Heads up...new car purchasers, paint related
 

So I was just browsing the local Honda lot checking out the new Accords. They had a nice shiny black EX-L in the showroom complete with a giant ribbon on it.

Looking at the hood I noticed dozens of long scratches over much of it. Not the faint or light kind you would see from a car wash, these were pretty deep...and numerous!

On several occasions on this forum I have read people talking about insisting the dealer present the new car to them filthy to avoid this. Until tonight I wasn't so much a believer in this, now I am.

Just got my FRS last weekend. It had gone through the dealer prep. I've managed, between foul weather bursts, to clay bar it and waxed. I noticed some swirls and minor scratches on the deck lid but the rest looks pretty good.

Can't wait till spring. I'm actually looking forward to some paint detailing. I actually enjoy doing it. Nothing some minor buffing won't fix right up. Looking into the opti coat process and may do it.

I let the dealer prep mine, drill my bumper, and I haven't washed it in a month now lol

For the future I will always tell the dealer not to wash mine. They washed my FR-S before I came to pick it up and left swirls in the paint. Luckily everything has came off with wax. But, never the less I could've shot the genious that thought to put a brush to a damn sports car.

the dealerships often use glazes or waxes w/glazes to hide the marring. It may look good at first, but in time it will all run off the paint and you will be pissed!

NEVER EVER LET ANYONE GIVE YOU A FREE WASH, PUT A LARGE NOTE ON THE INSIDE WINDSCREEN "IF YOU WASH THIS CAR YOU WILL PAY TO HAVE IT DETAILED"

Cheers,
GREG

Amen!

what you described is exactly why new cars benefit from polishing and why its necessary to do so prior to something like Opti-Coat

dealer new car prep is just kind of a goof to me. Had a friend who used to do it for toyota. So I'm aware the type of talent prepping new vehicles. Let's just say I tell all my new car clients to ask the dealer do nothing except remove the plastic (if they insist on that)