sheep skin mit for top half and MF mit for lower half of the car, the rinse water was Dionized, so it dried spot free but they did blow dry the car. That was the first BMW dealer I worked for, the other dealer had a touchless wash and the last one and current one use the brush style car wash.

[baker]

I always make sure the service adviser is told not to wash the car, so far so good, althought they still vacuum it out and wipe the dash. I don't mind that. This is an Audi dealer, BTW.

[Scott P]

I always wash and quick detail the car when I take it to the dealer. That way, they won't see a need to wash it.

[Troy@DetailCity]

Originally Posted by sal329

Write a note DO NOT WASH and leave it on the dash. Also tell the servic advisor to not wash the car. 1 out of 4 dealers I worked for had a good car wash system. They had a machine that sprayed the car with water at a nice pressure nothing over kill, the wash guys would use the 2 bucket method all buckets had grit guards, they used a sheep skin mit for top half and MF mit for lower half of the car, the rinse water was Dionized, so it dried spot free but they did blow dry the car. That was the first BMW dealer I worked for, the other dealer had a touchless wash and the last one and current one use the brush style car wash.

Our dealers here could definitely take lessons from this dealer. That's the first time I have heard anything good about a dealer's washing techniques.

[zoomzoom mazda5]

It happen to me before DF this yr, when my battery was almost dead. It was replace by the dealer (pro-rate) and they wash my Mazda after i told them 3 times not to. Even a note on the steering wheel didn't help at all. I was piss off that they put those swirls back on the car.

[Pander5]

My dealer is very compliant to my requests not to wash. I have a laminated PLEASE DO NOT WASH sign I keep in my glove box and attach it to the steering wheel. I also make sure the SA writes DO NOT WASH on the work order. I work too hard to keep my black car 100% swirl free to have it all erased by the Brillo Bros at the dealer!

[Brace1]

Originally Posted by Pander5

..the Brillo Bros at the dealer!

[sal329]

Originally Posted by Troy@DetailCity

Our dealers here could definitely take lessons from this dealer. That's the first time I have heard anything good about a dealer's washing techniques.

I do not know how they wash cars now as it is all new management, new detailers, new shop and everything. But when I was there I was impressed, I had a black 00 Mustang back then and the car wash kid would wash it for me 2x a week as payment for me driving him home after work and never noticed any marring. The detailer would take care of the paint for me, wax it monthly and polish when needed. Man I miss being spoiled lol.

[RyansAutoDetail]

Originally Posted by uflraptor

I guess I just needed to vent to people who know how I feel.

My wife had to take her car to the dealership for some “recall” work. Then the dealership thinking they are doing something nice run it though their “scratch machine” oh I’m sorry I mean car wash.

Neither of our cars has EVER seen the inside of car wash since we’ve owned them. I could not believe how many scratches one pass though a “car wash” can cause. It was amazing.

How sad that the general public actually cares so little about their car’s finish that they allow this to go on. I know the dealership is only trying to do something nice but they really should ask before messing with something they obviously know nothing about.

sue them for the most expensive exterior paint detail you can find !

[JohnHenry]

Originally Posted by zoomzoom mazda5

It happen to me before DF this yr, when my battery was almost dead. It was replace by the dealer (pro-rate) and they wash my Mazda after i told them 3 times not to. Even a note on the steering wheel didn't help at all. I was piss off that they put those swirls back on the car.

Oh come on, Angelo! What else do you wealthy Florida retirees have to do all day?

[zoomzoom mazda5]

I always like to complain about the dealer. That's what us wealthy Floridian folks do.........

[Deanski]

Porsche dealer knows better than to wash my car. In fact, I wash and detail THEIR cars as well as customers/PCA members.

All one has to do is leave the notice in the car not to wash it, and have the service advisor put that as well in the service order when they work on the car.

You don't want the dealers swirl and scratch department advisor to touch the car.

Deanski