Dealer washed truck - Special dealer detail spray?

[Mossyoakglock]

The other day I had my truck at the dealer for some warranty work and they washed it for me. I was standing next to the bay watching him wash it talking to a friend of mine that works there and noticed that the guy hosed down the truck, then sprayed something all over the truck and then washed with soap (I think that’s the order he did it in). He might have washed it, then sprayed the stuff and then dried.

 

Is this some special dealer-only detailing spray or is it something you can get anywhere? I thought it might be some spray wax because the truck was shining like crazy and it was really smooth like it

had just been waxed.

 

I have a bottle of Meguire’s spray wax for quick wax jobs so could I just use this and spray it on a then dry? Is it safe to dry with a chamois when using spray was?

[BlackZ71Silverado]

They don't use anything special, usually whatever they can get cheapest. IMO it's not a good idea to allow the dealer people to wash your vehicle. You will ALWAYS get some dealer installed swirls letting them do that, they destroy the paint. Do yourself a favor and get some do not wash tags and hang on your rear view mirror if you like your paint job.

[slj2008]

Most dealership don't wash it for FREE. Do it your self and be happly when the job is done right.

[Mossyoakglock]

I guess my dealership is different. Every time it has been in there they have washed it for free. They even offered to wash my wife's car when she dropped me off to get my truck. The sales manager is a good friend of ours and I bought my truck there so maybe that's why.

 

Seeing that you have a black truck, I can understand where you are coming from. My truck is Graystone and does not show scratches or swirls marks easily at all. Even though I have them, they are hardly noticeable.

 

I know there are plenty of people on here that refuse to let the dealership wash their vehicles but I have personally watched the guy wash the truck ever y time it is in there and he does nothing different than when I wash it. I don’t think he even uses any sort of sponge or brush so there is nothing to even scratch the paint with. I’ve even checked the truck out after they wash it and notice nothing out of the ordinary. It is my personal opinion that you are always going to have swirl marks on a car no matter how careful you are in washing and taking care of your vehicle. I’ve got them on mine but you can’t see them unless you look at them at the perfect angle and even then you can barely notice them.

 

I clay and wax the truck a few times a year but there are still slight swirl marks. I don’t have the time to wash, clay, polish, wax, clear etc and I don’t have a polisher anyways. I have to do it all by hand plus I don’t have the time to spend a whole day on detailing my truck.

[oldscsc]

Some dealerships use a "showroom" spray..basically makes the truck look wet and makes the paint look nice and deep.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Just get Meguiar's Ultimate line if you want the best off the shelf stuff. They make a detailing spray you can find anywhere

[Morgan1986]

The time i took my truck to the dealership once they cleaned the inside and out side looking new. This was all under waranty work to when I had the truck back in 05 or 06. Some dealers are good and some are bad .

[rbiggers277]

The dealer I bought my 2008 from I would let wash any of my vehicles anytime. They were careful and never left any swirls. Then I moved to a new city and bought my 2011 from a different dealer. I wouldn't let this dealer touch an old beat up golf cart if I had one. I watched them wash a vehicle one time and it was terrible swirl wise. I had them unload my new 2011 off the truck and give it directly to me still dirty from transport. Some dealers are great about washing, some terrible. You never know until you see them do it.

 

 

[RyanbabZ71]

Adam's is GM officially licensed now

 

http://www.adamspolishes.com/c-61-officially-licensed-gm-car-care.aspx

[hzhardy]

Alot of the dealers in my area have a contract with Teph Seal. They use a hi PH product from Blue Coral supllied from eco-labs call 3618. This stuff is awsome and it just eat dirt and grime right off the car. It is ment to replace acid so it is aluminum safe. You can spray this on your brake dust covered wheels and it will look brand new with just a water hose. They will also coat your engine bay with this stuff before washing leaving it looking new again. More than likely this is what they used since it was prior to them washing it.

[hzhardy]

They don't use anything special, usually whatever they can get cheapest. IMO it's not a good idea to allow the dealer people to wash your vehicle. You will ALWAYS get some dealer installed swirls letting them do that, they destroy the paint. Do yourself a favor and get some do not wash tags and hang on your rear view mirror if you like your paint job.

 

 

this is due to attention to detail and lazyness in a high production shop. My close friend managed one of these for years and the big issue is the kids not changing the water out in the wash buckets. It does not mater how clean you shammy was if you stick in dirty contaminated water.

[Debo511]

We had some red spray wax at the dealer, smelled like cherries. Spray on after washing and then rinse off. Worked well, not sure who made it though.