Dealership washed my Telly, left swirl mark scratches all over

You would think a dealership would know how to wash a car… had my Telly for a year and had only one guy wash it (a pro). Not a single scratch on the clear coat. It still had “show room ready” paint as he put it. Went to pick up the Telly after they fixed the recalls, they said they washed it for “free”. Every surface was covered in swirl mark scratches in the clear coat. They did a shitty wash and then dried the car while rubbing the remaining grit right into the clear coat. I was pissed. They said I can bring it back tomorrow and they will fix it. But how can I trust them after that?

Anyone have experience removing swirl marks or having a dealership fuck their shit up?

Edit: at the dealership now, the service manager came to look at it. Claimed “this didn’t happen here, we wash cars right.” And all the service members acted like they didn’t know what I was talking about. Kept shrugging their shoulders like they couldn’t see it. But he still said they will do a buff as a “courtesy.” He’s a piece of shit. So we’ll see how it turns out.

in KiaTellurideby the_cool_guy_club

75%

12d

gregorian79

12d

I’m sorry this happened to you. I feel your pain. There’s no way I would take the car back to them. They would butcher it even more.

I have a sign that says please don’t wash/detail that I hang down from rear view mirror. I also place a post it that says the same right on the middle of the steering wheel. Also tell the guy who’s checking you in absolutely no washes. Those three have been serving me well. I haven’t gotten an unwanted wash yet.

mvcap

12d

I detail mine every time before taking it in so first they see it needs no wash.

But I also take the same approach with signs and service rep. With a ceramic coating he understands we will have a problem if they wash it. I'm nice about it though and even laugh at myself in mock embarrassment to help get the point across, and makes sure it stays untouched.

gregorian79

12d

I do the exact same thing. Straight up tell him I suffer from OCDs 😄

DontLitterOK

12d

Take it back to your guy who usually washes and have the dealer pay. Try that angle. I wouldn’t trust the dealership in correctly fixing the problem. They will only add some fillers and relevel the swirls and it’ll look fine for a couple washes then the swirls will show up again.

Complex-Raspberry662

12d

Your car washing guy can get the swirl marks out with a machine polish and wax. That’s assuming, in addition to washing cars, he also does detailing. I’m in your boat with not trusting the dealer to fix this.

another7

12d

We had this from my local Kia and they ended up paying for my detailer to get the swirl marks out. Anytime it’s in for service I tell them not to wash it. Pretty sad when the dealers can’t wash a car properly!

the_cool_guy_club

12d

He does say he can do it. But it will be time consuming and (I’m guessing) expensive. Sucks

HaubFather

12d

If you wanna try and save the $, I wouldn’t think the dealer would make it worst, and if they did make it worse you can document everything now and give them a chance. They make it worst you have more of a case to try and get them to pay for your pro to fix it.

Sucky either way.

If you have the money, I would just pay your pro to fix it, know it will be done right and leave them a note to not wash your car every time you drop off for oil change.

GL!

stylusxyz

12d

I learned a long time ago, from this sub, to NEVER let the dealership wash my Telluride. It is always the first thing out of my mouth when dropping my car off for service: Don't wash it. I do that myself.

I suggest you have them use a professional detailer, or if they have a body shop, have them do it. Did you have a ceramic coat? The swirling might have totally f**ked that up and may need to be reapplied. Sorry this happened to you. After it is fixed....you know what to do. Please let us know how it turns out?

the_cool_guy_club

12d

No ceramic coat. I will for sure keep you posted

Hutch1814

12d

I feel you pain. My last car was brand new, first time I took it in for service it came back washed. It was gravity grey and showed a nice swirl/scratch down the back door. Dealership just said sorry and they won’t wash it anymore. Like how do they manage to do some of the dumbest stuff

H3llm0nt

12d

Sorry you learned this the hard way. I’ll share some advice I received on the telluride forum - toss a sheet of paper on the dash with “do not wash” written on it. Keep it in your glove box for future visits.

juscurious21

12d

Dealership should cover the bill for the detail to do paint correction and get out the swirls. I do it for my own vehicles and it’s time consuming. Last full size truck I did took 8 hours.

Baconzjews11

12d

Most dealerships either have an in-house car wash or the detail department is using a brush that has washed every car under the sun that comes on without being rinsed out.

Like others have said you'll have to make it clear to not wash and what I've been doing is letting them know I just ceramic coated it and to not wash it.

bondovwvw

11d

Dealers usually have porters that are low paid workers to wash the car. Most of them don't know what they're doing or how to wash a car.

Dealers will also have actual detailers that know how to use the buffer and do things correctly. They're slightly higher paid and usually only touch cars that are being sold. They have nothing to do with the in and out quick wash jobs.

If the dealer is giving it to the actual guys with the polisher you're probably be okay. Make sure you have pictures of everything in case they mess it up.