My first day as a full-time employee.

"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart)
11/10/2014 at 21:36 • Filed to: Worklopnik, Volkswagen

Yes, that's right. My boss is very laid back, and the whole staff is amazing, even with tire season on full swing. Not sure if it's the novelty, but working here is loads better than that detailer I only got 8 hours a week for. Few things I learned today:

Touraegs are BIG ass whales of cars

I only stalled twice, and over half of the cars serviced were either manual, diesel, wagons, or even painted brown.

The engine in a VW Jetta like my DD can go for 400K+ KM. Everything else breaks though.

You know you got the right job when your co-workers say they'll "kick your ass" early on the first day.

We literally scrub cars. With brooms.

Maneuvering cars around the compound is a lot like a ballet, and a lot of potential head-on collisions occur when a shuttle pops out of nowhere.

I share my part of the shop with two technicians responsible for oil and tires, who are very sensitive to cold and water.

Even the people at the front desk swear profusely.

Routans are NOT Volkswagens.

Pendulum makes for good cruising music for the trip back home

DSGs are really weird at low speed.

I parallel parked about 30 times today. All successfully.

The engine that makes the beastliest tone is the 2.5 5 cylinder, also a common option with wagons and MK6 Golfs.

The VW Passat has a different shift pattern than the Jetta. (or at least did in 2001)

I did a surprisingly good job keeping track of all the keys of cars that I moved/cleaned, I lost none, despite my colleagues checking with me before anyone else.

Tomorrow may be the last Remembrance Day I will have to work on.

My body is sore, but I am eager to do the same again tomorrow, it was a blast.

DISCUSSION (17)

Vicente Esteve > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 21:42

I just read this with a smile on my face. Its awesome!

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 21:43

I've always wanted to work at a dealership. Kinda jealous.

jkm7680 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 21:43

Awesome, Glad you're enjoying the job!

Svend > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 22:05

Glad you're enjoying the new job.

Scrubbing a car with a brush will not do the paintwork any good.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 22:11

Routans are NOT Volkswagens.

Duh, they are Chryslers, pre Fiat

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Svend
11/10/2014 at 22:11

Oh yeah, I totally agree with you. The brushes are only dipped in Citronella-cleaner stuff, my old job sprayed it on instead.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 22:13

I wish you didn't have to be 18 to work at a dealer in the us...

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > jvirgs drives a Subaru
11/10/2014 at 22:15

Also, these aren't Lancias either. WHAT DID YOU DO, FCA? I've seen one in person, standing with its Fiat brethren.

Kinja'd!!!

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/10/2014 at 23:11

I almost got a position at 17. I felt a bit too immature at the time, but the Service manager for the Mercedes-Benz dealer said he was up for it..

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 23:16

I'm 16 and there's a Chevy dealer like a mile from my house. What I'd do to get a detailing job there. All dem Camaros and Corvettes...

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 23:36

Kinja'd!!!

I approve of this

cayman2007 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/10/2014 at 23:44

Brooms.. this is why I do my own work on my cars, including the ones in warranty. Good call on the TDI though

Svend > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/11/2014 at 02:24

If using a degreaser or prewash I use a pump pressure sprayer to put the product on the car as the least contact with the car paint as possible pays dividends to reducing any swirls inflicted during the wash stage. Though I wouldn't do without my snow foam lance.

Pressure wash the heavy crud and dirt from the car and wheels, spray degreaser around the door shuts and boot/trunk shut and close it all up again, apply wheel cleaner to the wheels, then while that's dwelling, snow foam the car with a good TFR snow foam and then while allowing this to dwell go round the wheels with a set of Wheel Woolies/EZ wheel brush or similar and a small brush or finger mitt for the wheels faces (rinsing off each wheel as you go), then rinse the whole car (the TFR and the foam should of softened and emulsified 90-95% of the dirt lifting it from the paintwork). Then shampoo with a good shampoo and closed cell sponge or wash mitt and then rinse, then open end hose the car off to collect as much of the water droplets as possible (When open end hosing off I put an inline 0ppm water filter on to reduce/eliminate any water spots) and then pat dry with a microfibre drying towel.

But I know when working for a dealership turn around is a big factor but the general rule is not to inflict any damage if it can be avoided.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/11/2014 at 06:23

Well, I'd say it helps to have connections. The main dealer there is the husband of a secretary from a school I went to years ago.

The Ghost of Oppo > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/11/2014 at 14:41

Touraegs are BIG ass whales of cars

I guess you've never driven a Yukon, or even a Q7

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > The Ghost of Oppo
11/11/2014 at 19:44

Q7=tarted up Touraeg

The Ghost of Oppo > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
11/12/2014 at 09:29

The Q7 is almost 12 inches longer, as well as taller and wider. It is the whale of the PL71 platform.