Preping the car

mazeka · 07-09-2008

Hi, when the dealer gets the car, they prep the car.
1- do they wax the car?
2- when I get it home, should I dawn it the Zaino it right away?

**DansSlk** · 07-09-2008

Best thing you can do mate is tell them not to do any sort of prep on the car and you can do it all yourself once the car is at home.

Then you know it is done to a standard you approve.

**FishtailnZ** · 07-09-2008

What Dan said. Just make sure you REALLY make them understand NOT to detail it themselves - those kind of request sometimes get lost in the shuffle.

**etyu** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazeka

Hi, when the dealer gets the car, they prep the car.
1- do they wax the car?
2- when I get it home, should I dawn it the Zaino it right away?

I did the clay bar and zaino within a week of delivery.

**UK-C200** · 07-09-2008

+1 - tell 'em to leave it alone, you'll take care of the washing. Then tell 'em again, and remind them a couple of times.

Do the full pull Zaino - Dawn prep, claybar, couple of Z5+Z6, then at least one Z2+Z6. It's actually a great way to get to know your new baby intimately, and I find it hugely satisfying...

Wow - I feel like I need to go wash my car!

**dsb** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK-C200

+1 - tell 'em to leave it alone, you'll take care of the washing. Then tell 'em again, and remind them a couple of times.

Do the full pull Zaino - Dawn prep, claybar, couple of Z5+Z6, then at least one Z2+Z6. It's actually a great way to get to know your new baby intimately, and I find it hugely satisfying...

Wow - I feel like I need to go wash my car!

Agreed. .

**etyu** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK-C200

+1 - tell 'em to leave it alone, you'll take care of the washing. Then tell 'em again, and remind them a couple of times.

Do the full pull Zaino - Dawn prep, claybar, couple of Z5+Z6, then at least one Z2+Z6. It's actually a great way to get to know your new baby intimately, and I find it hugely satisfying...

Wow - I feel like I need to go wash my car!

I agree x3.

mazeka · 07-09-2008

So preping is just washing the car an vacuming it on the inside. is that all done to the car when it is offloaded from the truck.

I see some cars have some kind of plastic cover on the the exterior.
Is that removed at perping stage. if so, I should just ask them to take the plastic off and that is it.

**UK-C200** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazeka

So preping is just washing the car an vacuming it on the inside. is that all done to the car when it is offloaded from the truck.

I see some cars have some kind of plastic cover on the the exterior.
Is that removed at perping stage. if so, I should just ask them to take the plastic off and that is it.

I suspect - but don't know for a fact, never have taken delivery of a "new" one fresh from the factory - that there is a checklist that the guys run through checking fluids, etc. I'd also have 'em peel off the wrappings. The thing you want to avoid is having them wash / wax / abuse the finish - so vaccumming her out, checking the fluids, filling the tank with nice premium, etc. I'd let them do all that.

I do know that in the US there is no "test drive" by their techs required - and if they insist, I'd insist on riding along!

**etyu** · 07-10-2008

Also on the SLK, make sure they DO NOT lift the wiper arm or they will chip the paint at the edge of the engine hood/bonnet.

As UK-C200 said, they can check the fluids, etc but I believe this is checked at the port area where the delivery center checks the fluids, tires and puts in the first-aid kit, and other small accessory items. All the dealer needs to do is remove the plastic wrappings on the paint and interior carpets, etc. I would specifically ask to talk to the person in charge of vehicle prep and delivery at the dealership to make sure they don't wash the car and chip the hood.

The areas that may be chipped are marked by blue masking tape in photo below:

FallintoCouture · 07-10-2008

You're totally right, my car is actually chipped from the dealership right where that blue mark is! On my old 320 I had chipping problems, I think from the packaging, where the roof folds, and it kept getting worse every time I opened it until they gave me some touch-up paint.

**UK-C200** · 07-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

Also on the SLK, make sure they DO NOT lift the wiper arm or they will chip the paint at the edge of the engine hood/bonnet.

That's excellent advice for all of us - I almost chipped mine myself when I first washed her!

**WhiteRabbit** · 07-10-2008

On my previous 06 SLK 280 I was extremely carefull when lifting the wipers to not chip the hood. And then one day after washing and drying the car I opened the hood to wipe down the engine compartment while the right hand wiper arm was up. It left about a 3/4" scrap on the edge of the hood. I was not a happy camper!!

mazeka · 07-10-2008

Ok we should make a black plastic soft tube to cover the metal arm.

xpcdoojk · 07-11-2008

So how do you wash the window below the wiper if you can't lift it? Why would it be made so that it chips the paint when someone would do something as natural as raising the wiper?

This makes no sense to me.

jc

**etyu** · 07-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpcdoojk

So how do you wash the window below the wiper if you can't lift it? Why would it be made so that it chips the paint when someone would do something as natural as raising the wiper?

This makes no sense to me.

jc

The hood is kinda long and slopes upward, if the wiper arm were lifted to the point where you want the arm to lock itself in an upright position, it will scrape the hood. (Owner's manual describes the procedure for lifting the wiper arm by having the wiper blade go vertical first with accessory power on and switching off the ignition) One can still clean the glass underneath and below the wiper area by lifting the wiper arm only PARTWAY.

**UK-C200** · 07-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

The hood is kinda long and slopes upward, if the wiper arm were lifted to the point where you want the arm to lock itself in an upright position, it will scrape the hood. (Owner's manual describes the procedure for lifting the wiper arm by having the wiper blade go vertical first with accessory power on and switching off the ignition) One can still clean the glass underneath and below the wiper area by lifting the wiper arm only PARTWAY.

