Scratches on new car from dealer

The_B_Man · 25-02-2021 3:59pm #1

I got a new car (6 month old demo model, 202 reg) and in the sunshine today I noticed the car is full of small scratches. You can't notice them normally.

Front Panel
Driver Door
Rear door
Rear panel
Boot

Whats this caused by? Is this just part of the factory paint? Or did someone try wash it with a brillo pad?
And more importantly, since I couldn't go view the car in person (bought online) due to covid restrictions, am I on the hook to fix it?

Cheers

markc1184 · 25-02-2021 4:00pm

They are swirl marks caused by the incorrect technique and equipment being used by people washing the car.

colm_mcm · 25-02-2021 4:00pm

Is that car wash related I wonder?

PCros · 25-02-2021 4:04pm

The fact that it was a demo model probably means it was cleaned a few times a week and not correctly by the looks of it.

You'll probably have to bring back to the dealer on a sunny day like today too otherwise it may be impossible to see.

Fairly annoying - best case scenario a few quid back?

colm_mcm · 25-02-2021 4:07pm

Im sure they could correct the paint.
I know I’d rather that than some money back

PCros · 25-02-2021 4:09pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Im sure they could correct the paint.
I know I’d rather that than some money back

Would the whole car not need to be repainted?

punisher5112 · 25-02-2021 4:09pm

Water blades used to dry, car wash with a brush etc.... Brush wash will cause damage too of course.

That's very bad already.

punisher5112 · 25-02-2021 4:11pm

PCros wrote: »

Would the whole car not need to be repainted?

No but a pro detail job is badly needed.

The clear coat is damaged and a machine polish etc will remove the damaged layer.

25-02-2021 4:12pm

The_B_Man wrote: »

........... am I on the hook to fix it?

Cheers

Dealer might send of off to someone for some corrective work.

The_B_Man · 25-02-2021 4:16pm

So what needs to be done to fix it?
Is it just the clear coat on top thats scratched? Can that be taken off and reapplied?

I'm gonna get onto the dealer and see if they can get it fixed. They're the official dealer, not an independent so they should have the resources.

colm_mcm · 25-02-2021 4:39pm

Do a search for ‘paint correction’

mickdw · 25-02-2021 5:49pm

The_B_Man wrote: »

So what needs to be done to fix it?
Is it just the clear coat on top thats scratched? Can that be taken off and reapplied?

I'm gonna get onto the dealer and see if they can get it fixed. They're the official dealer, not an independent so they should have the resources.

The very surface of the top coat has tiny scratches. Its common but not nice on a pretty new car.
It doesnt need any painting at all. Its basically a process of using a machine polisher with different grades of paste that removes a micro layer of the top coat.
This, done professionally will have your paint better than when delivered new. The machine polishing will bring it to a deep flawless shine. This will then be protected with wax coat.
Its probably a few hundred to do properly.

User1998 · 25-02-2021 6:17pm

The_B_Man wrote: »

So what needs to be done to fix it?
Is it just the clear coat on top thats scratched? Can that be taken off and reapplied?

I'm gonna get onto the dealer and see if they can get it fixed. They're the official dealer, not an independent so they should have the resources.

It just needs a 3 stage polish. Nothing major

GustavoFring · 25-02-2021 6:44pm

It’s easily sorted but it’s not exactly cheap for a proper job.

Be weary of letting a dealer getting one of their own valetors at it though. There’s lots of good guys working in garages but the majority of the cleanings done as quickly and cheaply as possible. You need someone who is going to get it to a good standard.

colm_mcm · 25-02-2021 6:45pm

I’d imagine they put some sort of dressing on it that hid the scratches initially.

CoBo55 · 25-02-2021 6:46pm

Any decent car detailer can sort that out for you, won't be cheap for a proper job you're looking at 5-700 euro but it will crown the car. A top up of good quality wax twice a year afterwards will keep it perfect. I wouldn't expect much help from the dealer tbh, they might try and fob you off with a spit n polish from a valeter but it needs proper detailing.

ba_barabus · 25-02-2021 7:06pm

Looks up Taff's Valeting on Facebook. He specialises in paint correction like this and has a lot of similar cars through his hands. Be warned, it'll be expensive to sort but is well worth it.

