Ok so there's this place i've been going to for three years now to get my M3 detailed. The very first time i had the full job done, everything was great, good shine with the Klasse, but they went ahead and dyed my dove vaders and door panels w/o me asking... and it looked fantastic, for about a month. Of course, the next time i took it in (the following spring after the fall job) they said they couldn't touch the vaders, couldn't even clean them, cause they'd have to re-dye them again (more $$). riiiiight. so i say fine, don't touch them, i pay less. deal.

so i just went back this week for an estimate on just an exterior job and the guy comes out for the walk around and starts RUBBING the filthy coating of dust/dirt off my paint at the c-pillar. with his hand. rubbing. he did it on a few different areas...i didn't even say anything cause hey, he's the detail guy. isn't that a bad thing to do for paint? am i wrong? and 175 for exterior seems ok to me... but i want to ask and make sure they're using the whole Klasse system, with the SG, wouldn't you think? i've tried to ask them about exactly how many coats they're doing of each and its always been, rolled eyes, "i'd have to ask the guy in the back" kinda thing. oh well. there's nobody else up here in Chico area that i know of thats any better.

Dump them. Get the Klasse stuff yourself and get waxing. I wouldn't trust anyone with my cars....for anything.

Yep, sounds like it's time to do it yourself.

BTW, unless they're keeping the car overnight, they are not adding more than one layer of SG. It takes several hours for the SG to cure before you add another layer.

they actually have kept it overnight usually. but nonetheless, i appreciate you guys pointing out what i had suspected. but i don't have a buffer/the time/the energy to do it i don't think

I suggest you read the sticky post titled "Detailing 101".

You only need a buffer if the car has swirl marks or other paint defects you want to remove. THe idea is to use an abrasive polish with a buffer on the car once to get rid of the defects and then use proper washing techniques so you don't have to do it again. Since you've had a detailer work on the car, it may already be as defect-free as possible.

And, FWIW, many of us with buffers choose to apply and remove the Klasse by hand.

And, FWIW, many of us with buffers choose to apply and remove the Klasse by hand.

Klasse is a joy to work with. Easy on/off application, no buffer necessary. I suggest you go to our sponsor Autogeek.net, use the sweet 10% discount they give us, and pick up a bottle of AIO and SG. The only problem is while you're buying that you're bound to find a TON of cool stuff you want.

maybe you dont have the energy but you have the time. no offense but people always come to where i work and say could you wax it, i just dont have the time...yet they wait in the "gift shop" area. they dont have the time to do it but they have the time to wait and do nothing while we do it. whatever...theyre the ones paying for labor. although they arent paying 175 bucks for an exterior detail. our complete detail inside and out is only like 100, but im sure they do a lot more

I think if they dye'd your seats without your permission they should pay for new upholstery (if they were torn at all), or pay for a complete restoration of the leater (leatherique process).

I am strictly against the quick dye on leather. Like you said, it looks great for about a month. Furthermore, you can't clean it. If you do clean it, say goodbye to the dye. So whats the point? Essentialy you've just ruined your leather, and your detailshop is responsible. If someone dyed my leather without my permission, I can tell you I wouldn't just "deal" with it.

I think you should go in there and hang them by their balls. Leather isn't something you screw with, becuase either way you look at it, you're going to have to spend a pretty penny for either restoring it, or upwards of 2000 dollars for new leather (some will say cheaper, but it's not true).

if you don't have the time to do it yourself, check around here and autopia.org for a guy who will treat your car the way it's suppose to be treated.

that really sucks to hear about the leather. but you said you got it done a year ago? i doubt the detail shop would fix anything since so much time has elapsed and you didn't complain sooner. i guess you could work the angle that they said they dyed the leather and you didn't find out you couldn't clean it until now.... hmmm... just trying to think what would hold up... legally.

good luck to ya man. i hate to see detail shops do stuff like this. :( especially on such a beautiful car.

-mike

so i just went back this week for an estimate on just an exterior job and the guy comes out for the walk around and starts RUBBING the filthy coating of dust/dirt off my paint at the c-pillar. with his hand. rubbing. he did it on a few different areas...i didn't even say anything cause hey, he's the detail guy. isn't that a bad thing to do for paint?
It's a bad thing. Rubbing a dirty surface will drag the dirt across the paint and cause scratches.

Screw the shop, they didn't follow the correct terms of service the first time and haven't since served you anymore, just learn it yourself or find a good detailer.