Should you let a dealer prep/wash/wax your new car?

Glen e · 05-25-2014, 08:57 AM

putting it here for new car members waiting for their car:

It certainly depends on your dealer - the key word is INVESTIGATE before you let them do it. More than not, it usually goes like this - especially see post #7

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...ally-done.html

purpleRac3r · 05-25-2014, 09:14 AM

Great info, Glen! To back that up, my dealership salesman and service writer actually told me not to let their own dealership wash my Stingray for those very reasons. That to me is a sign of a dealer who cares - at least about its Stingray buyers!

Glen e · 05-25-2014, 09:23 AM

Having been in dealerships all my life, here's what you gotta be concerned about even from the good guys that do it right: How many cars are going thru the detail dept that day?. Even at Conti, which did mine fine on a Tues night, I'd have told him not to do it if he was delivering at 11 am on a Saturday, with 7 other cars being delivered along with mine. Corners get cut when they are jammed...

Chevyman2 · 05-25-2014, 10:58 AM

No!!!!! do it yourself lot of good products on market and done right last long time and durable shine will remain.

Plus less paint correction needed if you do it yourself.

Dealers are not likely going to remove iron,clay,polish or wash properly.

old saying you want it done right do it yourself!

Jerseyed · 05-25-2014, 02:19 PM

I agree. Do not let the dealer wash and wax your car. They may not use micro-fiber towels nor the best wax. I was at the factory Friday seeing my car being built and at the last step, the car is power sprayed for 3 minutes in a booth to test for leaks and I believe it is then washed. During the whole process, those building the car all have gloves on.

Nate GM · 05-25-2014, 11:42 PM

I'm really torn on what to do.....

I really want to have a nice and clean car when I arrive to the dealership to pick it up, but I also don't want them to scratch or damage the paint.....

Hey Glen, I know that you're very good at washing and detailing cars. If you get a chance, would you mind posting a link or two on the best way to clean our cars without causing any damage? And is there any way to quickly clean up a car on the road if it picks up some minor dirt and road grime (I used to use a microfiber and Meguiars Detail Spray but I think that was scratching up my car)? I'm still very new to owning vehicles and sports cars and I will admit that I have no idea on how to properly clean a vehicle

Glen e · 05-25-2014, 11:44 PM

Email me I have the perfect way to do it and it's A 15 min job, I've been doing it for 3 years....it's not secret just a few page docs....it's called a rinseless wash....

Glenersly@mac.com

GeoC · 08-03-2014, 07:16 PM

I say No to dealers. You will take better care of
your car than any dealer. Hear horror stories of
what some attendant at a dealer does to a car.

Dada · 08-03-2014, 09:27 PM

I picked up my car on Friday, the dealer told me they are not authorized to wash or wax the car and that according to the prep process (they have to do) is to remove the stickers, plastic, cover and ensure no damage. They don't wax the car. I was impressed with the delivery. My drop ship was to Pine Belt Chevy in Lakewood.

Hulkamaniac · 08-04-2014, 11:32 AM

The folks at my dealership did an excellent job on my C7.

In fact they've done an exceptional job on all the vehicles I purchase through them.

Stickpin44 · 08-04-2014, 12:27 PM

I bought from Kerbeck. Their prep was excellent.

fcu678 · 08-04-2014, 05:06 PM

We did the museum delivery and the museum did the PDI. Looked great I had no issues

Jamie Mac · 08-05-2014, 01:13 PM

I say yes. They do it to cars every day. If they find some damage from shipping they can take care of it and you'll never know. On the other hand, if you find it and have it fixed then you'll always know you bought a damaged car. My car has some spots with messed up paint from where they blended at the factory but NCM did a fine job cleaning it up

NC C7 · 08-05-2014, 01:55 PM

My dealer prep was a good experience, the sales manager new I was particular with the car and he asked me in advance what I wanted to do. I asked them to remove the white cover,save all paper work and give it a hand wash. No problems, paint looks beautiful but I plan to detail it later after putting on a few miles. I was surprised at all the build sheets I received because from other postings they no longer include those and you have to buy copies later. ?

05-25-2014, 08:57 AM	#1
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Should you let a dealer prep/wash/wax your new car? putting it here for new car members waiting for their car: It certainly depends on your dealer - the key word is INVESTIGATE before you let them do it. More than not, it usually goes like this - especially see post #7 http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...ally-done.html __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant Last edited by Glen e; 05-25-2014 at 09:45 AM.

05-25-2014, 09:14 AM	#2
purpleRac3r Drives: 1974 & 2014 Corvette Stingrays Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Troy, Mo Posts: 623	Great info, Glen! To back that up, my dealership salesman and service writer actually told me not to let their own dealership wash my Stingray for those very reasons. That to me is a sign of a dealer who cares - at least about its Stingray buyers! __________________ '74 Stingray coupe, heavily modified, as seen in August 2011 VETTE magazine, 2014 Stingray Z51 #196, ordered 02/11/13, built 08/29/13, Museum Delivery 10/04/13, driven daily!

