Automatic Car-Wash Horror Story

[vicious28shine]

There is a place, A slaughter-house if you may. very unassuming it is. The victims line up and are herded into the kill shoot. Stop, Neutral, I would say” into oblivion they would roll. Sprayers would

coat them in caustic chemicals before the poly brushes bludgeoned them to death, then another bath in caustic rinse (spot free) before being blown by heated air. The process is not over yet, onto

the next phase. Now they are wiped with low-grade towels, vacuumed with a vacuum that worked half the time. The scars are glaring from the tunnel of death, Porsches, Audi's, Bimmers, etc etc...

We did offer an Express wax, haha. Corvettes with a 5 inch ground clearance bottoming out trying to pull on the track, auto Dealerships not caring about the quality of there stock, the list goes on and on...

As long as this process continues, there will be a definite need for quality detailers to treat and heal the battle scars, and to teach about proper vehicle care. Hundreds of vehicles a day would go through this

process, day in and day out. 'The work is out there' Customers are willing to pay the price at an Automatic Wash because they believe it's a bargain when infact it's the opposite. Communication is key

in business, Especially Auto Detailing. I have worked in lawn care, customers paying hundreds a year and hundreds of them. What do they see more of? there yard, are car. Think about these things,

put yourself in the customers shoes. Psychology plays a big roll.



Hope my Thread motivates somebody

Thanks Nick F.

 

[David Fermani]

I call this job security. Pretty typical. I love it when car washes consider themselves "touchless" when in actuality, they are really just touching your car less.

 

[Dan]

Its no surprise, people just don't want to dedicate any sort of time to maintaining there car. I have to grin and bear it whenever someone asks me what wax I use to keep my car looking so nice. When they hear about the process, I get eye rolls and the occasional... well could you just tell me what wax...

 

[Brad B]

Good post. Now I will always think of the 'slaughter-house' term when I see a car wash!

 

[Junebug]

I had a guy bring his fairly new - less than a year old car to me. We looked at the top and there was the unmistakable brush marks in the paint. I looked at him and said, been to the tunnel of swirls a few times huh? He looked kinda pale and said, they really scratched the paint didn't they. Yep, now let me explain what needs to be done to fix this and what you need to do to keep it from happening again.

 

[buda]

There is a place, A slaughter-house if you may. very unassuming it is. The victims line up and are herded into the kill shoot. Stop, Neutral, I would say” into oblivion they would roll. Sprayers would

coat them in caustic chemicals before the poly brushes bludgeoned them to death, then another bath in caustic rinse (spot free) before being blown by heated air. The process is not over yet, onto

the next phase. Now they are wiped with low-grade towels, vacuumed with a vacuum that worked half the time. The scars are glaring from the tunnel of death, Porsches, Audi's, Bimmers, etc etc...

We did offer an Express wax, haha. Corvettes with a 5 inch ground clearance bottoming out trying to pull on the track, auto Dealerships not caring about the quality of there stock, the list goes on and on...

As long as this process continues, there will be a definite need for quality detailers to treat and heal the battle scars, and to teach about proper vehicle care. Hundreds of vehicles a day would go through this

process, day in and day out. 'The work is out there' Customers are willing to pay the price at an Automatic Wash because they believe it's a bargain when infact it's the opposite. Communication is key

in business, Especially Auto Detailing. I have worked in lawn care, customers paying hundreds a year and hundreds of them. What do they see more of? there yard, are car. Think about these things,

put yourself in the customers shoes. Psychology plays a big roll.



Hope my Thread motivates somebody

Thanks Nick F.

Nick:



Don't know what car wash you are talking about because your commentary is not accurate for the majority of professional automatic conveyor car washes in the USA and Canada.



First of all, professional carwashes DO NOT use caustic chemicals. A caustic chemical is an engine degreaser, wheel cleaner, white wall cleaner. Caustic chemicals are used by detailers. Car washes use a very low-ph shampoo.



Second, the only automatic car washes today that MIGHT have plastic poly brush material would be in a gas station and in some cases I might agree that taking a car wash through a gas station car wash could be dangerous to the vehicle.



Professional car washes today and since the early 80's have been using a special cloth material and recently they are using a sponge foam material. Both these materials do not hold dirt. Plus they care constantly bombarded with water and shampoo to keep them clean.



Third, the central vacuums in a car wash are far more powerful and have greater lift than most shop vacuums used by detailers.



Fourth, many car washes use microfiber towels today. If they don't they use a high quality "cotton" towel. Keep in mind they cannot afford to use cheap towels, they wash them after every car. Most use a body towel and a window towel.



