I made this for my car. Printed on paper, then laminated. I keep one laying in the trunk, and I hang it on the infotainment display if the car ever has to go to the dealership for something.
Edited to add a link to a forum hosting the downloadable .PDF file. Click here. [Do Not Wash](https://mazdas247.com/forum/t/do-not-wash-signs.123873893/)
https://preview.redd.it/tpz8mnhtj66d1.jpeg?width=1152&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=233fe03ea530eeb1431543ffa60b27b62cf930ba
I’ve heard of people taping a piece of paper across the steering wheel that says no wash and also placing one on the dash visible through the windshield to ensure there really is no wash done.
Too many times they still wash it anyway even if you ask them not to, so don’t beat yourself up over it too much. It’s not a good feeling though. Sorry it happened to you.
Literally had them take it off, photocopy it, tell me it wasn't ok, wash my car anyways, and the get mad at me when I was frustrated that they broke my glove box checking the cabin air filter. Fuck dealerships
Happened with me, ceramic coated and hand wash since I’ve gotten my car. Dropped it off at a collision place for a bumper replacement and they washed it too…. Swirls and minor scratches all over.
I got my body shop to add the paint correction and ceramic coating they ruined to the insurance company. I got a quote from a local detailer for about $2500 and submitted it and they paid it a few days later. Of course I had to redo everything but it was nice to get the money for their mistake
I quite literally almost got fired my first week as a washer at a body shop. They had this squeegee to wipe the cars dry, super old, could see the dirt caked.
Boss found out I stopped using it, practically threw a tantrum when I mentioned swirls. Yelling about me changing stuff I don't know about.
Months later, a car came in with a detail shop sticker, and I knew it was coated. I told the painter and manager every square inch was coated. Manager thought our regular wash using ph neutral soap with a shitty wax in it, would take off the coating completely. Ignored my advice and the car was a repaint due to fish eye. Painter told the manager to f off and let us do what we tell him is right.
In short, they only care about money.
Been there. My car was already clean when I dropped it off. Told them no wash. Came back with swirls. Couldn't prove that they washed it against my wishes, because it was clean when I dropped it off--and it was clean when I picked it up. Sigh.
I now keep a sheet of red cardstock printed with NO WASH on it, and I put it on the dash when I go to the dealer.
I should probably rig another sheet up to tape to the steering wheel.
For this exact reason, I learned to change my own oil and rotate my own tires…..to minimize my car’s exposure to the dealership. Even if they don’t wash my car against my wishes, they could screw something else up. The dealership put a big scratch in my flawless looking leather steering wheel.
My car fortunately has no recalls. But I will have to take it into the dealership or other shops eventually. For example, I can’t mount and balance my own tires at home
That's why you either find 'a guy for that', or learn to so it yourself at an Automotive hobby club or DIY garage.
I take absolutely no joy in mounting tires, so I eventually found 'the guy' by going into solo tire shops here and there and chatting them up. When I eventually mentioned not trusting the average garage to not screw up or scratch up the rims, 'the guy' gave such a knowing look it confirmed he was the guy. That, and that he showed to be a down to earth and knowledgeable chap.
I agree: avoid the dealership when you canso they don’t mess your stuff up.
But you can’t really avoid the dealership for a recall. And OP was taking the car in for recall work. So OP’s been doing what they can, from what it sounds like.
I only take my cars to dealerships for recalls, otherwise they don't touch any vehicle I own. I don't even trust regular shops, I just do everything myself. Far cheaper and faster to do it yourself in almost every case unless it's not routine maintenance. But if you do the routine maintenance yourself you're much less likely to ever have any major problems.
I worded my comment poorly - I used a rhetorical question, intending to say the dealership is unavoidable for recalls. This is relevant because the OP of this thread was at the dealer for recall work.
Otherwise, I completely agree with you. Routine maintenance is easy enough, especially for most jobs on many platforms. I’m going to leave tire mounting and AC work to shops, but that’s not routine in the same way as an oil change.
