Car wash scratched my car!
Discussion
Hi,
Went out last night to get my car washed at one of these popular hand wash places and while i was filling up with fuel after it I noticed that wherever their sponge has been it has left scratches all over my paintwork. My car is black, and really shows the marks, especially on the bonnet. Raging doesn't even come close.
I have been back to speak to them and they were sorry, but (no offence) they were immigrants and couldn't speak much english. I have spoken with their boss and he was meant to meet me at 9am today but didn't show, so really I'm looking for advice as to where to go next. I'm presuming they would be insured, so a claim from their company wouldn't be too hard?
I hope it will polish out. Infact I am pretty sure it will, but i reckon it will maybe need mopping at a bodyshop?
Please advise. I really don't want to be t-cutting the paint of a 5 month old car.
Went out last night to get my car washed at one of these popular hand wash places and while i was filling up with fuel after it I noticed that wherever their sponge has been it has left scratches all over my paintwork. My car is black, and really shows the marks, especially on the bonnet. Raging doesn't even come close.
I have been back to speak to them and they were sorry, but (no offence) they were immigrants and couldn't speak much english. I have spoken with their boss and he was meant to meet me at 9am today but didn't show, so really I'm looking for advice as to where to go next. I'm presuming they would be insured, so a claim from their company wouldn't be too hard?
I hope it will polish out. Infact I am pretty sure it will, but i reckon it will maybe need mopping at a bodyshop?
Please advise. I really don't want to be t-cutting the paint of a 5 month old car.
Thats a bummer.
But I would never trust anyone or anything to wash my car (Black as well) to do as good or careful job as you would yourself.
Hopefully it will polish out. Black is a 2 edge sword. Looks fantastic when clean but not when dirty and can show up the marks.
dont get me started on people opening their doors into the side of my car. That really makes me cry.
But I would never trust anyone or anything to wash my car (Black as well) to do as good or careful job as you would yourself.
Hopefully it will polish out. Black is a 2 edge sword. Looks fantastic when clean but not when dirty and can show up the marks.
dont get me started on people opening their doors into the side of my car. That really makes me cry.
miniandy said:
I really don't want to be t-cutting the paint of a 5 month old car.
Or washing the paint of a 5 month old car, by the sounds of it.
Immigrants? Relevance?
Don't use T cut - Use a decent polish and I'm sure it will come out. Lesson learned... If it is your pride and joy, don't let anyone wash your pride and joy but YOU!
Wacky Racer said:
I would imagine you are on pretty sticky ground here...... 
How in law could you PROVE it was this car wash which caused the damage??, even though you know it was..
All the bloke has to say is "It wasn't us".....
Good luck though......
ca092003 said:
miniandy said:
I really don't want to be t-cutting the paint of a 5 month old car.
Or washing the paint of a 5 month old car, by the sounds of it.
Immigrants? Relevance?
Don't use T cut - Use a decent polish and I'm sure it will come out. Lesson learned... If it is your pride and joy, don't let anyone wash your pride and joy but YOU!
1. I haven't got a hose.
2. The salt used on our roads up here really messes the car up so it needs to be cleaned frequently, by myself or otherwise.
3. The 'immigrant' comment was to illustrate the lack of communication using the english language
4. Tricky ground proving it was them that did it, as you say.
So what will i do? Get a valeter who i trust to polish it out, or go to a bodyshop that i trust to mop it or whatever they do?
>> Edited by miniandy on Sunday 20th February 11:05
We have a valet that does the cars monthly it takes him all day to do both cars but they look brand new when he's finished. Our black car has an amazing finish when it's done. We don't have the time, patience or desire to clean the cars, not to mention we could never do such a good job. I do understand some peoples desire to get close to their P&J but I'd rather be driving it.
Dont take your car to these "hand "car washes. Theyre set up by dubious characters employing immigrants and paying crap wages and otherwise exploiting them.
Are you really so surprised that they didnt worry about scratching your car? Heck, half the ones round here dont even speak english.
Youve really got no comebacks..sorry.
Are you really so surprised that they didnt worry about scratching your car? Heck, half the ones round here dont even speak english.
Youve really got no comebacks..sorry.
DeltaFox said:
Dont take your car to these "hand "car washes. Theyre set up by dubious characters employing immigrants and paying crap wages and otherwise exploiting them.
Are you really so surprised that they didnt worry about scratching your car? Heck, half the ones round here dont even speak english.
Youve really got no comebacks..sorry.
I do hear what you're saying DF but the one that is a matter of minutes away does a really good job, except they were closed so i went to the one which has lots of queues outside - usually a good indication of somewhere good. I would have thought they were better than a roller wash but now i'm not so sure!
