I’m ticked! I’ve been so careful to avoid toweling or swirl scratches on my 2001 Civic. Last month I took it to a nearby Honda dealership and they added a “courtesy car wash” to the service. The car wash monkeys must have washed and dried the car with a gritty polyester bath towel. There were terrible swirl marks all over the car, especially the hood. When I complained to the service manager he shrugged his shoulders and said that car paint will get those swirl marks over time. Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
Swirl and Toweling Scratches
- Thread starter M Smith
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gathermewool
Site Donor 2025
I wouldn't let it upset you. If you've kept a car swirl-free for almost a decade, I'm sure you know a few trick to remove them as well.
Ouch.
So a 2001 Civic isn't as important as a brand new Honda getting a free wash ?
Thats the last time I would ever do business with them.
Thats the last time I would ever do business with them.
That is why I never let anyone wash my car for me. I especially stay away from those "free" dealership washes.
Originally Posted By: M Smith
I’m ticked! I’ve been so careful to avoid toweling or swirl scratches on my 2001 Civic. Last month I took it to a nearby Honda dealership and they added a “courtesy car wash” to the service. The car wash monkeys must have washed and dried the car with a gritty polyester bath towel. There were terrible swirl marks all over the car, especially the hood. When I complained to the service manager he shrugged his shoulders and said that car paint will get those swirl marks over time. Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
Vote with your dollar. Find a dealership that employs people who care, and compete for business.
I’m ticked! I’ve been so careful to avoid toweling or swirl scratches on my 2001 Civic. Last month I took it to a nearby Honda dealership and they added a “courtesy car wash” to the service. The car wash monkeys must have washed and dried the car with a gritty polyester bath towel. There were terrible swirl marks all over the car, especially the hood. When I complained to the service manager he shrugged his shoulders and said that car paint will get those swirl marks over time. Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
Vote with your dollar. Find a dealership that employs people who care, and compete for business.
Another reason why I try my very best to avoid the dealership at all cost. I opt out of anything they offer for free. Free comes with a cost, in this case it cost the OP a headache, and a detail.
Originally Posted By: M Smith
I’m ticked! I’ve been so careful to avoid toweling or swirl scratches on my 2001 Civic. Last month I took it to a nearby Honda dealership and they added a “courtesy car wash” to the service. The car wash monkeys must have washed and dried the car with a gritty polyester bath towel. There were terrible swirl marks all over the car, especially the hood. When I complained to the service manager he shrugged his shoulders and said that car paint will get those swirl marks over time. Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
I get the same response, practically, with my truck at most places.
"It's only a truck."
Makes me want to say, "My foot is only in your ***."
I'd ask to speak to the service manager's supervisor. Explain to him the lack of care and service you received and go from there. Perhaps put it in writing as well.
I’m ticked! I’ve been so careful to avoid toweling or swirl scratches on my 2001 Civic. Last month I took it to a nearby Honda dealership and they added a “courtesy car wash” to the service. The car wash monkeys must have washed and dried the car with a gritty polyester bath towel. There were terrible swirl marks all over the car, especially the hood. When I complained to the service manager he shrugged his shoulders and said that car paint will get those swirl marks over time. Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
I get the same response, practically, with my truck at most places.
"It's only a truck."
Makes me want to say, "My foot is only in your ***."
I'd ask to speak to the service manager's supervisor. Explain to him the lack of care and service you received and go from there. Perhaps put it in writing as well.
I would have been tempted to go outside, grab a handful of sand, then go into the showroom and start grinding the sand into the hood of the Civic on display there. When asked what I'm doing, I'd reply: "The service adviser said it was OK because it's "just a Civic".
I feel your pain, brother.
I kept my wife's black Highlander swirl free for 4 years. Dealer thought I was nuts by telling him not to wash truck at time of delivery.
A recent trip to the bodyshop that I thought was first class (small bumper repair) got us a free car wash that left the truck loaded with swirls.
Cost me $300 to have a detailer do a full paint correction. Took awhile to find one that spoke my langauge, though. ...Sigh...
I kept my wife's black Highlander swirl free for 4 years. Dealer thought I was nuts by telling him not to wash truck at time of delivery.
A recent trip to the bodyshop that I thought was first class (small bumper repair) got us a free car wash that left the truck loaded with swirls.
Cost me $300 to have a detailer do a full paint correction. Took awhile to find one that spoke my langauge, though. ...Sigh...
This also happened to a BITOG member who bought a brand new Accord a few years ago.
I forgot his screen name but they damaged the paint on his new car during the dealer prep detailing.
Any body remember the guy and his story ?
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You can always go to the showroon at this Honda dealership with a box cutter in your back pocket and 'accidentally' have it opened with the blade exposed and 'accidentally' make a large gash in the leather seat or dash board.
Salesman: Hi, can I help you ?
You: No thanks, I'm just looking
(wink, wink)
I forgot his screen name but they damaged the paint on his new car during the dealer prep detailing.
Any body remember the guy and his story ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can always go to the showroon at this Honda dealership with a box cutter in your back pocket and 'accidentally' have it opened with the blade exposed and 'accidentally' make a large gash in the leather seat or dash board.
Salesman: Hi, can I help you ?
You: No thanks, I'm just looking
Use this to get the swirls out. After its applied and removed you can stop here since its contains sealant. A big plus if your doing things by hand since I'm pretty tired at this stage.
http://www.duragloss.com/product.asp?pid=277
Then next time you wash it apply some DG Aquawax for a boost in protection and shine.
http://www.duragloss.com/product.asp?pid=277
Then next time you wash it apply some DG Aquawax for a boost in protection and shine.
I just bought a '11 Mercedes GLK 350 last week end and insisted that it NOT be washed or "deatailed" prior to new vehicle delivery. They complied with much distress over the car leaving the dealership "unprepped".