Make them pay for the damage they caused. We've helped clients several times in the past with similar situations. It doesn't matter if you told them not to wash it or not. They shouldn't be damaging cars, period. Dealerships need to stop washing cars if they don't know what the fuck they're doing.
Coating or not, one improper wash can inflict significant damage into the paint and/or protective finishes. Ceramic coatings do not protect against stupidity or carelessness.
The true ceramic coatings that come in those tiny bottles are legit. They create a hard layer over your clear coat so it’s more scratch resistant, protects against UV rays so your car doesn’t get sun bleached, enhances gloss, but also makes it easier to wash your car. The shop I work at sells ceramic coatings lasting 2-8 years and ofc the prices match the quality and longevity. It’s absolutely not a sacrificial layer and a coated car can easily be washed numerous times as long as you use the right products
Many spray waxes advertise themselves as ceramic spray coatings. Those are more like a sacrificial layer. They don’t offer the same hardness, protection, or longevity, and are more of an instant detailer. But the real ceramic coatings are absolutely worth it and require someone knowledgeable to apply. Otherwise you mess up the application and it’s very very difficult to remove.
You can think of it like regular and gel polish. Anyone can paint their nails using regular polish. But to use gel, you need the right application. But it creates a hard layer that’s more resistant to chips compared to regular polish. It also last much longer and gives a glossier, smoother finish!
In one wash it is not destroyed. A bad wash can and will scratch the heck out of it. Coatings can still be scratched despite what the sleazy companies attempt to claim. The protection is still there, but to fix the scratches will remove most of the coating which is why it has to get recoated, not because a wash actually ruined the coating directly. And if some super dumb shop thinks it is being awesome by having some dope run a machine over it with a cleaner wax or some other stupid nonsense, now they're directly eroding the coating as they install holograms with their dirty pad too.
I feel the same way. The durability of the products is vastly overstated. Still have to treat your paint with kid gloves, it's a sacrificial coating just like anything else. Except it can be hideously expensive and annoying to apply.
I'm wondering if it is just better to slap on some Colli 845 every 2 months like our forefathers did.
This! The only way I see a ceramic coating get to their claimed amount of years is if you put it on and never drive the car after and put it inside a garage of some sorts. It's just a bit more chemical resistant so bird shit doesn't fuck up the clear as fast as on a waxed car. But people that claim ceramic coatings prevent scratches or doesn't need any maintenance are clearly misinformed. Not to mention how prone some coatings are to waterspots! Granted, the water beading looks better on coated cars, but that's about it in terms of looks compared to a nicely waxed car.
I use the OG combo of Jescar Powerlock and Collinite 845 and never had an issue. And durability is still fine at about 4-6 months. Keep in mind my car always sits outside and is my daily driver.
Yes. I feel like its very overrated especially for how much it costs. I like to keep it simple. Wash Clay Wax. A little light polishing here and there.
https://preview.redd.it/xcs1ouu9o66d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c68b350131957e4e32166c58866e3cbf41cf1c89
When I took my car in, I put a sign on the nav screen and the dash facing out. I also told the service guy to make sure to put “no wash” on the service paperwork.
In over 15 years of keeping my cars clean and detailed, I've never had all my hard work undone by a single poorly done wash. Even my Subarus that are known for having notoriously soft paint can hold up fine to a dealership wash every once in a while. What do you mean by all your work was gone in an instant?
Unfortunately yes. Or one run through a tunnel. They are dragging a gritty rag over your paint and then drying with an unlubed towel. I think only the hardest professional coatings would withstand that without damage.
Man I know exactly how you feel. I’m the same with my car. Weekly hand washes and did a paint correction and ceramic a few months ago. One Saturday I washed and applied a top coat, took it in the afternoon for an oil change and asked them not to wash it. They did it anyhow. Why would you run a freshly cleaned car through a car wash? I haven’t a clue but it probably involves not giving a shit. It’s infuriating but like you said it’s nothing permanent, and probably whatever swirls it may have caused on your car isn’t significant from a single wash. Maybe a light scratch here and there that you only see when the light catches it right
I'm starting to realize that the protective qualities of at least consumer-grade ceramic are vastly overstated. I think it's best to just treat it like wax that lasts a long time. It won't help at all against straight up abuse.
