This really is a problem the dealerships need to deal with. I'm sure a great many owners don't even care or notice swirl marks and appreciate the service but the enthusiasts on the other hand are going to be pissed with the untrained staff they have doing the wash damaging their clear coat. They were just about to start a wash on mine when the service manager caught them. I got a satisfaction call after my last service and I gave this feedback, they need to ask the customer in advance and have a place to document it on the work order to ensure it doesn't accidently happen.

 

I had the same problem when I first got my OB G37, dealer left fine scratches and swirl marks all over my G. I was outraged and after voicing my displeasure the dealer was going to "buff out" the scratches. I was worried they would make it worse, and after talking with George at Detailed Image I decided to buy a PC and some Polish and tackle this problem myself. I'd never detailed before and was really intimidated at first, but after reading the info on his site and talking with him through PM's etc. I felt like a pro and was ready to tackle detailing my car myself.

I am not happy that the dealer did what they did, but it was almost a blessing in disguise so to speak, because I probably never would have bothered to learn and study up on this stuff otherwise. Check out the pics in my thread I posted last month after my detail. BTW, when my car goes in for service I have a full size piece of paper hanging from my mirror that states "Please don't wash this car."



https://www.myg37.com/forums/picture-share-g-coupe/177116-my-ob-g37-after-wash-clay-bar-polish-with-pc-sealant-wax.html

 

I am doing the same thing you are. I got a PC from George on it's way right now, along with a bunch of other gear. I'm just angry that this could happen. The swirls are not deep at all, but they are so many, when the sun hits it, it looks like a haze. It's really frustrating, because as others have said, many people might not notice this is happening. They need to take responsibility for this and take care when washing cars. Train these kids for God's sake!

I live in Minnesota, so I really have to wait till the first 60 degree weekend to come around to fix this. I have also never detailed before, but after reading a lot of info from George and his site, I feel pretty confident I can do it.


Steve, any extra advice on using the PC from your first experiance. I see you went back over them again. I also got the PO106ff polish. What pad did you use? I got a white one, which I've heard works well with the PO106ff. I have read that you should move the PC an 1" a second and use medium light pressure once you get the product down. What did you find worked best?

Oh, and looks incredible! I wish I had weather like that right now!

 

We should get a Twin cities G37/G35/Z meet thread started.. theres a couple of us here.

 

I used the orange pad, as for having to go back over this was because I didn't go slow enough the first time, I probably moved the PC at 2 to 3 inches per second. My second time I slowed down to approx. 1" per second and it made all the difference in the world, I also applied more pressure.

 

I've had a dealer wash my car even though they were told not to before the service (not with my G but my previous car). So now with my G, just to make sure, I not only tell them before service, but I tape a note on the driver's window that says "Do NOT wash this car!" Seems like overkill, but it works.