mvigneau Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Well, I visited the Shell gas station on Wednesday, 12/22/04 (you know the ones with an automatic car wash). I thought what the heck, the car has some salt on it so why not get it cleaned. Filled up with 93 Octane and started going through the car wash. Get out of the car wash and drive home, the car is cleaner and so I am relatively happy. Move forward to Friday. I notice a couple of scratches (6 covering about 6 inches) on the hood (don't have the clearbra installed yet, but minor point if you read the rest of the story). I continue following the scratches and notice that they go the entire length of the car from hood to trunk including the spoiler. It is a perfect 6 inch strip that could only have been done by one of those car wash things (like it had ice or dirt on it). I bought this car on 11/22 and now I have a 6inch strip of scratches along the whole thing. My dad recommended pursuing it because that they should cover it since it is such a big scratch. He also mentioned talking to my lawyer and seeing what he says. I wanted to get your ideas on it. No Silent CD Aux-In Solution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim1969 Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Well, it's a week later so the rock or whatever was there that caused your problem may be gone but I'd got to the place and complain about it. If they deny it then recommend the owner taking his car through. I'd follow it legal but it may be tough to prove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BacDoc Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I backed out and hit my garage door a couple weeks ago and scratched the hell out of my roof. Let me know what the lawyers says I may sue myself for repairs. For real that sucks I would go back and measure the car wash dryers or whatever to see how wide they were and if they match I would notify someone at the car wash of the damage and start there. Do you have a reciept...that would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-2.5-GT Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Where in Manchester was it?? I want to make sure i do not go there.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BacDoc Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 On a side note we just got a new tocuhless system and it worked very well on my Black LGT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-2.5-GT Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I went through one last week....i was extremely dissappointed. All the salt and dirt stayed right on the car. It was very loose, but needed a sponge or something to wipe it off. I have come to the conclusion that with all the salt and sand, i won't have a clean car untill spring....unfortunetly On a side not, I have never had a car with a scoop in it, is it normal for steam to be pouring out of the hood after a wash on a cold day...i stopped for a minute after and i started laughing, it looked like my engine was on fire with the amount of steam coming out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05LegacyGT330Ci Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Jeez guys, hand wash only or take it to a true detailing place, going through the car wash with machines is never a good idea. '05 Black Legacy GT Wagon 5-spd '02 Topaz/Black 330Ci 5-spd Drift Ryder's School of Rally Arts, coming to an Australia near you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BacDoc Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Yeah I know I never use a car wash but this was a new touchless system and about 30 degrees outside and the car was covered in salt. It really did a good job....but not like a hand wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-2.5-GT Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I always wash the car by hand...if POSSIBLE. Its completely different if you can't do that. What are we supposed to do in cold climates? Its better to go through a touchless wash to get the salt and grime off than just let it sit for 4 months. Its not like we can hook up a hose and wash it outside. Don't get me wrong though, i will only use the touchless washed, none of that machine brushing stuff, but there really is no other choice sometimes. I am not going to take it to a detailing place, pay over-inflated prices, then drive it for two days and its dirty again, thats a complete waste of money. I am not looking nor expecting it to be extremely clean, but just want to get rid of the salt. Besides, when it is snowing every week, with salt and sand, i couldn't afford a detail every time. I would rather save my money and get a good one once spring / summer comes. Otherwise our options are limited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundBoy Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 if you value you car's paint job... never use an automatic wash that touches your car. In a pinch (or cold weather) i use the $5 touchless place that does the underbody too... Nice cheap way to get the salt off. I only use it as a stop gap until i hand wash.. and I still do mirrors / glass by hand regardless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvigneau Posted December 28, 2004 Author Share Posted December 28, 2004 I usually only wash by hand but as pointed out by D-2.5-GT I just wanted to get all the salt off and got a little extra "bonus" also. It was the Shell station across from Planet Fitness near the Mall of NH. No Silent CD Aux-In Solution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtguy Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 When it's too cold for me to wash my own, I take it to a hand wash place. There's a good one where usually, the wheels on the other cars cost as much as my car. