Skipped the Dealer Prep-Wise Decision

[Older]

Got my new Scat Pack 2 weeks ago. I had the dealer skip the new car prep inside and out. Best thing I ever did. It came by truck and the only transport plastic was on the wheels.

As the ABC isn`t available in gallons yet, I tried some Griot`s Iron remover in random areas. No reaction from iron. None.

After washing with the Griot`s Surface Wash,(using a mitt), the surface was smooooth. I was shocked to find how smooth it was.

I then clayed it with my Sonax fine clay and Nanoksin clay lube. No imperfections felt. As the clay was virtually clean, I actually felt I could`ve skipped the clay. I kept expecting a spot that needed claying to arise, but never found one.

As you could probably surmise, on went a coat of FK1000p. I put the second coat coat of FK1000p on a few days ago, (a week apart). I also put my first coat of FK1000p on the wheels.

As it has a fair amount of plastic trim in different shades of grey and charcoal, I used my Opti-Seal for that. And given the various shapes and textures of "egg-crate" on the fog light trim, upper and lower grills and the center of the bumper, I did the best I could with it. I won`t live long enough to get in all the nooks and crannies of that egg-crate. I also used the Opti-Seal on the rear diffuser.

 

[briarpatch]

Got my new Scat Pack 2 weeks ago. I had the dealer skip the new car prep inside and out. Best thing I ever did. It came by truck and the only transport plastic was on the wheels.

As the ABC isn`t available in gallons yet, I tried some Griot`s Iron remover in random areas. No reaction from iron. None.

After washing with the Griot`s Surface Wash,(using a mitt), the surface was smooooth. I was shocked to find how smooth it was.

I then clayed it with my Sonax fine clay and Nanoksin clay lube. No imperfections felt. As the clay was virtually clean, I actually felt I could`ve skipped the clay. I kept expecting a spot that needed claying to arise, but never found one.

As you could probably surmise, on went a coat of FK1000p. I put the second coat coat of FK1000p on a few days ago, (a week apart). I also put my first coat of FK1000p on the wheels.

As it has a fair amount of plastic trim in different shades of grey and charcoal, I used my Opti-Seal for that. And given the various shapes and textures of "egg-crate" on the fog light trim, upper and lower grills and the center of the bumper, I did the best I could with it. I won`t live long enough to get in all the nooks and crannies of that egg-crate. I also used the Opti-Seal on the rear diffuser.

pics please

 

[Dan]

Nice. Did the dealership put up a good fight? My last few cars they haven`t, I guess us detailing nuts have worked them over.

 

[dcjredline]

Brrrr, a car payment? How much?

 

[Older]

Been real busy and didn’t think of taking pics on delivery.

No pushback on the “no prep” request. I was told they get that request frequently.

No payments, don’t believe in them.

 

[Lonnie]

Older:
What color is this Scat Pack? And what made you decide to own and drive this particular Mopar Muscle car over "other" pony cars? Did you order this car out as you like optioned out OR did you buy it off the lot as-is from the dealer inventory? New and used vehicles are hard to come by and the manufacturer`s suggest retail purchase price (MSRP) on new cars and dealer`s asking price for used cars is getting outrageous.
As far as the egg crate, I use cotton swabs (Q-Tips) to get into those nooks and crannies. Is it worth it to spend all that time doing so? It is subjective, but I just feel "better" about doing so. I`ve done this to GM grills, both plastic and chromed, and when it`s done it looks "detailed", albeit by an professed Obsessive-Compulsive Detailer (OCD), who seems to have more time than money. (Hey, that`s not necessarily true. At my age, I don`t buy green bananas any more for fear I will not live long enough to eat them by the time they ripen! ANOTHER title for Captain Obvious: Cheap-skate.)

If you like foam detail swabs with different shaped heads, i think the Sky`s The Limit handles some (Sorry, no link due to forum rules).