In general the paint on a car going through a car wash has better protection than a hand wash because the car and the washing material are constantly bombarded with gallons of water and shampoo providing a barrier between the washing material and the paint surface.



Your accusations are certainly your opinion but I have been in the car wash industry for 40+ years and the detail industry for 30+ years and know that what you say might have been true in the 60's and 70's but not today.



The number of automatic car washes in the USA are growing yearly and there would be more if investors could get permits from the cities and loans from the banks.



Keep in mind you have to invest at least $1.5 to $2 million for an exterior only car wash and minimun $3 to $4 million for an exterior/interior car wash. It is not logical if the car washes were damaging cars they would continue to be frequented by motorists who are paying more money for their cars today than any time in the history of the automobile.



People use them because they are convenient, they are fast; they are reasonably priced, they do a good job and they are safe.



Just some well intentioned facts on the car wash industry.



Regards

Bud Abraham

 

[Richie's Custom Detailing]

Nick:



Don't know what car wash you are talking about because your commentary is not accurate for the majority of professional automatic conveyor car washes in the USA and Canada.



First of all, professional carwashes DO NOT use caustic chemicals. A caustic chemical is an engine degreaser, wheel cleaner, white wall cleaner. Caustic chemicals are used by detailers. Car washes use a very low-ph shampoo.



Second, the only automatic car washes today that MIGHT have plastic poly brush material would be in a gas station and in some cases I might agree that taking a car wash through a gas station car wash could be dangerous to the vehicle.



Professional car washes today and since the early 80's have been using a special cloth material and recently they are using a sponge foam material. Both these materials do not hold dirt. Plus they care constantly bombarded with water and shampoo to keep them clean.



Third, the central vacuums in a car wash are far more powerful and have greater lift than most shop vacuums used by detailers.



Fourth, many car washes use microfiber towels today. If they don't they use a high quality "cotton" towel. Keep in mind they cannot afford to use cheap towels, they wash them after every car. Most use a body towel and a window towel.



In general the paint on a car going through a car wash has better protection than a hand wash because the car and the washing material are constantly bombarded with gallons of water and shampoo providing a barrier between the washing material and the paint surface.



Your accusations are certainly your opinion but I have been in the car wash industry for 40+ years and the detail industry for 30+ years and know that what you say might have been true in the 60's and 70's but not today.



The number of automatic car washes in the USA are growing yearly and there would be more if investors could get permits from the cities and loans from the banks.



Keep in mind you have to invest at least $1.5 to $2 million for an exterior only car wash and minimun $3 to $4 million for an exterior/interior car wash. It is not logical if the car washes were damaging cars they would continue to be frequented by motorists who are paying more money for their cars today than any time in the history of the automobile.



People use them because they are convenient, they are fast; they are reasonably priced, they do a good job and they are safe.



Just some well intentioned facts on the car wash industry.



Regards

Bud Abraham

Are you fu(king serious?

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Are you fu(king serious?

:LOLOL Well to be fair, he's right about the type of material the "brushes" in modern commercial line washes are made of (I've found pieces of it stuck in roof racks on SUVs and vans many times), and that the central vacs they typically use are more powerful than a regular shop vac. But that's about it.

 

[Dan]

I don't think Bud is completely off his rocker. I would personally rather take my chances in a soft cloth or foam machine versus the local crackhead craigslist car washer or hand wash tunnel using cheap labor and old wash media.



That said, Bud neglected to mention a few other things. One is recycled water. Especially during winter time, if its not treated properly, its corrosive. And yes, I know the rinse water is clean, but the wash water gets in the worst places and doesn't get rinsed. He also doesn't mention the human factor. Many carwashes are very poorly maintained.



Last but not least, if you ever have the pleasure of seeing a car that sees an automated wash for years, you'll notice how beatup it looks, especially the trim.



I'd love to have my own personal automated wash machine that I kept in tip top shape. I'd use it all the time. That said, I don't trust a machine that has had all sorts of stuff through it and is maintained by minimum wage labor.

 

[tom p.]

There is a place, A slaughter-house if you may. very unassuming it is.

I like the vision!



