GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Daz Auto on 28 July 2017, 10:35
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I'm just wondering how many people ask their dealers NOT to wash their cars.
It had never occurred to me to ask this. However, I was just reading another forum. Someone had left their Audi into the dealers to be serviced. They specifically requested that the car was NOT washed. The car was washed and obvious damage was done to the paint which now needs a correction detail.
I detail both our cars twice a year. I noticed that VW washed my car even though it had been detailed the day before. The weather was dry and the car was spotless going in. When I collected, the car was covered in water marks. It obviously did NOT need washed but they did it anyway. :rolleyes:
On the other forum, people are suggesting that a sign is left in the car "DO NOT WASH".
One of the reasons I wanted Reflex Silver as it hides swirl marks. However, my new Golf is red and I can see swirl marks on our red A3. Though I have a DA polisher now :smiley:
I guess this doesn't bother most people. :undecided:
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Never, even when it has been in for bodywork. Although I hadn't asked them to crawl about inside the car in dusty overalls, so I was pi$$ed off with that :rolleyes: My dealer has been very good so far, it is written on the job card and on the key label and so far they have complied every time.
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Certainly do not let the dealer wash
My cars and I have a little sign that hangs off the interior mirror reminding them as the message isn't always passed from service desk to workshop.
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I'm just wondering how many people ask their dealers NOT to wash their cars.
I guess this doesn't bother most people. :undecided:
I think it might bother quite a few of the forum members who'll respond to your post; especially those who are regular visitors to the Detailing section of the forum.
Do I let them wash my car? Definitely not, especially if I've recently done a full detail, which takes me a couple of days. I don't want some sponge-monkey at the dealers undoing all of my hard work.
The service advisor I usually see at my local dealers is into car detailing and he fully understands why I don't want them to wash my car with their single bucket of dirty water and grit-embedded sponge. He said with the exception of one of the guys prepares their new cars, he wouldn't let anyone at the dealership wash his car, so not a good endorsement of the abilities of the guy(s) who do the service washes.
I hang my 'do not wash' hangar from the rear view mirror, tie a 'do not wash' tag on my keys and get them to write the same on the work sheet. It's worked so far. So they're not tempted to wash it, I also try and make sure it's spotlessly clean when it goes in for service and any warranty work; not always possible though as if the weather's bad on the day I take it to the dealer, it gets dirty driving it there.
Also, I find it easier to check a clean car for any garage-inflicted damage after they've finished working on it.
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No never. Always use Do Not Wash hangers in strategic spots, on keys, plus tell the dealership in person and see they write it on the worksheet. Plus a massive cardboard sign on the driver's seat that you have to move to get in. Over the years the message has got through as I'm usually greeted at the desk with the words, "Ah, you're the lady who doesn't like her car being washed" which is not strictly true, lol. I'm actually thinking....I don't like my car being washed by you, but I'm quite partial to washing my car ;-)
Always send your car in clean if you can so pre service walkround is easier and easier to detect any post service damage that may have been inflicted.
On vwroc forum a few gave had dealers wash their cars despite plenty of express request not to and a few have sucessfully had dealerships cough up for pro correction details at a pro detailer of the owners choice.
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Not done it yet with the MK7 but the others when going in for any work were washed,cleaned inside and a walk around with the person dealing with me to show no damage. Strict instructions not to wash or hoover the car, then another walk around on pick-up.
:nerd:
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I'm just wondering how many languages the DO NOT WASH signs would need to be in! :undecided: :grin:
I know the cleaner in the dealership is Eastern European. Not sure about the people who wash the cars.
I was shocked by the condition of the paint on my parents new Merc. It looks like it has been cleaned with a brillo pad! They take it to an Eastern European car wash :rolleyes:
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Simple bright post-it note on the speedo works for me.
I must remember to ask them to hoover it though, i job i hate...
Cleaned a friends new Merc fresh from the factory with lots of stages so it looked nice and well prepared for the future. within 3 weeks he started to take it to Sainsbury car park hand wash service, Needless to say I never offered to clean it again as all the work was undone in the very first 10min car park wash. :rolleyes:
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Used too, not anymore! Due respect they're paid peanuts and have to do a lot for it, also most folks are crap and especially when it comes to cars. :grin:
Boothy is right for sure I'll be taking mine in freshly polished and make sure PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN is on the paperwork and booking email.
Hey they might even give a fiver discount! Yeah right!
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Used too, not anymore!
... have to admit... that was me :embarrassed:
In my defence, it is a silver car. :embarrassed:
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No chance, they haven't got the time or the tools to do a proper job. I wouldn't want my wax stripped by the strong TFR's that they use.
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I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !
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I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !
Though about that, but it could lead to a dispute if you find a problem with the paint. :undecided:
My dealer was not surprised when I asked to prep the car myself. Though he said I was only the second person to ask. :huh:
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I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !
