[Dave88LX]

So here's my timeline...


8/8 Mon
Put deposit down on out-of-state vehicle that is "built, awaiting transport". Posted in "Order Status" thread. DC Chevy Sales was kind enough to provide status:
4D00 MP hold. No ETA on those

8/9 Tue
Dealer said he's showing code 4300

8/10 Wed
Morning ... Dealer called, said he has an update showing ETA of 8/25.
Couple hours later, I get this text shown in the attachment. I was literally in shock, blown away, and unprepared.

No rhyme or reason or patterns or anything that makes any sense.

All I know now is I'm scrambling to figure out shipping or a flight to get my car from Chicago (Grayslake, IL) to Pennsylvania on very short notice.

I think I'm going to take a $200 2-hour flight and 30 minute Uber and drive it the 725 miles home. Bring a couple rolls of masking tape, tape up the front end, rockers, lower quarters.

I politely instructed the dealer not to detail or wash it, just leave it be and I would take care of it. I do need to figure out now how I want to handle at least cleaning it enough to put the tape on there without pushing it down onto the junk that might be on it.

'22 2SS 1LE 6MT

[Camden45]

One of the cars I would have had to flown down for, my carry-on would have been full of detailing supplies, with a route to the nearest, cleanest self-service bay for a detail before I would pull into some kind of shaded area/parking garage to put on painters tape.

To clarify, you do not want normal masking tape. You'll want the 3M Painters Tape(Blue, widest roll possible to help speed things up).

What you could do if you don't want to wash it yourself, is start looking for a reputable mobile detailer, the best you can find and make sure they at least use the 2 bucket method or 1 bucket method(multiple fresh microfiber towels, nothing goes back into the bucket). Ask them specifically if they at least do 2 bucket wash method, and request a fresh mitt as it's a brand new car. Bonus if they have their own de-ionized water tank onboard(means absolutely no water spots from hard water)

Let the mobile detailer handle the wash before you even arrive, so when you come, it's ready for you to put on painters tape. Better yet, do it at the dealership. I'm sure they've got shade somewhere where you can work.

Same thing happened to me if you didn't see my thread. 8/4 ETA came and went. 8/19 was the new ETA. Car showed up suddenly on the morning of the 9th while I was at another dealership securing an Orange 1SS 1LE. Then the sales guy said it'll be ready the next day on the 10th. 2 hours later he calls me and says it's ready now. Luckily for me the dealership is basically down the road from me. No detailing arsenal in a carry-on required for this round.

Nice thing about the painters tape is, it matches the rapid blue, so people won't notice it as much

[Dave88LX]

I like the concept of taking all those cleaning supplies, but there's no way I can see that getting through airport security sadly. They don't even allow unopened water bottles, those scumbags.

I do like the idea of finding a mobile detailer but that may be tough on short notice. I do have a friend who lives about an hour from the dealership where I could take the car easy and avoid tailgating etc.

I'm not positive that the dealer will allow someone to touch the car before I get there and do the paperwork and all of that either. Such an odd thing to try and figure out, buying a nice vehicle that's out-of-state like that.

[Camden45]

Originally Posted by Dave88LX

I like the concept of taking all those cleaning supplies, but there's no way I can see that getting through airport security sadly. They don't even allow unopened water bottles, those scumbags.

I do like the idea of finding a mobile detailer but that may be tough on short notice. I do have a friend who lives about an hour from the dealership where I could take the car easy and avoid tailgating etc.

I'm not positive that the dealer will allow someone to touch the car before I get there and do the paperwork and all of that either. Such an odd thing to try and figure out, buying a nice vehicle that's out-of-state like that.

Oh, if you wanted to get down into the details, I had a list of products that I could purchase from the local Walmart/AutoZone. You could also purchase a few gallons of distilled water, and do store pick up to verify your store of choice actually has the supplies in stock. I would have only brought the microfiber towels and wash mitts, and drying towels.

I left no stone unturned when it came to the details

[Dave88LX]

Originally Posted by Camden45

Oh, if you wanted to get down into the details, I had a list of products that I could purchase from the local Walmart/AutoZone. You could also purchase a few gallons of distilled water, and do store pick up to verify your store of choice actually has the supplies in stock. I would have only brought the microfiber towels and wash mitts, and drying towels.

