Dealer Prep?

[BlueZero]

I ordered a new truck last week and had a question on dealer prep. I told them when it comes in not to touch the paint, however they said there is "packaging" that needs to be removed. I'm not sure what that is and if it's something I should let them do or something I can even do myself. From the dealer to my house is a bit of a drive so is it something that needs to come off before I drive that far?

Thanks much!

Oh it's a 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Sport 4x4 in white. I agonized over black or white for a long time but decided to go with the white since there was so much paint to take care of. lol

[Murr1525]

Re: Dealer Prep?

Usually some cling wrap, or cling paper on hoods, etc. Similar plastic wrap on interior.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Dealer Prep?

Ask them to remove the "packaging" but nothing else. You want that off before you leave the lot so you can inspect the paint thoroughly in their presence. If you leave it on and take it off yourself when you get the truck home, and later find any sort of damage, it can be very difficult if not impossible to prove the issue existed before you started working on the paint.

[tguil]

Re: Dealer Prep?

Yep, to what Mike said.

I always ask to be called as soon as my new vehicle is delivered. I let the prep shop wash it and once I actually watched them. Most trucks are pretty grungy when they come off the carrier. You can't tell much about the paint until it is washed. Insist on a hand wash with no brushes!!!!!!

Vehicles tend to be in better shape when delivered than the were in the "good old days". I didn't have a U.S. built vehicle delivered that didn't need body/paint work until I took delivery of my 1998 black Ford Expedition. (37 years of messed up vehicles.) My 2003 black Dodge Ram was pretty rough when it was delivered with some major scratches that had to be buffed out. I almost refused delivery, but the tech at the dealership did a great job of making it OK. My white 2007 Ram was in very good shape when it was delivered.

I am expecting a 2012 white Ram Big Horn any day now. I have left written directions with both my sales person and the general manager of what I want done when my truck arrives. They all know that I an a bit anal and we all laugh about it. If you have a good relationship with the folks at the dealership you will be OK.

I drove black cars and trucks for over thirty years. My 2007 was my first white truck. I finally got smart.

I think you will enjoy your Ram a while bunch. Those Hemi's run like striped a-- apes.

One more thing...all new vehicles have some orange peel. Thank goodness it doesn't show up all that much on white.

Tom

[Tuck91]

Re: Dealer Prep?

Some dealerships are worse than others.

I just bought a 2012 Ford Transit and the dealership washed it and did not leave any marring behind.

Some dealerships do have an awareness level and are careful, while others are a lot worse.

[tguil]

Re: Dealer Prep?

This is the note I e-mailed to my salesman with a copy to the general manager of the dealership. I talked to the salesman a couple days after sending the note. He told me that all of the parties involved in prepping my truck have a copy of my note. By the way, a lot of my interaction with the dealership was done by e-mail, but I believe that face-to-face contact with the folks at the dealership is a must.

Good morning, Seth.

I received notice this morning that my 2012 Ram is ready for delivery. (I know that it might take two weeks to get here.)

I have several requests. Time to "earn your money". Just ask Jon (general manager) about dealing with me.

1. Please call me as soon as the truck is unloaded and before it goes to the prep department. Home phone: ------------ Cell phone: ------------. I'd like to come in and check it over.
2. I request that the truck be hand-washed when it is prepped...no automatic carwash. Please no "dressing" on the tires or anywhere else. I live on a very dusty road and it makes a real mess.
3. Please no dealer sticker. I'll be glad to tell folks where I got the truck.
4. Before I pick up the truck, I'd like to have both the Mopar/ OEM Ram Under-Rail Bedliner and the Ram Molded Mud Guards installed.

I'll probably stop in sometime in the next couple of days to go over this with you.

Thanks for taking care of my above requests.

Tom

Like I said earlier, they know I am a bit "anal"...been that way for almost 70 years. No reason to change now.

Tom

[wifpd4]

Re: Dealer Prep?

...

Like I said earlier, they know I am a bit "anal"...been that way for almost 70 years. No reason to change now.

Tom

Like a fine wine doesn't "anal" improve with age? Oh, maybe that is wisdom. After 5,000 miles, I still have the plastic wrap on the aluminum door sills. Telling people to take off their shoes before getting in, that might be anal.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Dealer Prep?

I'd even be skeptical about them hand washing. You know nothing about their process or materials used. One dirty wash mitt, inferior towels, brush, etc. can instill some marring. You KNOW they do not use the two bucket method! Just my opinion....I would wash it myself!

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Dealer Prep?

Just another note....I was getting my truck serviced at the dealer once and I always asked them to not wash it. Tech writer said "oh, we always hand wash". NO THANKS! I happened to be outside walking around the lot and happened to see the lot guys "hand washing" a brand new dark blue F-150. They used brushes on the entire vehicle.....I just shook my head........

[tguil]

Re: Dealer Prep?

SVT Lightning,

Your signature says it all. Time to go "white"...the second best color. I changed colors at age 65. It took a while to "wise-up". Micro-marring? I don't see no stinkin' micro-marring...most of the time.



Tom

[Tuck91]

Re: Dealer Prep?

I would never even want to have a black show car, much less a daily driver.

[BlueZero]

Re: Dealer Prep?

Wow thanks for all the replies!

I was picturing big foam blocks on each end of the truck like when you buy a new dvd player or something. Haha

Tom how long was your truck on order? They told me it takes about 6 weeks to get from the time you order it. They couldn't find one with the options I wanted in the state mostly because of the Rambox. Oh and I expect to see some photos of yours when you get it.

I was on my way to buy an F150 when I got the Ram. Figured I would at least test drive a Ram so I knew I made the right choice. Well after the test drive I was sold! Went to the Ford dealer and drove the F150 again and to me it was a clear choice. I'm even a bit of a Ford fan and never really liked Dodge. lol I figure if I get a fun car some day it can be black but this black daily driver stuff takes up too much time.

[tguil]

Re: Dealer Prep?

Scott,

I placed the order for my truck late in the afternoon on Friday, January 13. ( I was feeling lucky.) I received information from the Dodge VOTS website ( https://www.ramtrucks.com/vots/ )that it was ready for shipment early in the morning on February 1. I sort of expect it next week. Here's a Ram thread that has comments on order times. In general, it's a pretty good Ram Forum. http://www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=102395 Most of the Ram owners have very positive comments about their new Rams. I too considered an F-150 but after having two Hemi's I just couldn't go with a 5.0 V-8 or a turbo-charged 6. Also I get a lot more for the $$$ with the Ram and a longer powertrain warranty. Besides that the fit and finish on the new Rams is at least as good if not better than on the F-150's and I looked "real close".

This is kind of interesting too. Information on the Ram Assembly plant in Warren, Michigan. http://www.allpar.com/corporate/fact...ren-truck.html

Tom

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Dealer Prep?

SVT Lightning,

Your signature says it all. Time to go "white"...the second best color. I changed colors at age 65. It took a while to "wise-up". Micro-marring? I don't see no stinkin' micro-marring...most of the time.



Tom

I think if I ever go "white"....I'll go "silver". I don't see any micro-marring either.....as long as I'm at least 10 feet away and not looking at a full-on sun shot!