What can I do to increase the likelihood that repairs to my new car will be done properly?

Question

The new car I bought wasn't properly prepped, and now -- three months after buying the car -- the rail-dust residue has to be un-done.

My concern (worry, really) is that it won't all be attended to; that it wil be done in patches; and that further down the road, more instances of rail dust will present themselves.

Should I insist that the entire car be treated, whether or not rail dust is visible? I suspect they'll simply treat the spots they can see. I do NOT want to have to be running back to the dealer every few months to have this fixed.

What do you suggest I do/say to help insure the problem gets fixed once and for good? Should I involve management? I definitely will tip the dude who does the work (though I don't expect to have to pay for the repair service), but should I tip him up front and let him know there's more if -- and only if -- he does a boffo job? Is that insulting? I do not want to antagonize the guy who's gonna repair my ride, ferchrissakes. Advice?

Answer 1

As I stated in my previous response to your problem, the dealer prep dept or bodyshop should be able to remove all the residue on the whole car as long as they go over it well with oxalic acid or a clay bar and possibly buffing but they have to be careful when buffing not to take off too much of the clearcoat. Paint/bodyshops should have a tool that is used to gauge/measure paint thickness---some are electronic and some are mechanical/magnetic. If you have them check the paint thickness all over the areas that have rail dust before buffing and after, you can tell how much clearcoat may have been removed during buffing and be able to tell if it's too thin or not. Autobody and paint shops have specs on what thickness is minimal---usually 1.5-2 mils thick is minimal.
Be aware that these tiny little specs are sometimes very hard to see and tipping the guy that does the work may help to get a satisfying job, they usually are paid by the hour and any bonus you pay them will probably be welcome---it's a lot of work to go over the entire car with a fine tooth comb and get every little spec off. Also, you should know that this condition also crops up from brake dust (metal particles from the brake rotors from your brakes) so you may have similiar problems down the road but those rust specs usually show up on the body directly behind the wheel areas with disc brakes and would not be covered under warranty---normal residue from operating a vehicle and would be up to you to have it removed.
If you tell the dealer personnel up front that you are concerned about the job being done right the first time, they hopefully will listen to your concerns and if not, go to the general manager or dealer himself with your concerns. Go over the car very carefully when you drop it off to point out any thing you see but don't let them get the impression that's all you want fixed---it's up to them to find all the rail dust and go over it again when you pick it up to be satisfied.
Good luck, Paul
http://www.autopaintgage.com/automotive-paint-meter.htm
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/mobileworks/vpost?id=1201032

Answer 2

To be honest, I don't know what rail dust is. However, if you take it back to the dealer and show the service manager the problem, then just ask him what they are going to do about it. If he tells you that they are only going to patch it, then get his supervisor involved. Keep going up the ladder until you get some satisfaction. good luck.

Answer 3

I work in a body shop for a Chrysler dealer.When one comes in with rail dust we wash the vehicle down with a mild solution that dissolves it,then wash it with clear water.It doesn't affect the wax or cause it to need polishing.Relax and let them do their job.There's no point in getting upset about something that hasn't happened.

Answer 4

If they dont do a good job for you--write to the Attorney General Office-Consumer Protection Division in your state. Do it in your own handwriting(not typed). I had to do this once with a car dealer--The next time I walked in there they jumped out of their chairs to help me. The attorney generals office can close down their business.

Answer 5

not likely that they will just strip,wax, and buff one section of car......i would expect them to do the whole thing. guys that do detailing take a lot of pride in thier work. (of course there are one or two bad apples in the mix, thats everywhere)