scratches on a new car

[JustClean]

Today a lady came in. She had noticed some very small scratches on the hood, on the side and on the roof. Nothing to worry about on an older car but since it was a fairly new one she only wanted to make me aware of it. No damage claim or anything - especially since I tried to polish it out straight away.
She said she usually cleans it at home and it was the first time she used an automatic. We use soft foam brushes.
Looking at the scratches I cannot really say if it was the automatic or not. However, since we guarantee "no scratches" I have to investigate this.
We recycle and we also collect rainwater. One thing that came to my mind was water quality. When is recycled water good enough for cleaning cars? Could have some tiny, tiny pebbles in the water been the source of this. Or is there anything else I could investigate?

 

[pitzerwm]

I'd say BS

 

[MEP001]

She said she usually cleans it at home

I'll bet that's the problem.

 

[Gabriel]

Check carefully to see if it could be from dragging a water hose at home across the car washing or rinsing it. I have seen this often.

Also short individuals often scratch the edge of the top of a hood or roof by reaching with a long brush to reach the center of the vehicle. I one time encountered a guy that was scratching the fenders his own car with his belt buckle as he wiped with a rag.

 

[Waxman]

Simple way to check your wash quality; pre-inspect a nice black vehicle, noting any and all scratches present.

Then run it through. Are there more scratches than before? Test finished.

 

[Renato]

Hi: How are you? Is there anychance to see a picture of the scratches? It will be very helpful.
regards
Renato

 

[JustClean]

Simple way to check your wash quality; pre-inspect a nice black vehicle, noting any and all scratches present.

Then run it through. Are there more scratches than before? Test finished.

Hmm...done that with my black car and no further scratches. However, before I took my car in the automatic I found two scratches that looked similar to hers Weird! I don't have any photos as I polished mine out. I wouldn't have a clue where they came from. Can't be the shopping centre, hose or dirty sponge...

 

[rph9168]

This may or may not be the case. It depends on how new the vehicle is. If you have ever seen how a dealer preps new cars you would not believe it. Often times they leave scratches or buffer marks. Normally they apply a sealant or wax that will cover any problems they created. Eventually that will either deteriorate or be removed by a number of washes and the scratches reappear.

 

[Gabriel]

This is so true. I watched a Mercedes Dealer removing scratches with a little black wax stick. When he finished the scratches were not only covered up, they were filled in and invisible. They will come back.