T6 Paint scratches really easily

[Dai Bee]

I’ve got a new VW T6 Caravelle in black and after two washes, one through the drive through and one with a brush and jet wash, it’s covered in small scratches and a couple of big ones.

At first I thought it was bad luck and there must have been grit or brake particles on the brush, but now I think it’s just soft paint.

If I press on the paint with my fingernails it leaves a little half moon indent.

I’ve since avoided going to any car wash but I feel that this isn’t normal. Should the paint scratch this easily. I’ve never felt this with other vehicles, including a black T5.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks for your help.

 

[rover220]

Well using a drive through and then a brush with I guess nylon bristles will have that effect.

 

[VanDamMan]

If it’s a new vehicle you could try a complaint to vw or perhaps try a paint specialist to assess the quality....but I’d learnt over the years that modern paint work being water based does not like harsh treatment unless it’s got a clear top coat but even that marks....I’ve had to throw away all my old cleaning kit and start all over.......shammy leather out...microfibre in

 

[DaveD]

I'm not very impressed with the paint on my T6 but I wouldn't dream of using an automatic car wash or a jet wash with a brush on any vehicle worth more than 500 quid.
There are loads of great tips on washing your pride and joy on this forum, for example:

Wash & Wax Time . . . . . . But Which One And How?

I'm selling our T5 soon. Any tips for refreshing the paintwork to make potential buyers swoon before I go looking in Google/YouTube Land? (I'll be honest I never was one for washing and waxing every week)

www.t6forum.com

I agree with VanDamMan, modern paint doesn't seem very durable, so when washing the van the emphasis should be on minimising the chances of causing damage.

 

[Murdoch]

When you say drive through, do you mean a proper car wash?

if this is the case, most aren’t wide enough for the T6

but I would agree the paintwork isn’t as robust as earlier models

 

[mmi]

May be far fetched but is it possible that the van still has remnants of transport protection "wax" on the surface.

 

[Steve Hales]

Ouch! If you have a look on YouTube at some car detailing channels they will explain why not to use a car wash or brush to clean your van. It’s got to be the two bucket method.
If you want to get the swirl marks removed I would get an experienced “valet/detailing”person on it, they can usually sort most paint issues.

 

[Dai Bee]

Thanks for all you replies. The proper car wash was a big one made for vans. I think after coming out of that I saw one decent scratch. Next time I decided to use the foam brush and power wash. That’s when I picked up most of the scratches, probably fifty in all

I’d hoped it was just bad luck with a dirty brush, but after finding that I can indent the paint with my fingernail, I’ve wondered if it could be crap paint. The scratches show as white so it’s more than just the lacquer that’s scratched.

I’ve just tried to scratch the paint on my mother in laws car (don’t tell her) with my fingernail and it’s impossible. It’s an older car though so maybe the paint is made from something strong and not kids poster paints.

I’m going to use the old two bucket approach from now on but the damage is done.
I’ll try to speak to VW but I doubt I’ll get very far.

Pick attached of what was my pride and joy.

 

[Village]

Yeah I would agree the paint is super soft. But a car wash brush is the thing people (who dont give 2 shits about their vehicles, so they tend be be heavily caked) use to clean their wheels, so you’ll have had brake dust and all sorts rubbing into your paint. I dont think any paint could withstand that

 

[dubber36]

What gets me is the the paint is so of, brushing up against some long grass on the verge will scratch it, but try to polish that scratch out with the correct machine/pad/compound combo, and it will take for ever.