Boy..that was the dumbest thing I've ever done...

GoodnClean

New member
Well I use this detail shop for PDR on my cars, they do great work. Its a huge shop and I've always watched them working on the cars and have always been impressed that they seem to do good quality work. They use sheepskin mitts, one for the top one for the bottom, have PCs and rotaries and seem to be proficient with them and seem to have a good following, do expensive cars etc.



Well its cold, I've been busy with december sales promotions by my clients, the car was dirty. I figured why not...just once...



So I go over there and explain to the guy that I am very picky and that NOBODY has ever washed this car before except me, other than the Lexus dealer once and they paid me $140 for that mistake. He assured me that they would do a good job for me and not to worry. I watch through the window and it goes well. Good spraydown careful wash with two sheepskin mitts and two buckets only in straight lines. Careful dry with a clean chamois. Comfortable I step back inside to make some phone calls.



They bring the car around, dripping like cars do after they've been washed. As I paid for the wash I saw the guy wiping down the drips I assumed with a chamois or or MF towel since they had been so careful washing it. Well I walk outside...its an old dish rag with mickey mouse on it...and its filthy.



it was too late, he was already done and the swirls are terrible. All under the beltline and both bumpers, horrible swirls. They're worse than after the dealer washed it, much worse. I thought that was the worst shame, the detailer was so careful washing it and this guy screws up his work in 2 minutes with a dish rag. I was furious...



So tomorrow will be spent with the PC on the lower body panels and a rewax of the whole car in the 40 degree temps. Luckily its just slightly the doors and mostly the lower body panels, the hood, trunk, roof, upper doors are all fine because there were no drips and only the chamois was used.



Live and learn, from this moment on nobody but me will wash my car, ever.
 
If you ever go back, bring some of your own MF's... And of course keep your eyes on the prize the whole time next time. When they're absolutely done touching the car and the keys are in your hand, then turn your back on your car and pay...
 
Oh no...never going back...oh no...not even with my own MFs. LOL I'll just be cold.



Corey- I would but I just detailed it for the winter. Its also very unsightly, it wont take much time to buff out just the lower panels.
 
steve - did you say anything to the guy? the manger/owner should know about it as well. This guy is helping them loose business. He needs to be thought the proper way of dealing with cars.
 
No, I was so disgusted I just left, which is uncharacteristic of me. Usually I'm quite vocal with my displeasure over such things. I'm planning on calling, the manager needs to know I agree.
 
This brings back bad memories from my youth. My Father had routine maintenance performed on his 911 and the shop gave him a complimentary wash and wax. I swear they managed to cram enough paste into the jams and seals to wax an entire car. Long story short, Pops came home and handed me a tooth brush . . . I was miserable. Lesson learned â€â€œ never let anyone touch your car.
 
About two months ago I had my BMW in for a service action and as usual I requested "NO WASH"! Well, when I picked up the car the next day I noticed it had been washed, and decided that from now on I am making my own sign and posting it on the windshield. When the sun came out, and I was able to inspect my car, it was a total mess. Unbelievable what one careless wash can do to a jet black finish. I proceeded to a full detail using DACP, #80, AIO etc.
 
GoodnClean said:
Well I use this detail shop for PDR on my cars, ...

Well its cold, I've been busy with december sales promotions by my clients, the car was dirty. I figured why not...just once...



...Well I walk outside...its an old dish rag with mickey mouse on it...and its filthy.



... the detailer was so careful washing it and this guy screws up his work in 2 minutes with a dish rag. I was furious...



...Live and learn, from this moment on nobody but me will wash my car, ever.



:scared I live in the D.C. area. Where is this place, so that I can be sure to never go there? PM me if you wish.



Charles
 
i regret taking my car to car wash places...now that i joined/read the forums i will never let anyone else touch my car, unless they know what they are doin
 
I wonder why there is such a disparity in the quality of work from the initial wash to the final wipe down?? You would think that an establishment that took the care to wash the car as you described would know better than to have some hack with an evil Mickey Mouse towel doing the final wipe down?!?! :grrr



Sorry to hear about the mess GoodnClean!! :(
 
No one besides me and GSRstilez has ever touched my acr and thats the way it's going to stay! I would much rather be cold then be angry and sorry! lol
 
Steve,



I'm sorry to hear about this. One wonders why an otherwise decent shop would not spring $5 for a megaplush for that guy.



I'm sure you will bring the paint back to beautiful shape however.
 
Yep, its all fixed. Now its at the Lexus dealer for service though, so we'll keep our fingers crossed there :rolleyes:



I'm going to call the manager and let him know about it, I don't really care about him seeing it (obviously since its already fixed) I just consider it a $25 lesson learned.
 
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