[Humourl3ss]

In spite of the imminent storm here in the Toronto area, I thought it would be a good idea to wash the accumulated salt'n'grime off my MCS.

Bad idea.

I went to one of those (ostensibly) touchless washes (name withheld.... for now). It's the sort that features an "arch" that slides back and forward on rails, while a pivoting L-shaped arm with multiple nozzles sprays the car.

As the arm was coming 'round from the front and swinging alongside the driver's side of the car, it caught on the plastic moulding around the front wheel arch. It stuck for a second then wrenched free.

I drove the car out as soon as possible.

The result: the moulding at the top of the arch was torn clean off, with the metal lip at the rear of the hood's clamshell bent upwards. The paint *appears* to be intact (hard to tell in the failing light), but closer examination might reveal otherwise.

Needless to say, I'm gutted. The car is less than four months old and has otherwise been a fine runner. The manager of the station first assumed I had been outside the guide rails, which is absurd, as I've been to that station dozens of times and never failed to get it in the proper spot. I personally think it's some failure in the optical sensor that determines where the car begins and ends. After a bit of cajoling, he very tentatively agreed to pick up the tab on repairs, which is why I'm not naming names.

Any suggestions on how to proceed from here?

-CW

[HarryHBMCC]

Sad but if he really does cough up the funds for the repair, I say don't worry, be happy. Those places have big signs which say they aren't paying for any damage so I'm surprised he's offering to pay. If he does pay for it, move on and I guess we'll all have to think again about using the touchless places -- I didn't think twice about them but perhaps now I will!

Harry

[paulmon]

The car wash does indeed show a disclaimer "we're not liable blah blah" but if the result of the damage is as a result of negligence or equipment failure typically they are liable. Regardless of any disclaimer.

The previous statement was made by an IT consultant, someone with absolutely no law background at all. Unless grade 10 law class counts.

Any lawyers around here?

Paul

[Slant]

Sorry to hear what happened. Here's my 2 cents from a fellow Ontarian...

I think I know which gas chain you went to (blue, red on white)?

I used to work at one of the stations for that chain when I was going to school, and none of us who worked there, even the owner, would use the car wash (they previously had a soft-cloth but later updated to the ones that damaged your coop). Obvious reasons for the soft-cloth are scratches from trapped mud/stones on the clothes. With the touchless that moves around your car, the chemical detergents are much much stronger in order to get the crap off the cars without scrubbing, which is not good for the paint in the long run. Plus sometimes the red-eye sensors would mis-align or get dirtied so the unit would move which ever way it wants.

However, you're in luck if it was the blue/red on white chain because when I worked there (mind you it was years ago), there was a hidden policy where the owner of the station would pay for car-wash damages & subsequently forward his expense to their insurance company/head office. But he/she would probably get you to fill out an "incident report".

Good luck!

[Tom F.]

I'm sorry to hear about this problem. If they pay for repairs you will be in good shape.

The real solution from here on out is to hand wash your car. You will do a better job, and in the process you will see every little detail of the paintwork and be alerted to any little scratches or other problems.

You also save a lot of time. With the nearest commercial wash fifteen minutes away, I can carefully wash my Mini in the same amount of time it would take to drive to the carwash.

Even if its 20 Foutside, I fill my bucket with warmish water from the kitchen sink, and keep a garden hose in the basement that I can go out and hookup to the hose bib just while I'm washing.

If you are in a condo or someplace where you cannot wash the car yourself at home, find one of those do-it-yourself 75cents/5 minute places with the wand/hoses where you still can do a good handwash yourself.

Your MINI will thank you for it

[Humourl3ss]

Thanks for all the replies.

Tom F., I'd normally disagree with you because of the harsh Canadian winters, but I had no excuse for last night. It was +4 Celsius. I could have and should have washed it by hand at a nearby wash bay (condo living has its downsides).

Paulmon: I think you're right about liability. I have Grage 11 and OAC law, but that's about it in my court.

Slant: about red, white and blue.... I won't say no.

-CW

[Humourl3ss]

A pic...

[Humourl3ss]

Another view...

[stefan]

Ouch!

[GordonD]

BUMMER

i stay away from these because I'm afraid of lifting up the checkered roof decals but use them often on my wife's car - maybe need a rethink

[Tom F.]

CW- that is not pretty- I am really sorry to see these. Did the trim come off cleanly, or did it bend the metal at the mounting points?

Tom

[Humourl3ss]

Tom,

It's hard to see from the pics, but the trailing edge of the arch (i.e. the part closet to the door) has been bent up and out. Conversely, the mounting points themselves appear to have held intact (I would guess that - by design - the fasteners are the sacrificial item).

The good news: the quote for repairs came to under $200. The trim piece is but $19. Quite reasonable.

-CW

[Humourl3ss]

Words can describe the depth and breadth of my happiness.

The MCS is now fixed after last week's damage at the hands of a not-so-touchless wash. You'd think it was factory-fresh now.

Many thanks and a big, big, BIG thumbs up to John at The Auto Body Clinic (2508 Royal Windsor, just west of Winston Churchill Blvd.)

John and his shop were fast, inexpensive and efficient. And best of all they did a damn good job. The car looks superb. He's 3 for 3 (my car, and two of my folks' bimmers). I recommend this place highly.

Now I just need to see if the car wash will make restitution...

-CW

[HarryHBMCC]

Glad to hear your car is fixed. That's the main thing. Sounds like it wasn't a ton of money so hopefully the wash will cover it.

Harry