05-25-2014, 09:23 AM	#3
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Having been in dealerships all my life, here's what you gotta be concerned about even from the good guys that do it right: How many cars are going thru the detail dept that day?. Even at Conti, which did mine fine on a Tues night, I'd have told him not to do it if he was delivering at 11 am on a Saturday, with 7 other cars being delivered along with mine. Corners get cut when they are jammed... __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

05-25-2014, 11:42 PM	#6
Nate GM Rand Paul 2016 Drives: Corvette Stingray Z51 2LT Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: U.S Posts: 592	I'm really torn on what to do..... I really want to have a nice and clean car when I arrive to the dealership to pick it up, but I also don't want them to scratch or damage the paint..... Hey Glen, I know that you're very good at washing and detailing cars. If you get a chance, would you mind posting a link or two on the best way to clean our cars without causing any damage? And is there any way to quickly clean up a car on the road if it picks up some minor dirt and road grime (I used to use a microfiber and Meguiars Detail Spray but I think that was scratching up my car)? I'm still very new to owning vehicles and sports cars and I will admit that I have no idea on how to properly clean a vehicle __________________

08-04-2014, 11:32 AM	#10
Hulkamaniac Livin' the Dream Drives: '23 Charger GT, '23 Stingray Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hiding in your closet... Posts: 785 View My Garage	The folks at my dealership did an excellent job on my C7. In fact they've done an exceptional job on all the vehicles I purchase through them. __________________ If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever.

05-25-2014, 10:58 AM	#4
Chevyman2 Drives: 2018 zl1 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Caswell County, NC Posts: 599 View My Garage	No!!!!! do it yourself lot of good products on market and done right last long time and durable shine will remain. Plus less paint correction needed if you do it yourself. Dealers are not likely going to remove iron,clay,polish or wash properly. old saying you want it done right do it yourself!

05-25-2014, 02:19 PM	#5
Jerseyed Drives: 2010 Lexus, 2014 Z51 C7 on order Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 40	I agree. Do not let the dealer wash and wax your car. They may not use micro-fiber towels nor the best wax. I was at the factory Friday seeing my car being built and at the last step, the car is power sprayed for 3 minutes in a booth to test for leaks and I believe it is then washed. During the whole process, those building the car all have gloves on.

05-25-2014, 11:44 PM	#7
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Email me I have the perfect way to do it and it's A 15 min job, I've been doing it for 3 years....it's not secret just a few page docs....it's called a rinseless wash.... Glenersly@mac.com __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

08-03-2014, 07:16 PM	#8
GeoC Account Suspended Drives: 2014 C7 LT2 Z51 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 77	I say No to dealers. You will take better care of your car than any dealer. Hear horror stories of what some attendant at a dealer does to a car.

08-03-2014, 09:27 PM	#9
Dada Drives: Z51 White on Black Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: South Brunswick, NJ Posts: 177	I picked up my car on Friday, the dealer told me they are not authorized to wash or wax the car and that according to the prep process (they have to do) is to remove the stickers, plastic, cover and ensure no damage. They don't wax the car. I was impressed with the delivery. My drop ship was to Pine Belt Chevy in Lakewood.

08-04-2014, 12:27 PM	#11
Stickpin44 Drives: 2014 Laguna Blue C7 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Point Pleasant Boro Posts: 3	I bought from Kerbeck. Their prep was excellent.

08-04-2014, 05:06 PM	#12
fcu678 5Th Gen (Craig) Drives: 2014 C7 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Houma, Louisiana Posts: 766 View My Garage	We did the museum delivery and the museum did the PDI. Looked great I had no issues __________________ 2014 C7

08-05-2014, 01:13 PM	#13
Jamie Mac NCM-WINR Drives: 2010 SS/RS IOM 2014 2LT Stingray Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,324	I say yes. They do it to cars every day. If they find some damage from shipping they can take care of it and you'll never know. On the other hand, if you find it and have it fixed then you'll always know you bought a damaged car. My car has some spots with messed up paint from where they blended at the factory but NCM did a fine job cleaning it up __________________ also drives a heavily modified Jeep Wrangler. It has LED headlights and wheel weights blacked out with Plasti Dip. It's Baller.

08-05-2014, 01:55 PM	#14
NC C7 Drives: 2014 CRT C7 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 112	My dealer prep was a good experience, the sales manager new I was particular with the car and he asked me in advance what I wanted to do. I asked them to remove the white cover,save all paper work and give it a hand wash. No problems, paint looks beautiful but I plan to detail it later after putting on a few miles. I was surprised at all the build sheets I received because from other postings they no longer include those and you have to buy copies later. ?