ok i have a 05 jet black bmw m3. it is only 3 months old and when i took it into get my alarm installed, they washed it even after i told them not too. i actually polished it the week before with megs 80. now i have a car with swirls that 80 wont take out. i am planning on keeping this car for a while and the paint is very soft. i am polishing it 4 times a year with 80 but now im going to have to use dacp or ssr 2.5 for the second time in 3 months. do you suggest i use dacp on it again? i am just concerned about in 2 or 3 years that i wont have any clear coat because of my polishing. what do you suggest?
dealer washed my new car! help!
- Thread starter andrew300
- Start date
RuffRyder
Enthusiast Extraordinaire
If the swirls really bother you, then I'd go at it with DACP, and just keep it really well protected. Unless, you've managed to do something horrific to your paint, I doubt 2 applications of DACP will completely kill your CC. Otherwise, just live with it.
Either way, I'd rip the dealer a new one if I were you.
Either way, I'd rip the dealer a new one if I were you.
Those *$&(# dealers!
Anyways, go ahead and use DACP to get the swirls out this time. Just don't make a habit out of it.
As far as the dealer goes, I hate it when they do that. I write a post-it note and put it on the steering wheel when I take it in. Also, make sure they write "no car wash" on the work order, otherwise chances are it'll get swirled up!
:wavey
Anyways, go ahead and use DACP to get the swirls out this time. Just don't make a habit out of it.
As far as the dealer goes, I hate it when they do that. I write a post-it note and put it on the steering wheel when I take it in. Also, make sure they write "no car wash" on the work order, otherwise chances are it'll get swirled up!
:wavey
JasonD
New member
Taking into consideration that your car was built at least a month or two before you bought it, I'd say your paint has fully cured by now, so I wouldn't worry about damaging it with some light polishing.
First of all, how are you polishing? By hand or by machine?
I suggest polishing with whatever works, and by PC or Cyclo (my new favorite tool!) If #80 doesn't take out the swirls, then step up to #83. I actually consider #83 to be fairly mild in the polishing dept. so I wouldn't worry about doing any permanent damage. I've polished my Expedition nearly a dozen times over the last year, and it looks like the day I bought it. Unless you are using a rotary, you aren't creating enough heat to actually remove any significant amount of clear to be worried about.
First of all, how are you polishing? By hand or by machine?
I suggest polishing with whatever works, and by PC or Cyclo (my new favorite tool!) If #80 doesn't take out the swirls, then step up to #83. I actually consider #83 to be fairly mild in the polishing dept. so I wouldn't worry about doing any permanent damage. I've polished my Expedition nearly a dozen times over the last year, and it looks like the day I bought it. Unless you are using a rotary, you aren't creating enough heat to actually remove any significant amount of clear to be worried about.
White95Max
New member
For future visits to the dealer, put a huge sign on the steering wheel that says DO NOT WASH THIS CAR. While you're at it, throw one at the bottom of the windshield too.
And you might as well tell every employee you see that you DO NOT want your car washed.
I'd go over it again with SSR2 or #80/yellow pad.
And you might as well tell every employee you see that you DO NOT want your car washed.
I'd go over it again with SSR2 or #80/yellow pad.
allright ill hit it with dacp with a green sonus pad to limit the cutting action, i dont really think it needs a orange cutting pad really. i actually put signs in it for service but all they were doing was activating an alarm so i didnt think they would wash it. plus it was just polished and waxed two days before
Accumulator
Well-known member
manawar- I'd be more concerned about needing to use the #80 four times a year. Might oughta reconsider your wash technique 
I really would have a talk with the service manager and/or the owner of the dealership. I've had "the talk" with the powers that be at the dealerships I patronize and there were never any subsequent problems. They know you're serious when you set up scheduled meetings about this sort of thing.
I really would have a talk with the service manager and/or the owner of the dealership. I've had "the talk" with the powers that be at the dealerships I patronize and there were never any subsequent problems. They know you're serious when you set up scheduled meetings about this sort of thing.