Isambard · 25-02-2021 7:09pm

looks like it's been dry wiped

punisher5112 · 25-02-2021 7:12pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d imagine they put some sort of dressing on it that hid the scratches initially.

Autoglym was widely used in my time of seeing the likes of this. As soon as it rained it washed most off... Looked super 1st of course.

Op a paint correction is basically what's needed and then up to you whether you want to spend the extra on a sealant such as a wax or polish or best in many cases a ceramic coating, you would need to look after the car with washing using the 2 bucket method etc to keep it from swirling that bad which if washed right would take a long time.

I've seen yard brushes, big extended brushes intended for trucks, house facia etc... These will destroy the paint.

Id say get in contact with a few detailers near you and tell them the story and get estimate, have this when going back to the dealer and go from there to see what they will do for you.

Honestly it looks like a 4 or 5 year old car paint.

Toyotafanboi · 25-02-2021 7:16pm

The thing to point out though is that once the paint correction is carried out OP, you will need to avoid any type of public car wash whether automated, manual or attended and be very careful when you wash it yourself, using a careful technique with good quality mitts, a second rinse bucket and grit guard. Failure to do any of those things will have the car back to square one after one or two washes.

What colour was your last car?

frozenfrozen · 25-02-2021 7:25pm

have you washed it yet OP? It's bad but it's no worse than what one or two unsafe washes would do

Voodoomelon · 25-02-2021 9:33pm

It's a tough one, the fact you couldn't view the car makes it a touch more unacceptable the car was presented in such a condition, coupled with the fact that it's a nearly new car.
But on the other hand, 99 out of a 100 second hand cars have such damage to some extent and most dealers won't pay to have it corrected before sale unless its a high end/expensive vehicle.

As mentioned, it can be an expensive process. At the same time, you'll likely find a half valet/detailer that will correct 80-90% of the swirls for about €200. A pro job by a dedicated detailer with a full paint correction takes a lot of time and will set you back many times this amount.

Definitely worth approaching the dealer and asking them what can be done, worst case you could both surely meet in the middle on sharing the cost.

Cerco · 25-02-2021 11:49pm

The_B_Man wrote: »

I got a new car (6 month old demo model, 202 reg) and in the sunshine today I noticed the car is full of small scratches. You can't notice them normally.

Whats this caused by? Is this just part of the factory paint? Or did someone try wash it with a brillo pad?
And more importantly, since I couldn't go view the car in person (bought online) due to covid restrictions, am I on the hook to fix it?

Cheers

I would think you would have to deal with this yourself. Buying a demo model is effectively buying a second hand car. Same thing as finding stone chips etc.
The dealer might sort it for you as a goodwill gesture but unless you got some written guarantee as to the condition then I cannot see you having any grounds to force them to repair.
The on line purchase might give you a change of mind option depending on how long you have the car. Talk to the dealer and see what they offer.

TheRef · 26-02-2021 9:21am

While you could go back to the dealer and chance your arm, if I had to sort myself, I would just buy a half decent machine polisher and do it myself.
Half a day and €300 outlay for the polisher/polish. You'll have the machine to refresh the car after a couple of years and bring back the shine.

Very easy to do - just be careful you get the right polish for the type of paint.

Eoinbmw · 26-02-2021 9:36am

TheRef wrote: »

While you could go back to the dealer and chance your arm, if I had to sort myself, I would just buy a half decent machine polisher and do it myself.
Half a day and €300 outlay for the polisher/polish. You'll have the machine to refresh the car after a couple of years and bring back the shine.

Very easy to do - just be careful you get the right polish for the type of paint.

Thread lightly dont want to go and damage the paint to the point of it needing paint!

listermint · 26-02-2021 9:43am

It can be polished out to a very acceptable finish.

But I'd argue also you bought a demo model at demo model prices . It's a used car you cannot expect the paint to be in out of the factory condition.

They may have washed it and waxed protection in to cover up small scratches in paint which is common and also works .

screamer · 26-02-2021 9:52am

Being honest, there’s no way you should accept that. If you didn’t see the car before buying, the distance selling rules may apply and in which case there’s a cooling off period. I’d not accept a touch up job or polish jobbthats going to make the car harder to maintain, which will also reduce the value of the car when you go to sell it on. If it were me, I’d seriously look at returning the car and getting my money refunded.

colm_mcm · 26-02-2021 10:17am

listermint wrote: »

It can be polished out to a very acceptable finish.