Yeah - I'm a big rain-x fan, so I tend to do the windshield every time I wash. I've gotten in the habit of just putting one of my polishing rags between the hood and the wiper arm when I'm working on the windshield. Not sure if it would totally prevent a scrape, but it does remind me to be careful.

mazeka · 07-11-2008

when picking the car up which flueids should I check and how.
1- engine oil....check by the computer
2- coolant......... ????????
3- transmission....... ???????
4- windows...check by looking in the clear container.

**etyu** · 07-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazeka

when picking the car up which flueids should I check and how.
1- engine oil....check by the computer
2- coolant......... ????????
3- transmission....... ???????
4- windows...check by looking in the clear container.

Those are usually inspected and already topped off by the prep center. The translucent container for the windshield washer is mostly hidden.

07-09-2008	#1 (permalink)
mazeka Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Studio City Vehicle: 09 SLk55 Posts: 172 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	Preping the car Hi, when the dealer gets the car, they prep the car. 1- do they wax the car? 2- when I get it home, should I dawn it the Zaino it right away?

07-09-2008	#2 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	Best thing you can do mate is tell them not to do any sort of prep on the car and you can do it all yourself once the car is at home. Then you know it is done to a standard you approve. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

07-09-2008	#3 (permalink)
FishtailnZ Don't feed the trolls... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nfld., Canada Vehicle: 2009 C63 pipelined Other Toys: Wife, kids, dogs... Posts: 1,506 Country: Thanks: 294 Thanked 223 Times in 99 Posts	What Dan said. Just make sure you REALLY make them understand NOT to detail it themselves - those kind of request sometimes get lost in the shuffle. __________________ - Bill Waiting on a 2009 C63 Fire Opal/Alpaca Premium+Media R.I.P. 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.80 Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen

07-10-2008	#10 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,306 Country: Thanks: 381 Thanked 282 Times in 173 Posts	Also on the SLK, make sure they DO NOT lift the wiper arm or they will chip the paint at the edge of the engine hood/bonnet. As UK-C200 said, they can check the fluids, etc but I believe this is checked at the port area where the delivery center checks the fluids, tires and puts in the first-aid kit, and other small accessory items. All the dealer needs to do is remove the plastic wrappings on the paint and interior carpets, etc. I would specifically ask to talk to the person in charge of vehicle prep and delivery at the dealership to make sure they don't wash the car and chip the hood. The areas that may be chipped are marked by blue masking tape in photo below: __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

07-10-2008	#13 (permalink)
WhiteRabbit Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Vehicle: 2009 SLK 350 Posts: 370 Country: Thanks: 80 Thanked 35 Times in 23 Posts	On my previous 06 SLK 280 I was extremely carefull when lifting the wipers to not chip the hood. And then one day after washing and drying the car I opened the hood to wipe down the engine compartment while the right hand wiper arm was up. It left about a 3/4" scrap on the edge of the hood. I was not a happy camper!! __________________ 2009 SLK 350, Arctic White, Gullwing Red, 7G Automatic, Premium PKG I, Lighting, Heating packages, Auto Climate Control, smartTop roof module v3.22, Clear side-marker lenses.

07-09-2008	#5 (permalink)
UK-C200 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK & Baton Rouge, Louisiana Vehicle: 04 RHD C200K Coupe, 06 LHD SLK-350 Other Toys: Nacra F18 Posts: 614 Country: Thanks: 41 Thanked 130 Times in 83 Posts	+1 - tell 'em to leave it alone, you'll take care of the washing. Then tell 'em again, and remind them a couple of times. Do the full pull Zaino - Dawn prep, claybar, couple of Z5+Z6, then at least one Z2+Z6. It's actually a great way to get to know your new baby intimately, and I find it hugely satisfying... Wow - I feel like I need to go wash my car!

07-09-2008	#8 (permalink)
mazeka Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Studio City Vehicle: 09 SLk55 Posts: 172 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	So preping is just washing the car an vacuming it on the inside. is that all done to the car when it is offloaded from the truck. I see some cars have some kind of plastic cover on the the exterior. Is that removed at perping stage. if so, I should just ask them to take the plastic off and that is it.

07-10-2008	#11 (permalink)
FallintoCouture SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ Vehicle: Alabaster White 2005 SLK350 Other Toys: Firemist Red 2001 SLK320 & Black 2005 CLK320 - R.I.P. :-( Posts: 19 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	You're totally right, my car is actually chipped from the dealership right where that blue mark is! On my old 320 I had chipping problems, I think from the packaging, where the roof folds, and it kept getting worse every time I opened it until they gave me some touch-up paint.

07-10-2008	#14 (permalink)
mazeka Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Studio City Vehicle: 09 SLk55 Posts: 172 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	Ok we should make a black plastic soft tube to cover the metal arm.

07-11-2008	#15 (permalink)
xpcdoojk SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Vehicle: SLK 300 Artic White with Red Leather Other Toys: MINI Cooper S Posts: 41 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 2 Posts	So how do you wash the window below the wiper if you can't lift it? Why would it be made so that it chips the paint when someone would do something as natural as raising the wiper? This makes no sense to me. jc

07-11-2008	#18 (permalink)
mazeka Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Studio City Vehicle: 09 SLk55 Posts: 172 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	when picking the car up which flueids should I check and how. 1- engine oil....check by the computer 2- coolant......... ???????? 3- transmission....... ??????? 4- windows...check by looking in the clear container.

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links