Though about that, but it could lead to a dispute if you find a problem with the paint. :undecided:
My dealer was not surprised when I asked to prep the car myself. Though he said I was only the second person to ask. :huh:
The dealership removed the wraps on my car to have a quick inspection of the paint but that's all they did. I picked it up dirty and prepped it on my drive rather than doing it myself at the dealership, that way I could take my time and spread it over two days.
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I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !
Though about that, but it could lead to a dispute if you find a problem with the paint. :undecided:
My dealer was not surprised when I asked to prep the car myself. Though he said I was only the second person to ask. :huh:
The dealership removed the wraps on my car to have a quick inspection of the paint but that's all they did. I picked it up dirty and prepped it on my drive rather than doing it myself at the dealership, that way I could take my time and spread it over two days.
I think I'll be asking the dealer not to prep my car next time I change. There are probably pros and cons to whether you do it at the dealers or at home;
- at the dealers; probably easier to get any issues resolved if you find any paintwork/ bodywork problems while you're prepping it, but I think I'd feel under pressure to get finished, especially if it was a peak time such as registration plate change time.
- at home; I think this would be my preference - being able to take my time and work in familiar surroundings and having everything I need at hand. However, if you find any paint/bodywork blemishes or imperfections, it could be your word against the dealers and harder to get them rectified under warranty. Makes it all the more important to thoroughly inspect the car when you collect it.
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I'm only coming up for my second service.They can wash it and hoover it as i can't be bothered. :smiley:
They 'washed' it last year and gave it a hoover.Token gesture i would say looking at the results.They shouldn't bother offering this 'service' if they themselves can't be arsed to do it.
Totally agree with everyone who says 'don't touch'. :cool:
Some of these garages are particularly good at dragging gritty wet hoses across your pristine bonnet.Not had any problems with VW yet.
Good point from Booth.Have it nice and clean before it goes in.So much easier to see what they have been up to. :angry:
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I collected mine unprepped by dealer. They were instructed to remove the wraps but leave all glue residue on, marker pen etc. They were great about it and have had many similar requests from like minded peopele. Drove it home and gave it a good detail. Paint was perfect.
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I am as bad as anyone so I ask them not to wash, I also park it well away from other cars and ask them to do the same after the service, this stood me well on a three series once as we did the usual walk around and do not clean but I also requested not to park in between cars, anyway after work i went to pick it up and to my horror it was parked right between cars and had a dent and paint chip on the contour line of the rear door...I really was not happy but they did agree it was their fault and after a botched first attempt they did get the second right with a full side respray.
I did also prep my black gtI pp myself but I am not sure I would do it again as I had five paint defects, two dings one bumper bulge as if it had been pushed on to an unscrewed screw and two tiny flecks under the paint, I had my pdr guy around next day and he took one of the dents out a ten pence size in the bonnet...actually be said it was not a dent but some sort of recess in the paint perfectly round, I asked if I should return to the garage and he said no need...twenty mins later it was completely perfect as for the other one it was so small i only found it a week later on the side of the roof above the rear door, pdr guy could not get any tools to it as it had a sub frame underneath.
I actually sold the car 11 months on and have just got a white gti pp same millage 6 months older for the same money..no 19" wheels though, it does have lots of swirl marks though so I have got some work cut out but it should polish up nicely ...just a shame after buying the first gti new and putting all the prep work in deep down i knew I had made a mistake or just been unlucky.
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buddfridge, that's the one thing that would put me off taking the car away from the dealer unprepped; finding paint or bodywork damage after you've left the dealer's premises, and the potential hassle of getting the dealer to agree it was there from the outset and rectifying it.
The dealer did prep my current car and did an OK-ish job; not perfect but I could live with their efforts. I did find an imperfection in the paintwork the first time I washed the car though. The dealer was happy to rectify it but because of it's location it's not really noticeable, and I didn't want part of my (then) new car repainted with the risk of paint shade mismatch so I've left it as it is.
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I never let them wash my car. I don't trust them as it is and always leave a 'Do Not Wash' sign in the car so that it can't be misunderstood. I also ask them to write it on the job card and the key tags too just for good measure.
I think I am the only one who does this here, but I always put my car in dirty (bodywork noticeable and wheels) and that way for sure I know if it has been washed or not as it would be obvious if I returned and it was gleaming!
Whereas like a lot of people here, if I put it in detailed and shiny then there's nothing to say that they won't have washed that too as they have been known to wash even clean cars that go in and how would you know?
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I never let them wash my car. I don't trust them as it is and always leave a 'Do Not Wash' sign in the car so that it can't be misunderstood. I also ask them to write it on the job card and the key tags too just for good measure.