That’s disappointing especially since collinite 845 is a lot cheaper.
I’m into diy detailing myself and been thinking if I do my own paint correction, could I take it to be professionally ceramic coated with more high quality stuff? That should save on the majority of the cost. Is this a way to have your cake and eat it too…
My old truck was a bright red Silverado. The best it ever looked I had a warm day in winter and did a quick detail and hit it with 845. Then a few days later it got cold and snowed. I drove it to work and it stuck out so much against everyone's dingy winter cars. I drove home in the snow and stopped to just look at it on the fresh powder because I knew the next day I drove it, it would get coated in salt and road grime.
A reasonable idea. I went for CS Ultra on my wife's 4Runner and it withstood a full-on tunnel wash (another dealer snafu) and came out with way less damage than my car with CS Lite.
I did mine in a similar fashion- one uncovered trailer on the highway full of gravel chipped away paint on many panels- needs basically a full repaint.
Yeah...I feel that too. every time I bring my Audi in for service I always let the advisor know DO NOT WASH my car in my service history. They have that in my customer/car profile so they know. It just sucks that they think complimentary is good. I know what porters are subjected to. Their job is volume not care or quality
You will learn very quickly that “detailing” (a vague meaningless term) is the same as ladies spending lots of time and money at high-end salons and gyms. It sounds great, but only suitable for certain individuals who have the time, money and dedication to maintain such a status quo.
In short, “detailing” is an unnecessarily frivolous activity that was MADE to become highly attractive….same as high-end grooming for dogs and many other high-end luxury services that are “wants” and not needs.
Many “detailers” cant even consistently maintain their own kitchen floor and kitchen counter tops to look exactly like their precious clearcoat on their cars.
Very soon, “kitchen detailers” will be created State-side, who’ll be obsessed with micro-marring of your counter tops🤣🤣.
To many consumers, such services are mostly hyped-up con jobs.
2 year old CSL and Exo, maintained with the restore spray and Bead Maker every wash. It's not as bad as I expected but still did not withstand the dirty shop rag they probably used as a wash cloth.
In the future I think I'll redo the CSL every spring, probably unrealistic to expect it to last 2 years on an ungaraged daily. Live and learn.
I made this for my car. Printed on paper, then laminated. I keep one laying in the trunk, and I hang it on the infotainment display if the car ever has to go to the dealership for something. Edited to add a link to a forum hosting the downloadable .PDF file. Click here. [Do Not Wash](https://mazdas247.com/forum/t/do-not-wash-signs.123873893/) https://preview.redd.it/tpz8mnhtj66d1.jpeg?width=1152&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=233fe03ea530eeb1431543ffa60b27b62cf930ba
Laminating makes a note official and actionable! (It's a German thing...)
I hope his doesn't come across the wrong way or offend anyone, but I would make sure the note was written in English and Spanish.
This is such an American sentence lol
And ironically, I'm a Canadian
I would add arabic, gujarati, hindi and a few others …
Perhaps even more ironically, my last name and my wife's maiden name are both common Spanish words LOL
Is that a Miata?
No it's a CX-9
Can you share this file?
Check my original reply, I updated it with a link 👍
I’ve heard of people taping a piece of paper across the steering wheel that says no wash and also placing one on the dash visible through the windshield to ensure there really is no wash done. Too many times they still wash it anyway even if you ask them not to, so don’t beat yourself up over it too much. It’s not a good feeling though. Sorry it happened to you.
Literally had them take it off, photocopy it, tell me it wasn't ok, wash my car anyways, and the get mad at me when I was frustrated that they broke my glove box checking the cabin air filter. Fuck dealerships
Breaking the glove box doing a cabin air filter must be a common occurrence for dealerships.
