Should I let the dealer wash my new car before delivery?

I agree with what has already been said. I brought home a new vehicle two weeks ago today and peeled the plastic of it in my garage. Having read these type of threads many times I feel like I have a "why would I let them touch it, if I didn't have to" mindset. That said, it hasn't been driven, I still haven't gotten it coated though it has been thoroughly cleaned, splash guards and a no fingerprint screen saver installed. It's sitting in the garage as we speak with the wheels off. Assuming I can find the energy I'll coat the wheels tomorrow, then who knows maybe a panel a day. Some day it will be ready to take out of the garage. ;)

Can I tell you how much I dislike New Car smell?
 
Accumulator said:
Autopian Bill D once did is own pre-delivery prep of a new Benz right at the dealership, perfect approach IMO.
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Never in a million years would I let the dealer wash it. Theres just too much that can go wrong without the proper, and highest quality washing materials , the know how, and most important of all, the tender loving care only you can put into the vehicle because it's your own.
 
Thanks guys.

Im guessing the plastic has probably already been removed and the car washed a few times. My local dealers inventory system showed the car as in stock for 60-something days.

I did tell them they dont get a down payment until I inspect and approve the car. The deposit I gave them is on a credit card so I could always charge back if necessary.

*Hopefully* Im just being way too paranoid about it, and everything will turn out fine.
 
chris03tl said:
Thanks guys.

Im guessing the plastic has probably already been removed and the car washed a few times. My local dealers inventory system showed the car as in stock for 60-something days.

I did tell them they dont get a down payment until I inspect and approve the car. The deposit I gave them is on a credit card so I could always charge back if necessary.

*Hopefully* Im just being way too paranoid about it, and everything will turn out fine.
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No doubt it's been washed several times then
 
Or maybe they'll do a good job. Ask to see their detail department so you can make an informed decision.

Just a few things done by my dealer.









 
I do know what I'm doing when detailing, I promise :)

I asked mostly because I knew the car had been sitting for a bit at the dealer already so, unless it was in the showroom, the plastic has most likely been removed and the car sitting outside. I'm sure the elements had their way with it, I can't prevent that....but I'm guessing the dealer "washed" it a few times already anyway.

Would it be worse to let my dealer wash it on delivery, or me to get it home and wash it myself only to find imperfections that couldn't be seen with all the dirt on it?

I'm not saying I cant detail it myself, I'm thinking more along the lines of them catching something that they can fix before delivery or work out a fix for it after delivery.
 
I wouldn't trust them to attempt to fix anything if you find something. If you have all the detailing equipment you need, best to do it yourself.
 
So working at a dealership myself and watching are hack "detailer" guys "clean" cars I would say to you HECK NO!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! I personally would NOT let any dealership even wash my bike!!
 
chris03tl- Yeah, ValuGard's ABC system, which is approved/recommended by virtually all the major automakers.

Less aggressive? Can't get much less aggressive than doing a series of three washes...IMO it's at least *potentially* much less aggressive, yet more effective, than claying. (Certainly not hating on clay, I've used it since it first came out and continue to do so, but not for this situation.)

I understand the reasons why people don't do it, especially the "gee, I gotta buy all that stuff?!?...I'll never use it all and it's pricey!" But I still think it's the best thing to do with a new-to-somebody vehicle. While I'll stick with the ValuGard products, there are a lot of similar-idea alternatives on the market that are perhaps better oriented towards the non-Pro if only because they're available in smaller quantities. I doubt they have the same degree of testing behind them (what could?!?), but hopefully they're OK (note that the quite effective FinishKare version, which I've used successfully, is almost certainly *not* as safe, for the vehicle, user, or the environment and I only said "almost certainly" because I've never done any objective testing..but it seems rather obvious).

EDIT: I myself wish ABC were a little bit *more* aggressive!
 
Ronkh said:
I gotta read the stuff in the box ?!?!?!?!?!

There has to be a different way
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Harsh.

Accumulator said:
chris03tl- Yeah, ValuGard's ABC system, which is approved/recommended by virtually all the major automakers.

Less aggressive? Can't get much less aggressive than doing a series of three washes...IMO it's at least *potentially* much less aggressive, yet more effective, than claying. (Certainly not hating on clay, I've used it since it first came out and continue to do so, but not for this situation.)

I understand the reasons why people don't do it, especially the "gee, I gotta buy all that stuff?!?...I'll never use it all and it's pricey!" But I still think it's the best thing to do with a new-to-somebody vehicle. While I'll stick with the ValuGard products, there are a lot of similar-idea alternatives on the market that are perhaps better oriented towards the non-Pro if only because they're available in smaller quantities. I doubt they have the same degree of testing behind them (what could?!?), but hopefully they're OK (note that the quite effective FinishKare version, which I've used successfully, is almost certainly *not* as safe, for the vehicle, user, or the environment and I only said "almost certainly" because I've never done any objective testing..but it seems rather obvious).

EDIT: I myself wish ABC were a little bit *more* aggressive!
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Thanks. Just a little scary when I see "acid" as the first step, granted its not actual acid. For all I know, its what the dealer would use to prep the car (I highly doubt it but might try and find out)

I did equate it with the FinishKare version which Ive seen a lot of people (including yourself) say is too aggressive. Its nice to know the ABC is not.

As far as "buying all that stuff", well, there is a ton of detailing stuff I have that Ive never even used. Call it the price of a hobby.
 
chris03tl said:
Thanks. Just a little scary when I see "acid" as the first step, granted its not actual acid. For all I know, its what the dealer would use to prep the car (I highly doubt it but might try and find out)...
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The ABC system *is* what many dealers are supposed to use when they prep cars (even has a Ford part number), not that I believe it gets done all that often.

The acidic step is actually the *second* step (the terminology/product descriptions can be a little confusing). It's *very* mild IME, almost too mild but I was told that's intentional so as to make it foolproof when used by, uhm...perhaps imperfectly trained employees. The upside is that it's nothing to be concerned about, but do wear gloves when using it.

The *only* thing to watch for is that you're not supposed to let it dry on the vehicle (gotta apply that second/"B"/acidic step by wiping it on the vehicle. IME it's not utterly critical and I always found it easy to keep things wet even on large vehicles (but note that I work inside/out of the sun).

I did equate it with the FinishKare version which Ive seen a lot of people (including yourself) say is too aggressive. Its nice to know the ABC is not.
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Right, whole different ballgame in that regard.

As far as "buying all that stuff", well, there is a ton of detailing stuff I have that Ive never even used. Call it the price of a hobby.
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And note that the first/"A"/alkaline step is a good "super shampoo" to use as an initial step when doing a "full restart" type of detail. Gets everything off, and without the chance of marring the paint by claying.
 
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