I used to enjoy going to the car wash when I was a little kid. You'd first fill up at $.21/gallon and get in line for the wash tunnel. They used to let you stay in the car and you could watch as the car was hand-scrubbed, foamed, rinsed and then a quick blow job. I was too young to appreciate what was really happening to that single-stage paint. Guess it didn't really matter cuz this was Detroit and nobody ever kept a car beyond 12 months



I guess not all car washes are created equal. The newer ones seem to do quite a comprehensive job. A new wash tunnel opened in my town about a year ago. Everyone on my street uses it and the cars look pretty good when viewed from 100' away. Even the wheels appear to be clean. I'm sure the neighbors continue to wonder why I hand-wash our cars every week, 52 weeks/yr.

 

[Junebug]

Hey, before I saw the light and got educated about detailing, I'd hit the autospa. There, I said it and I ain't proud either. Now, this place was new, had a decent looking crew and was convienent. But, they used the same chemicals I use (from Majestic Solutions in Raleigh) except they used the bulk/heavy duty stuff. You could take a car that had a coat of Megs paste wax on it - maybe 2-3 weeks tops and run it through the car wash and beading would be gone. I've seen it, hell fire - there's no other way to get a car that spotless unless ypu bring out the heavy guns, maybe a good test for some of these new coating products. Now, the crew used blue terry cloth towels to wipe down the car, I wouldn't say they got clean ones after every car either. Now, we've all seen what happens when there's a little moister in the air and the temps drop at night, next morning you have a little frost on the car. How could you explain the swirls/marring in the paint when you're looking at it amplified by the frost - who could it be, who could it be...........SATAN? Nope, let's try the wash you got at the autospa.



This place is still in business, although on it's 3rd or 4th owner now. The "detail shop" beside the car wash machine was interesting, guy there was friendly and showed me he was up on all the latest products. He proudly pointed out a piece of clay laying on a work table, about 300 grams worth and the color was dark brown, like a childs' play-dooh that had been outside. Yep, total pro there.



So maybe, there's a place where you can get a good machine wash, and where the crew does treat your car like it was their own and it only costs 20-25 bucks. Maybe.........But I'm not betting on it and as long as that autospa in my 'hood stays open, I'll have business coming my way.

 

[autoconcierge]

I will not get too loose on this subject even though Boodah inserted the proverbial "Foot in mouth" again. This is site dedicated to "Higher end" techniques and products..........not for the 99% er's that use a "Carwash" and think this is proper maintenance for thier vehicle as the evidence is in, 10 out of 10 people that know what they are talking about know that a typical "Carwash" causes damage that guys like me fix on a regular basis.................endstop.

 

[DaGonz]

Another thing that Bud does not mention is the fact that the professional car wash industry lobbies local city and town councils as well as state legislatures to get them to ban people like us "clean car fanatics" from washing their own cars, citing environmental concerns. They get car washing banned, its more money in their pockets.



I am more concerned about drunk drivers, those who text while driving and uninsured drivers and their $#!tboxes that leak as much oil as they burn than me washing my car in my own driveway.

 

[Bigpoppa3346]

Nick:



Don't know what car wash you are talking about because your commentary is not accurate for the majority of professional automatic conveyor car washes in the USA and Canada.



First of all, professional carwashes DO NOT use caustic chemicals. A caustic chemical is an engine degreaser, wheel cleaner, white wall cleaner. Caustic chemicals are used by detailers. Car washes use a very low-ph shampoo.



Second, the only automatic car washes today that MIGHT have plastic poly brush material would be in a gas station and in some cases I might agree that taking a car wash through a gas station car wash could be dangerous to the vehicle.



Professional car washes today and since the early 80's have been using a special cloth material and recently they are using a sponge foam material. Both these materials do not hold dirt. Plus they care constantly bombarded with water and shampoo to keep them clean.



Third, the central vacuums in a car wash are far more powerful and have greater lift than most shop vacuums used by detailers.



Fourth, many car washes use microfiber towels today. If they don't they use a high quality "cotton" towel. Keep in mind they cannot afford to use cheap towels, they wash them after every car. Most use a body towel and a window towel.



In general the paint on a car going through a car wash has better protection than a hand wash because the car and the washing material are constantly bombarded with gallons of water and shampoo providing a barrier between the washing material and the paint surface.



Your accusations are certainly your opinion but I have been in the car wash industry for 40+ years and the detail industry for 30+ years and know that what you say might have been true in the 60's and 70's but not today.



The number of automatic car washes in the USA are growing yearly and there would be more if investors could get permits from the cities and loans from the banks.



Keep in mind you have to invest at least $1.5 to $2 million for an exterior only car wash and minimun $3 to $4 million for an exterior/interior car wash. It is not logical if the car washes were damaging cars they would continue to be frequented by motorists who are paying more money for their cars today than any time in the history of the automobile.



