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Improving dealer washes

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  • Improving dealer washes

    Here's hoping this is in the right forum. OK, so I think we've all heard about how bad dealer washes are. Dirty brushes, dirty towels, dirty wash water, blah blah blah. In short, don't let the dealer wash your car, right? Also take into account that most people who wash cars at dealers have zip experience at what they're doing. Most dealers think, "Any idiot can wash a car," so they hire anybody to do the job for cheap.

    Now, you might be wondering if I'm going anywhere with this. I am. You see, I wash cars at a dealer. I've worked there for about 3 and 1/2 years. I started before I knew anything about washing cars. I still work there because it's not very stressful (except when thinking about the damage we're doing with our washes ), they're flexible with me, we don't have a shop supervisor breathing down our necks, and we pretty much can do whatever as long as we stay busy. But, there's still the dealer wash nightmares to deal with: dirty towels, dirty brushes, dirty water, the whole nine yards. I do what I can to keep everything neat and as clean as possible, but it is difficult when you're pressed for time when doing cars and your co-workers don't really care too much (somewhat, but not too much) about how the job gets done. I've squawked at one of my co-workers more than once because he used a tire brush on paint . Which is where I need your help. I had planned to do this thread a few months ago but just hadn't done it 'til now. I need suggestions for improving our methods. We do not use any Meguiar's products. Most of our products are either Auto Magic or Tip Top (Tip Top products are made by our local distributor of Auto Magic). You may have heard me mention using some of these products in some of my other threads. Given, they are not as good as Meguiar's, but they are not terrible products either. I must confess, I have brought some of my stuff to use at work. Is that sad? OK, on with the questions.

    1. Ideas for improving wash methods. Currently it's the dirty brush and one-bucket method. None of my co-workers really care for the hand wash method when the brush method is quicker, even though more damaging. Throw out any suggestions you might have, keeping costs in mind. Also keep in mind that we usually get pressed for time by salesmen when doing sold cars, so time is of the essence. Also, what is the best way to clean Absorbers and keep them clean? We have a washing machine in the bay that was donated by one of my co-workers. We don't use towels, since they would get soaked after 2 or 3 cars and we do a number of cars a day. Any suggestions on good cheap detergents? We're using an Arm & Hammer detergent right now that we had to buy, since I don't think management is going to give us money for detergent.

    2. We also have to do service cars quite a bit. Now we don't have to be as fussy with those as with brand-new sold cars, as we usually have to be quick on them (since the customer is usually waiting) and most service cars that come through are trashed anyway. And most people are like, "Free wash, oh boy!", so they don't care too much about our methods. My question here is, what is the best way to get the best results in a short amount of time? These are just basic wash and vac cleanups. We don't break out carpet cleaner, and protectants, and wax, etc., but I'm looking at the best way(s) to get decent results in a short amount of time (like 20 - 30 minutes). To describe the conditions of the service cars we do, let me just say that they're usually driven by people who don't care how their car looks, and probably just have it washed when it gets an oil change or has service done to it. Tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

    3. Suggestions for keeping microfiber towels separate - good wax towels, interior towels, wheel and tire towels (which obviously don't get used on the paint anyway, at least not when I'm there), etc. I've tried separating them into different areas of the bay, but there's always that stupid somebody who just grabs whatever towel for whatever task. I'd like to put an end to that, and I need some ideas as to how.


    I'm not sure if I've forgotten anything. I can't think of anything right now. If I think of anything else I need to ask I'll post a reply to this thread, and if I've left something out please feel free to make comments or suggestions on some dealer wash topic I may have missed. Just to note, we do not do any polishing, so we don't use buffers or anything like that. And this is a Honda dealership, so we're dealing with relatively soft paint. This has just been bugging me for a while. Thanks guys!

    Shane
    Shane
    1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL

    If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron Tippin

  • #2
    Re: Improving dealer washes

    Hello Shane,
    It's geat to see someone at a dealer who cares, especially since you are going way out of your way to do all of this. I don't have many suggestions except for the separating towels/mf towels etc. I use $2 lowes buckets to put my dirty towels in, since you can just "toss them in." It seems like that would work since being able to just toss them in a bucket would save a slight amount of time for people in a rush. Once they are washed/dryed you could just thrown them some of those plastic tubs you can find at wal-mart, target etc. Hopefully you are able to talk some sense into your management, but it's probably a lost hope. Also like you said, the people who are letting you wash their car don't know the difference, and the ones who won't let you probably won't be changing their mind anytime soon. Goodluck!
    Schotography

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Improving dealer washes

      God grant me the serenity
      to accept the things I cannot change;
      courage to change the things I can;
      and wisdom to know the difference.
      "If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research would it? (Albert Einstein 1879-1955)
      BOB

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Improving dealer washes

        Well, not sure how you guys do it but whenever I wash a vechile I always start with the wheels, tires and wheelwells. Right before I start on the first wheel/tire/well I spray down any tar with Meguiars Body Solvent and let it sit while on work on the wheels, tires and well. I wouldnt let anything that touches the wheels, tires and wells touch the paint, that ssomething you can try and control. Just keep it simple and wash the paint with a microfiber wash mitt, a grit guard, a decent shampoo, and dry with good quality drying tools. Maybe even dress the tires and wheelwells for an added touch.

