Had to turn a job down today - Page 4

BuffMe · 10-10-07, 10:30

Carfax's certainly don't show everything. The bottom line is that every car should be inspected by someone who can spot the issues you're looking for. I really just can't believe that someone would buy a car that looked like that. I mean, didn't he have multiple chances to see it (out on the lot or inside, wherever it was, and then outside when he picked it up)?

Scottwax · 10-11-07, 05:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffMe

Carfax's certainly don't show everything. The bottom line is that every car should be inspected by someone who can spot the issues you're looking for. I really just can't believe that someone would buy a car that looked like that. I mean, didn't he have multiple chances to see it (out on the lot or inside, wherever it was, and then outside when he picked it up)?

He said he bought it on a cloudy day. Still not sure how he didn't see any hazing because I noticed on the shade side of the car. I guess most people just don't know what to look for.

crossconnectbay · 10-30-07, 06:54

Spam, Spam, Spam

tabootim · 10-16-09, 08:45

I have bought 5 cars from carmax and only one of them wasn't swirled on the lot it was a white 08 mustang gt..... I understand why people would buy from them (easiest buying experince ever) but they need some serious help in the car prep department I will say that thier service department knows how to treat you when you come through the door. They are 100 times better than any of the BMW dealers in dfw

OCKlasse · 10-16-09, 11:18

Just detailed a Carmax car last week and the swirls were DEEP

the_invisible · 10-17-09, 12:49

Hey ScottWax, pay no attention to the "Hard Clear Coat" sticker, as your Nissan Maxima too has this sticker, and the clear coat is not that hard in actuality.

Anyway, I am sure you found this out already, as this thread is literally two years old. hehe

Scottwax · 10-17-09, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_invisible

Hey ScottWax, pay no attention to the "Hard Clear Coat" sticker, as your Nissan Maxima too has this sticker, and the clear coat is not that hard in actuality.

Anyway, I am sure you found this out already, as this thread is literally two years old. hehe

The clear on my Maxima is pretty hard, took Meguiars #105 at 1200-1500 rpm to remove mostly light swirls and the holograms it left were very faint.

gigondaz · 10-17-09, 07:50

Excellent post, Scott.

Very often, customers would ask for a simple "polish and wax", and when I appraise the car, it's obvious the car was poorly re-sprayed before, or certain sections have been un-professionally re-sprayed....resulting in excessive paint shrinkage and hence, very poor gloss. In some cases, almost matt!!!

Most customers don't understand this, and I hv to spend time explaining slowly to them.

If they insist in having me proceed, I'll often start with sanding and multiple rounds of rotary buffing+wool pad to correct the problem as much as possible, based on what the budget allows.

And I agree with you on the Audis....
I do lots of new Audis, and their clearcoat is superhard.

the_invisible · 10-17-09, 01:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

The clear on my Maxima is pretty hard, took Meguiars #105 at 1200-1500 rpm to remove mostly light swirls and the holograms it left were very faint.

I see. Must be the metallic on the 2002?

I have a solid black 2000 Maxima and the clear is not that hard, but nothing on the soft side either. Fortunately I never had to use the rotary or M105 to deal with its defects as I've been quite diligent with the washing process. DA at speed 4 with UC and a polishing pad knocked out all the swirls on my Maxima. The only time I ever used a rotary and M105 on the Maxima was wetsanding out some deep scratches.

My 2003 M45 with the optional metallic coat has clear coat that is on the harder side, but nothing extremely hard. My G35 which has silver metallic is also on the hard side. The only car I am unable to make any correction using the DA is my BMW 335i. It required a rotary with a solo wool pad and M105 at 2000rpm to adequately remove medium swirls. None of my Nissans ever required a wool pad used at such intense.

WAS · 10-18-09, 11:59

Hey Scott, out of curiosity (and since this thread is nearly 2 years old), did you ever hear back from the owner ?

Scottwax · 10-18-09, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAS

Hey Scott, out of curiosity (and since this thread is nearly 2 years old), did you ever hear back from the owner ?

Nope, last I heard (through the person who had referred me to him) was that he never raised a fuss about the paint with CarMax. No idea if he still has the car.

the_invisible-my Maxima is grey lustre paint which is a metallic. #105/205 and Ultrafina. Didn't chase every single swirl, just didn't have time. Besides, I work out of my car and put a ton of miles on it every year. Just not worth spending 10-12 hours on it.

5150kon · 10-19-09, 06:55

i worked at carmax. detailers r flat rate so they bust cars out as fast as possible, and i mean fast. ive only seen a couple guys there do a good job but they had prior experience coming into it, otherwise it was just a bunch of hackin.