How to tell if filler or wax was used

[Jcalton]

I bought a new truck and it got the dealership treatment. I haven't seen swirls so much as scratches. One on the hood where it looks like they scrubbed to get something off, a long swipe on the drivers door, rear passenger fender. Most look pretty light, a couple on the fender look a bit deeper but overall most look like they are just in the clearcoat. It's a 2019 RAM.

Anyway, I pointed it out and they said they would get their body shop to fix it. I should've said no, but I know more now than I did then.

Got it back and they are less visible but I can still see them. The one on the hood didnt get touched at all. It was cloudy and I had to get out of there to make it to a meeting so I did a quick walk around and left. I did say to the sales manager that they were less visible but I could still see them. After work I did a closer inspection with a flashlight, sorry no swirl finder yet, and noticed more scratches, mainly on the bumper.

I called and spoke to the sales person I've dealt with for the last 2 trucks I've bought there. I told them I was going to get it buffed elsewhere and would like to see what options they could offer to make things whole.

Now for the question. The truck is waxed and I didnt do it. How can I tell if they did a quick buff with a filler product or even just wax to cover up the scratches rather than actually polish them out?

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[expdetailing]

Your story reminded me of this thread from a few years ago. It's an interesting read.
Debate Over LSP Removal Settled

[Mike Phillips]

Regardless of what they did or did not do - if you still see the original defects - whatever they did was insufficient.


My strong advice? Stick to your position and don’t give them access to your truck.

[Mike Phillips]

Buy a Griots Garage 8mm Polisher and some BLACKFIRE One Step and fix it yourself.

Show them this thread too - call it a professional courtesy in an honest attempt to help them and educate them.

[Mike Phillips]

This is super simple stuff

Here's what you need to get into machine polishing - Recommendations for a beginner by Mike Phillips

[Jcalton]

Buy a Griots Garage 8mm Polisher and some BLACKFIRE One Step and fix it yourself.

Show them this thread too - call it a professional courtesy in an honest attempt to help them and educate them.

I've been reading a lot on here lately and have read the thread and watched the video you posted here.

They will not be touching the truck anymore unless it's for service.

I do have access to an Adam's swirl killer that I am probably going to use. But the Gg6 is on my list of tools to acquire in the coming months.

Thanks for the help and all the information!

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[FUNX650]

•While your waiting on your Polisher
to arrive...

-Give your vehicle the full treatment to
your two-bucket car-washing process.

a.) If only “fillers” were used, they should
easily be washed away from the suspect
areas—fully exposing the underlying paint
blemishes.

{Note:
paint needs to actually be protected; make
sure to immediately apply a Wax/Sealant.}

***********************************

b.) If a Wax was used, there should be some
semblance of water beading upon the paint
when the vehicle is rinsed; meaning: it has
the capability of not fully exposing the under-
lying paint blemishes.

{Note:
No immediate need to apply a protectant
(Wax/Sealant), unless so desired.}


Bob

[Chevota Guy]

They will not be touching the truck anymore unless it's for service.

Good luck with getting it fixed. Even when they service it, make sure they don't just routinely run it through the scrub and swirl tunnel before delivering it back to you. I recently asked my dealership NOT to wash my vehicle after service, but they did anyway, now I'm de-swirling it

[Jcalton]

•While your waiting on your Polisher
to arrive...

-Give your vehicle the full treatment to
your two-bucket car-washing process.

a.) If only “fillers” were used, they should
easily be washed away from the suspect
areas—fully exposing the underlying paint
blemishes.

{Note:
paint needs to actually be protected; make
sure to immediately apply a Wax/Sealant.}

***********************************

b.) If a Wax was used, there should be some
semblance of water beading upon the paint
when the vehicle is rinsed; meaning: it has
the capability of not fully exposing the under-
lying paint blemishes.

{Note:
No immediate need to apply a protectant
(Wax/Sealant), unless so desired.}


Bob

They definitely waxed it. I made a point to not wash or anything after I got it so that there were no owner installed scratches before they took it to fix their scratches.

Now that I have it back I'm in for atleast 6 days of non stop rain and the water is beading up great. That's what made me think all they did was slap a coat of wax on it and call it good.

If I knew then what I did now I wouldn't have let them fix it, I would've just done it myself. I plan on ceramic coating it so I wasnt going to wax it when I brought it home, it was going to be polished and coated. So now i have a fresh layer of wax I have to take off too once the rain finally stops.

I've told them that I am not interested in them trying to fix it again, the customer care rep said she would even have their detail giy come out and talk to me so I could show him exactly what the problem was. I told her the scratches were evident to the naked eye, that if he couldn't find the problem that was reason enough to not have them try to fix it again.

I'm not trying to be a PITA to the dealership but a $50k truck getting scratched before I even get the keys is ridiculous. I'm waiting to hear back from them now, will probably be Monday before I hear anything else.

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[Kamakaz1961]

Never let the dealer detail your ride PERIOD! You may get lucky and have a great detailer, but most of the time not. Mike is right do it yourself and be happy!!