What Would You Do?

bow07 · March 17, 2009

Ok so it is finally warm enough to get out and wash the truck (07 Sierra) by hand today, but it was a dissapointing day. I had the truck at the dealer multiple times and had alot of problems with the dealer. One time I dropped it off my truck was really dirty due to all the salt and grime on the roads around here in PA. I specifically wrote on the drop off slip DO NOT WASH because the car wash they have uses brushes (and I don't let my truck in those). When I went and picked it up, guess what...yep, they washed it. It looked like there was a few surface scratches in one spot at the time but I didnt think much of it (thought it could be waxed out).

So, today as I was washing the truck I started noticing that it was more than just a light scratch or two. All corners (i.e. fender lip, bed lip, ect.) of the truck look like this and there are a ton of scratches down the side. I tried wax on a little spot but it doesn't help.

So the question is, what would you do about this? It has been about 3-4 weeks since it was at the dealer and I'm sure they don't keep the drop off slips you put your keys in with my directions. Needless to say I am pissed. I take great pride in having a nice scratch and dent free truck and now I am looking at this. Help

BuckFeverZ · March 17, 2009

I don't blame you for being pissed, but I doubt that they will do anything. They will try to say their equipment didn't cause the damage. Would be kind of hard for you to actually prove it did since so much time has passed.

It's worth a shot going down there, but I wouldn't expect much.

DofD · March 17, 2009

Man that totally bites. It certainly looks like scratches from car wash brushes.

You could try going back to them and complaining. They probably won't do anything though.

The scratches may not wax out, put they might be able to be polished out.

bow07 · March 17, 2009

I am going to the dealer tomorrow, but like it said it is not just this one spot that looks like this. It is the WHOLE truck. It wouldn't be bad, but this dealer is horrible. They broke my grill and didnt tell me about it (I made them replace it though), and they couldnt find the problem. I ended up fixing it myself. Totally useless.

Stevens03 · March 17, 2009

There not going to do anything, why waste your time and aggravation knowing thats whats going to happen. Buy a porter cable and fix it, and STAY the hell out of the dealership.

Your just gonna leave mad with nothing accomplished.

Steven

c4cruiser · March 17, 2009

I would go back and ask for both the Service Manager and the General Manager. Show them the damage and let them know what you specified on the drop off slip. If you have a receipt of the work done, bring that so they know what repair order number to look at in their computer. Hopefully one of the service writers entered your 'do not wash request' on the service order.

If they give you a bunch of BS or don't offer to help you out at all, ask for the phone number of the GM Region Office and tell them you are going contact them and ask for a resolution thrum that office. If they give you any c**p, tell them you will be calling the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint. The fact that you said you had problems with the dealer before may be something that the GM Region Office might want to hear.

If you bring enough pressure to bear, you may get some help. Be direct and firm in what you want but don't go in with a chip on your shoulder.

The level of work they do to fix the scratches may not be to your liking. The pic shows that you could try a polishing compound to remove the scratches. But the chances are that too much polishing may thin the clear coat too much. If compound doesn't work, the scratches may have to be sanded and another coat of clear shot over the finish.

Outbacker · March 17, 2009

I would go back and ask for both the Service Manager and the General Manager. Show them the damage and let them know what you specified on the drop off slip. If you have a receipt of the work done, bring that so they know what repair order number to look at in their computer. Hopefully one of the service writers entered your 'do not wash request' on the service order.

If they give you a bunch of BS or don't offer to help you out at all, ask for the phone number of the GM Region Office and tell them you are going contact them and ask for a resolution thrum that office. If they give you any c**p, tell them you will be calling the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint. The fact that you said you had problems with the dealer before may be something that the GM Region Office might want to hear.

If you bring enough pressure to bear, you may get some help. Be direct and firm in what you want but don't go in with a chip on your shoulder.

The level of work they do to fix the scratches may not be to your liking. The pic shows that you could try a polishing compound to remove the scratches. But the chances are that too much polishing may thin the clear coat too much. If compound doesn't work, the scratches may have to be sanded and another coat of clear shot over the finish.

+1.

MarkD · March 17, 2009

Best case scenario, what would you expect them to do?

bow07 · March 17, 2009

Best case scenario, what would you expect them to do?

Get it looking like it did before, with NO scratches.

ZZ327 · March 18, 2009

That looks like its past a little scratches, Ive never seen a brush car wash scratch paint like that, definitly make them buff those scratches out!

Zembonez · March 18, 2009

The only positive thing here is that those scratches look to be just surface scratches in the clear coat. Light polishing and machine buffing should make it as good as new... if not even shinier than new! Hard part is deciding if you want the dealer to do it. It's your expensive truck but if it were mine, I would probably do it myself after raising holy hell with the service manager and negotiating some free service work in the future.

WHO KNOWS if they have a guy competent enough to buff the truck? I don't think I'd give them the chance.

EDIT: Oh, and your neighbor across the street has a maroon car. Pretty good reflection there!

rvsahs · March 18, 2009

The only positive thing here is that those scratches look to be just surface scratches in the clear coat. Light polishing and machine buffing should make it as good as new... if not even shinier than new! Hard part is deciding if you want the dealer to do it. It's your expensive truck but if it were mine, I would probably do it myself after raising holy hell with the service manager and negotiating some free service work in the future.

WHO KNOWS if they have a guy competent enough to buff the truck? I don't think I'd give them the chance.

EDIT: Oh, and your neighbor across the street has a maroon car. Pretty good reflection there!

!!

bow07 · March 18, 2009

Yeah, it looks like they are mostly surface scratches. There are a few I can slightly feel with my fingernails. Oh and there is no way I am letting this dealer touch my truck again. I will drive 45 miles to the next nearest dealer for any future visits.

I think I will try polishing it myself in a little spot. If it is too much of a pain I think I will talk with the dealer to pay for a professional polish by a third party. It is very noticeable on every edge of the metal. This is why I hate letting other people do stuff to my vehicles.

tallspawn · March 18, 2009

Exactly why I hate brush car washes! Looks like they need some serious adjustment!

I agree about raising h**l at the dealership, the bad thing is you may not be happy with the "fix". I had one of my previous trucks in for service and it came out with a creased dent in the door and a scratch down to the metal on the front fender. I fought and finally got them to fix the dent and they had to repaint the front fender all the way back to end of the cab. The bad part is they outsourced the paint and body work and it SUCKED! I went to pick it up and it had what looked like a dirt clod stuck under the paint and the dreaded 3d look from a really bad buffing job. Took it back one or two more times without satisfaction, the guy doing the work told me I couldn't take it with me when I died so I shouldn't be so concerned about what it looked like. The most ridiculous thing I have heard in my life! I finally traded it in because I couldn't stand looking at it any more. I feel your pain, I baby the heck out of my paint jobs and it's extremely frustrating to have someone disrespect your property that way!

Ok, I'll shut up now...Sorry for the

Bowtie2Sierra · March 18, 2009

Try some Mequiars ScratchX. It is a really good product for getting out scratches and swirl marks. My last truck was black and I had some surface scratches from the dealer on the front fender and the ScratchX did a great job on it. Follow that up with a paint cleanser, some polish, glaze, and wax and it will look better than new. Paying to have it done professionally is a good idea but it sounds like you take pride in your truck so I think you would get more satisfaction out of doing it yourself and see the fruits of your labor. Good luck.

PS I agree with the other guys...going back to that dealer isn't going to get you any satisfaction...only more frustration. Just write if off as a lesson learned and move on.