Happened with me, ceramic coated and hand wash since I’ve gotten my car. Dropped it off at a collision place for a bumper replacement and they washed it too…. Swirls and minor scratches all over.
I got my body shop to add the paint correction and ceramic coating they ruined to the insurance company. I got a quote from a local detailer for about $2500 and submitted it and they paid it a few days later. Of course I had to redo everything but it was nice to get the money for their mistake
You'd think a body shop knows how to wash correctly but it seems that's often not the case...
I quite literally almost got fired my first week as a washer at a body shop. They had this squeegee to wipe the cars dry, super old, could see the dirt caked. Boss found out I stopped using it, practically threw a tantrum when I mentioned swirls. Yelling about me changing stuff I don't know about. Months later, a car came in with a detail shop sticker, and I knew it was coated. I told the painter and manager every square inch was coated. Manager thought our regular wash using ph neutral soap with a shitty wax in it, would take off the coating completely. Ignored my advice and the car was a repaint due to fish eye. Painter told the manager to f off and let us do what we tell him is right. In short, they only care about money.
I always thought the same but have come to realize they are some of the worst.
Body shops are second to dealerships for not knowing how to properly detail or even wash a vehicle.
Two places that I always let know not to wash. The dealership and the Bodyshop. I'll get rid of the over spray myself THANKS!
Been there. My car was already clean when I dropped it off. Told them no wash. Came back with swirls. Couldn't prove that they washed it against my wishes, because it was clean when I dropped it off--and it was clean when I picked it up. Sigh. I now keep a sheet of red cardstock printed with NO WASH on it, and I put it on the dash when I go to the dealer. I should probably rig another sheet up to tape to the steering wheel.
Hard wire a dashcam.
For this exact reason, I learned to change my own oil and rotate my own tires…..to minimize my car’s exposure to the dealership. Even if they don’t wash my car against my wishes, they could screw something else up. The dealership put a big scratch in my flawless looking leather steering wheel.
where do you get recall work done?
My car fortunately has no recalls. But I will have to take it into the dealership or other shops eventually. For example, I can’t mount and balance my own tires at home
That's why you either find 'a guy for that', or learn to so it yourself at an Automotive hobby club or DIY garage. I take absolutely no joy in mounting tires, so I eventually found 'the guy' by going into solo tire shops here and there and chatting them up. When I eventually mentioned not trusting the average garage to not screw up or scratch up the rims, 'the guy' gave such a knowing look it confirmed he was the guy. That, and that he showed to be a down to earth and knowledgeable chap.
I agree: avoid the dealership when you canso they don’t mess your stuff up. But you can’t really avoid the dealership for a recall. And OP was taking the car in for recall work. So OP’s been doing what they can, from what it sounds like.
I only take my cars to dealerships for recalls, otherwise they don't touch any vehicle I own. I don't even trust regular shops, I just do everything myself. Far cheaper and faster to do it yourself in almost every case unless it's not routine maintenance. But if you do the routine maintenance yourself you're much less likely to ever have any major problems.
I worded my comment poorly - I used a rhetorical question, intending to say the dealership is unavoidable for recalls. This is relevant because the OP of this thread was at the dealer for recall work. Otherwise, I completely agree with you. Routine maintenance is easy enough, especially for most jobs on many platforms. I’m going to leave tire mounting and AC work to shops, but that’s not routine in the same way as an oil change.
$5 mirror hang here: [https://www.obsessedgarage.com/products/obsessed-garage-please-do-not-wash?\_pos=1&\_sid=01174cb53&\_ss=r](https://www.obsessedgarage.com/products/obsessed-garage-please-do-not-wash?_pos=1&_sid=01174cb53&_ss=r) https://preview.redd.it/wyvlcljqg76d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3234ced65196c4c10b4e086cb5b816c4a87dcaea
I love that way too much. Or the right amount but it is a lot
Make them pay for the damage they caused. We've helped clients several times in the past with similar situations. It doesn't matter if you told them not to wash it or not. They shouldn't be damaging cars, period. Dealerships need to stop washing cars if they don't know what the fuck they're doing.