Lowejackson
New member
Accumulator said:manawar- I'd be more concerned about needing to use the #80 four times a year. Might oughta reconsider your wash technique
I was thinking the same thing
94BlkStang
New member
Accumulator said:manawar- I'd be more concerned about needing to use the #80 four times a year. Might oughta reconsider your wash technique
I really would have a talk with the service manager and/or the owner of the dealership. I've had "the talk" with the powers that be at the dealerships I patronize and there were never any subsequent problems. They know you're serious when you set up scheduled meetings about this sort of thing.
Have you ever had a black car? If you have, then you know how easy it is to swirl and leave marring. #80 is very mild and shouldn't cause any problems. I use it at least 3 times a year on my Mustang and it's a 94 and the paint looks better than the majority of newer cars out there..
Accumulator
Well-known member
94BlkStang said:
Besides the cars I 've done for others, as best I can recall I've owned nine black cars, seven of which were year-round daily drivers (I keep thinking I'm forgetting some, but anyhow). My first five black cars were back in the days of single stage, when black lacquer, and to a lesser extent black enamel, were significantly softer than other paints, so I really do know whereof I speak. Most recently I was caring for a black '05 rent-a-Suburban that I first removed the marring from. No problem washing it without re-marring the paint, it was just a lot of work.
Now that most cars are b/c, black isn't really any easier to mar than other colors, it's all just scratches in the clear. Black merely shows such defects better.
You might check out my "extreme wash technique" threads to see how I avoid marring when I wash. Just ask Bill D, who has a black car- it's all about using the right wash, the right techniques, and the right equipment (e.g., a foamgun).
#80 *is* pretty mild; I've only had one paint (the current version ofRM brand b/c, about four weeks old) that it was too harsh for. But I figure that less polishing is always better.
Bill D
Hooked For Life
Oh yeah, with two black cars in the family ( the other the beater Maxima) and a THIRD on the way :scared: ( Ceramiclear CLK Cabrio) and guess who being in charge of the maintenance of the other two besides my own 
, I'm steadily reaching the type of experience Accumulator has with black.
When it comes to washing, considerable care must be used. Black is going to show you right away if you've done some significant marring and it will tease and taunt you if you have micromarring when you view the car in different lighting-especially down here in the intense FL sun.
I'll alwys plug the foam gun but in addition, plenty of soft high quality washing and drying materials really are a must. Also, be sure to switch over to new, fresh ones before you think you really might need to. You really should not risk trying to draw out some extended use ( mitts especially but WW towels also). Black simply will not forgive.
, I'm steadily reaching the type of experience Accumulator has with black.When it comes to washing, considerable care must be used. Black is going to show you right away if you've done some significant marring and it will tease and taunt you if you have micromarring when you view the car in different lighting-especially down here in the intense FL sun.
I'll alwys plug the foam gun but in addition, plenty of soft high quality washing and drying materials really are a must. Also, be sure to switch over to new, fresh ones before you think you really might need to. You really should not risk trying to draw out some extended use ( mitts especially but WW towels also). Black simply will not forgive.
imported_plazaman
New member
typical bmw service. before my autopian days, ive always let them do the wash
Michaelelts
New member
and they think they are doing you a favor with the washing!
I have a sign printed which I leave on the dash
"Thou shall not wash me"
my aggreavation was with my new Acura TL in black. the regular detail guy did not show up( he actually did a nice job on the other acura I had bought from them a few months before) the salesman rahter then 'upset' me by delaying the delivery had the lot guy do the car. I really should have told them to stuff the deal It has taken me 2 months to undue the marring and I am still not satisfied
I have a sign printed which I leave on the dash
"Thou shall not wash me"
my aggreavation was with my new Acura TL in black. the regular detail guy did not show up( he actually did a nice job on the other acura I had bought from them a few months before) the salesman rahter then 'upset' me by delaying the delivery had the lot guy do the car. I really should have told them to stuff the deal It has taken me 2 months to undue the marring and I am still not satisfied