it seems like alot of people that buy new cars (or at least the ones i read about on forums) always get new cars with scratches, marring, etc... is there any way to avoid it? or is it going to happen regardless as soon as it hits the lot (seems like most dealerships have no clue on car care)? let's here your opinions, i say...
is it possible to get a new car without scratches/marring,etc...
- Thread starter BigAl3
- Start date
MongooseGA
New member
Sure it's possible. The car comes in a plastic wrapper almost to keep most of the crap off of it during shipment (raildust, salt, etc...)
Whne these are taken on, there's a difference between the parts that were covered and those that weren't. Then the dealer washes it. That's probably where your brand new car marring comes from.
To avoid, tell them you wanna see them pull the plastic off of it. Then tell them not to touch the paint.
Whne these are taken on, there's a difference between the parts that were covered and those that weren't. Then the dealer washes it. That's probably where your brand new car marring comes from.
To avoid, tell them you wanna see them pull the plastic off of it. Then tell them not to touch the paint.
Bill D
Hooked For Life
Absolutely. My car and those of many Autopians is proof. Adding defects starts with clear communication with the dealer before agreeing on delivery. You must make it extremely clear to the dealer you will NOT accept "prepping" 
:lol: of any kind on your new car. Demand this be present on every document related to your order: no excuse that way if they claim "it wasn't in the paper work". If you're very serious, warn them you will be fully prepared to walk if this is not honored.
Ideally, you should take the care home with the white Rapgard intact. (You can read here how to remove it.) You can then properly prep the car at your pace and to your standards;not to mention the great thrill and joy you will experience :bounce
:lol: of any kind on your new car. Demand this be present on every document related to your order: no excuse that way if they claim "it wasn't in the paper work". If you're very serious, warn them you will be fully prepared to walk if this is not honored.Ideally, you should take the care home with the white Rapgard intact. (You can read here how to remove it.) You can then properly prep the car at your pace and to your standards;not to mention the great thrill and joy you will experience :bounce
Bill D
Hooked For Life
:2thumbs: Scott! It truly puzzles me why so many allow their vehicles to be free mobile advertisements for car dealers. :nixweiss
koko_b_ware
New member
Bill D said:
I took their stickers off my truck the day I drove it off the lot.
Also, the only way you will get a new car with perfect paint is if you factory order it, and specify that they don't touch it.
Pretty much all lot cars will be scratched and marred. On my truck, I had to do a 2 step polish on it the day I brought it home from the lot. It was brand new, but they marred the $hit out of it when they washed it.
one day is was getting an oil change at the dealership and while i was waiting, i looked around the lot (sunny day). i couldn't believe all (most) of the cars that were very scratched/marred, it was sickening! especially.... the dark colored ones (black/blue), it looked like someone washed the car with a steel sos pad.
imported_Mighty HD1
New member
They can get scrached from those "detail" guys who come clean the cars on the lots.
You see them usually early in the morning, they take a smal pressure washer and blast the cars off,then wipe them down with a old chamios. I can only imagine how much dirt is in that chamios.......
You see them usually early in the morning, they take a smal pressure washer and blast the cars off,then wipe them down with a old chamios. I can only imagine how much dirt is in that chamios.......
EBPcivicsi
GOT PREP?
When I bought my car in early 00 I requested that no one touch it and that I be present when it was unloaded from the transporter. I removed all plastic and even installed the front lip spoiler.
In order to do this I had to fill out a survey saying that the car was clean when I received it, no problem.
Expect the sales manager to think you are nuts.
In order to do this I had to fill out a survey saying that the car was clean when I received it, no problem.
Expect the sales manager to think you are nuts.
I saw a couple of people at a local dealership once cleaning snow off a car's hood w/ a snow shovel
Of course, maybe it was a microfiber snow shovel
Unfortunately, that seems to be how most cars that stay on a dealer's lot are treated - not necessarily that extremely callous - but poorly nonetheless. I agree w/ everyone else here - the only way to get as factory-perfect a car as possible is to get a car on order and prep it yourself as soon as it arrives so noone else gets a chance to lay their mitts on it. Be prepared for the salespeople to give you the run-around though.
Of course, maybe it was a microfiber snow shovel
Unfortunately, that seems to be how most cars that stay on a dealer's lot are treated - not necessarily that extremely callous - but poorly nonetheless. I agree w/ everyone else here - the only way to get as factory-perfect a car as possible is to get a car on order and prep it yourself as soon as it arrives so noone else gets a chance to lay their mitts on it. Be prepared for the salespeople to give you the run-around though.
ebpcivicsi said:
I did the same with the 05 MINI Cooper S...
And yes, they thought I was nuts too...
The only thing they did was install the stripes and foglights, but that was unavoidable.
However, I didn't even let them wash the excess soap off from when they installed the stripes, I did that myself too..
The looks I got were hilarious...
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Good advice, Just C/P this and the talk of new cars is giving me the 'want a new car itch'.
RapGard (Plastic Transit Film):
Many manufacturers are using this white plastic covering in place of synthetic or wax based shipping coatings (Cosmoline) The plastic becomes brittle with age (90 to 180 days) and becomes difficult to remove as it "shreds" while being pulled off, additionally there is excess adhesive residue left on the surface.
