Damage From the Car Wash

[TreeGuy]

Hey guys. I need some opinions here.

I took Mrs Tree's ride to the local car wash today. As usual, I used to foaming brush on it. The car is black, and once dried and in the sunlight it soon became apparent that the bush mush have been coated with something abrasive and scratched the heck out of the paint and even the plastic parts. I was choked!

I returned to the station and let them know what happened and in which bay so they could potentially prevent this from happening to anyone else. I also left my contact information and requested the manager give me a call.

I am fairly certain that a heavy dose of professional buffing should solve the issue.

The lady working there of course mentioned the 'use at own risk' disclaimer, but would that not be rendered void if faulty equipment is provided?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[CaberTosser]

I've on occasion used the wash wand to clean the brush beforehand. On my last trip to a wash near the end after I'd washed, foam brushed and waxed I noticed grease streaks along the hood of my white van which made me realize that the wash-wand hose had grease caked on it, then I noticed clumps of grease on my pants, but thankfully they're Carhartt's and half expect that. Probably some azzhat trucker was dragging the hose along his fifth wheel plate (not insinuating all truckers are azzhats, but this one was)

[just_dave]

Bud, I wouldn't use the foam brush on a nice set of tires.

[ETOWNCANUCK]

I know in the case of the car wash I use they have the signs that say to use the stuff at 'own risk'.

I don't like to use the brush on my vehicles for the worry of something causing the very issue you are now dealing with.

If you can prove it was faulty equipment you might have a case.

You'll hear the ' it's at your own risk' line from the manager unfortunately.

I'd ask to speak to the owner.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by TreeGuy

Hey guys. I need some opinions here.

I took Mrs Tree's ride to the local car wash today. As usual, I used to foaming brush on it. The car is black, and once dried and in the sunlight it soon became apparent that the bush mush have been coated with something abrasive and scratched the heck out of the paint and even the plastic parts. I was choked!

I returned to the station and let them know what happened and in which bay so they could potentially prevent this from happening to anyone else. I also left my contact information and requested the manager give me a call.

I am fairly certain that a heavy dose of professional buffing should solve the issue.

The lady working there of course mentioned the 'use at own risk' disclaimer, but would that not be rendered void if faulty equipment is provided?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Two things.

One... if you had let the missus wash her own ride... you'd be sitting pretty right now.
Two... that is exactly why I don't use those things...unless I've made sure they are clean.

Sucks.

[RedLabel]

I try to avoid the brush at all costs. Last thing everyone using the brush does is scrub their tires/rims/wheel wells, thus packing it full of sand and grit. I've taken the wand and blasted the brush out before, but a little leftover sand can still go a long way..

3 step wax w/ some elbow grease should take care of any scratches

best of luck

[TreeGuy]

First World problems, eh?


My line of thinking is such that once the ticket is printed and I drive into their facility, we have entered into a contractual relationship. One where I agree to pay for services 'at my own risk', while the owner agrees to provide equipment in good working order. Failure to provide maintained equipment would constitute a 'breech of contract' so to speak.


At any rate I'm quite certain I'm SOL, but more curious than anything.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by TreeGuy

First World problems, eh?


My line of thinking is such that once the ticket is printed and I drive into their facility, we have entered into a contractual relationship. One where I agree to pay for services 'at my own risk', while the owner agrees to provide equipment in good working order. Failure to provide maintained equipment would constitute a 'breech of contract' so to speak.


At any rate I'm quite certain I'm SOL, but more curious than anything.

Can't sleep?
Couch uncomfortable?

[TreeGuy]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy Badger

Can't sleep?
Couch uncomfortable?

Bite me dough-boy.

[Dacotensis]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy Badger

Can't sleep?
Couch uncomfortable?

Haha.
Oh boy. That's Awesome pesk, er um. I mean big daddy

Tree, I think you are hooped on this one.

I normally give those brushes a blast of water from the hose before use.

I know, doesn't help you now eh?

My trucks are over 14 yrs old. So a little scratch adds character at this point.

Sounds like someone is goin to be power buffing.
Maybe mrs tree can sit in her chair and watch you take good care of her black beauty.
Consider it foreplay.
Women like a clean house and a clean ride.
As though you forgot....

[Zuludog]

I avoid the brush too and give the wife chit if she uses it for this exact reason. unfortunately TG, I think you're SOL. Sorry.

[TreeGuy]

No couch yet. (I haven't told her and hit every puddle possible on the way home. )

[JB_AOL]

NEVER, I repeat NEVER use the brush on your car.

If you feel you must scrub your car, spend a good 30 seconds using the wand to spray the brush.

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by TreeGuy

Bite me dough-boy.

I knew it.

Flowers... and next time.... let her wash her own car or better yet... wash yours.

[tri777]

Yup,whateveryone else has already said,
always always always always
prewash that brush with wash wand and I always use the
"Soap" setting when i do that..i wouldn't even hassel the manager
Treeguy,has nothing to do with him,it was the last lazy retarded
guy whom failed to look out for his fellow man that is 100% at fault here.