Another suggestion is to check out Mopar fanantic-owner and Autopian All-Star 512Detail`s posts on his exploits detailing Mopar Muscle. Lots of Mopar-related detailing ideas and what products to use there.
Also, seems to me another Autopian All-Star , Mike lambert , is a Mopar owner.

 

[PA DETAILER]

6.2 Scat pack/shaker. Nice choice. My dream car before I leave this earth. And the new RAM TREX! Brutal truck.

 

[Desertnate]

Got my new Scat Pack 2 weeks ago. I had the dealer skip the new car prep inside and out. Best thing I ever did. It came by truck and the only transport plastic was on the wheels.

Best call for the sake of your car.

Funny you should bring this up. I just detailed and coated my son-in-law`s new, blue 2020 Charger Scat Pack over the weekend (pics will be in another thread soon). He bought it off the lot in late January with 10 miles on the odometer. One of the things I told him and my daughter was to let the dealer know they were not to touch the car for any reason or the deal was off. The dealer complied, and when I started work on the car last Friday the paint was in pristine condition. Only a few random RIDS to work through.

 

[Older]

Older:
What color is this Scat Pack? And what made you decide to own and drive this particular Mopar Muscle car over "other" pony cars? Did you order this car out as you like optioned out OR did you buy it off the lot as-is from the dealer inventory? New and used vehicles are hard to come by and the manufacturer`s suggest retail purchase price (MSRP) on new cars and dealer`s asking price for used cars is getting outrageous.
As far as the egg crate, I use cotton swabs (Q-Tips) to get into those nooks and crannies. Is it worth it to spend all that time doing so? It is subjective, but I just feel "better" about doing so. I`ve done this to GM grills, both plastic and chromed, and when it`s done it looks "detailed", albeit by an professed Obsessive-Compulsive Detailer (OCD), who seems to have more time than money. (Hey, that`s not necessarily true. At my age, I don`t buy green bananas any more for fear I will not live long enough to eat them by the time they ripen! ANOTHER title for Captain Obvious: Cheap-skate.)

If you like foam detail swabs with different shaped heads, i think the Sky`s The Limit handles some (Sorry, no link due to forum rules).

Another suggestion is to check out Mopar fanantic-owner and Autopian All-Star 512Detail`s posts on his exploits detailing Mopar Muscle. Lots of Mopar-related detailing ideas and what products to use there.
Also, seems to me another Autopian All-Star , Mike lambert , is a Mopar owner.

Charger Scat Pack, F8 Green, ordered in late March, took 8 weeks. I have a great dealer locally and got a superb deal on the car.

I like the added versatility of the 2 extra doors over the Challenger. It also has a ton of interior room and a huge trunk.

Thanks for the info on 512Detail and Mike Lambert.

 

[atbalfour]

Hope you enjoy the new car and wise move avoiding the stealership `prep`.

FWIW I am not sure there is a situation where I would skip the chemical iron decon, nor would I clay a new car that passes the `plastic bag test`. There is also no circumstance where I would clay without later polishing the car as no matter how clean you work, you will marr anything but rock hard or ceramic clearcoat. Of course some colours/intensity of light will show that more than others and we all do things slightly differently which is part of the fun.

How was the condition of the paint generally when you received it, in the UK I am yet to see one new car (even those delivered in it`s transport plastic) defect free... perhaps we`re unlucky here

 

[Older]

Hope you enjoy the new car and wise move avoiding the stealership `prep`.

FWIW I am not sure there is a situation where I would skip the chemical iron decon, nor would I clay a new car that passes the `plastic bag test`. There is also no circumstance where I would clay without later polishing the car as no matter how clean you work, you will marr anything but rock hard or ceramic clearcoat. Of course some colours/intensity of light will show that more than others and we all do things slightly differently which is part of the fun.