But hey, i was asking for advice - do you not hink it is bad enough that my new car has scratches all over it, without people telling me i shouldn't have taken it and i shoudl do it myself? hindsight. wonderful thing. no help here though.
miniandy said:
Dont take your car to these "hand "car washes. Theyre set up by dubious characters employing immigrants and paying crap wages and otherwise exploiting them.
Are you really so surprised that they didnt worry about scratching your car? Heck, half the ones round here dont even speak english.
Youve really got no comebacks..sorry.
I do hear what you're saying DF but the one that is a matter of minutes away does a really good job, except they were closed so i went to the one which has lots of queues outside - usually a good indication of somewhere good. I would have thought they were better than a roller wash but now i'm not so sure!
But hey, i was asking for advice - do you not hink it is bad enough that my new car has scratches all over it, without people telling me i shouldn't have taken it and i shoudl do it myself? hindsight. wonderful thing. no help here though.
Yeah i know im no help on this one mate and i wasnt trying to make light of your problem, honest.
I see people going to these places every day cos theyre "cheap" until you get a problem like youve unfortunately encountered.
Sorry im no help but i really dont think youll have any recourse. Why? Cos half of these "businesses" arent even bona-fide.
The one by us was set up by an asian " businessman" employing only immigrants who cant speak english.
He gets the benefits of cheap labour, high profit, no comebacks (who you gonna sue?) and dosent pay rates on the property cos the council are too scared to close him down (he hasnt got planning permission) for fear of being labelled "racist".
Result? Customers lose out when it goes wrong.
Id try trading standards maybe, or citizens advice for some possible help.
Let us know how this works out mate.
DeltaFox said:
Yeah i know im no help on this one mate and i wasnt trying to make light of your problem, honest.
I see people going to these places every day cos theyre "cheap" until you get a problem like youve unfortunately encountered.
Sorry im no help but i really dont think youll have any recourse. Why? Cos half of these "businesses" arent even bona-fide.
The one by us was set up by an asian " businessman" employing only immigrants who cant speak english.
He gets the benefits of cheap labour, high profit, no comebacks (who you gonna sue?) and dosent pay rates on the property cos the council are too scared to close him down (he hasnt got planning permission) for fear of being labelled "racist".
Result? Customers lose out when it goes wrong.
Id try trading standards maybe, or citizens advice for some possible help.
Let us know how this works out mate.
I am now very worried about the whole thing, based on what you've said. Unfortunately I believe you! I feel I might not have any comeback, and that I will have to get my car fixed myself. So, next question is: how do I fix it myself?!
Well if hes bona fide he should have public liability insurance, so theres no reason (i may be wrong) you couldnt claim from him that way.
Possibly you could go get a paintwork quote from a specialist and hand him the quote.
For me personally id not even think about doing it on a car of that age, too many risks to do it yourself, what with paint reactions, matching, blending in etc...specialist everytime id say.
Like i said, first port of call for me would be citizens advice and take it from there.
Take a few pics of the damage also, make notes of the people who were there when it was scratched (covert pics if necessary), date, time etc.
Hope this is a little more use to you.
Possibly you could go get a paintwork quote from a specialist and hand him the quote.
For me personally id not even think about doing it on a car of that age, too many risks to do it yourself, what with paint reactions, matching, blending in etc...specialist everytime id say.
Like i said, first port of call for me would be citizens advice and take it from there.
Take a few pics of the damage also, make notes of the people who were there when it was scratched (covert pics if necessary), date, time etc.
Hope this is a little more use to you.
ca092003 said:
ca092003 said:
Buy some decent polish and do it yourself. I bought some gear off the Wax Wizard and it did wonders for my paintwork.
I don't have a hose you idiot, so I can't get it clean enough in the first place before applying the polish.
Buy a hose, then. Dickhead.
Wow ultimate help there!
DeltaFox said:
Well if hes bona fide he should have public liability insurance, so theres no reason (i may be wrong) you couldnt claim from him that way.
Possibly you could go get a paintwork quote from a specialist and hand him the quote.
For me personally id not even think about doing it on a car of that age, too many risks to do it yourself, what with paint reactions, matching, blending in etc...specialist everytime id say.
Like i said, first port of call for me would be citizens advice and take it from there.
Take a few pics of the damage also, make notes of the people who were there when it was scratched (covert pics if necessary), date, time etc.
Hope this is a little more use to you.
Cheers DF, I'm hoping they have liability insurance aswell. It is pretty well known, the cops in the area know of it so I would doubt if it was a dodgy setup. However streetcop might have the right idea - I will get a quote for the professional restoration of the paint and go from there. If they aren't playing ball, I will question their work permits etc!
Just hope they don't retaliate..miniandy said:
Buy a hose, then. Dickhead.
I have an idea, how about I buy one and shove it up your arse?
miniandy..
I'm afraid you insulted ca092003 in the first instance by calling him an 'idiot', when he only suggested buying some polish!....
Let's get back to proper debate and not slide down the road to insults and ungentlemanly conduct....
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