        I would just keep it simple, if the plan gets complicated your co workers arent going to stick to it. It may even be hard for you to stick with it since time is limited.
        Nick
        Tucker's Detailing Services
        815-954-0773
        2012 Ford Transit Connect

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Improving dealer washes

          yeah just keep it simple is all you have to do...i suggest using meguiars gold class shampoo to leave the finish looking sharp and slick...of course use 2 buckets and grit gaurds and a good quality wash mitt...i remember when i first got my car the dealer "detailed" it before i drove it home and it had tons of swirls..(i didnt know much about detailing back then)..so yeah just keep it simple..give it a good wash..clean the windows, vaccuum if necessary, and give it a quick tire dressing, perhaps hot shine in the spray bottle to get it done quick..and you should be good
          Addicted

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          • #6
            Re: Improving dealer washes

            I just realized how lucky I am. The dealer I bought my car from, Pflueger Honda, did not do any damage to the paint. No cobwebs, DISM, holograms, etc. They just left a little wax residue around the door handle.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Improving dealer washes

              Setting up simple logistics at work is not that easy it can take months depending where you work.Some people may think you are overcomplicated,it is worth a try,things get on very well afterwards.
              Good luck.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Improving dealer washes

                I think you best bet would be to introduce your methods and try to keep it as efficient as possible taking in the time constraints you mentioned. At least this way, one of you will be proficient and you can teach the others.

                Remember, "each one. teach one".
                quality creates its own demand

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Improving dealer washes

                  I agree with what the other are saying, keep it simple.

                  One thing you could do is have different color towels for different uses and set 'em up in different parts of th shop so they don't get mixed up.

                  How many guys are working at the same time on a car? If you guys are two then split the car in two; one does driver and the other one does passenger.

                  When it comes to the inside, one does vaccum the other one does windows. I guess what I'm trying to say is divide and conquer lol.

                  Working at a dealership is not easy eaven when they have a full detailing shop set-up with guys whom are proffessional detailers, not every one takes pride in their work and theirs always a salesman who wants his car done before everyone else.

                  Good luck, hope this helped

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Improving dealer washes

                    Anybody else want to add to this thread?
                    Shane
                    1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL

                    If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron Tippin

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Improving dealer washes

                      The think the greatest improvement with the least disruption would be to introduce the two bucket method. I feel this is at the heart of why dealers damage finishes.

                      It also doesn't require any major outlay by management. Later on, if successful, you can gradually ask for or add other refinements.

                      Sadly, remember that the front office just cares about "moving metal".
                      "If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research would it? (Albert Einstein 1879-1955)
                      BOB

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Improving dealer washes

                        Hey Shane!


                        I have to say Bob hit the nail right on the head. Most dealerships simply aren't going to care about things like this. Unless you can show them that it's faster and makes them more money, you're pretty much SOL. Sorry.

                        That being said. Asking management to have good wash media on hand, and replaced when old and dirty doesn't seem like too much to ask for. Show them the damage that is being caused now and explain that by using good wash media and proper technique, the amount of customer complaints can be reduced for swirled/scratched up paint on new cars.

                        Rasky
                        Rasky's Auto Detailing

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Improving dealer washes

                          Originally posted by RaskyR1 View Post
                          That being said. Asking management to have good wash media on hand, and replaced when old and dirty doesn't seem like too much to ask for. Show them the damage that is being caused now and explain that by using good wash media and proper technique, the amount of customer complaints can be reduced for swirled/scratched up paint on new cars.
                          The funny thing is, we haven't had any complaints about scratches and swirl marks. Probably because 99% of the people where I live haven't a clue as to what they are. I've only ever heard one person mention to somebody else that a car he was buying had swirl marks. The only reason I'm bringing this up is because I'm the one (probably the only one) that's bugged by all this that I mentioned.

                          So let me ask this stupid question. I don't know if I can get my co-workers to use wash mitts, since they really don't like them and think I'm somewhat nuts for using them. Is there something as "efficient" as brushes but perhaps less damaging? I thought of boar's hair brushes, but they're 3 times the price of the brushes we use now, so I think that's out of the question. Thanks
                          Shane
                          1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL

                          If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron Tippin

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Improving dealer washes

                            Originally posted by CieraSL View Post
                            The funny thing is, we haven't had any complaints about scratches and swirl marks. Probably because 99% of the people where I live haven't a clue as to what they are. I've only ever heard one person mention to somebody else that a car he was buying had swirl marks. The only reason I'm bringing this up is because I'm the one (probably the only one) that's bugged by all this that I mentioned.

                            So let me ask this stupid question. I don't know if I can get my co-workers to use wash mitts, since they really don't like them and think I'm somewhat nuts for using them. Is there something as "efficient" as brushes but perhaps less damaging? I thought of boar's hair brushes, but they're 3 times the price of the brushes we use now, so I think that's out of the question. Thanks
                            Why do your co-workers not like wash mitts?

                            I would take a microfiber wash mitt or a lambswool wash mitt over a brush anyday of the week, I wouldnt even use the Boars Hair Brush.

                            Maybe pick up a few microfiber wash pads. I have a couple of Gold Class Microfiber Wash pads and they feel like they glide over the paint.
                            Nick
                            Tucker's Detailing Services
                            815-954-0773
                            2012 Ford Transit Connect

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Improving dealer washes

                              Originally posted by Tuck91 View Post
                              Why do your co-workers not like wash mitts?

                              I would take a microfiber wash mitt or a lambswool wash mitt over a brush anyday of the week, I wouldnt even use the Boars Hair Brush.

                              Maybe pick up a few microfiber wash pads. I have a couple of Gold Class Microfiber Wash pads and they feel like they glide over the paint.
                              Lazy!

                              It is pretty easy to wash with a brush, you don't get wet and you don't have to bend down as much....not that I'd use one.


                              Shane, I'd see if they'd spring for one of the boars hair brushes then. You still have to make sure they are caring for it properly though.
                              Rasky's Auto Detailing

                              Comment

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