All,
Last week I experienced the dealership carwash disaster on my black ZR with 7K mi, the first time I let somebody else wash it.
Not fair that one bad carwash could do so much damage to the black Z's paint surface! Could a paint-finish ever be this fragile?
I avoided the carwash during my first visit to this dealer when I had gone there for oil cooler installation. I had politely refused mentioning my concern for spots on a black car. I had to go back there for the second time to take care of a pending issue from the installation day. The customer service was excellent and the issue was being resolved well and everything was going great. I slipped and agreed to the carwash when the SA politely said I didn't use my carwash during the original visit, so he would be happy to do it this time for me.
When all was complete, the car came back with some holograms and swirls. I realized the full extent of this only when I had stopped at a store parking lot and my drive back. I saw holograms, swirls/scratches on all sides except the bumpers. At first I thought (wishfully) the scratches and swirls were perhaps just the previous wax-polish having dried in patterns. Didn't have the energy to go back to the dealer because it was already the second visit for something pending from the first. But when I reached home it was clear that it was not dried wax streaks because the car was squeaky clean but with holograms and scratches. Over the hood there are a couple of spots where there are evenly-spaced hairline scratches as if someone dragged a brush on it while washing. Small scratches on all sides, except the bumpers (hard to reach with a brush or cloth?) I don't know if it was an automatic wash, or a brush/broom or a bad case of drying by the subcontractor. Saying "subcontractor" because the dealer staff seemed good. But all my time and investment on bundles of high-quality microfiber cloths, machine-washing the cloths before reuse, wax and cleaners were gone in half hour!!!
I thought the scratches would buff out with some Meguiars NXT wax. I had been using this wax on the car after careful washes with a low-pressure hose, wash-mitt, Meguiars carwash soap etc at home. However, today I realized that the waxing and buffing did not hide the swirls/scratches. Under sunlight the wax-polish only makes the car shinier and dims the holograms but the scratches and swirls are clearly evident. It looks like it might need some machine polishing with cut/grinding compund to take out the scratches. I went through the videos and instructional threads in the Detailing section but I like my Z so much that I do not want to take any more chances with it. I am thinking of getting some professional detailing help to restore its finish to its pristine pre-incident state. I have been beating myself up for my slip of judgement with this carwash.
How I wish I could rewind it like a tape and play it differently again!
When I yelped for detailers in South Bay (El Segundo, Manhttn, Redondo, Hermosa, Torrance, Hawthorne) I saw some good reviews, even a couple of detailers who advertise saying they do the job at your driveway. Has anyone use a good professional detailer from this area? Your recommendation is much appreciated.
PS: Saw the factory-sticker under the hood cover that says “Hard clearcoat finish, use approved refinish materials only”. My girlfriend got a chuckle out of this warning sticker. She was like, if this is Nissan’s “hard” clearcoat, I don’t even want to think of their regular clearcoat!
