I'm done detailing. Forget it.

[Agent 99]

Brand new black 2012 Golf. Just got it last wednesday. The monkeys at the dealer did wash it because I was too focused on numbers to remind them not to.

I do everything the right way. High quality cloths, 2 bucket method, P21s shampoo, all that. Today I was testing out the "Shmitt" mitt, as well as giving the Golf its very first wash. Everything turned out horrible. I guess I've done hundreds of dollars of damage to the paint because I'm not going to take the swirls out. I'll just give up and pay a detailer.

For those wondering, looks like the Shmitt was a waste of money. I'll just keep buying good ol Meguiars MF mitts, if I wash it ever again. This is my first black car and I know they are harder but damn I just am not up to this.

Just venting. Didn't help that it was 150 degrees outside either.

[wifpd4]

Your biggest problem is the heat. Take some pictures of the problem(s) and go into the air conditioning and sit at your computer and load those photos onto MOL.

Many folks here to help, although there is nothing we can do about the accursed heat.

[CHzo6]

There is a good chance that all the damage was done at the dealership if they detailed it, and the glaze they used when they "reconditioned" your brand new car just hid the swirls until you washed away the glaze.

[Agent 99]

Good advice. I'll take some pics in a little bit. At work now.

Yes the heat probably makes it much harder. I live in an apt complex and there is a wooden slat-ted? covered area with a hose. I have to bring my own nozzle.

After my frustration, I drove the car to a trusted professional detailer. He looked it over and explained that new German paint like on my VW and new BMW's is very, very soft. He said the dealer has its monkeys power wash and "wash" the cars with who knows what every morning.

Anyway the pro is going to fix the swirls and put 2 coats of wax on. This is what he recommends 1x/yr to keep the car easier to clean.

I don't have a good place to wash the car and the heat is unbearable and the paint requires more upkeep than I'm used to. It was just a combination of things that made for a bad experience today. And my detailer said the wash mitt is just a gimmick.

[Meticulous-Detail]

There is a good chance that all the damage was done at the dealership if they detailed it, and the glaze they used when they "reconditioned" your brand new car just hid the swirls until you washed away the glaze.

100%..................Dealers use heavy glazes, you just washed them away. Don't get discouraged.

[CHzo6]

After my frustration, I drove the car to a trusted professional detailer. He looked it over and explained that new German paint like on my VW and new BMW's is very, very soft. He said the dealer has its monkeys power wash and "wash" the cars with who knows what every morning.

How did he come to this conclusion? My 335 has rock hard paint. I know several people with BMW's, VW's and Mercedes and none of them have soft paint. You cannot flat out make that statement.

[davey g-force]

There is a good chance that all the damage was done at the dealership if they detailed it, and the glaze they used when they "reconditioned" your brand new car just hid the swirls until you washed away the glaze.

^^ Agree with this. As mentioned, don't be discouraged. Keep washing your car with care (as you have been) once you get her back from the detailer plus UQW after every other wash + a quick coat of wax every 3 months or so and you'll be good to go.

If any paint defects do arise, you can get plenty of advice on how to correct them here and it won't be hard to do yourself.

[davey g-force]

True, from what I've seen and heard, BMW's and VW's usually have hard paint..

[Agent 99]

How did he come to this conclusion? My 335 has rock hard paint. I know several people with BMW's, VW's and Mercedes and none of them have soft paint. You cannot flat out make that statement.

I hear you man. I'm just saying thats what the guy told me. Maybe he means 2011/2012 models?

True, from what I've seen and heard, BMW's and VW's usually have hard paint..

Yeah thats what I always heard too. Hard paint. Either the monkeys at the dealer used bricks to wash the car... or, I inflicted some of that damage using all I know ( 2 bucket, new mitt, p21s, etc).


CAR IS 5 days old. Was built in 3/12 though.

From 10 feet away. Not bad huh?

[CHzo6]

My 335 is a 2011.