I think I am the only one who does this here, but I always put my car in dirty (bodywork noticeable and wheels) and that way for sure I know if it has been washed or not as it would be obvious if I returned and it was gleaming!
Whereas like a lot of people here, if I put it in detailed and shiny then there's nothing to say that they won't have washed that too as they have been known to wash even clean cars that go in and how would you know?
I would know brother! And reckon you and others would, especially the tyre gunk they use!
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I never let them wash my car. I don't trust them as it is and always leave a 'Do Not Wash' sign in the car so that it can't be misunderstood. I also ask them to write it on the job card and the key tags too just for good measure.
I think I am the only one who does this here, but I always put my car in dirty (bodywork noticeable and wheels) and that way for sure I know if it has been washed or not as it would be obvious if I returned and it was gleaming!
Whereas like a lot of people here, if I put it in detailed and shiny then there's nothing to say that they won't have washed that too as they have been known to wash even clean cars that go in and how would you know?
I've put cars in dirty before but would rather take it in clean so I can see any damage that may have occurred.
I definitely know if my car had been cleaned by someone else. My mk6 got cleaned by a bodyshop once after having some paint on the bumper, despite being asked not to. As I walked up to the car I could tell instantly it had been washed. I took it home and removed all the water spots that had resulted and then got the swirl torch out. It got DA polished after that. That was the only time it had ever been cleaned by any one other than me.
Same happened with my mk7 when it had work done after a hit and run. Due to damage and not being safe to drive, I had to leave it unexpectedly at the bodyshop. It was filthy when I left it so I gave them permission to wash it as they couldn't repair without doing so, but I did ask them to do minimum necessary. However on collection, when all fixed I could tell they'd waxed the whole car (miscommunication on their part with staff) as there was wax residue all over it. Again it got sorted at home.
Trust me if you are a keen detailer, you can tell if other hands have been on your car.
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I never let them wash my car. I don't trust them as it is and always leave a 'Do Not Wash' sign in the car so that it can't be misunderstood. I also ask them to write it on the job card and the key tags too just for good measure.
I think I am the only one who does this here, but I always put my car in dirty (bodywork noticeable and wheels) and that way for sure I know if it has been washed or not as it would be obvious if I returned and it was gleaming!
Whereas like a lot of people here, if I put it in detailed and shiny then there's nothing to say that they won't have washed that too as they have been known to wash even clean cars that go in and how would you know?
I would know brother! And reckon you and others would, especially the tyre gunk they use!
I would also know; there would be lots of tell-tale signs;
- bits that have been missed.
- water still around the door openings and various water traps like the upper and lower front grilles, inside the hatch handle and wheel bolt holes.
- water marks.
- induced swirls that would be visible if the sun was shining.
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Providing the weather is not wet, it will be easy to tell if the car has been washed at the dealers. They don't spend time drying the cars. This happened at my last service. The car was covered in water spots and didn't look as clean as it was before they washed it. :rolleyes:
It was raining the last time we collected the A3 from Audi. It had been given a detail the day before and I'm fairly certain there were fewer swirl marks on the car. Though I cannot be sure. :undecided:
I have noticed that Audi ask if it is ok to wash the car and VW don't.
I'm going to have to get a couple of DO NOT WASH THIS VEHICLE hangers and maybe print some signs. Though I was telling some friends about this and they were looking at me like I was nuts. :embarrassed: Oh well :laugh:
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Kudos to my local dealer (Ipswich VW). My GTI has just been in for service, and noticing it was clean, the agent asked me if I would prefer it not to be washed. And it wasn't, which I appreciated as I've had dealers inflict swirl marks before on previous cars.
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No
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No
The only answer needed in this thread.
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Some of us live in flats and can't walk fifty yards to and from a communal car park with buckets of water etc. Dealer has done mine a few times and it looks just fine (it was GardX protected when new which might make a difference). I can't see any swirl marks under visible light, however I haven't had it inspected under a UV lamp, which might show something up in the lacquer layer, but so what. If somebody actually scratches it I will be annoyed, but that hasn't happened yet.
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Some of us live in flats and can't walk fifty yards to and from a communal car park with buckets of water etc. Dealer has done mine a few times and it looks just fine (it was GardX protected when new which might make a difference). I can't see any swirl marks under visible light, however I haven't had it inspected under a UV lamp, which might show something up in the lacquer layer, but so what. If somebody actually scratches it I will be annoyed, but that hasn't happened yet.
Silver is one of the most forgiving colours IMO; never really looks dirty unless it's really dirty and it's good at hiding swirls, so a good colour choice if you don't have the facilities to be able to regularly wash your car at home.
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Like a couple of others in this thread, mine wasn't even prepared (by request) by the dealership. Transport wraps removed for an inspection, and then delivered to me in need of a clean. No one else has so much as jet washed the paint since the factory.