Does honda place film on their cars for transport to USA? Just purchased 2010 Fit base and waxed today and saw residue on windshield which I can scratch off with my nail and also the paint is not smooth on hood and roof. Almost as if clearcoat was left off my silver car. My other car is very smooth after waxing; however, after using zymol, there is no change to feel of car paint. Is this also some residue that was not removed from the dealer's prep inspection? Dealer is 175 miles away, so I am really not looking to drive back there. Is there a chemical or process to remove residue from glass and body? Many Thanks.

 

I don't know if Honda puts a plastic film over the exterior of their cars when they're shipped or not. I do know a common problem that is called rail dust. This is the result of new cars being transported on trains and the steel dust particles from the brakes of the train will settle and become imbeded in the paint. I remember buying a new Pontiac Grand Am in 1995 and when I complained of the small rust looking spots in my white paint the dealer was well aware of the problem and used an acid wash to clean it.

 

There is film on the hood and roof...not sure where else...it was removed by the dealer for me...not sure what they used...

 

This is what I thought. It appears they did not use the proper solution after film was removed from hood and roof. Should the fit paint be slippery smooth after waxing? I know on my other vehicles, the wax bottle slides off the vehicle if placed on the hood. This will not happen on my fit. Appears dealer (who I have emailed today) will have to get me chemicals or pay to have vehicle buffed out by competent detailer. Not sure what else to do. Thanks

 

Removal of that protective film should be part of the "Dealer Prep" fee you paid for the vehicle. Take it back to the dealer, show them what's up and ask them to correct it. Unless there's more going on than what's in your note, they should deliver it to you with a smooth finish.

Good luck.

 

Understand. Dealer is 175 miles away . I have emailed him and asked him for direction, rather than driving that far. car is 3 days old now, so there cannot be anything else going on. Thanks

 

ugh, sorry to hear about the 175 mile part... Maybe the dealer would allow you to take it to a local detail shop for a quote (and provide dealer with documentation of their assessment and cost for remediation). If it's determined that the issue is the transport residue, and can be detailed away perhaps the dealer will reimburse you for the detail cost. It may be worth a shot instead of driving the 350 miles... I would guess the dealer will want to look at it, and correct it with their own guys (and controlled costs).

You could also get a quote from a local detail shop (or two) and proactively send it to the sales manager with your proposal (you get it detailed, dealer reimburses you), take the guesswork out of it and propose a solution that would satisfy you...just make sure the cause of the paint issue is well documented by the detail shop. Also, make sure you get any agreement with the dealer (or their employee) in writing. Email is great for this. If it's by phone, ask for a confirmation of your agreement via email. Good luck

 

I saw some of that stuff around the wheel wells and also had a PIA getting the first wax on well. Needed cleaning/rubbing to get it slick smooth.

 

Dealer says bring it back and they will do it properly; however, it is 175 miles 1 way. Tried to clean resideue (or whatever) off windshield. Used Rain X extreme clean, alcohol, paint thinner and nothing took it off. I can scrape off with my fingernail, but that would take a long time. Thinking about fine steel wool. Body is another story. Tried Liquid Ice clay bar and it did nothing. Dealer recommended and uses acrysol for incoming prep residue removal, but cannot find anywhere around here. Any ideas on windshield? Many Thanks.

 

Just returned from dealer and Honda does indeed put plastic protection sheets on their Fits coming on the boat. Appears that problem was not the residue from sheet and that it was actually pollution/acid rain from LA area. Obviously original detail guys who cleaned the vehicle on receipt , off the boat, did a poor job of cleaning vehicle originally. Today, dealer clay barred the whole thing, buffed it out and then put paint sealer on it, all for free. Great customer service. Car looks mucho differente now and it is now as it should have been when I originally received it last week. Also, got another tank of free gas and they applied sealer on at no charge also. Very happy camper now!!!

 

Cool, glad it worked out, and that you're satisfied with the dealers response. Sounds like success! Enjoy your car, I enjoy it more ever day.