Dealer Put Spider Webs Into New Black 07' Is And Bad Clear Bra App

[stamson]

I bought a black IS350 on August 1, 07 and after a few hand washings I noticed a few rock chips due to tollway driving in DFW. I called last week to ask Sewell Lexus in Dallas about installing a clear bra to the front and also asked them about waxing my car to prevent future swirls from washing. They told me they had someone who specialized in the dark paints and that it was a good idea to have these things done before there were any more rock chips and before repeated washing. When I picked up the car the clear bra had smudges under the passenger side and their explanation was that they were due to the stretching of the material. I didn't buy that. There was also fiber under the mask on the fender. I asked for it to be re-applied. I also noticed extensive spider webbing on the paint after they clayed it and waxed/polished it. I'm not sure what method they used to perform the detailing but the car had 2,000 miles on it and was a month-and-a-half old when I took it in. I thought I was taking preventive measures by having another coat of wax and the clear bra applied by the dealer where I purchased the vehicle. I paid $99 for the claying and waxing and $386 for the clear bra to be applied to the hood, fenders, and backs of mirrors.

I took the car back in on Friday and when I went in to pick it up they still hadn't re-applied the clear bra saying it was as best as it would get so I refused to pick up the car and asked once again for it to be re-applied. I didn't receive a call from anyone today, Monday, to notify me of the status so I called only to find out my options were to keep the clear bra as-is or to have Sewell remove it and refund my money. I asked them to remove it and to do whatever needed to be done to remove the spider-webbing on the paint. I have since left a message for the service manager to call me before anything is done to remove the swirls/spider webbing.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks for your help!

[smooth1]

I bought a black IS350 on August 1, 07 and after a few hand washings I noticed a few rock chips due to tollway driving in DFW. I called last week to ask Sewell Lexus in Dallas about installing a clear bra to the front and also asked them about waxing my car to prevent future swirls from washing. They told me they had someone who specialized in the dark paints and that it was a good idea to have these things done before there were any more rock chips and before repeated washing. When I picked up the car the clear bra had smudges under the passenger side and their explanation was that they were due to the stretching of the material. I didn't buy that. There was also fiber under the mask on the fender. I asked for it to be re-applied. I also noticed extensive spider webbing on the paint after they clayed it and waxed/polished it. I'm not sure what method they used to perform the detailing but the car had 2,000 miles on it and was a month-and-a-half old when I took it in. I thought I was taking preventive measures by having another coat of wax and the clear bra applied by the dealer where I purchased the vehicle. I paid $99 for the claying and waxing and $386 for the clear bra to be applied to the hood, fenders, and backs of mirrors.

I took the car back in on Friday and when I went in to pick it up they still hadn't re-applied the clear bra saying it was as best as it would get so I refused to pick up the car and asked once again for it to be re-applied. I didn't receive a call from anyone today, Monday, to notify me of the status so I called only to find out my options were to keep the clear bra as-is or to have Sewell remove it and refund my money. I asked them to remove it and to do whatever needed to be done to remove the spider-webbing on the paint. I have since left a message for the service manager to call me before anything is done to remove the swirls/spider webbing.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks for your help!

This won't be what you wanna hear.....

As for the clear bra, it is what it is. If your not happy, have them remove it and find someone else to apply it.

As for the wax job, never, never, never let dealer have soemone do it. They use "some guy" with a mobile operation so they have no liability or responsibility. And that "guy" who "specializes" is almost allways the guy who just does it cheap!!!! I'll bet he used a direct drive buffer and just messed up your clear coat. And now the only way to fix all those micro scratches is to polish it and wax it. But that just covers it up for awhile, they allways come back.

Can you post a pic of car with the surface showing the scratches?