[TriggerHappyHippy]

I would have to agree with the car wash
I would never use the same brush buddy in his mud covered black dually just used to wash his truck lol
I also would never buy a black vehicle
At work when we detail a car for delivery, we used hand sponges. Very easy to wash, and you can throw in your trunk when you are done

[brownbomber]

Originally Posted by tri777

Yup,whateveryone else has already said,
always always always always
prewash that brush with wash wand and I always use the
"Soap" setting when i do that..i wouldn't even hassel the manager
Treeguy,has nothing to do with him,it was the last lazy retarded
guy whom failed to look out for his fellow man that is 100% at fault here.

Winner winner chicken dinner

[tri777]

I would also like to inform you good folks about another little thing to watch out for that i learned the hard way from last year;
ALWAYS spray the wand hose before washing vech! Seems there was sand on a wash wand hose i was using last year and of course as i walked around truck washing, that dam
gritted up dirty hose was rubbing everywhere along the body as i went

[Ken07AOVette]

Tree you nailed it. The sign posted means nothing legally, it is a non vocal way of dissuading you from legal action.
Get an estimate or three, take it to the owner, not skippy the manager, and let them know you will be filing a statement of claim against them for the faulty equipment that damaged your car.
Or call me.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

let them know you will be filing a statement of claim against them for the faulty equipment that damaged your car.
Or call me.

Sorry Ken, but on this one I really really disagree about that^^,
this is the fault of a lazy previous "washer" whom failed..
would also like to mention,to this day,i have never witnessed
for myself a car wash worker spraying/cleaning their brushes,
only ever see them pushing vech grim into the gutter.

[Sledhead71]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Tree you nailed it. The sign posted means nothing legally, it is a non vocal way of dissuading you from legal action.
Get an estimate or three, take it to the owner, not skippy the manager, and let them know you will be filing a statement of claim against them for the faulty equipment that damaged your car.
Or call me.

Seriously Ken ?

[Joe Fehr]

Never will a brush touch my vehicle!

I use the Pre-soak, then soap then rinse and wax.
The brush even if totally clean will scratch your paint.
The owner / manager is going to tell you to pound sand, first thing you'd have to do is prove that it was actually their equipment that damaged your paint and not your actions....
Innocent until proven guilty......

[Sooner]

Cant hurt to talk to the carwash guy but they have so many outs it's not funny. First one will be how do they know it happened there kinda thing. Next he will say did you wash the brush? Find a good detail shop in town and let them see it. Then get a quote. I polished many a car when I started working at a body shop. Some were easy, some were a pain but almost all can be buffed out. Getting it back with out all the swirlies from the polisher is the key. That's why you go to a reputable detail shop. Good luck.

[DiabeticKripple]

Any reputable detailer will tell you foam brushes are the anti-christ.

Never EVER use them. Even if they are clean they still make micro scratches in your paint.

Just use the wand or even better, use the two bucket method.

Sources: 2 very well known detailed in Calgary and edmonton.

[Redfrog]

Well lots of excellent advice here. I have some also. I will start with the least effective and go to the most effective.

Don't wash your car with a gritty, dirty, crappy brush that some asshat trucker has used for who knows what. That should solve your problem right there, but in case it doesn't.

Hope this helps.

Always wear a condom when you have strange sex or sex with strangers. It could get you in more trouble than scratching her car.

Hope this helps

Dress up in your finest female attire , go back and crank on the waterworks for the manager. Explain between sobs how mad you husband will be when he sees the damage. I'd go with the little black dress.

Hope this helps

As far as wasting your time getting estimates etc. or taking the owner to small claims court, fugget about it.

When was the last time you looked over your car prior to the car wash incident?
Did you notice any damage? Do you have any pics of the car prior to the car wash incident?
Did you inspect the equipment?
Did you wash your entire vehicle before you noticed a problem? Could the grit have come from your car? Was your car dirty before you went to the car wash? How dirty? Any pics? Cause this thread is useless without pics.
Case dismissed.

Hope this helps

Save time and irritation. talk to the owner and see if anything can be done. OR. Make a sign saying "Ask Me About This Stinking Car Wash". Park out front with the shrubs crying and see what happens. And don't forget to call the media and tell them how traumatized, the wife and kids are.

Hope this helps.

[gmcmax05]

Black vehicle, using a brush to wash it, even your own let alone a car wash brush is a recipe for disaster

[Fisherpeak]

You should see what an automated car wash with those big flappy basterds can do to a black paint job.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Fisherpeak

You should see what an automated car wash with those big flappy basterds can do to a black paint job.

^^haha!
I have a very hard time trying to understand people who use those..
big brushes spinning X 50muddy cars and people line up
behind eachother like it's a tim hortons drive thru without a care in the world, like somehow the brushes magically remove all forms of gritNcrap etc..i myself want to take off said grime..and i never go to "full service" gas pumps either..have phobia's on some dumb student clummsly banging fuel nozzel into my fender.

[Faststeel]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Tree you nailed it. The sign posted means nothing legally, it is a non vocal way of dissuading you from legal action.
Get an estimate or three, take it to the owner, not skippy the manager, and let them know you will be filing a statement of claim against them for the faulty equipment that damaged your car.
Or call me.

Ken guys just pay you because you are 6' 8" and 295lb, if you were 5' 7" and a buck 40 no one would care. FS

[Fisherpeak]

I haven`t seen a full service gas station in 15 years.