Dealer scratched my car

[3Black]

Today I took my car in for an oil change and they washed it, when the car was ready, I inspected and found fine scratches everywhere. They were not swirl marks, but were the same kind of scratches only going up and down almost as if somebody dried it with a towel full of contaminants. So I told my service manager and he said that their towels go straight from car to water which we all know is a recipe for scratches. He said that they don't buff black cars because the pigment in the color is different, I told him your not buffing paint your buffing clear coat, it's the same on all colors. So he told me they can't do anything to which I said okay but I will file a claim with GM, and immediately he offered to detail and buff my car. What would you guys have done?

[RedHotRuby]

Seems like you made out. Good job.

[Back in Black 2010]

I would have told them not to wash my car when they were done.

When i take my car in i do a walk around with the service advisor and when the service is done i go over the car before i leave.

Having said that you did the right thing by telling service manager you were going to contact GM that is the last thing they want.

[1LE 2NV]

My dealership advised me not to wash my car with them

[Need4speed_motorsports]

The same thing that you did.

Good job !

[batman53201]

i dont let the dealer wash my car

[BlazinJake]

Sucks to hear! I've also got some Horror stories from the dealer... and what's sad? I've only owned the car for almost a month... already damaged 2 rims, take forever (3.5 hours for 2 tires after having waited 2 weeks for them to come in and my appt was first thing in the morning) etc etc...

[FilibustaRhymes]

Kind of a funny story, but when I had my car in for a warranty steering rack replacement last week, I was wandering around the showroom (drooling on a Z28) and overheard what I guess was a manager talking to another guy who works there about the "dumbass kids" who can't figure out how to wash cars without damaging them. I kind of chuckled to myself...and found myself hoping they wouldn't wash mine.

They didn't, fortunately, but I'll remember to ask if I have to go again.

[SnowyCamaro]

Yeah with black I'm super careful, unfortunately you can't trust anyone with your paint. Get a good orbital buffer and learn how to buff yourself if you don't want scratches in black. Everything cause scratches. That's what I do. I can personally recommend the same porter cable buffer of mine. PM me if you like.

Also browse through the detailing section of the forums, they can help you out the most.

[mcdoogle6969]

The same guys who washed your car are the same guys who buffed it. I worked for multiple dealerships and the ones who do the service washes are the detailers. So now go hand wash your car and put it in the sun, you'll probably freak out. I would NEVER let a dealership touch my BLACK car with a buffer, EVER.

[Egon]

Originally Posted by 3Black

Today I took my car in for an oil change and they washed it, when the car was ready, I inspected and found fine scratches everywhere. They were not swirl marks, but were the same kind of scratches only going up and down almost as if somebody dried it with a towel full of contaminants. So I told my service manager and he said that their towels go straight from car to water which we all know is a recipe for scratches. He said that they don't buff black cars because the pigment in the color is different, I told him your not buffing paint your buffing clear coat, it's the same on all colors. So he told me they can't do anything to which I said okay but I will file a claim with GM, and immediately he offered to detail and buff my car. What would you guys have done?

Those fine scratches in one direction are the exact same as swirls. People call them swirls because a source of light will illuminate those straight-line scratches only within the halo of the light. (which is circular) It sounds like you learned the hard way though never let the dealership wash your car, I would even go as far as placing signs on the car to this effect and having it noted on the work order by the service writer.

I wouldn't let them detail the car though. They are going to have some towel jockey that has only been there a month go over the entire car with a high speed rotary with a very aggressive compound and pad and they are going to leave holograms all over the car or potentially burn through clear coat. Find out what it is going to cost to have a professional near you perform the paint correction and then have the dealer pay for it. If they wont then file a claim with GM.

[Egon]

Originally Posted by mcdoogle6969

The same guys who washed your car are the same guys who buffed it. I worked for multiple dealerships and the ones who do the service washes are the detailers. So now go hand wash your car and put it in the sun, you'll probably freak out. I would NEVER let a dealership touch my BLACK car with a buffer, EVER.

That reminds me they may have used a Glaze applied by a buffer and that will fill in and hide the scratches. In about a week or two that will wear off and you will be able to see them again. All the more reason to only trust yourself or an established professional with the care of your paint.

[Bulldog3071]

never let the dealer wash your car I always leave
instructions never to wash the car or road test it if not required as part of the service. I don't even let my dealer change my oil

[Wapoel]

Why not?
I like to get a free wash.
Not sure why you had a problem?