[Scott M]

I bought a black IS350 on August 1, 07 and after a few hand washings I noticed a few rock chips due to tollway driving in DFW. I called last week to ask Sewell Lexus in Dallas about installing a clear bra to the front and also asked them about waxing my car to prevent future swirls from washing. They told me they had someone who specialized in the dark paints and that it was a good idea to have these things done before there were any more rock chips and before repeated washing. When I picked up the car the clear bra had smudges under the passenger side and their explanation was that they were due to the stretching of the material. I didn't buy that. There was also fiber under the mask on the fender. I asked for it to be re-applied. I also noticed extensive spider webbing on the paint after they clayed it and waxed/polished it. I'm not sure what method they used to perform the detailing but the car had 2,000 miles on it and was a month-and-a-half old when I took it in. I thought I was taking preventive measures by having another coat of wax and the clear bra applied by the dealer where I purchased the vehicle. I paid $99 for the claying and waxing and $386 for the clear bra to be applied to the hood, fenders, and backs of mirrors.

I took the car back in on Friday and when I went in to pick it up they still hadn't re-applied the clear bra saying it was as best as it would get so I refused to pick up the car and asked once again for it to be re-applied. I didn't receive a call from anyone today, Monday, to notify me of the status so I called only to find out my options were to keep the clear bra as-is or to have Sewell remove it and refund my money. I asked them to remove it and to do whatever needed to be done to remove the spider-webbing on the paint. I have since left a message for the service manager to call me before anything is done to remove the swirls/spider webbing.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks for your help!

That's BS!

My G35 is Blue Slate, and although not Black, it is a dark color.

The clear bra on my car is flawless, and there are no smudges or anything within it's coverage.

In fact, being more than a few feet away, I challenge anyone to even notice it's there.

The installer was a hack and it should be reapplied until you're happy, or it should be removed with no cost to you at all.

(Sounds like you're on that)

Any idea if they only waxed your car, if it was polished, and if a machine was used... or was this all done by hand?

Depending on what they did to it (process) and what they applied, it may be a very easy fix.

[bjgross]

I have to agree with Scott. My IS250 is Smoky Granite and, except for the edge, the 3M clear bra is invisible, even up close.

For $386 this couldn't have been a reputable installer, or it was some sort of knock-off product. I paid the dealer over $900 for my 3M for the hood, bumper, lights and mirrors. But then again, I am extremely happy with it. Guess you get what you pay for!

I would have it removed and get my money back - then find an experienced installer who deals in the 3M product.

[stamson]

I have to agree with Scott. My IS250 is Smoky Granite and, except for the edge, the 3M clear bra is invisible, even up close.

For $386 this couldn't have been a reputable installer, or it was some sort of knock-off product. I paid the dealer over $900 for my 3M for the hood, bumper, lights and mirrors. But then again, I am extremely happy with it. Guess you get what you pay for!

I would have it removed and get my money back - then find an experienced installer who deals in the 3M product.

It was applied by Sewell Lexus, where I purchased the vehicle. I only had them apply it to the hood, fenders, and backs of mirrors. That's their standard price as there is a lot of competition in Dallas. They have removed the clear bra and removed all of the swirls and spider-webs. Thanks for your help.

[SW03ES]

You've learned a valuable lesson. NEVER EVER let the dealer wash or detail the car. In fact call them back right now and tell them not to remove the swirls, they will just make them worse. You might not notice it at the time if they use a glaze to hide them, but after the first wash you will.

Have them remove the bra and have it installed somewhere else. You'll also need to completely polish the car yourself or pay a competent professional to do so.

I promise you the swirls and spider webs aren't gone, they're just hidden.

[smooth1]

You've learned a valuable lesson. NEVER EVER let the dealer wash or detail the car. In fact call them back right now and tell them not to remove the swirls, they will just make them worse. You might not notice it at the time if they use a glaze to hide them, but after the first wash you will.

Have them remove the bra and have it installed somewhere else. You'll also need to completely polish the car yourself or pay a competent professional to do so.

I promise you the swirls and spider webs aren't gone, they're just hidden.

AGREED!!!!!