Spray or wipe Isopropyl Alcohol on to the Rap Guard or Plastic Film and the painted surfaces. Allow it to remain on the surface for 3 to 5 minutes. Saturate a soft clean towel with Isopropyl Alcohol and gently wipe away the RapGard / Plastic Transit Film pieces and their adhesive. Wash vehicle with a car wash concentrate diluted 1 oz. per gallon of water any remove any residue with detailers clay.
When I ordered the Jag I also requested that they notify me when the transporter arrives and that NO dealer prep would be undertaken by them. I removed all of the RapGuard at the dealership before driving it home (we did the same thing with the Lexus)
Better to sustain strange looks than have strange marks on your new cars paint. Good luck with your new vehicle,,,enjoy
JonM
RapGard (Plastic Transit Film):
Many manufacturers are using this white plastic covering in place of synthetic or wax based shipping coatings (Cosmoline) The plastic becomes brittle with age (90 to 180 days) and becomes difficult to remove as it "shreds" while being pulled off, additionally there is excess adhesive residue left on the surface.
Spray or wipe Isopropyl Alcohol on to the Rap Guard or Plastic Film and the painted surfaces. Allow it to remain on the surface for 3 to 5 minutes. Saturate a soft clean towel with Isopropyl Alcohol and gently wipe away the RapGard / Plastic Transit Film pieces and their adhesive. Wash vehicle with a car wash concentrate diluted 1 oz. per gallon of water any remove any residue with detailers clay.
When I ordered the Jag I also requested that they notify me when the transporter arrives and that NO dealer prep would be undertaken by them. I removed all of the RapGuard at the dealership before driving it home (we did the same thing with the Lexus)
Better to sustain strange looks than have strange marks on your new cars paint. Good luck with your new vehicle,,,enjoy
JonM
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
If you get a chance, stop by your local Chevrolet dealer when they have just taken in a delivery of new Corvettes. Look closely at the vettes that still have the shipping coating on the painted surface. Take special note to read the removal instructions that are printed on the coating. Pay particular attention to the printed warnings that also appear on the coating and you will begin to get a much better understanding of whether or not it is possible to get a new car without scratches/marring,etc.
Michaelelts
New member
I had a recent experience that bears repeating. I bought a new acura TL day after thanksgiving 04 they prepped it and did a surpisingly good job all it needed was a clay and aio when i got it home. Unfortunatly I had an accident and totaled the car. I liked it eonough I bought the same car and color( black) from the dealership. Since they did such a good job of not marring the paint the last time I did not say anything. HOWEVER the usual prep guy did not show up that day and so as to not delay me they had the lot monkey prep my car. What a horror swirls everywhere. I did take delivery and got 99% of the swirls off with # 2 followed by smr and aio. The one remaining area is going to take a rotary which their prep guy who was good will do. Bottom line I should have specified that if the guy who prepped it was not availible to delay the transaction or let me do the prep.
SK2003TypeS
New member
Scottwax said:
That would have to be a big check.
Like all the others said, put it in the paperwork. Also, if you ever have to take it back to the dealer for service, etc. Make sure you have them write it in there as well. It doesn't hurt to make a few signs that say "DO NOT WASH THIS CAR" in English and Spanish (or whatever other language).
btw: I didn't do the paperwork thingy...I just got lucky
Michaelelts
New member
agree with th signs I have them big and bold "thou shall not wash me" it is funny most people look at you funny when you turn down the free service
The guy at the dealership who "washes" the cars is probably the lowest paid kid on the payroll. I can only imagine what he is doing when he is not washing cars. I have seen them using sponges and actually sitting a bucket on the hood to make it easier for them to rinse out the sponge.
I must say, however, that my Lexus dealer is very sensitive to requests by customers to not wash the car. I think they get this request a lot. Recently they installed some kind of quick drive through washer that does not have anything touch the car. Still, I have a little note I tape to the dashboard when I take it in for service that says "Please do not wash this car today," and I have had no problem, but the level of service at the Lexus dealer is, as you might expect, generally higher than at most other places.
I must say, however, that my Lexus dealer is very sensitive to requests by customers to not wash the car. I think they get this request a lot. Recently they installed some kind of quick drive through washer that does not have anything touch the car. Still, I have a little note I tape to the dashboard when I take it in for service that says "Please do not wash this car today," and I have had no problem, but the level of service at the Lexus dealer is, as you might expect, generally higher than at most other places.
Sveta
New member
Strange as it seems one Honda dealership in El Paso takes very good care of their cars, unlike all the other Honda dealers in the area. When I selected my Accord I was amazed at how perfect it was. No need to get one off the truck. Lucky me.
Then at delivery I saw a chip/scratch some lot monkey put in the paint from the gas nozzel during the dealer fill up! %#*@(&$&@#!!!
Their body shop buffed it out OK, but I was dealing with a few light swirls left afterwards. I should have walked away or had them redo the paperwork on another car, but the wife thought I was making a big deal of it all, it was HER car...and insisted I let them "fix" it. What could I do?...marriage or car....marriage or car....
Then at delivery I saw a chip/scratch some lot monkey put in the paint from the gas nozzel during the dealer fill up!
%#*@(&$&@#!!!Their body shop buffed it out OK, but I was dealing with a few light swirls left afterwards. I should have walked away or had them redo the paperwork on another car, but the wife thought I was making a big deal of it all, it was HER car...and insisted I let them "fix" it. What could I do?...marriage or car....marriage or car....