I was the one who removed the window sticker and floor mat protectors and cleaned the car up top to bottom: clay, wax and a light microfiber towel dusting inside. So nice to have competent people take car of your stuff!!!
The car is flawless (for at least 5 minutes, I live in Houston, not the most car loving environment) and has top quality products on it right out of the box: Colllinte insulator wax was the biggest player.
As the others stated, time for a new dealership.
I was the one who removed the window sticker and floor mat protectors and cleaned the car up top to bottom: clay, wax and a light microfiber towel dusting inside. So nice to have competent people take car of your stuff!!!
The car is flawless (for at least 5 minutes, I live in Houston, not the most car loving environment) and has top quality products on it right out of the box: Colllinte insulator wax was the biggest player.
As the others stated, time for a new dealership.
I don't let anyone touch my vehicles except me.
The dealer is the absolute worst place to take your vehicles.
No matter how careful you are,your not going to avoid scratches.
The clear coat is thin on new cars.
A Paint job I did myself,was the only paint I can keep from scratching.
I did 3 nice coats of clear,and the finish is rock hard.
Good luck getting a quality paint job unless you do it yourself.
The dealer is the absolute worst place to take your vehicles.
No matter how careful you are,your not going to avoid scratches.
The clear coat is thin on new cars.
A Paint job I did myself,was the only paint I can keep from scratching.
I did 3 nice coats of clear,and the finish is rock hard.
Good luck getting a quality paint job unless you do it yourself.
Originally Posted By: M Smith
Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
To which I might have responded, then that comment must make you, just a sphincter. I might have used another term for sphincter though.
Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
To which I might have responded, then that comment must make you, just a sphincter. I might have used another term for sphincter though.
Originally Posted By: M Smith
I’m ticked! I’ve been so careful to avoid toweling or swirl scratches on my 2001 Civic. Last month I took it to a nearby Honda dealership and they added a “courtesy car wash” to the service. The car wash monkeys must have washed and dried the car with a gritty polyester bath towel. There were terrible swirl marks all over the car, especially the hood. When I complained to the service manager he shrugged his shoulders and said that car paint will get those swirl marks over time. Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
I worked for 3M Co. for 21 years and we had a catalog of all the 3M products that were availabe to employees at a discount and could order from the catalog. You wouldn't beleive tha amount of products in the catalog.
Anyway, there was a product years ago called "Fill & Glaze"(it's called something else today) and I don't remember what the name was changed to as I haven't worked for 3M since 1997. This was a swirl mark remover to be used in bodyshops to remove the marks made by the buffer when the paint was being rubbed out. Since paints are much different today, I'm not sure that this product is needed or better than the off the shelf newer products of today. I used this stuff on a black car years ago and I couldn't beleive the depth of the shine and how well it removed the light scratches/swirl etc. Doing more applications would only improve things.
I personaly think that a couple of good waxings with some of the newer prodcuts of today(mentioned above) will reomve the swirl marks made by the dealership washing. Machine polishing would be best but, by hand will be fine too. Maybe too, you(M Smith) could complain enough to the dealership service mgr and get a free detailing as if they were going to put your car out on the lot for sale. I've seen some of the dealership detailed results on used cars and many look great when these guys are done. I'm quite impressed with some detailers and that's saying alot as I have done detailing since '72(not anymore, too tired!) No I just bang on keyboards. Too much infact!
I’m ticked! I’ve been so careful to avoid toweling or swirl scratches on my 2001 Civic. Last month I took it to a nearby Honda dealership and they added a “courtesy car wash” to the service. The car wash monkeys must have washed and dried the car with a gritty polyester bath towel. There were terrible swirl marks all over the car, especially the hood. When I complained to the service manager he shrugged his shoulders and said that car paint will get those swirl marks over time. Then he added insult to injury by saying, “It’s only a Civic.”
I worked for 3M Co. for 21 years and we had a catalog of all the 3M products that were availabe to employees at a discount and could order from the catalog. You wouldn't beleive tha amount of products in the catalog.
Anyway, there was a product years ago called "Fill & Glaze"(it's called something else today) and I don't remember what the name was changed to as I haven't worked for 3M since 1997. This was a swirl mark remover to be used in bodyshops to remove the marks made by the buffer when the paint was being rubbed out. Since paints are much different today, I'm not sure that this product is needed or better than the off the shelf newer products of today. I used this stuff on a black car years ago and I couldn't beleive the depth of the shine and how well it removed the light scratches/swirl etc. Doing more applications would only improve things.
I personaly think that a couple of good waxings with some of the newer prodcuts of today(mentioned above) will reomve the swirl marks made by the dealership washing. Machine polishing would be best but, by hand will be fine too. Maybe too, you(M Smith) could complain enough to the dealership service mgr and get a free detailing as if they were going to put your car out on the lot for sale. I've seen some of the dealership detailed results on used cars and many look great when these guys are done. I'm quite impressed with some detailers and that's saying alot as I have done detailing since '72(not anymore, too tired!) No I just bang on keyboards. Too much infact!
Visit local Walmart or Advanced Auto type of store and pick up Meguair's (a 3M company, I might add 
Ultra Compound and SwirlX and follow the directions on the bottle. I think there is still $5off at register if you buy 2 products deal going on. You spend less than $15 for two bottle. Pick up foam applicater and some microfiber towels and try a 1ft x 1ft section of your hood.
I bet you will be very pleased.
- Vikas
Ultra Compound and SwirlX and follow the directions on the bottle. I think there is still $5off at register if you buy 2 products deal going on. You spend less than $15 for two bottle. Pick up foam applicater and some microfiber towels and try a 1ft x 1ft section of your hood.I bet you will be very pleased.
- Vikas
- Status
