Help with brand new off-the-truck car detail

I worked at a dealership many many years ago and the next new car I get will not come off a lot. It will be ordered and delivered to me with the wraping on it!! The price of disipline outweighs the pain of regret!!!
 
DodgeRacer said:
Think about what will happen if you get it home and remove the plastic and find a big scratch or dent. The dealer has no responsibility after you take delivery and you will be stuck with the repair. Let him do his prep, just tell him to keep it to a minimum. If I was a dealer, I wouldn't let you have a car that I didn't prep and inspect so that I know the condition at delivery. Just my two cents.
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My dealer asked to do a walk around with me to ensure the truck was fine. I didn't have any plastic on the exterior, but I would definitely pull this off so you can visually inspect the exterior.



And telling a dealer to keep it to a minimum is not advised, unless you have a specific 10 point checklist of what to do and what not to do. You tell him not to wash it, but he does anyway thinking its a 'free gift' and a 'nice gesture', then he swirls and scratches it, and what do you do?
 
jiggleracing said:
I worked at a dealership many many years ago and the next new car I get will not come off a lot. It will be ordered and delivered to me with the wraping on it!! The price of disipline outweighs the pain of regret!!!
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Heh heh, isn't it interesting how those of us who once worked at dealerships are so often reluctant to let them touch a vehicle ;)



DISCLAIMER: Yeah, some dealerships do fine. Stoddard Imports used to have a new-car-prep guy whose work satisfied *me*, and that's saying something; I would've let that guy wash black lacquer. But those experiences are extremely rare.



BlueBoxer1- I'm kinda late posting today..



The process that was described to you sounds like an amateurish variation on the *proper* way to do it. IMO a *conscientious* amateur (such as a proud new owner ;) ), using the best products available, will almost certainly do better than the people at the dealership. If nothing else, you won't have a supervisor telling you to hurry up and do the next one.



The AutoInt stuff works better than claying alone (for me). With clay/paint cleaners/etc. I often had recurring rust-blooms from the ferrous contamination. With the decontamination system (and sometimes clay too) the ferrous contamination appears to be more thoroughly (i.e., permanently) removed and hence less likely to keep coming back.



Opinions/preferences vary between the AutoInt ABC and the FinishKare system. I've only used ABC and it works fine for me. Gonna leave that at that ;)



You need mitts/MF cloths and a squeeze bottle to do the ABC. The "A" is just a super-wash that mixes up in a bucket (just wash the car with it), you simply wash the car with it; the "B" is the stuff you put in a squeeze bottle and apply somewhat carefully using a mitt/MF cloth (try to keep it off of glass, metallic trim, other places where it won't do any good anyhow), don't allow it to dry on the surface (no you don't need to be worried, I did our minivan and that's a pretty big vehicle), the "C" is just a regular wash and only a so-so one at that IMO. Study the info at AutoInt, their process is well-documented.



FWIW, the *first* time I used ABC was on my then-new Audi S8, and you can bet I wasn't interested in taking any risks with *that* car ;)



The New Car Prep is a solvent that is used in place of PrepSol/lighter fluid/etc. to remove adhesive residue and greasy messes. Not bad stuff to have around for more than the wrap residue.



The danger with claying is that clay is abrasive. Theoretically the layer of lube between the clay and the paint will prevent problems, but I've recently had some marring even though I've clayed *without* marring for well over a decade. The clay I was using was more aggressive than its previous formulation and it took me by surprise...so, more so than in the past, I'll caution you to be careful. The downside of using less aggressive clay is that it won't work as well. The clay I like best is too mild for this (new car prep) job...if I had to buy something right now I'd go with the somewhat expensive SmartWax clay at the Autopia store but I'm experienced with that and there are other alternatives (maybe somebody will recommend a fail-safe choice). If you clay while the acidic step of a decon system is dwelling (as I do) the acid will dissolve the clay, so have plenty on hand and don't panic when you see the soupy clay residue on the finish (it'll wash off with the final wash and if it doesn't you can just repeat the "A" step and then rewash after a very thorough rinse...a hassle but not the end of the world).
 
I just coppied Accumulators text so I can remember what to do when I make my next new car purchase. thanks.



.... the wash rack at the dealership I worked at had jugs of kerosene and lacqure thinner in the corner!!!! the wash mits were BLACK!!!!! I think silicone was the primary "shine" product they used!!
 
Thanks alot guys, I can't believe how much I've learned about detailing cars this week! This forum is very helpful, even the long-timers and experts pitch in--a good sign on any forum. I still have lots of questions, but I'm sure they'll get sorted out. I've gotta dig up what I have as far as supplies and then I'll run my plan of attack by you guys for tweaking.
 
BlueBoxer1 (quoting the Subie dealer) said:
I have used various cleaning products to remove the glue residual. Window cleaner works with lots of elbow grease. So does 409 type cleaners.
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Yeah, if nothing else, that bit right there would have scared me off for sure! :soscared:
 
Pennypacker- Yeah, that's what I thought too...IMO the various risks involved with DIYing this pale in comparison to the risks of letting somebody who says stuff like that anywhere near a vehicle. I'd also be wondering about how safe the car'll be when it's in for service; I'd sure impress upon them that they'd better not wash it or otherwise mess it up (no, an apology won't make up for it).



BlueBoxer1- Glad you're finding Autopia so helpful. Lots of info here- most anything you can wonder about, one of us has dealt with.
 
I'm the CEO of the manufacturer of ResistAll. If you'd like product information, or application recommendations, please contact me, and I'll put you in direct contact with our customer service department. They will be more than happy to help you with any information that you like. Rick Chalk (800) 334-1820 Ext. 3216.
 
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