[mudig]

I told them twice including through text not to wash my car but they washed it anyway. Now my car has swirl marks everywhere. What is the best way to get rid of swirl marks on a relatively new car?

[Torgus]

You literally have to make a decently large sign and put it on your dash that says NO WASH.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Torgus

You literally have to make a decently large sign and put it on your dash that says NO WASH.

Agreed, I have seen signs like this at my dealer's service department. Never assume that just because you give an instruction that the message will be delivered to the proper person!

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by mudig

I told them twice including through text not to wash my car but they washed it anyway. Now my car has swirl marks everywhere. What is the best way to get rid of swirl marks on a relatively new car?

I've had 2 cars with finishes 'mega swirled' by dealership washes and both times the dealerships didn't give a shit.

2018 WRX Shown. Also a 2013 FRS which was maybe even worse than the WRX. I know how it feels. I'm no expert, but a professional detail shop can fix that easily.

Rob

[pikkagtr]

Damn that sucks
I have had a good relationship with my SA and it's in my work order in bold CAPS
DO NOT WASH

There's also a sign taped to my steering wheel and the HVAC control
And one inside the trunk laminated incase they open it.
Tin foil hat

[mudig]

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

I've had 2 cars with finishes 'mega swirled' by dealership washes and both times the dealerships didn't give a shit.

2018 WRX Shown. Also a 2013 FRS which was maybe even worse than the WRX. I know how it feels. I'm no expert, but a professional detail shop can fix that easily.

Rob

They offered to correct it with polishing but I don't trust them anymore

[Tejas1836]

As above, at least one sign on wheel, mirror etc

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Torgus

You literally have to make a decently large sign and put it on your dash that says NO WASH.

I had one hanging from the fucking mirror and they still ignored it. The guy was like "huh I was wondering what that meant". Fucking idiots.

I've thrown such a fit over it with the SA every subsequent time that they've never done it again--but that means multiple emails saying "please confirm in writing that my vehicle WILL NOT be washed" every time it goes in.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by mudig

They offered to correct it with polishing but I don't trust them anymore

I don't blame you. They can't wash a car properly, no way in hell they know how to polish one.

I'd ask (demand) for the paint to be corrected at a local detail shop of your choosing that knows what they're doing.

Good luck sorting this out.

[thecakeisalie]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

I had one hanging from the fucking mirror and they still ignored it. The guy was like "huh I was wondering what that meant". Fucking idiots.

I've thrown such a fit over it with the SA every subsequent time that they've never done it again--but that means multiple emails saying "please confirm in writing that my vehicle WILL NOT be washed" every time it goes in.

Until it's in writing everywhere including "DID NOT WASH" on the receipt and they pull it out for you freshly dripping from the wash. This happened with one of my previous cars. Similar reaction from the guy, "did you put in a new windshield recently or something?"

[clutchdj]

Originally Posted by mudig

They offered to correct it with polishing but I don't trust them anymore

DO NOT DO THAT.

take it to an Indi shop/pro in your area that actually cares about their work.

next time just tape NO CAR WASH on the steering wheel airbag.

[07ImolaRot]

Get a light duty quality polish like Sonax EX 04-06 or even 03-06 and a basic polisher and a decent pad and all of that will come out in half hour for $150 or less. A cheap DA like the Bauer one from HF will do. Does not need to be the latest and greatest gadget on the market.

If you take it to the dealer or a shop chances are they will throw the most aggressive thing at it to get it all out quick and thin out your clear.

[P1]

It's been hit or miss at my dealership, but admit they have yet to screw up the paint after accidentally washing it. However, moving forward, my steering wheel will have a massive piece of paper on it saying DO NOT WASH.

To the OP: seems like they probably didn't dry it correctly. Try giving it a wash and drying it the correct way. From what you're showing me, it almost seems like they used a overly dry or rough towel. Might not quite be swirls.

And if they are, a very simple one-stage polish should clear all that up.

But... frustrating either way!

[cooolone2]

Absolute unauthorized wash performed on car, and one which damaged the paint finish. It's all on them... I would take it to a Pro, get an estimate, and then negotiate with them on how they plan to fix it. I'm not sure I would even let them "handle" it with one of their people. Bottom line is they damaged your vehicle and they are responsible to fix it to YOUR satisfaction, not theirs!

Pro will strip the paint, and correct all those scratches! Then polish, seal, and coat the paint with some sort of wax, or maybe at that time you'd like to ceramic coat it or PPF while the paint is perfect! Lol...

Every time, and my guy knew, No Wash, thank you. And it came back dirty every time!

Good Luck

[Robyn]

Can’t trust the dealership to follow simple instructions, sure as hell not going to trust them to perform any maintenance on it.

[M5Rick]

I just tell my dealer no wash and he puts it on the job card, it's not rocket science.

[MJBO]

My dealer washed my wife’s Black Sapphire X3 when I dropped it for service, even though I explicitly asked them not to as it had only just been fully detailed the week prior. Lots of swirls, and it wasn’t even fully washed with random dirty patches.

I complained to the SA, who organised for a full detail which brought it back to looking great.

Don’t let them get away with it!

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

Damn that sucks
I have had a good relationship with my SA and it's in my work order in bold CAPS
DO NOT WASH

There's also a sign taped to my steering wheel and the HVAC control
And one inside the trunk laminated incase they open it.
Tin foil hat

You do know that tin foil hats can cause cancer, right?

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I just tell my dealer no wash and he puts it on the job card, it's not rocket science.

My SA (I use the same one for all cars) knows me and usually remembers to put "no wash" and "No TPMS" which is her code for "don't mess with my air pressures!" on my work orders. The dealer, at least in the old days, would always pump it up to the recommended 42/46 which is like driving on boulders. If she forgets, I remind her, in person, while I'm there. Text messages are too little, too late.

I once had a track-prepped car of a different make, and it had full race brake pads on it, so I put a post-it on the instrument panel that read "no brakes, don't drive on street". Those pads simply do not function when they are cold. Nor would the race tires. And also because I was trying to minimize joy rides...

Anyway, OP, a nice gentle polish (no need for radical "stripping and treatment") will take those swirls out.