dealer prep

[matchboy]

I will let the dealer do his thing and clean it during the PDI - I'm not picking up a dirty car! But I shall have my valeting guy wax it, coat it etc after I take delivery. Valeters are professionals, that's what they do. The oiks in the dealership aren't.

[mcmaddy]

I will let the dealer do his thing and clean it during the PDI - I'm not picking up a dirty car! But I shall have my valeting guy wax it, coat it etc after I take delivery. Valeters are professionals, that's what they do. The oiks in the dealership aren't.

might be too late by then if they've used a rag on your car that's been used on twenty others that day!

[matchboy]

Hmmm that is a good point. Last time I had the supaguard put on by them and they f7cked it up royally, took two trips to sort it.  Still, they did give me their demo GTI while it was getting done, white DSG - that got a pounding 

I'm hoping they can't f7ck up a quick clean, then ill get my guy on the case to make it sparkle. Btw, anyone in the North Herts area that's looking for a brilliant valeter let me know, this chap is amazing, spends hours on the car. He's the only person I let loose on my cars.

[MkVIIGTD]

I'm doing exactly same thing... goin to get detailer to go into dealership and detail it there for me!
Defo wouldnt want the dealer doing it... i think they use a yard brush and fiary liquid when u see some of the paintwork they turn out lol 

[Sootchucker]

On my last 2 VW's I asked my local dealer not to prep them as well. At first they were not too impressed due to the reasons given earlier in the post. We compromised and agreed that the shipping sheets and foam blocks would have to be removed, but all they would do for prepping is power wash it, with absolutely zero hands on wash. This was more than good enough for the dealer to spot and defects etc. in the paintwork and had the added benefit that when I got the cars home, they were not completely covered in swirls and scratches as I'd had before.

They have agreed to do the same thing this time on the GTD and the wife's new Polo, if the bloody thing ever turns up (see you've started me off again.............. )

[The Whir1wind]

I like the idea of getting the car prepared properly once it arrives at the dealer and before the "gritty sponge" hits the paintwork!  Can anyone recommend a good (and reasonable) detailer in the Reading area?

[dubber36]

We compromised and agreed that the shipping sheets and foam blocks would have to be removed, but all they would do for prepping is power wash it,

That should be ok as long as they don't cover it in TFR before hand.

[Jules Winfield]

I like the idea of getting the car prepared properly once it arrives at the dealer and before the "gritty sponge" hits the paintwork!  Can anyone recommend a good (and reasonable) detailer in the Reading area?

The Detailing World forums have a list of detailers based "down south" - might be worth checking out.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59863

There is also a sub-forum where detailers show their work:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=129

[Bill_the_Bear]

Ok, this dealer thing.  How much of a problem is it?  I assume that they can't be too bad or every car would end up being rejected?

Or are we talking about something that is subtle to notice so the average customer often won't pick up on it?  In this case can anyone give any details about what they do that is wrong and what to look for when collecting the car.  I know absolutely nothing about what prep they do or how to look after paint work or anything... but I don't want them to screw up my new expensive vehicle!

Some idea of what can go wrong would help me know if I need to ask them to skip certain things (I dunno what they do).  Some idea of what to look for would mean I could complain if there is a problem rather than only realise later and have them say I could have caused it.  Any kind person able to help?

[mcmaddy]

Some dealers have car washes which is a no no. some dealers have the young apprentice go over cars with a wet dish cloth no no no. Some dealers may well do a grand job but not as good as a professional detailer. Dealers think that sticking your car through a car wash and dryer is cleaning it when in actual fact its scratching it to buggery!