I left no stone unturned when it came to the details

Well, I mean, if you still have the list!!

[22SS1LE]

I haven't had much luck.
I found my exact build local about hour away.
I made the deal at the beginning of July. They had an ETA then of 7/31
I was hoping it would show up before 8/1 to get the better interest rate
It went from 7/31, Then changed to 7/26
7/26 came and changed to 8/1
8/1 came and changed to 8/8
8/8 came and changed to 8/15 and still no word.

[ckt227]

Nobody knows what is going on with build/delivery. Ordered a 21 2SS 1LE in Feb of 2021. Arrived at the dealer 7 months later and when I took delivery it was showing in New Boston, MI awaiting transport.

Used a different dealer and ordered a 2022 ZL1 in Feb. 2022. It arrived at a 7 weeks after order and when I picked it up, same thing. Showed it at New Boston, MI awaiting transport.

[Camden45]

Originally Posted by Dave88LX

Well, I mean, if you still have the list!!

Remember, you asked...

I was slated to send temporary clear bra to my sister's place who was a couple hours away from the dealer, along with a pump sprayer which can be picked up from home depot/lowes and probably walmart. Most likely would have just used blue painters tape though.

Distilled water from walmart.

Meguiars Ultimate quick spray wax that can be used in direct sunlight(in case the self-service wash bay shade did not cover the entire car) after wash. This would also be picked up from walmart/autozone near where the car is located.

You're allowed a few bottles of 3oz for your toiletry bag, they would have had 3oz of Mckees N-914 for rinseless/water softening, and 3oz of heavily concentrated car shampoo(I personally use CarPro reset). 1.35oz is enough to make a 5gal bucket of car shampoo solution, so that's at least 10 gallons worth.

Car shampoo solution would also be in the pump sprayer to be used on the dry car as a pre-wash solution. Soaked for a few minutes, rinsed off with a high pressure washer.

Spray the solution back onto the now 80-90% clean paint(due to the awesome pre-wash stage, most of the dirt/grime is now safely off the paint) so when you go for the contact wash, the car already has car shampoo coverage, and you're not just relying on your mitt/microfiber towel carrying enough soap to lubricate your paint.

Easiest way is to not use a wash mitt, but multiple microfiber towels in either the rinseless solution or the car shampoo solution. Towel folded twice, one swipe per side, once all sides are dirty, flip the towel inside and out and do it again. Once all sides are dirty, throw it onto the windshield if you don't have any other place.

Dry off with either your microfiber towels or a dedicated microfiber drying towel. If you need to know where to get the best and safest towels:

https://theragcompany.com/collection...s/the-liquid8r

I'd skip the spray wax, I was only going to do that because of some reviews on the temporary clear bra residue remaining and being a PITA to remove, and the wax would help prevent that.


OR

You can not be insane like I am, chance the dealership car washers to not absolutely screw up the paint, and let your detailer spend a little more time on polishing your car to perfection before coating/PPF.

Best middle of the road is calling in a mobile detailer. The area I would have bought this far-away car from did not have any mobile detailer I'd let touch the car due to reviews/lack of detailer options.

Whatever you end up doing, it's the right choice for you, so don't really sweat it. I just really enjoy car detailing.

[rst08tierney]

forget the blue painters tape.

Amazon. Get track armour

[Dave88LX]

Fantastic write-up and details there Camden45!!

There are a couple of detailers within a couple of miles, I think my best bet is to hit them up and see if they have any availability for a late-morning "quality wash" using a 2-bucket method or "clean cloth" method as you described up above. Grab some lunch while they do their thing and then get to taping. The Track Armour looks great but I'm flying out tomorrow morning to Chicago to pick it up, I won't have that in time.

[Camden45]

Originally Posted by Dave88LX

Fantastic write-up and details there Camden45!!

There are a couple of detailers within a couple of miles, I think my best bet is to hit them up and see if they have any availability for a late-morning "quality wash" using a 2-bucket method or "clean cloth" method as you described up above. Grab some lunch while they do their thing and then get to taping. The Track Armour looks great but I'm flying out tomorrow morning to Chicago to pick it up, I won't have that in time.

You're going to have a great trip. Have fun and drive safe buddy