People use them because they are convenient, they are fast; they are reasonably priced, they do a good job and they are safe.



Just some well intentioned facts on the car wash industry.



Regards

Bud Abraham

This would be an appropriate spot for a picture of the "LOLWUT" pear...



We have an automatic car wash at work (with the spinning brushes of death, it's a brand new unit), that all cars in for service get run through (Lexus dealership). That thing rips off more license plate frames than one can count (especially on RX330/350's). It's hilarious seeing the service writers scrambling to screw on new ones before the customer sees the broken one just dangling there. It's also been known to bend antennae beyond repair, rip off trim, etc. I won't go into what it does to the paint....

 

[mikenap]

This would be an appropriate spot for a picture of the "LOLWUT" pear...



We have an automatic car wash at work (with the spinning brushes of death, it's a brand new unit), that all cars in for service get run through (Lexus dealership). That thing rips off more license plate frames than one can count (especially on RX330/350's). It's hilarious seeing the service writers scrambling to screw on new ones before the customer sees the broken one just dangling there. It's also been known to bend antennae beyond repair, rip off trim, etc. I won't go into what it does to the paint....

You're welcome!

 

[buda]

Big Poppa



Let's clarify please.



Does your dealership have a car wash machine that moves over the staionary car?



Or, do you have a machine where the car is conveyed/moved through a stationary car wash?



REgards

Bud abraham

 

[Richie's Custom Detailing]

Big Poppa



Let's clarify please.



Does your dealership have a car wash machine that moves over the staionary car?



Or, do you have a machine where the car is conveyed/moved through a stationary car wash?



REgards

Bud abraham

Then why is it that the majority of car owners tell the serivce writers to not wash the car?



As you said before that detailers use caustic chemicals, then why is it that every Audi I have worked on that has been ran through a touchless automated wash has etching on the roof rails and window trim?



I can't wait to see what you pull out of your a$$ this time.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Big Poppa



Let's clarify please.



Does your dealership have a car wash machine that moves over the staionary car?



Or, do you have a machine where the car is conveyed/moved through a stationary car wash?



REgards

Bud abraham

And the difference that makes is what, exactly?

 

[buda]

They say that there are two areas you never discuss with people:



a. Religion

b. Politics



It appears from my years in both the car wash and detailing business that you should add to this list, automatic car washing with detailers.



That said, let me clarify a couple of good points that were brought up here.



1. When I talk of automatic car washes I am speaking of conveyorized car washes either exterior or exterior

interior (full-service).

2. I am not referring to the roll-over type washes that are installed in gas stations and many auto dealerships.

3. I am not referring to the "touchless" roll-overs installed in gas stations and dealerships. As was stated

these systems use a two step chemical process of hydroflouric acid and alkaline and high pressure water

to clean the car.

4. Typically, automatic roll-over car washes in gasoline stations and dealerships are not well maintained by

anyone and they do not use the correct or sufficient shampoos in them. So I would agree they could and

do damage cars.

5. I am not saying that all professional conveyorized automatic car washes in the USA/Canada are properly

operated and provide a top quality wash. But my experience indicates that most of them are, they have

to be or they would not be in business. To invest $1.5 million to $5 million dollars in a business and then

damage cars and turn out poor quality work does not make sense, does it?



Most of you that have posted do not like automatic car washes so nothing that I could possibly say to you about the benefits and success of this industry will fall on deaf ears. So if you do not like what I say, then just ignore it. But why attack me or the car wash industry. Simple, do not use automatic car washes and ignore what I say.



Resentment is like you taking poison, hoping I will die.



Regards

Bud Abraham

 

[buda]

Then why is it that the majority of car owners tell the serivce writers to not wash the car?



As you said before that detailers use caustic chemicals, then why is it that every Audi I have worked on that has been ran through a touchless automated wash has etching on the roof rails and window trim?



I can't wait to see what you pull out of your a$$ this time.

Richie



Please show me the evidence that "most" service customers tell the service writers to "not wash their cars." My experience with auto dealers is that their machines cannot keep up with the demand for the car wash service. AND, that dealers that do not wash service customers cars loose service business to dealerships that do.



As for the acid, ABSOLUTELY, I would agree with you that the so-called "touchless" roll-over car wash systems used in gas stations and some dealerships are very harmful to automobile paint; glass; trim, wheels, etc. NO QUESTION.



However I am not referring to these kinds of car washes, I am referring to professional conveyorized car washes that are well operated and use either cloth or foam washing material and plenty of water and shampoo in their operations.



Regards

Bud Abraham