Carwash attacked my Civic!!

sonicm · 2nd February 2007, 10:39

Took my car to the local car wash in Ansty, West Sussex yesterday and the wash had trouble but managed it OK. However, the dryer went over the car ok but clattered into my back spoiler on the way back! It's not done too much damage but it has left a mark on the glass just above the rear break light!

Think nextime the wash is ok but forget about the drying, must be because the Civic has a very flat back to it?

Anyone else had any car wash experiences?

Mike

Bungle · 2nd February 2007, 10:48

Never, never, never use an automatic car wash. They cause all kinds of damage, and they all state you use it at your own risk.

The brushes are far too abbrasive, and can often put too much pressure on the car. The sensors which guide the various parts, as you have found out, are not 100% reliable.

It is not unheard of for wipers or arials to be ripped off and used as a flailing weapon caught up in the brushes, destroying your paint on the car.

It is just not worth the risk.

Hand wash every time!

sonicm · 2nd February 2007, 10:56

yeah, never had trouble in my old Astra but will deffo think twice about using one next time. Only problem is in the weather we have down here at the moment it's getting messed up in only a few days of travelling.

Bungle · 2nd February 2007, 10:59

I know what you mean, sonicm, but I'd rather have a filthy car (which it is now

) than a scratched or damaged one.

Did you try to talk to the operators of the wash about the damage?

sonicm · 2nd February 2007, 11:12

I thought about it but there were signs at the car wash saying use at your own use. It was strange as the heater went over ok but I saw it at the back, it only hit it by about 1 inch so perhaps they need to make it start an inch higher. Luckly it had a rubber piece round the base and it was that, that hit the car so the damage is minimal.

Andrea · 2nd February 2007, 11:21

id still have a word with them, then again if you didnt mention it on the day they probs wont want to know. sorry to hear about it though.

Lozza · 2nd February 2007, 11:50

Had the aerial on my Saxo VTR ripped clean out by a carwash last year...not just broken,pulled the casing out of the bodywork. Fortunately the car was still just about warranty so I took it to Citroen and lied to them,saying it had just fallen out...hey presto,new aerial! If your car is still under warranty can you concoct some kind of story to get Honda to sort it for free??

sonicm · 2nd February 2007, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lozza

If your car is still under warranty can you concoct some kind of story to get Honda to sort it for free??

Thought of that but nothing mechanical could cause that.

TTDegs · 2nd February 2007, 13:09

it might also be rather difficult to get away with after pasting it up in here for all to see

Charles_Harding · 2nd February 2007, 13:16

[quote=Bungle;46253]
It is not unheard of for wipers or arials to be ripped off

No problem there then!

............Hand wash every time!

Must always wash your hands!

"Why on earth did Mary have a little lamb?"

Charles H.

Honcho · 2nd February 2007, 13:59

Joking apart, Charles is right. Hand wash every time. If doing it yourself is out of the question, you can get it done for around a fiver, including wax. And inside and out for around nine. (You may need an East European language of course!) Auto washes are death.

MARK182 · 2nd February 2007, 16:18

i have been driving since 1997 and have only ever used a car wash once, there are too many stories of damage being caused,
always wash by hand you may get cold be it is better than getting a damaged car

Mark996 · 2nd February 2007, 17:35

Yep - totally agree with the rest - don't car wash at all, ever!!!

When I first got my Civic, I wanted it to stay beautifully brand new and shiny, so I took it to my local car wash twice a week - until after the 6th or 7th time, I started to notice those nasty circular 'swirl' fine scratches in the paint......

Stopped going, and also stopped being lazy and now do it myself everytime!!!!

Topcat · 2nd February 2007, 18:21

I would never risk taking my Civic through a car wash, the way it scratches I dread to think what it would like after!!

