Problem with APC...

[mckeand13]

Re: Problem with APC...

Did anyone test in an inconspicuous area first?

Even if he did try in an "inconspicuous area first" you can see that it didn't affect all of the fabric in the same way. His test spot may have revealed no problem, only to rear it's head once he moved to a different spot.

This looks like one situation where the test spot may not have revealed anything.

[mckeand13]

Re: Problem with APC...

How about this. The seat is trashed already. See if you can work with the customer and try spraying APC on the seat (full strength or mixed as you use it) again make it happen in other spots. You may prove/disprove that it was APC that did it.

How was the APC applied? The pictures show very defined edges, not like a feathered edge that a sprayer might make. I guess if you were using a high volume or regular sprayer on stream it might do that.

I'm by no means an expert, but I can't see how APC would do anything like that. It really isn't harsh at all.

Keep us informed. Unfortunately, all fingers are pointed at you right now and it may be the fact that you somehow revealed a previous problem. Whether or not APC caused the problem, it's up to you to fix it.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Problem with APC...

Looking at the marks inside the effect area, looks like something might have happened to the seat before you got to it.

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Problem with APC...

My guess would be that something else spilled or was used on the seat prior, notice the running look of the stain. Looks like it soaked in and worked its way down. Then when you hit it with APC there was some type of reaction that caused this. The other thing in mind would be if the area was previously worked on using a stain. The Interior specialist i talked to earlier said that he uses a type of stain to take out different stains from carpets and seats and he has different colors to match the makes and models or cars interiors. He usually works at dealerships because this is not always a permanent fix but the dealer likes the cars to look like new. I have never done this or had this problem but maybe you ran into it and pulled it out of the seat with the APC. I know its unlikely but just trying to think outside the box. Other than that ive got nothing

I was thinking more about this and I agree that from the pattern it looks like something was spilled/dumped on the seat prior and that it stained the fabric. Then it was possibly dyed or stained to match the color and the apc removed the applied dye/fabric stain leaving the original damage visible once again.

Looking at the marks inside the effect area, looks like something might have happened to the seat before you got to it.

I agree that the markings show some kind of damage done to the seat fabric prior to your guy working on the seat. Is the owner of the vehicle the only owner of the car or did they get it used? If so then the fabric dye may have been done by the last owner to cover up some kind of damage. If not I would still ask the owner if they had spilled anything on the seat and Had it worker on before your company detailed it. Just some ideas.

Andrew

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Problem with APC...

We'll send the link to this thread to Jason and Mike, maybe they'll have some insight or experience to draw from.

[roushstage2]

Re: Problem with APC...

I agree with previous damage. How was the APC applied? I wouldn't think it was just dumped on there like that...

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Problem with APC...

It had to be previous damage. I just can't believe apc would do this on its own. Sorry it happened to you Nick.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Problem with APC...

Thanks guys. This really stinks.

The APC was mixed 10:1, then applied with a spray bottle. The spray bottle trigger was set for a fine mist. Then a brush was used to agitate. Finally the extractor to rinse everything out.

I really don't know what to do here. The owner is very nice, and being very patient about the whole situation. I'm going to go over there and discuss it a little more in person. So far, everything has been discussed over the phone.

Nick

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Problem with APC...

Thanks guys. This really stinks.

The APC was mixed 10:1, then applied with a spray bottle. The spray bottle trigger was set for a fine mist. Then a brush was used to agitate. Finally the extractor to rinse everything out.

I really don't know what to do here. The owner is very nice, and being very patient about the whole situation. I'm going to go over there and discuss it a little more in person. So far, everything has been discussed over the phone.

Nick

Have you considered dyeing it?

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Problem with APC...

Have you considered dyeing it?

Yes. I plan to speak with someone today that does this sort of thing. But first I wanted to try and get some answers as to why this happened. If I have it dyed, is it going to come back again when the car is cleaned the next time?
And, is this my responsibility in the first place? I know all of the blame is going to fall on us, because we were the last to touch it. But if this was previous damage, are we still responsible? What happens if I have someone dye it, and it happens again? Am I responsible for this from here on out?

Nick

[3Fitty]

Re: Problem with APC...

And, is this my responsibility in the first place? I know all of the blame is going to fall on us, because we were the last to touch it. But if this was previous damage, are we still responsible? What happens if I have someone dye it, and it happens again? Am I responsible for this from here on out?

