HELP- Compounding
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
'08 GL320 CDI, '10 Range Rover HSE
HELP- Compounding
I bought an 08 GL. When taking delivery I noticed all kinds of little scratches on the car. The dealer said the marks are from how the car is wrapped and shipped. The dealer insists they can compound the car, detail it and it will be perfect. I have the car, but haven't paid for it yet. I am supossed to go back an finalize the buy tonight. I have only given them a 1000 deposit and signed a promisary note that I will buy it.
Can they really make the paint job perfect this way? will it leave lots of swirls on car?
Can they really make the paint job perfect this way? will it leave lots of swirls on car?
Banned
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: NY
You're in a difficult situation. With the right tools and techniques they should be able to remove most fine imperfections on the clear coated/painted surfaces. However I've found that most dealerships do not use quality pads, polishes and detailing techniques. This could cause the paint to have more fine swirls or holograms, which are harder to see and are a result of improper high speed buffing. Using a high speed buffer does take time and practice and unfortunately most dealerships don't have the proper training to help this process.
In my opinion the dealership has a greater propensity to harm your paint rather than fix it. If you know their detailer does quality work then it may be worth letting them try it. I'm biased but I always encourage people to do this work on your own. Even if you have no detailing experience I can help you polish your paint safely and effectively. If your willing to read a little and invest in some products you'll be rewarded with high quality results. It's hard to find someone who will care for your vehicle as much as you. Maybe ask for a couple hundred off the price because you want to do this yourself and put that money towards your own supplies or other professional detailer. Another alternative would be to take it to a professional detailer in your area. There are no guarantees these detailers are better, just more likely in my opinion. There are some professional detailers listed in our "find a professional detailer" section of www.detailuniversity.com if this interests you.
I hope this information helps you and doesn't add more stress. I tried to just outline what factors are most important and your basic options. Let me know if I can help you any further.
Greg @ Detailed Image
In my opinion the dealership has a greater propensity to harm your paint rather than fix it. If you know their detailer does quality work then it may be worth letting them try it. I'm biased but I always encourage people to do this work on your own. Even if you have no detailing experience I can help you polish your paint safely and effectively. If your willing to read a little and invest in some products you'll be rewarded with high quality results. It's hard to find someone who will care for your vehicle as much as you. Maybe ask for a couple hundred off the price because you want to do this yourself and put that money towards your own supplies or other professional detailer. Another alternative would be to take it to a professional detailer in your area. There are no guarantees these detailers are better, just more likely in my opinion. There are some professional detailers listed in our "find a professional detailer" section of www.detailuniversity.com if this interests you.
I hope this information helps you and doesn't add more stress. I tried to just outline what factors are most important and your basic options. Let me know if I can help you any further.
Greg @ Detailed Image
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Why do you notice all these scratches? If this bothers you, don't buy that color car. My guess is you are looking at a dark color car. Sure, the dealer, assuming they have competent detailers and at my dealer, they do (I just wish they had competent mechanics), they will buff it out and make it perfect but in a few months it will look the same or worse. Unless you love detailing cars or paying someone $200-300 every few months, you won't be happy. Get a silver or white GL and you will never notice them.
