Bad polishing experience.

[Mazda3X2]

We picked up our 08.5 Sedan GT about 1 month ago now from Bay Mazda. Beautiful Copper Red Mica with tinted windows. We were talked into getting the paint protection because they guarantee it for 5 years. We had this done 1 week after pick up and there had been some light sratches on the c-pillars and hood that were to be buffed out at the same time.

After getting the car back, it looked pretty identical as to when we dropped it off. A tiny bit shinier I suppose but the scratches that I was assured would be gone were still there.

Off the car goes again to their "detailer" to get these polished out. I was nervous about this but I trusted them. Well my wife comes home with it that day and all over the hood and c-pillars are swirl marks now! It looks like those places are years old and have been improperly washed many times. I freaked out at the sight. We talked to the dealership about our dismay with their "polishing" and it is now back again this time to go to the body shop to be done.

I can only hope that this time our new car finally looks like it should. My wife has asked to be reimbursed the cost of the paint protection for all the trouble. We will see how it all goes. Oh how I wish I had taken a different route. :bang

I can't post pictures from work but I will try from home later on.

[huyzel]

DAMN... it sucks when people don't know what they're doing and screw up a brand new car.
If they don't get it right this time, make them pay for a shop/detailer of YOUR CHOICE.

[kaval]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I deal with this sort of thing all the time, where someone with very little experience handles a rotary buffer with improper techniques, and products to end up doing more harm than good.

Here is an example - http://www.makeitshine.ca/Site/Portfolio/slk230/slk230.html

Most of the time, removing buffer trails and swirl marks is better left to professional detailers like myself that do this sort of thing on a regular basis. Let me know if you'd be interested in having me take a look at your car.

Best of luck!

[Mazda3X2]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I deal with this sort of thing all the time, where someone with very little experience handles a rotary buffer with improper techniques, and products to end up doing more harm than good.

Here is an example - http://www.makeitshine.ca/Site/Portfolio/slk230/slk230.html

Most of the time, removing buffer trails and swirl marks is better left to professional detailers like myself that do this sort of thing on a regular basis. Let me know if you'd be interested in having me take a look at your car.

Best of luck!

Thanks. This is very frustrating because I am pretty picky about my cars and they knew that. This is the 3rd Mazda we have bought from the same dealership.

The manager assured me that he would overlook the job and that the shop the car is going to is very good at this. We will see. If it doesn't come out as planned they have lost my trust for good and I will be taking the car elsewhere. The only problem is that I am in Trenton which is a fair drive from you.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

This is the 3rd Mazda we have bought from the same dealership.

If it doesn't come out as planned they have lost my trust for good

Third Mazda with them, and after 3 trips back to the dealership they might lose your trust?

You have a lot more patience than I do.

[Mafty]

do you mean a pillars?

[Mazda3X2]

Third Mazda with them, and after 3 trips back to the dealership they might lose your trust?

You have a lot more patience than I do.

I am a very loyal customer, sometimes to my disadvantage I am sure. :loco

Since I hope to be in the market for another Mazda very soon, looks like I will have to do a bit of driving.

[Mazda3X2]

do you mean a pillars?

I thought they were called c-pillars anyways. The area at your blind spot, behind the rear door windows.

[theurgy]

This is why they should never sell rotary polishers to people who don't know what they are doing.
I mean it's soo easy to burn through paint with one of those.

[x_o_k_x]

I would ask for another new car, now that you car is already in bodyshop and barely been driven

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Since I hope to be in the market for another Mazda very soon, looks like I will have to do a bit of driving.

So sell your Supra already!!!

Talk to you soon Barry. :)

[Mazda3X2]

Got the car back this evening. After a good inspection it looks great. Finally. We had a discussion with the manager about the cost and they are going to refund us the money for the paint protection.

I am just very relieved that our new car is looking as it should.

[theurgy]

Lesson... bring it to a well known professional detailer next time.

[kaval]

I'm curious to see pics. I hope they didn't cover up all the imperfections with a heavy glaze. Make sure you look at the car at different angles in the sun.

[Mazda3X2]

I'm curious to see pics. I hope they didn't cover up all the imperfections with a heavy glaze. Make sure you look at the car at different angles in the sun.


I did check it out pretty good in the sunlight. It looked really smooth and the light scratches were gone. How could I tell if this is going to come back after 6 months of washing?

[kaval]

What you can do is perform touchless washes and document them. If they did cover up the imperfections with glaze, you will be able to tell within a month or so if you wash once a week with a touchless wash or coin op. Touchless washes and coin op washes tend to strip wax faster than a conventional hand wash because the detergents have to be strong enough to clean your car without any physical agitation of the dirt on the paint, whereas conventional car wash soap is more gentle on the paint, but your physical agitation of the dirt with a wash mitt is what can introduce those swirls back. Because of this, I'd recommend doing the touchless washes so that if you DO see imperfections coming back, you know that it wasn't caused by your doing because you never touched the paint in the first place. Make sure you do not use any drying towels either. Anything that touches the paint has the chance of putting imperfections back in the paint, and that is what you want to avoid in this case so that you can ensure that the job was done PROPERLY and not just covered up.

[Mazda3X2]

I phoned the body shop where they took the car. The guy said they used a machine to polish out the marks and then a glaze and wax (I think) afterwards. He said they should not appear again and if they do to come in to see him.