Nick

Nick,

I'm going to give you my "legal" opinion (as that is what I do during the time I'm not detailing my cars).

I think you will definitely be holding the ball in this situation. While I think Derrick offers probably the most plausable reason for why this happened, I doubt you could prove there was prior damage (unless you found some service records for the car indicating this type of work was done). It might be that the owner of the vehicle didn't even know this was done.

Suppose they bought the car used and the "cover up" job was done by the prior owner.

The last thing you might be thinking about is whether or not Meg's is responsible. Again, I would say no on account of a few things:

1. Meg's gives a disclaimer on "spot checking". Sure you could argue you tested a small spot, but the question is of reasonableness. Meg's position would be deemed reasonable.

2. I don't think you can show that APC is the proximate cause of the damage because if it were, it would have damaged the ENTIRE seat.

So, although it might not be what you want to hear, I think this is going to be your baby. Sorry.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Problem with APC...

Sent the link to this thread to Mike Pennington and Jason Rose, these two guys have a lot of experience between them and also asked them to forward the e-mail to anyone they think may have some insight into a staining issue like this. So it's still early in the morning here on the west coast so let's give them a chance to get into the office, check their e-mail and then maybe they'll have some insight to offer on this issue.

We know it's hard but hang tight...

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Problem with APC...

Nick,

I'm going to give you my "legal" opinion (as that is what I do during the time I'm not detailing my cars).

I think you will definitely be holding the ball in this situation. While I think Derrick offers probably the most plausable reason for why this happened, I doubt you could prove there was prior damage (unless you found some service records for the car indicating this type of work was done). It might be that the owner of the vehicle didn't even know this was done.

Suppose they bought the car used and the "cover up" job was done by the prior owner.

The last thing you might be thinking about is whether or not Meg's is responsible. Again, I would say no on account of a few things:

1. Meg's gives a disclaimer on "spot checking". Sure you could argue you tested a small spot, but the question is of reasonableness. Meg's position would be deemed reasonable.

2. I don't think you can show that APC is the proximate cause of the damage because if it were, it would have damaged the ENTIRE seat.

So, although it might not be what you want to hear, I think this is going to be your baby. Sorry.

Lets hold up right here......WHOA!!!

1st, no where did I say that Meguiar's is responsible for anything. Those words never came out of my mouth(or my keyboard ). I think Mike Phillips and Mike Pennington both know me well enough to know that I don't plan to travel down that road.

2nd, this thread was only to get answers. Maybe someone has ran across this before? Maybe Megs has ran across this before? Maybe someone can give me some insight as to why this happened, and prevent it from happening again(maybe to you?).

3rd, I know this is "my baby", and in the end, I am solely responsible to fix this. Never once have I tried to get out of anything. I'm in the "investigative" portion of this problem right now, as this just happened yesterday. The reason for this post is to try and get some insight about "MY" problem

I know you didn't mean your post in a aggressive manner, but we all know how you lawyers are I just wanted to put my foot down on any accusations that I am pursuing Meguiar's to "fix" this problem.

Nick

[Mindflux]

Re: Problem with APC...

oops. nevermind.

[EAT HEMI]

Re: Problem with APC...

Lets hold up right here......WHOA!!!

1st, no where did I say that Meguiar's is responsible for anything. Those words never came out of my mouth(or my keyboard ). I think Mike Phillips and Mike Pennington both know me well enough to know that I don't plan to travel down that road.

2nd, this thread was only to get answers. Maybe someone has ran across this before? Maybe Megs has ran across this before? Maybe someone can give me some insight as to why this happened, and prevent it from happening again(maybe to you?).

3rd, I know this is "my baby", and in the end, I am solely responsible to fix this. Never once have I tried to get out of anything. I'm in the "investigative" portion of this problem right now, as this just happened yesterday. The reason for this post is to try and get some insight about "MY" problem

I know you didn't mean your post in a aggressive manner, but we all know how you lawyers are I just wanted to put my foot down on any accusations that I am pursuing Meguiar's to "fix" this problem.

Nick

For what it's worth, I didn't read it like your were going after Megs.

I am glad to see that you are taking responsibility to find the answer - regardless what happened. That is good customer service. If I was your customer, I'd appreciate that at least you were digging deep to help me out.

Sounds like you have a reasonable customer - good thing too. I know some people that would probably bring an attorney after something like that.