06/24/2026
Even with 34 miles on this car, it is already scratched. So when we are told by a customer that their new car does not have scratches, we educate them on why that myth is incorrect. Read on to learn for yourself!
When your vehicle receives paint at the factory, it then goes through many hands before the keys reach your pocket. Once it is painted and the vehicle exterior panels are assembled, then the entire interior is put together on the assembly line, where something has a risk of bumping against the paint. Entire seats, headliner, carpet, wiring, and trim pieces are installed. Once that is completed, the vehicle then gets put onto a factory lot outside awaiting shipment to the dealership. While sitting, loose sand and small debris blow around and brush against your vehicle. Then, a porter drives the vehicle onto a transport truck where it is driven in open air, where more loose sand blows against the paint while in shipment. Once at the dealership, a porter unloads it and unwraps the factory plastics and edge protection from assembly. Then, a service technician takes the vehicle and does a quick 8-10 mile demo drive to assure all systems are functioning as required. They use their dirty hands to touch the paint, like opening the hood, doors, and tail gate. Most mechanics have dry or rough hands (since they wrench with them often), and just brushing the paint with their hand can scratch it. Here is where probably most of your scratches come into play: when the dealership detailer wash the vehicle! Dealership techniques use wash mitts that have washed other vehicles that day, having dirt and grime from other vehicles, this is rubbed against your brand new car, inducing the scratches we see here. Improper washing techniques is very common for almost all new car dealerships.
From assembly, to sitting on the lot, to the porter, to the dealership, then to the mechanic, the detailer, then finally your hands, every area has the chance to induce scratching to a brand new vehicle. This is why having your vehicle installed with a professional grade ceramic coating will greatly increase the scratch resistance from these small incidents.
