I just got my car back from getting oil service at Tate Mini in Annapolis MD. As usual, they washed it before I picked it up. When I got it out in the sun the next day I discovered that it was covered with swirl marks from their car wash. I had to spend all afternoon polishing it with my PC 7424 and McGuire's Swirl Remover, then rewax it. The swirl marks are gone now, but from now on when I take it to a dealer for service I am going to put a "DO NOT WASH" sign on the windshield!

 

its always better to wash your own ride i believe. glad it wasnt scratched though.

 

check out the service related threads in the DCMM forum for Tate. Its not exactly enamored by the community.

 

Have this guy do it: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...imate+Car+wash

 

I'd just like to second this. The roof of my MINI had an entire coat of wax on delivery that I had to strong-arm off when I got home - it was terrible! Who knows how long it sat there and cured...oy.

 

A Pls Do Not Wash sign in the window or one the dash is the way. Also tell them.

Dealerships think they are helping with a comp. wash but almost all add lots of swirls to the clear coat.

 

oooh. I better check out where Assael washes their cars...

 

Even if the Service Advisor specifies DO NOT WASH on the work order, I have found that it is customarily ignored. Making your own "DO NOT WASH" sign and placing it on the dash is a very good idea.

 

That actually sounds like the dealer didn't remove the protective coating that comes on all MINIs to protect them from dings and scratches while they are shipped over. They cover the entire car with that stuff and the dealer prep work includes removing that coating. They must have missed your roof. Too bad you didn't notice it at the dealer, they have a solvent they just spray onto it and it comes right off.

 

I worked at a MINI dealer....and yes...PLEASE don't let them wash your MINI! Basically, they don't care and they wash hundreds of cars a day.....so their regard for the cars are careless. Believe me...I've been there and done that!
I have to disagree with this statement...at least at our dealership. We (in the washbay) GLADLY did NOT wash the cars with "No Wash" stickers on the RV mirror. I don't know about your dealership, but mine was always very good about that, and no one had to make their own signs...our SA would make a note, and stick the sticker on the tag before the car is moved unto the lot (before it's serviced and washed).

-Cody

 

I must third or fouth this "do not thet them wash it".

They washed mine at Global Imports in ATL (without my prior knowledge), rushed me out of there, and when I got home I found numerous new scratches and a dent! By then, there was no way I coud prove that they did it.

The next time I went back, I complained; to little avail. A guy from Dent Wizard was there and I asked him about the dent. He told me he would fix it for 20 bucks , cash. He did it in about 15 minutes! You can't even tell it was there.

I will definitely make sure to add "do not wash" to my next service appt.

Also, always make sure that you look your MINI over throughly before you leave the dealership. Live and learn.

 

Yep, keeping a printout of "DO NOT WASH" in the glovebox of all your cars is the way to go