All,

I want to gauge your opinions on a dealer detailing issue. I custom ordered my GLE350 and took delivery at the end of June (build date of 06/19). After driving the car home from the dealer, on the day of delivery, I noticed two dark marks on the light colored fabric by the front seat belts (grey/macchiato leather interior) and that the rear driver's wheel arch was popping out. It appeared as though the people prepping the car had grease on their hands which rubbed off on the fabric. I notified my sales rep who said they would take care of cleaning the stains and fixing the wheel arch. I brought the car back to the dealer and instructed them I was there to have the wheel arch looked at and the stains removed from the fabric pillars behind the front seat belts. Apparently the service department thought they were doing me a favor...unbeknownst to me they ran the car through their "platinum detailing service" which included the application of a greasy "protectant" on the mb-tex dashboard and door panels. I complained to my sales rep (who was involved in this process) as one thing I cannot stand is a shiny greasy interior. I paid extra for the mb-tex as I like the matte finish which goes well with the matte wood I chose for the car. My dealer said they can apply a cleaner or degreaser to the dashboard to restore it to factory condition. I am not convinced the dashboard will ever look the way it did when the car was delivered (hopefully I am wrong). This is frustrating as I have a 2 week old, $70k car, with a couple hundred miles which does not look the way it did two weeks ago when I received it new. If the car cannot be restored to its original state (I will compare with another car on the lot) then I will insist they re-order the vehicle. Dealer also had to order a new wheel arch to fix the popping out. Thoughts?

 

I agree. I detest that “dressing” that they put on the interior! I never let them do it. Keep on them. Let your rep know you are returning the car. That should get his attention.

 

In many shops the car prep and oil change guys are the least experienced and least trained. I've had several issues with oil changes. Usually withthe Domestic brands, not Luxury brands but it's not a high paying job. My Audi showed the wrong oil on the sticker but the right oil on the work order. In the back of my mind I was always uneasy that I had the right oil. My Mercedes was impeccable from detail but I did find a small plastic piece that they missed under the seat.

 

Nowaday's - you either have a experienced detail shop you trust - or for some small things good owner's are best knowing what the right products are to have in your "boot" so to speak..

Frankly - a non-ammonia Glass Cleaner will cleanup the dash or any other "slicked down" surface... best sprayed on a microfiber cloth till "wet" then wipe dash clean - and wet/fresh section of the microfiber cloth frequently since you are "removing" slickster material... my guys for this type of task use "Wurth" glass cleaner which was MB stock item up to a couple of months ago a bit pricey but it's a legitmate 19oz can... even cheap "Sprayway" aerosol glass cleaner is ammonia free and will work fine..again spray on the cloth and turn/wet/fresh area of the cloth frequently.. you will be fine. Also each can be "tried" on a fabric light grease marks - spay wet the area and rub with clean microfiber cloth...



On "wheel arch" - I assume you mean "black arch" - right ? I have seen one or two "blacks" that have been mounted a bit "odd" - bothwith my guys were remounted successfully with a bit of help with a heat gun on low to lightly reform the edge before mounting - the body color matched wheel arches are fastened differently and I have not seen a problem yet on those.

Frankly on "black wheel arches" and any black plastic bumper trim - very/very best thing to do is give a quick light rub down with this great sh*t - my Collision Center and I for my Classic MB customers have tested over 30 or so "trim protectants or restorers" - and this CarGuys product is like miles about the pack - minimal product used ("dime" size for wheel arch trim) and leaves a perfect "natural not-too-slick surface" really comes out well if you DON'T over apply the product - especially for my customers that for their convenience duck into a better-end car wash regularly..


Last thing if bug's and/or road debris come up - or for light scratches that come up in door handle cups - a great overall non-harmful light abrasive "polish":

 

I've asked for my car to not be cleaned before delivery, same reasons. I am applying ceramic coating by myself I don't want any waxes on the exterior or any shiny crap inside.

 

I feel your pain. STUPID people that THINK they know how to detail a car end up FAWKING it ALL up!!

 

Wrong link?

 

It's easy to remove the greasy dressing. It won't hurt the dash in anyway.