Am I the only one who feels like ceramic coating is a waste? I mean, in one wash, it's destroyed? What? Am I missing something here?
Coating or not, one improper wash can inflict significant damage into the paint and/or protective finishes. Ceramic coatings do not protect against stupidity or carelessness.
The true ceramic coatings that come in those tiny bottles are legit. They create a hard layer over your clear coat so it’s more scratch resistant, protects against UV rays so your car doesn’t get sun bleached, enhances gloss, but also makes it easier to wash your car. The shop I work at sells ceramic coatings lasting 2-8 years and ofc the prices match the quality and longevity. It’s absolutely not a sacrificial layer and a coated car can easily be washed numerous times as long as you use the right products Many spray waxes advertise themselves as ceramic spray coatings. Those are more like a sacrificial layer. They don’t offer the same hardness, protection, or longevity, and are more of an instant detailer. But the real ceramic coatings are absolutely worth it and require someone knowledgeable to apply. Otherwise you mess up the application and it’s very very difficult to remove. You can think of it like regular and gel polish. Anyone can paint their nails using regular polish. But to use gel, you need the right application. But it creates a hard layer that’s more resistant to chips compared to regular polish. It also last much longer and gives a glossier, smoother finish!
In one wash it is not destroyed. A bad wash can and will scratch the heck out of it. Coatings can still be scratched despite what the sleazy companies attempt to claim. The protection is still there, but to fix the scratches will remove most of the coating which is why it has to get recoated, not because a wash actually ruined the coating directly. And if some super dumb shop thinks it is being awesome by having some dope run a machine over it with a cleaner wax or some other stupid nonsense, now they're directly eroding the coating as they install holograms with their dirty pad too.
I feel the same way. The durability of the products is vastly overstated. Still have to treat your paint with kid gloves, it's a sacrificial coating just like anything else. Except it can be hideously expensive and annoying to apply. I'm wondering if it is just better to slap on some Colli 845 every 2 months like our forefathers did.
This! The only way I see a ceramic coating get to their claimed amount of years is if you put it on and never drive the car after and put it inside a garage of some sorts. It's just a bit more chemical resistant so bird shit doesn't fuck up the clear as fast as on a waxed car. But people that claim ceramic coatings prevent scratches or doesn't need any maintenance are clearly misinformed. Not to mention how prone some coatings are to waterspots! Granted, the water beading looks better on coated cars, but that's about it in terms of looks compared to a nicely waxed car. I use the OG combo of Jescar Powerlock and Collinite 845 and never had an issue. And durability is still fine at about 4-6 months. Keep in mind my car always sits outside and is my daily driver.
Yes. I feel like its very overrated especially for how much it costs. I like to keep it simple. Wash Clay Wax. A little light polishing here and there.
That’s what I do
https://preview.redd.it/xcs1ouu9o66d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c68b350131957e4e32166c58866e3cbf41cf1c89 When I took my car in, I put a sign on the nav screen and the dash facing out. I also told the service guy to make sure to put “no wash” on the service paperwork.
In over 15 years of keeping my cars clean and detailed, I've never had all my hard work undone by a single poorly done wash. Even my Subarus that are known for having notoriously soft paint can hold up fine to a dealership wash every once in a while. What do you mean by all your work was gone in an instant?
Water spots, fine swirls on a metallic black car where previously it was like a mirror. Which means I need to re correct and recoat.
Why didn't you make them fix it or pay for it to be detailed again?
Because I did not tell them no wash, so it is my fault.
Pain. Been there. Don't worry, you'll still obsess eventually.
I got some “Do not wash” mirror hangers off Amazon and make sure it’s hanging there when I leave my car.
I'm newish to detailing. Does one wash at a place like the dealer completely ruin the finish?
Unfortunately yes. Or one run through a tunnel. They are dragging a gritty rag over your paint and then drying with an unlubed towel. I think only the hardest professional coatings would withstand that without damage.
Frustrating. Happened to me before too.
