You may have just spent 2 days out of your week polishing your car. You may have spent several hundred dollars or more on a paint correction service. The car looks great! Now your focus shifts towards keeping it this way. You just purchased some top of the line microfibers. Shampoos, Grit Guards, and your favorite drying aids are on your shopping list. All of those things are important, but there is something more…
The “Do Not Wash” Rear View Mirror Hang Tag is rarely discussed. But the consequences of not using one is a common problem I see and once upon a time experienced myself. You may have experienced or seen the rants on social media. A clean, polished, and protected car that looks better than 90% of the cars at the dealership is sent off to be assaulted by brushes out of (gasp) courtesy.
I remember soon after the first time I had detailed my car. I had to get a part inspected that week. This guy proudly exclaimed, “I took the liberty of washing it for you.” My clean car, are you freaking kidding me! Being now the second time this happened to me, I would not allow a third incident. I decided to take matters into my own hands and be that guy!
On the phone scheduling an appointment date, I requested the work order for them to not wash the car. Her response, after a awkward pause “so wash the car.” I respond “No! Do not wash the car.” It took a few seconds for her to process and acknowledge what I was asking.
A verbal request alone was not going to give me that peace of mind. Arriving with multiple colorful signs strategically placed in conspicuous areas. “Rodney I got it to make sure we wash..” After gathering myself emotionally I said again “no, do not wash the car.”
The point I am making is you (the reader of this article) will most likely represent a small number of people who REALLY care about swirls and scratches. Yes, it pains me to say that! The people that ran my car through the scratch-omatic thought they were providing a great service. I did not at the time realize this was something that happens regularly. Even many of my clients, who wondered where the swirls came from, did not even realize that a dealership wash is NOT a hand wash. I would also be just as weary of complimentary hand washes. I have polished enough allegedly brand new looking vehicles to say they are most likely not going to make it enough of a priority to discern between the car guy and the average Joe.
You have to be proactive. In addition to a verbal request, I always have the Detailed Image Mirror Hang Tag and a sheet in colorful font left, in plain sight, expressing my desire to leave the cosmetic care to the enthusiasts.