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red beast Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 this is why i clean the car myself. keep going to the car wash and you'll start seeing the swirls. soft cloth my ass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustler753 Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 The problem is with these auto car washes is that if you look carefully, on most washers have a disclaimer that the user is solely responsibly for any damage that may occur when using this product. I see those signs all over colorado due to the high amount of rock and gravel from snow season stuff to those nasty washers that make contact. You should check is the one you went to has that sign, if it does then tough luck but if it doesn't then $$$! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Th3Franz Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 this is why i clean the car myself. keep going to the car wash and you'll start seeing the swirls. soft cloth my ass! I took my car to Octopus car wash a few times, then the light hit the paint just right and I noticed the swirl marks! My car was swirl free before that so now either I wash the car or take it to a touchless wash when it's cold. I'll get the swirls out in the spring with a good wash, clay, polish, wax... -Franz The end of a Legacy http://www.youtube.com/th3franz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c_hunter Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 You're screwed. The general rule is that it's never a good idea to go through one of these brush-type car washes. If it's not touchless, don't use it! i think you just learned the hard way! Craig -- Well, I visited the Shell gas station on Wednesday, 12/22/04 (you know the ones with an automatic car wash). I thought what the heck, the car has some salt on it so why not get it cleaned. Filled up with 93 Octane and started going through the car wash. Get out of the car wash and drive home, the car is cleaner and so I am relatively happy. Move forward to Friday. I notice a couple of scratches (6 covering about 6 inches) on the hood (don't have the clearbra installed yet, but minor point if you read the rest of the story). I continue following the scratches and notice that they go the entire length of the car from hood to trunk including the spoiler. It is a perfect 6 inch strip that could only have been done by one of those car wash things (like it had ice or dirt on it). I bought this car on 11/22 and now I have a 6inch strip of scratches along the whole thing. My dad recommended pursuing it because that they should cover it since it is such a big scratch. He also mentioned talking to my lawyer and seeing what he says. I wanted to get your ideas on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvigneau Posted December 29, 2004 Author Share Posted December 29, 2004 I understand the disclaimer and don't mind swirl marks but permanent damage means that something is wrong with the machine. I don't mind swirl marks because I get my car professionally detailed 2x a year and that takes care of those. But this is a whole different beast. I wouldn't mind small scratches but when their is a 6-12in. "racing stripe" from hood to trunk, that falls under different pretenses and that sign should not cover such a thing. I won't know until I find out although I doubt I will get anywhere but I will bring them to small claims court if they don't do anything. I did get a quote for the work from a reputable body shop and they quoted me $1500. On a side note: if I do end up getting it basically repainted, I am going to ask them to fill in the back Subaru symbol since I have already removed the other badges and I would have a smooth trunk which would look sweet. No Silent CD Aux-In Solution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExRex Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Well that sucks... But I don't think you will have much luck with your claim against the car wash place. You would probably have to establish that the car wash place knew there was a problem with the machine and failed to take any action to fix it. Maybe they'll step up from a "good business" perspective and make things right, but chances are that the business owner would rather have one pissed off customer that spends $15 per year at his/her business than paying $1500 to make that pissed off customer happy. BTW, for all of you in colder climates who don't want to take your chances with the automatic car washes (even touchless can hurt your paint), you could try Protect All's Quick & Easy Wash. It is a waterless car wash system that you just spray-on and wipe off. Takes more time than an automatic wash, but is almost as safe as a hand wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExRex Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Ehh, I was think of Quick Detail, which is the spray on stuff (also good). Quick & Easy Wash is added to water (make it hot) but doesn't require rinsing. Still requires you to get wet, but no hose is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resipsa99 Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 In a pinch (or cold weather) i use the $5 touchless place that does the underbody too... Nice cheap way to get the salt off. Where is the touchless wash that you use? I can't seem to find any touchless places on the Main Line near Wayne, and the only coin-op/self-service place I've found anywhere near me is way out in Malvern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvigneau Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 Well.. It warmed up to 40 degrees fahrenheit and so I washed the car by hand to take some better pictures of the scratches. Here is an idea of what the scratches look like and continue the entire length of the car like a "racing stripe". No Silent CD Aux-In Solution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexmobbin Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 NEVER NEVER NEVER use an auto car wash unless it's touchless. that is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexmobbin Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 ouch, just saw the pics. sorry about that man. live and learn i guess. i scratched my car last time i washed by using one of those "California Car Dryers", like a squeegee for your car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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