Question: Dealer Prep - Brand New

[MK6-Fan]

I'll be picking my brand new Golf 'Match' up from the dealers hopefully at the end of July.

But, I'm very picky about who washes my car (well it's only ever me!) so this got me thinking:

Should I allow the dealer/grrit monkey to 'prep'/swirl the car for me upon collection or should I just tell them to leave it untouched?

I don't mind them doing the interior but the exterior is strictly a definate no!

Obviously PDI will be done & in accordance with my request, only me instructions should be followed.

I would be doing a full polish & wax of it myself when I get it anyway, but really don't know if I can take the risk of them f*cking the fresh paintwork with inflicted swirls etc.

What do we reckon chaps?   

[ScottA]

I'll be picking my brand new Golf 'Match' up from the dealers hopefully at the end of July.

But, I'm very picky about who washes my car (well it's only ever me!) so this got me thinking:

Should I allow the dealer/grrit monkey to 'prep'/swirl the car for me upon collection or should I just tell them to leave it untouched?

I don't mind them doing the interior but the exterior is strictly a definate no!

Obviously PDI will be done & in accordance with my request, only me instructions should be followed.

I would be doing a full polish & wax of it myself when I get it anyway, but really don't know if I can take the risk of them f*cking the fresh paintwork with inflicted swirls etc.

What do we reckon chaps?   

Tell them to leave it alone, interior too. I did.

[MK6-Fan]

Tell them to leave it alone, interior too. I did.

I may very well them them just to leave it alone.

I can't be doing with the possible hassle of having to take the swirls out myself because of their poor workmanship. But then again, some (very few) dealers have prepped cars reasonably well, so not sure if I should just say nothing and hope for the best?!!

[Buck]

Get them to complete the PDI but not prepare it. From the factory it'll have some swirls/marks but not as many as if you let them attack it with a gritty sponge and dirty water 

[Edi35]

My dealer always throws in the AutoGlym treatment and my cars have always been perfect when picked up.

However I never let them wash it again e.g. when being serviced

[Steve30]

Explain to the dealer that you have some concerns about the car being prep or valeted i.e. swirls scratches, just tell them that before take the car away you'll be checking for swirls , that should keep them there toes 

[mwad gti]

Explain to the dealer that you have some concerns about the car being prep or valeted i.e. swirls scratches, just tell them that before take the car away you'll be checking for swirls , that should keep them there toes 

That is exactly what I am going to do when I collect mine on Sept 1st.  I will be emailing the salesman that I have been dealing with, expressing my concerns of swirl marks etc.  I will be explaining that I do not expect to find any such marks on a brand new car and if I find any I will be expecting the dealership to rectify the matter at their cost........

[sundaydriver]

Just got mine to take the wrappers,stickers etc off and just give it a good blast with the jetwash,

But you'll need some tardis or similar to remove the sticky residue that's left behind or you can do it the hard way and scrub with a sponge just like the dealer. 

[ScottA]

I HIGHLY advise Iron X (or similar) the amount of contamination on mine was unreal and a mild clar bar simply wasn't touching it. I've seen less on 3 year old, mistreated cars parked in railway car parks all their lives!

[Steve30]

I HIGHLY advise Iron X (or similar) the amount of contamination on mine was unreal and a mild clar bar simply wasn't touching it. I've seen less on 3 year old, mistreated cars parked in railway car parks all their lives!

Exactly this is what happens when the grease monkeys get there hands on the motor's and you end up with swirls & scratches buy rubbing contaminants into the paint