Saw a mishap at the local car wash

[LelandGray]

I drove by just in time to see the car wash attendant/detailer telling the cars owner (it was a nice BMW X3) that the car wash had ripped his rear windshield wiper clean off the back of the car. They even had the tip of the wiper taped down with blue tape.

I told my wife "That's why you should never use one of those car washes"..

[Matt Majeika]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

Wow! That's terrible! I have never seen this happen before, although I can completely understand how it would occur.

I use touchless for this reason and to avoid swirls from the equipment.

[sudsbyhubbs]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

My uncle had the front bumper torn off of his Camaro several years ago at an automatic car wash. It also tore up one of his tires. I think it's definitely safer to wash your own car!

[dood786]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

Wow thats unlucky

[Matt Majeika]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

I should be clear in saying that i use the automatic touchless only when i absolutely HAVE to. In the winter, for example, when washing the car myself isn't really so easy up here in New England, lol.

[BobbyG]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

I told my wife "That's why you should never use one of those car
washes"..

Listen to your wife......again....

[tcope1]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

If it uses some of those "rubber" strips pulled over the car perhaps one of them wrapped around the wiper. I'd think it would automatically stop with resistance, though.

I've handled a few claims for vehicles damaged in auto car washes. It's usually because they malfunctioned.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

That is a shame that happened. Feel bad for the BMW owner. Thought they were taking care of their baby. now it is damaged.

Should have told them about this website so they could learn to properly take care of their own vehicle.

[Underdawg736]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

Ooooops! I think somebody missed snack time that day!!

As much as I cringe on going to the car wash, I really have no choice since I have street side parking. I guess I've been lucky.
One of my co workers lost all the trim on the drivers side of his car (newer Subaru Outback I believe) taken off at the car wash.......OUCH!!! He was not a happy man!

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

I told my wife "That's why you should never use one of those car washes"..

Just to add to the car wash horror stories....was getting gas yesterday at the local wash/gas station. Glanced over at the car wash to see what rules of car drying were being violated! Saw a beautiful, BLACK Nissan. Car wash dude was wiping down all the door jambs/rocker panels. He then proceeded to take that same towel and give the car one final wipe.....all the way around and finished by buffing off the spoiler on the rear! I wanted to cry!

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

Just to add to the car wash horror stories....was getting gas yesterday at the local wash/gas station. Glanced over at the car wash to see what rules of car drying were being violated! Saw a beautiful, BLACK Nissan. Car wash dude was wiping down all the door jambs/rocker panels. He then proceeded to take that same towel and give the car one final wipe.....all the way around and finished by buffing off the spoiler on the rear! I wanted to cry!

=0

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

Just to add to the car wash horror stories....was getting gas yesterday at the local wash/gas station. Glanced over at the car wash to see what rules of car drying were being violated! Saw a beautiful, BLACK Nissan. Car wash dude was wiping down all the door jambs/rocker panels. He then proceeded to take that same towel and give the car one final wipe.....all the way around and finished by buffing off the spoiler on the rear! I wanted to cry!

[Matt Majeika]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

Car wash dude was wiping down all the door jambs/rocker panels. He then proceeded to take that same towel and give the car one final wipe.....all the way around and finished by buffing off the spoiler on the rear! I wanted to cry!

I have seen this TOO MANY times - and it kills me EVERY time. It's as if these people have NO idea how to detail a car properly. I realize they need to run a business and keep the line moving, but STILL!

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

Just to add to the car wash horror stories....was getting gas yesterday at the local wash/gas station. Glanced over at the car wash to see what rules of car drying were being violated! Saw a beautiful, BLACK Nissan. Car wash dude was wiping down all the door jambs/rocker panels. He then proceeded to take that same towel and give the car one final wipe.....all the way around and finished by buffing off the spoiler on the rear! I wanted to cry!

Yeah I seen a how to video of a car care forum. doing the same thing!!

[dave_from_here]

Re: Saw a mishap at the local car wash

I used to work in a car wash when I was a kid in high school. It was a great learning experience, I saw everything that I should not do when washing a car lol.