Dealing with Dealer Prep

[MediaMan]

When I pick up my new car in 10 days, it will be washed and waxed as part of the traditional dealer 'prep' (and I can only hope they dont introduce too much marring/swirls etc). And even if I ask them not to touch the car, it might get done anyway by mistake.

My question is this..I have no idea what sub-par wax they use, but I assume there is no benefit in stripping it off right away - correct? I figure I'll just leave it be, wait a month or two (its still winter here anyway) and then do my first inital Megs treatment in May. Good or bad idea?

At that point, should I :

-just apply NXT Tech Wax?

-or first use CleanerWax (as a polish), then NXT Tech Wax

-or should I clay first, then CleanerWax, then NXT wax? (I have never clayed before but thought I'd first do that in the fall.)

Thoughts?

Thanks

[Murr1525]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

Well, first, call them and discuss with them.. try and have them do nothing...

But if not..

1st, you'll have to see if they even do wax it. Never know what 'prep' consists of.

When you are ready to actualy detail your car, if you want to keep things simple at fist, and assuming no bad swirls are put in it, just try this routine.

1. Wash - Good soap, good sponges/towels, and Grit Guard, 2 bucket system.

2. Clay - I can almost assure you it will want clayed. It should go fast on a new car, so it wont take long.

3. Cleaner/Wax or my favorite, ColorX.

4. Wax - Nxt, etc.

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

When I went to the dealership to look at a car we didn't think we would get a new car that day. Well we did. After being approved for the car they moved it to the garage to do a full detail on it. I went to my old car and got things out of it and took them to the new car and put them in the trunk. I saw the guy wiping the inside down and he said all he had to do is cleanthe outside of it. I told him no to worry about it because I would clean it when I get home with it. So he didn't clean the outside of it. When I got it home I bought NXT Paste Wax and used it on the car. The funny thing is the salesperson tried to sell me a paint protector for the car. The paint protector cost was $275.00. I told him thats ok I have Meguiar's wax and it works great protecting the paint.

[saturn2]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

I wouldn't cleaner wax it but you may need clay. Otherwise just wax it.By the way if you don't want it touched. They will not touch it just make sure that you talk to the detailer manager and not sales. One last thing,that I will point out to you is that a lot of people seem to attack prep people who work at car dealers.And just like everywhere else it depends on who they hire etc. Also, if you think that your car or any new car comes defect free from the factory well you must be kidding yourself.There are countless posts all over the net about basically read like this "they touched my car and "x" happened." And sometimes they come just like that swriled, scartched, chains dropped on them from the delivery truck etc.I know this because I worked as a detailer for 3-4 car dealers over the past 8 years. I liked the job but sales is always at your side.It just doesn't make any sense to me that a group of people who call themsevles detailers look down on people who are.I think that it would be a good for a lot of my follow posters to go down to your local dealer prep to see where the rubber actually hits the road on this issue.

[Murr1525]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

Hmm... not sure I understand that reasoning. Clay the paint because it might have dirt on it, but dont use a cleaner because it wont be dirty and woudlnt need it?

[TrufflePig]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

sorry its a NO TOUCH policy for me and my dealer.

they're ridicilous. i'm still finding wax a year later. its crazy.

they drop rags, pick it up and then use it on your car. i don't care if they're $100 microfibres. you drop them, don't use them on my car.

dealer work in volume and sometimes the kids they hire don't care about anything but their paycheque.

it might sound as if i'm coming off very ignorant but this is just my first hand experience.

cars do come swirled, scratched and dirty so yes i'd clay. use a nice cleaner wax to fully clean it up and then NXT x 2 will get it nice and shiny.

But, if you do NOT WANT THEM TO TOUCH IT, TELL THEM. Talk to the manager, take to the GM at the dealer, your sales guy etc...and let them know and they should listen to you.

let us know how this goes.

best of luck.

[saturn2]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

You use a clay to take off rail dust. I personally wouldn't use a cleaner wax on a new car you could it's your choice. I would only use it if the car has been on the lot for a long time. But if it's defect free just go staight to wax. Wax all by itself cleans a little bit.It is volume work but I will add that when I find something wrong I take my time and fix.If CSI isn't right we will get in trouble with GM etc.But Tufflepig is right about some of the kids that they do hire time to time do blow.

[Murr1525]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

Another thing, since this came up in a new thread... try and get them to keep their advertising stuff off the car. Tell them you'll take a liscense plate frame or something instead.

Luckily, where I bought my car from didnt use that advertising at all, but my Dad has had it written into the contracts to keep it off.

[diat150]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

If you are getting a black car I definitely wouldnt allow them to do it. black is just too easy to scratch up. They scratched up my gf's car pretty bad and it took some effort to clean it up.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

the whole thing with applying cleaner is following Meguiars 5 step process.

wash
clay
clean
polish
wax

when i brought my brand new MINI home that was the first thing i did with the DC system topped with NXT x 2.

so worth it.

[MediaMan]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

Well I contacted my dealer about this, simply asking "is the shipping tape still on car? ". He said yes, as well as the plastic on the seats....and then offered "do you want to pick it up that way?" Too good to be true...

Actually I dont think they can legally release the car with the shipping tape on, but this is a good sign!

To keep things simple, and to ensure no one gets in trouble for improper delivery and inspection, I intend to tell them "do what you normally do - just dont wash or wax",..ie they can prep/inspect, remove shipping tape, take plastic off the seats, remove marking on the tires etc. just dont wash or wax.

Car is a medium gray. Also no dealer ads other than the licence plate.

So I think I am in good shape. If all goes well, this will be the first time I ever drove a brand new DIRTY car off the lot! My wife thinks I am crazy.

[Murr1525]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

Sounds promising.

You might toss a little extra soap in the bucket for your first wash, a little extra lubrication, just in case. Were you able to get a Grit Guard or two?

[MediaMan]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

Re wash/clay/polish/wax, and keeping things simple, I was going to use Cleaner Wax (A1216) for the polish step, but if that's not appropriate for a new car, what else would be a good choice for the polish step prior to NXT?

I didnt see much in the Consumer line other the Deep Cleaner polish (A2116) for dark cars (but car is not really dark).

[Murr1525]

Re: Dealing with Dealer Prep

The Cleaner/wax is a fine choice for a new car, though I do like ColorX a bit better, but you're fine either way. Then top it with your favorite wax.

Wash
Clay
Cleaner/Wax
Wax

makes for a nice quick detail, and one you are able to do more often. Keeping it simple and doing it regularly is better than just doing 1 good detail a year.