Need Advice On "Dealer Installed" Paint Scratches

[Pegtech]

I just traded in my Red Z71 1500 for a blue 2500 4X4. I ended up buying one that had spent quite a bit of time indoors on the dealer floor. That was a mistake. While we were negotiating the price, I noticed that there were very fine scratches all over the truck, I'm assuming the scratches are from them dusting it off rather than washing it like they do if it is outside. So the assured me that they will have the truck looking better than all the others in no time. Reluctantly I agreed but when I was picking it up the detail guy came out with a bottle of rubbing compound and started working it over. I stopped him. Now they say they will send it to a "Professional detailer" where they send all of their Corvettes. My question is this; is it possible for them to "detail away" the scratches without thinning the clear coat and reducing the life of my paint? I am not driving the truck until they get it fixed to my liking but I need additional info on this as I am in no way a body man, well, at least not with trucks. To top it off, I found the roof rack rust the next day. I wish I would have found this club BEFORE I purchased this Av. I would have selected a different Av instead. I just bought the truck last week and it was built on 09/01. Does that seem like an old truck for this late in 2002?

 

[Chief]

If it is paint swirling the answer is probably yes. If you can "feel" the scratches in the paint when you run your hand over it the answer is probably no.

This is a tough one to answer remotely without being able to see the truck. My Avalanche was delivered swirled to hell but I cleaned it up myself. I don't blame my dealer as it was a swapped out vehicle and I literally got it after it was driven from the swapping dealer. I almost refused delivery but it was 12/23 and I didn't want to have to wait until after Christmas to drive my new toy!

 

[ygmn]

Swirl marks can be removed easily enough....but they can be made worse by inexperienced detailers.....

The dealer ot detailer will most likely when done cover up the swirl marks with makeup which is products designed to fill and hide swirls.....these would be glazes.

Before accepting the truck bring a spray bottle of soap mixture (1 part dawn to 10 parts Water) and spray some areas of the paint.....Let it dwell and then wipe with a Micro Fiber towel...DO this a few times to a selected few areas....and then inspect under very bright lights...look for swirl marks.

This soap mixture will remove any makeup they have applied and then allow you to see if they really removed the swirls or hid them....

HTH

 

[Pegtech]

The scratches arent swirls but rather straight scratches that look like they were made when the truck was perhaps wiped off with a towel. They are not very deep but then again, I dont know how deep the clear coat is.
Thanks for the advice. This site sure is helpful.

 

[gpfahler]

My 2500 was born on 9/01. I think that was a good month.. Hopefully they can handle the swirls.

Gary

 

[ygmn]

Swirls can be seen and not felt.

Scratches can be seen and felt with fingernail....If you can feel it very difficult if not impossible to remove....sometimes a great detailer with a rotary buffer can work magic and make them disappear by getting the paint hot enough it will fill in the scratch other wise a repaint will be required for perfection.

HTH

 

[pdxkevin]

Get it in writting! otherwise you could end up with second hand colon cancer.

 

[chevroletavalanche]

When I bought my Avalanche there was a scratch on the driver door. They were going to leave it in the shop the night to try and patch it up. But I didn't want to so they took of $100 for the scratch. With $100, I bought amber lights and brighter fog lights.