So, I rarely valet the car, usually take the wife’s Pathfinder when we go out. If I do, I always ask them to be careful, door dings etc.
Finished our dinner. Checked the car ALL looked good. Next morning I notice a huge scratch, scrape on top of the steering wheel air bag housing cover. Called Performance Nissan to get the cover replaced. That part must come with the air bag $1,000+ what the heeell.
Going BACK to the restaurant to complain, as you know is a non-starter.
PS: I am absolutely sure it was from the parking guys. The scratch was not there when I drove in just before dark. Driving home at night it was not noticeable. Now I stare at it each time I drive the car.
Any ideas on how I can remove the scrape? The cover as you know is soft. Any help will be appreciated.
MJD

 

Try to buff it out? Don't see much options besides that

 

This is why you don't valet!

 

I'd speak with the restaurant owner.....
If that dosent work, tell him your going to right an article in the local paper...

 

it should buff out if its on the steering wheel... that material should be fixable unless it got knifed.

 

A photo would be helpful.

 

I had a similar problem, and things worked out really well for me. My scratch was not very deep but was noticeable. I started with lexol leather cleaner and cleaned it off. Then I used lexol leather conditioner. I let it soak in for a while, then rubbed it out. Repeated 2-3x. Well weeks later you can hardly see the scratch. I seriously think you should try applying some leather conditioner. Took a few applications on mine, but you can barely notice the scratch.

I can fathom a guess as to how the scratch may have happened too - overzealous valet grabs the seatbelt by the buckle, pulls it hard, and whacks the top of your airbag cover.

Good luck
NzZ

 

I had something similar happen. When the guys installed the leather seat covers on my car, they had to remove my seats. In the process, they managed to scratch my dash (passenger side, airbag portion). Anyways, I didn't notice it until I got home. It basically looked like someone took a flathead screwdriver and dug into the dash with medium pressure. I was pissed since it was about 1" long, so I took it back to the shop and told them about it and asked them to replace that piece. However, since it is an airbag cover, the whole assembly must be bought. So the owner said he can get it repaired for me, and if I wasn't satisfied, he would see what else he could do.

Long story short, he told me to go to a place called "New Life Automotive" and they made it brand new again! And of course, I didn't have to pay anything. It's almost 1 year since then, and I cannot notice it at ALL! (and I'm ****!)

 

BTW, I think the cost was around $90-100. I paid for it, and then was reimbursed. Basically the guy over there spent about 1 hour working right in front of me. He used a heat gun, cloth, and very lightly misted something like black bumper spray paint.

I just searched and found a website for them:
http://www.nlautomotive.com/

 

there was one night where i was waiting to be seated at a restaurant with valet service... there i saw a man pull up in a porsche carrera to valet... the valet guys waited for the man to go INSIDE the restaurant before attempting to move it (they move the automatics within seconds...)... guy #1 gets in the carrera and tries to drive it but ends up stalling the car at least 4 times with a grind... guy #2 stalls once and gives up and guy #3 stalls a couple times before revving the engine super high and slipping the clutch...

needless to say, i would'nt valet if they paid me...

 

I know exactly what happened. As the driver parked, he shut the engine off and swung the key out and scraped your steering wheel. I got out careless with my ignition key sticking out and scratched the door trim. Cuts like a knife. I still vallet park because your car is closer to the entrance and such.

 

I feel for ya really and hope you get it sorted out.

For myself (other than the wife and trusted service techs) would never let a valet/stranger (even our good friends) drive any of our cars. Im one of those dont touch my ride kinda guy

 

I had my jeep valet parked once. I figured they couldn't mess that up.
They backed the trailer hitch through a wall. Lol. No damage to the Jeep.
I do not valet park anymore.

 

I had a similar incident happen years ago in my MR2. I had it valeted at a club. When the car was returned to me, there was a noticeable scratch along the passenger side.

I contacted the club owner and yelled at the MF. Told him I'd never patronize the place again and would tell other people what happened to my car at HIS club!

He arranged (and paid for) my car to be professionally repainted at a top-notch auto paint shop.

I still never went back to that lame *** club though....LOL

 

My friend had his Porsche's leather drivers seat scratched deeply by a valet who jumped in the car with keys sticking out of his pocket...

 

Thank for the advice everyone. I will follow up with some of your ideas.
MJD

 

+1000!!! I never let anyone drive my car. Only Me (90%)of the time, Performance Nissan service techs(5%), and my gf which also 5%. Don't ever valet a nice car. I went to this restaurant once at Santa Monica and this guy valet a 02 NSX. Man it was a nice car but I saw him park it and opened the door waaay wide and slammed it next to a BMW X5. I was like . My gf was also telling me to valet and I was like **** if we have to walk we will. And so we did but my baby was safe.

 

Any time you leave the car with someone, even at the valet or dealership, you need to establish with them that there are no scratches on the car or show which ones already exist. Get something in writing from the person you showed the car to. That way if the car is not returned in the same condition you have an argument yoiu can win.

 

^ +100 agreed!

 

this kinda **** drives me nuts and is why I never drive me car because i know once it gets that first dent it will never be the same. Im so freaked that i have had the car for 8 months and put 3k miles on it. i have a work vehicle but i have cought 4 people almost give me door ding luckily i run around grab there door before it hits my car i will park out in the middle of no where shure enough mom with a suburbon parks right next to hella close and 10 kids get out ! I want to explode. I even have bad dreams about it and run to my car in a panic.