How was the condition of the paint generally when you received it, in the UK I am yet to see one new car (even those delivered in it`s transport plastic) defect free... perhaps we`re unlucky here

I used Griot’s Iron remover with negative results. After using the Sonus fine clay, I couldn’t find any defects or swirls in bright sunlight or under my light.

Since it’s a daily driver that will sit outside 95% of its life, I won’t even try to get it perfect and then try to keep it that way. I know how that movie ends.��

 

[bad penny]

I think dealerships have finally wised up as far as swirling new cars up with a rotary polisher. I haven`t seen that in years. The same can`t be said for body shops though.
Congratulations on the new ride!

 

[Older]

I used Griot’s Iron remover with negative results. After using the Sonus fine clay, I couldn’t find any defects or swirls in bright sunlight or under my light.

Since it’s a daily driver that will sit outside 95% of its life, I won’t even try to get it perfect and then try to keep it that way. I know how that movie ends.��

The paint looked fine from the factory, but since it was rained on during transport, I was a little concerned about water-spotting. No problems with that, fortunately.

 

[Desertnate]

I think dealerships have finally wised up as far as swirling new cars up with a rotary polisher. I haven`t seen that in years. The same can`t be said for body shops though.
Congratulations on the new ride!

The big threat these days is when they wash them. Many dealers around here have automated car wash tunnels they drive vehicles through for their "courtesy" washes. Others simply have some poor overworked porter do the work with a pressure washer, a dirty wash mitt, and a worn out terry cloth towel. Either way, the car will be totally swirled out unless you intervene.

 

[dcjredline]

Been real busy and didn’t think of taking pics on delivery.

No pushback on the “no prep” request. I was told they get that request frequently.

No payments, don’t believe in them.

THAT is what IM talking about!! GOOD FOR YOU MAN!!

 

[Accumulator]

Older- Oh man does this sound great! Love your color choice too

Heh heh, I feel for you regarding the "egg crate" trim...that took *FOREVER* on the last vehicle I had with it!

 

[bad penny]

The big threat these days is when they wash them. Many dealers around here have automated car wash tunnels they drive vehicles through for their "courtesy" washes. Others simply have some poor overworked porter do the work with a pressure washer, a dirty wash mitt, and a worn out terry cloth towel. Either way, the car will be totally swirled out unless you intervene.

Around here they`re even getting rid of tunnel washes. If nothing else positive came out of detailing forums in the past 2 decades is that car dealership have finally been educated about their car washing practices.

 

[bad penny]

Older- Oh man does this sound great! Love your color choice too

Heh heh, I feel for you regarding the "egg crate" trim...that took *FOREVER* on the last vehicle I had with it!

It can be a little pricey I guess, but I`ve be known to mist ceramic coating onto egg crate trim. Works great. Big time saver.
After you mist, blow with leaf blower then wipe what`s left.

 

[Desertnate]

Around here they`re even getting rid of tunnel washes. If nothing else positive came out of detailing forums in the past 2 decades is that car dealership have finally been educated about their car washing practices.

Interesting. A local Chevy dealership just built one with 4~5 bays! It`s open to the public, but they heavily advertise the fact it`s their car wash and use it as evidence of the "free car washes for life...any time you want" you get when you buy a car from them. Our local Honda dealership just built one onto the side of their service department last year.

Outside of the dealerships, within 2 miles of my house AT LEAST three, large, new automated tunnel wash places have opened in the last 9~12 months.

 

[bad penny]

Interesting. A local Chevy dealership just built one with 4~5 bays! It`s open to the public, but they heavily advertise the fact it`s their car wash and use it as evidence of the "free car washes for life...any time you want" you get when you buy a car from them. Our local Honda dealership just built one onto the side of their service department last year.

Outside of the dealerships, within 2 miles of my house AT LEAST three, large, new automated tunnel wash places have opened in the last 9~12 months.

A 5 bay tunnel wash? That must be a sight to behold. Can`t believe they let customers run the cars through by themselves without supervision. That`s going to come back and bite them I bet