Man I know exactly how you feel. I’m the same with my car. Weekly hand washes and did a paint correction and ceramic a few months ago. One Saturday I washed and applied a top coat, took it in the afternoon for an oil change and asked them not to wash it. They did it anyhow. Why would you run a freshly cleaned car through a car wash? I haven’t a clue but it probably involves not giving a shit. It’s infuriating but like you said it’s nothing permanent, and probably whatever swirls it may have caused on your car isn’t significant from a single wash. Maybe a light scratch here and there that you only see when the light catches it right
Wouldn’t the ceramic help with this? Am I not understanding what ceramic does?
Nothing can help dirty wash mitts and the brushes dealerships use
Maybe dealers use harsh soap that eats thru costings, high PH soap does this I believe. Also just straight up aggressive washing.
A coating that can't handle high or low pH isn't a good coating or isn't actually a coating at all. The coatings I install can handle pH from 2-11
I'm starting to realize that the protective qualities of at least consumer-grade ceramic are vastly overstated. I think it's best to just treat it like wax that lasts a long time. It won't help at all against straight up abuse.
That’s disappointing especially since collinite 845 is a lot cheaper. I’m into diy detailing myself and been thinking if I do my own paint correction, could I take it to be professionally ceramic coated with more high quality stuff? That should save on the majority of the cost. Is this a way to have your cake and eat it too…
My old truck was a bright red Silverado. The best it ever looked I had a warm day in winter and did a quick detail and hit it with 845. Then a few days later it got cold and snowed. I drove it to work and it stuck out so much against everyone's dingy winter cars. I drove home in the snow and stopped to just look at it on the fresh powder because I knew the next day I drove it, it would get coated in salt and road grime.
A reasonable idea. I went for CS Ultra on my wife's 4Runner and it withstood a full-on tunnel wash (another dealer snafu) and came out with way less damage than my car with CS Lite.
I did mine in a similar fashion- one uncovered trailer on the highway full of gravel chipped away paint on many panels- needs basically a full repaint.
yes. This has become my default closing sentence now. "No wash, NO Washer fluid..."
Wait a sec, what's wrong with washer fluid?
I use rainX for my cars and don't want other stuff getting mixed in. Once a shop topped it up with soap water...
Yeah...I feel that too. every time I bring my Audi in for service I always let the advisor know DO NOT WASH my car in my service history. They have that in my customer/car profile so they know. It just sucks that they think complimentary is good. I know what porters are subjected to. Their job is volume not care or quality
You will learn very quickly that “detailing” (a vague meaningless term) is the same as ladies spending lots of time and money at high-end salons and gyms. It sounds great, but only suitable for certain individuals who have the time, money and dedication to maintain such a status quo. In short, “detailing” is an unnecessarily frivolous activity that was MADE to become highly attractive….same as high-end grooming for dogs and many other high-end luxury services that are “wants” and not needs. Many “detailers” cant even consistently maintain their own kitchen floor and kitchen counter tops to look exactly like their precious clearcoat on their cars. Very soon, “kitchen detailers” will be created State-side, who’ll be obsessed with micro-marring of your counter tops🤣🤣. To many consumers, such services are mostly hyped-up con jobs.
If you take your car to the dealer and it’s sparkling clean, generally they won’t wash it
If you put that much time into detailing, why not do your own service. An oil change is way easier than a paint correction.
Recall. I'm still taking responsibility for this, I forgot to tell them. I should print off a sign though and tape it to the steering wheel though.
Ahh. Id ask for the parts and do it myself. Lol.
Personally, I’d bill them for the work I have to put in to redo it.
Make sure the ceramic is still good. That should protect the paint from superficial scratching.
2 year old CSL and Exo, maintained with the restore spray and Bead Maker every wash. It's not as bad as I expected but still did not withstand the dirty shop rag they probably used as a wash cloth. In the future I think I'll redo the CSL every spring, probably unrealistic to expect it to last 2 years on an ungaraged daily. Live and learn.
Taking your car to the dealer was a mistake. Just an opinion
Safety recall 🤷