Dealer Scratched my FINISH!!!

dugrade · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 12:13 AM

I purchase my 08' Tundra about 2 weeks ago and when the dealership took off the plastic and stuff, they left a sticky clear residue on the painted step rails. I took it by there on the 22nd of January to have them remove it. They washed the entire truck and tried getting the "sticky stuff" off. After an hour and 1/2 of waiting they pulled it around front. Not only did they scratch the step rail there were also swirl marks and long streaks all in the finish. The manager came out and said "The swirl marks are part of the paint. Go look at any of the black vehicles." So I siad what about all the long streaks????? Once he figured out that I was not stupid, he said " O.K. we will pull it around back and put some wax finish that will take care of the scratches." "Hell no" I said and told him I will call him. I'm really pissed. What should I do??????

Djackman777 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 12:18 AM

If the scratch isnt on the paint itself, it could be buffed out. I'd make the dealer to hire a professional detailer to remove the scratches and swirls. I think it could be done.

Jumbo Jet · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 07:57 AM

They could wax it until they are blue in the face and the swirls wont come out. They damaged your paint with improper washing techniques like they do with every car they touch. Youre going to have to have the imperfections polished out by a professional detailer, at their expense. If you find a good detailer this should be a pretty common job for them. This is a brand new truck and swirls are not part of any new trucks paint. If he told you that then they need to hire a new company to wash the trucks on their lot.

For future visits to the dealer you can request a "do not wash" tag be placed in the truck and also noted on the service sheet. Its always best to NEVER let any dealer wash your cars or trucks, even upon delivery of it new. I really hope this gets taken care of for you.

blackgts2002 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 08:24 AM

Problem - you went to the dealer.

TundraBay · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 08:34 AM

Similar problem with black truck (a Dodge, in my case)

After getting totally pissed off, and not getting any results, decided to
1: never buy from that dealer again = check
2: take the truck hunting in the bush, and get scratches and scrapes from all the branches and bush, and then I couldn't see the dealer muckups any more.

You can polish and buff, but with black it looks great when clean and polished but you still see every imperfection.

mxsjw · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 08:45 AM

Personally, I would have let the guy take it out back and fix it.
If he f'ed it up even more, you may have gotten a whole paint job out of it, but I suppose it would have just been fixed.
Now, you will likely need to contact the dealership's customer relations manager since you won't get anywhere with the service manager.
Convince them to let you take it to a local Auto Detailing place, have the swirls fixed, and let them pay you back.

Badfish · #7 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 09:27 AM

A tree scratched my paint so I cut it down. F'n tree.

jacksprat · #8 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 10:45 AM

i NEVER let the dealer give me that courtesy wash. It really isnt a courtesy by washing my car with dirty sponges and then drying them with dirty towels.

swank501 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 12:57 PM

You should ask them to polish it out, not just cover it up with a filler wax. Those waxes are designed to fill the voids, not remove them. THe first time you wash the truck, alot of the swilrls will come back. By that time the dealer will just tell you that it must have happened after you left since you accepted the finish after they covered it up.

One way you could check them on this is to :
-watch them actually do it
-buy all new washing materials(mitt, drying cloths etc...) and wash it when you get home. If the swirls come back, take it right back to the dealer and if he gives you any crap about dirty sponges/cloths, show hime the receipt for the new stuff then ask to speak with his manager

TUNDRA786 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badfish

A tree scratched my paint so I cut it down. F'n tree.

Thats the way to do it.

zzzpro · #11 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 01:50 PM

My dealer now gives vouchers to several local car washes. They do no in house washes anymore. Much better idea.

mattdaddy · #12 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 06:11 PM

Took my truck with 145 miles back to dealer to put bedliner in so I wouldn't scratch it up trying to do it myself. Wouldn't you know I just paid $40 for them to drag it along side the passenger rear. They scratched it to bare metal. Luckily I inspected truck before giving it to them and reispected before leaving. Service manager promissed it woul be like new and I told him if it will why not save me the aggrevation and give me another truck. You all know his reply. Time will tell if they did a good job. This sucks.

dugrade · #13 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks guys for the support.
I took it to them today and they kept it for 5 hours and then I picked it up. It was dark outside so I told them "I'll call you in the morning." They told me if they could not get them out they would let me take it to a detail shop of my choice and they would pay for it. I'm also, for the aggrivation of it all, haveing them get me some parts at cost. They were kind enough to let me have a rental car for the day. I'll keep you all posted tomorrow night.

Jumbo Jet · #14 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugrade

Thanks guys for the support.
I took it to them today and they kept it for 5 hours and then I picked it up. It was dark outside so I told them "I'll call you in the morning." They told me if they could not get them out they would let me take it to a detail shop of my choice and they would pay for it. I'm also, for the aggrivation of it all, haveing them get me some parts at cost. They were kind enough to let me have a rental car for the day. I'll keep you all posted tomorrow night.

Thats good news so far. Hope they got them all out.

93cruiser · #15 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugrade

Thanks guys for the support.
I took it to them today and they kept it for 5 hours and then I picked it up. It was dark outside so I told them "I'll call you in the morning." They told me if they could not get them out they would let me take it to a detail shop of my choice and they would pay for it. I'm also, for the aggrivation of it all, haveing them get me some parts at cost. They were kind enough to let me have a rental car for the day. I'll keep you all posted tomorrow night.

Sucks. Never have a dealer wash anything. Make them write it on the order-NO WASH. Put your own sign on the steering wheel and rear view mirror(no wash-yellow post its with tape holding-yes, i am anal).
One time I the guy wouldnt write it, he said he would later. Not. Made him do it then, and he scribbled it very small. I asked him if anyone could read that besides him. He wrote it again, at the very bottom, still small. I just looked at him and said what happens when someone misses that, washes my truck, and scratches it? I could see he was getting pissed, and he then wrote across the whole entire sheet, in huge capitals, NO WASH.
I said well thats a bit much, but good effort, I'm sure you will get it soon enough. I then informed him I would now be waiting, and watching, instead of leaving it.
You think they would be happy not having to wash it, but it usually causes problems and they look at you like you just sprouted a third eye when you refuse a free wash.