But I'd argue also you bought a demo model at demo model prices . It's a used car you cannot expect the paint to be in out of the factory condition.

They may have washed it and waxed protection in to cover up small scratches in paint which is common and also works .

Demo models that are actually used for demonstrations are usually kept immaculately.
This one wasn’t, and it’s not an acceptable condition for a nearly new car.
My car (same make as OP) is 5 years old and doesn’t have that sort of scratching.

26-02-2021 10:23am

colm_mcm wrote: »

Demo models that are actually used for demonstrations are usually kept immaculately. .........

Aren't tthey usually attended to by the on-site valet service also, some of whom don't practise anything like a safe wash technique. Could have been washed weekly with a sponge.

Eoinbmw · 26-02-2021 10:34am

That think looks like it was washed with a bucket of rocks and a brillo pad!
Even a sponge wash weekly for the age of the car would hardly do that?

colm_mcm · 26-02-2021 10:37am

Augeo wrote: »

Aren't tthey usually attended to by the on-site valet service also, some of whom don't practise anything like a safe wash technique. Could have been washed weekly with a sponge.

I’ve only limited experience of this, but I’ve seen that standards will often vary within a garage depending on whether the car is a demo or a service car.

CoBo55 · 26-02-2021 10:40am

Eoinbmw wrote: »

That think looks like it was washed with a bucket of rocks and a brillo pad!
Even a sponge wash weekly for the age of the car would hardly do that?

Badly prepared in the first place and I think Skoda paint has gone very soft in the last few years, well in the case of my Superb anyway.

mickdw · 26-02-2021 10:55am

screamer wrote: »

Being honest, there’s no way you should accept that. If you didn’t see the car before buying, the distance selling rules may apply and in which case there’s a cooling off period. I’d not accept a touch up job or polish jobbthats going to make the car harder to maintain, which will also reduce the value of the car when you go to sell it on. If it were me, I’d seriously look at returning the car and getting my money refunded.

A proper paint correction is not a cover up job that will need repeated work or make the cars paint harder to maintain, it will be easier to look after if anything. Some very particular owners tell dealers not to touch their new cars paint and take the car straight to detailer.

CoBo55 · 26-02-2021 11:03am

mickdw wrote: »

A proper paint correction is not a cover up job that will need repeated work or make the cars paint harder to maintain, it will be easier to look after if anything. Some very particular owners tell dealers not to touch their new cars paint and take the car straight to detailer.

I'm sorry I didn't do that myself.

Gumbo · 26-02-2021 11:38am

OP, you bought a second hand car. This is normal when not washed properly and more noticeable on dark coloured cars.
No harm going back to the dealer, you may appeal to their good nature and reputation.

But, this is a simple Machine Polish fix.

A simple one step correct may even fix this. DA Polisher and Rupes Uno Protect, or ADBL AIO, or Zvivver One, there are many that will do this. Always start at the least intrusive measure.

If you go to a "Pro", then there are a few options available to you. A wash, de-contamination and machine polish could be €300ish depending on who you use. The De-Con has to be done as you don't want any contaminants on the paint surface when your polishing.

You can get a coating applied at the same time, but costs will go up towards the €750 mark, especially with a ceramic or similar but they will give you 2 years of protection or more depending on which coating you choose.

And the final But, when you get this sorted, you have to wash it properly going forward. No car wash machines, generally no hand wash places where they use the brush etc You need to wash properly with some care or you can go back to the detailer as they will carry out maintenance washes. May be a little more expensive than doing it yourself.

Where are you based?

Gumbo · 26-02-2021 11:40am

screamer wrote: »

Being honest, there’s no way you should accept that. If you didn’t see the car before buying, the distance selling rules may apply and in which case there’s a cooling off period. I’d not accept a touch up job or polish jobbthats going to make the car harder to maintain, which will also reduce the value of the car when you go to sell it on. If it were me, I’d seriously look at returning the car and getting my money refunded.

I guarantee your car has the same swirls on it. I guarantee it based on this comment.

You cant return a second hand car after this time. A Machine polish will enhance the car, not reduce its value and it doesn't mask any swirls, it removes them back to abetter than factory finish.

The_B_Man · 26-02-2021 11:42am

Based in Tallaght, so I'd be looking around South/West Dublin.

As someone mentioned above, the Skoda paint seems to be a little soft so I think I'd like to get it sorted with some protection.

On the last car, the place I went to used a power washer and went over it with a cloth. Whats considered safe for a car wash?

Gumbo · 26-02-2021 11:47am

The_B_Man wrote: »

Based in Tallaght, so I'd be looking around South/West Dublin.

As someone mentioned above, the Skoda paint seems to be a little soft so I think I'd like to get it sorted with some protection.

On the last car, the place I went to used a power washer and went over it with a cloth. Whats considered safe for a car wash?

Mitt dunked in a bucket to remove grit after each panel.
Not a wash that the guy uses the same mitt for the whole car, finishes on your wheels and then goes straight to the car after you!

Ceramic Pro is in South Dublin - https://ceramicpro.ie/

listermint · 26-02-2021 12:00pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Demo models that are actually used for demonstrations are usually kept immaculately.
This one wasn’t, and it’s not an acceptable condition for a nearly new car.
My car (same make as OP) is 5 years old and doesn’t have that sort of scratching.

Demo models are driven by Sales staff home and back everyday. Not all 'demo models' sit on the lot waiting on a customer to come in. These are used vehicles albeit new used.

colm_mcm · 26-02-2021 12:55pm

listermint wrote: »

Demo models are driven by Sales staff home and back everyday. Not all 'demo models' sit on the lot waiting on a customer to come in. These are used vehicles albeit new used.

The biggest problem is courtesy and hire cars being called demos. Actual demos are used for demos/test drives.

User1998 · 26-02-2021 1:05pm

The_B_Man wrote: »

Based in Tallaght, so I'd be looking around South/West Dublin.

As someone mentioned above, the Skoda paint seems to be a little soft so I think I'd like to get it sorted with some protection.

On the last car, the place I went to used a power washer and went over it with a cloth. Whats considered safe for a car wash?

Mx Tint in Tallaght would sort it

R.O.R · 26-02-2021 2:43pm

The_B_Man wrote: »

Based in Tallaght, so I'd be looking around South/West Dublin.

As someone mentioned above, the Skoda paint seems to be a little soft so I think I'd like to get it sorted with some protection.

On the last car, the place I went to used a power washer and went over it with a cloth. Whats considered safe for a car wash?

http://advaleting.ie/

Used these guys extensively in my old job, and they've worked miracles on some cars in really sorry condition. Didn't realise they'd moved from the Long Mile Road to Greenhills

Stallingrad · 26-02-2021 4:24pm

I would be nervous about giving the car back to them, they may improve it but they will be using a polish with loads of fillers to hide any damage.

Tom below does great work, and is very fairly priced for the quality of work and will come to you. Those swirls will be 100% removed.

https://www.premiercarcare.ie/

L-M · 26-02-2021 10:10pm

Unless you plan on meticulously washing your car for the rest of its life, don’t waste your money.

They’re swirl marks, they’re more visible on greys black blues.

i57dwun4yb1pt8 · 27-02-2021 3:22am

looks like a spirit skoda sandyford wash job .

FrankC21 · 28-02-2021 6:39am

B***h slap the dealer and tell him put some ceramic coating on it.

colm_mcm · 28-02-2021 9:40am

L-M wrote: »

Unless you plan on meticulously washing your car for the rest of its life, don’t waste your money.

They’re swirl marks, they’re more visible on greys black blues.

Would ye sell out a demo in that condition?

L-M · 28-02-2021 1:09pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would ye sell out a demo in that condition?

With swirl marks? I’d say new cars have left the same.

CoBo55 · 28-02-2021 1:35pm

L-M wrote: »

With swirl marks? I’d say new cars have left the same.

I can confirm that.

frozenfrozen · 28-02-2021 1:46pm

It just reminds me of your man on here who wanted his neighbour to pay for paint correction after the cat sat on his car. If you are into detailing then your car would be corrected anyway and this stuff would come out while just doing a normal new car correction

The_B_Man · 01-03-2021 1:46pm

Ye I'll have to just go get a paint correction in one of the nearby garages.

I noticed the front left alloy has a couple of scratches on it, as if the dealer scraped a kerb. I'd say it would be mad expensive to fix that so I might have to live with it.

Scratches on new car from dealer

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