Kerry · 2nd February 2007, 19:44

Hi sonicm
My wife insists I let you know this. 'anyone with a bit of sense should know not to use a car wash, the damage caused can be heartbreaking.' she hopes that the damage to your civic can be rectified without too much expense.
Regards
Kerry

czechplastik · 2nd February 2007, 20:25

Auto washes are for the lazy. Can't beat the superior clean, finish and exercise of a good hand wash!

Stef · 2nd February 2007, 21:51

Could not agree more, never ever used a car wash in my 30 years of driving, and I wash my car every week, counting also the 2e car, I washed about 3000 cars...
Also the Civic is about he easiest car to wash I ever had.

Fedorov · 3rd February 2007, 01:54

Same here never used one. Perhaps rename this thread to "I attacked my Civic with a carwash"

Sorry, trying to be lighthearted

JPDirect · 3rd February 2007, 02:31

Hi SonicM,

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I have NEVER used Automatic car washers for that very reason. I would rather (as others have said here), have a dirty car, than take mine to have it cleaned by a machine.

Honcho · 3rd February 2007, 11:39

My wife tried a car wash once, but it ripped off her shower cap.

2nd February 2007, 10:39	#1 (permalink)
sonicm Valve Cap Join Date: 22nd November 2006 Location: West Sussex Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Carwash attacked my Civic!! Took my car to the local car wash in Ansty, West Sussex yesterday and the wash had trouble but managed it OK. However, the dryer went over the car ok but clattered into my back spoiler on the way back! It's not done too much damage but it has left a mark on the glass just above the rear break light! Think nextime the wash is ok but forget about the drying, must be because the Civic has a very flat back to it? Anyone else had any car wash experiences? Mike Last edited by sonicm; 2nd February 2007 at 10:55.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads for: Carwash attacked my Civic!!
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Morrisons CarWash	smurf79	General Discussion	53	5th February 2008 18:35


This thread is about: Carwash attacked my Civic!!, it's in Cleaning at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Took my car to the local car wash in Ansty, West Sussex yesterday and the wash had trouble but managed it OK. However, the dryer ...

2nd February 2007, 10:48	#2 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Never, never, never use an automatic car wash. They cause all kinds of damage, and they all state you use it at your own risk. The brushes are far too abbrasive, and can often put too much pressure on the car. The sensors which guide the various parts, as you have found out, are not 100% reliable. It is not unheard of for wipers or arials to be ripped off and used as a flailing weapon caught up in the brushes, destroying your paint on the car. It is just not worth the risk. Hand wash every time!

2nd February 2007, 10:56	#3 (permalink)
sonicm Valve Cap Join Date: 22nd November 2006 Location: West Sussex Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	yeah, never had trouble in my old Astra but will deffo think twice about using one next time. Only problem is in the weather we have down here at the moment it's getting messed up in only a few days of travelling.

2nd February 2007, 10:59	#4 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I know what you mean, sonicm, but I'd rather have a filthy car (which it is now ) than a scratched or damaged one. Did you try to talk to the operators of the wash about the damage?

2nd February 2007, 11:12	#5 (permalink)
sonicm Valve Cap Join Date: 22nd November 2006 Location: West Sussex Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I thought about it but there were signs at the car wash saying use at your own use. It was strange as the heater went over ok but I saw it at the back, it only hit it by about 1 inch so perhaps they need to make it start an inch higher. Luckly it had a rubber piece round the base and it was that, that hit the car so the damage is minimal.

2nd February 2007, 11:21	#6 (permalink)
Andrea Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 22nd July 2006 Location: Lynemouth, Northumberland Posts: 421 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	id still have a word with them, then again if you didnt mention it on the day they probs wont want to know. sorry to hear about it though.

2nd February 2007, 11:50	#7 (permalink)
Lozza Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 1st February 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Had the aerial on my Saxo VTR ripped clean out by a carwash last year...not just broken,pulled the casing out of the bodywork. Fortunately the car was still just about warranty so I took it to Citroen and lied to them,saying it had just fallen out...hey presto,new aerial! If your car is still under warranty can you concoct some kind of story to get Honda to sort it for free??

2nd February 2007, 13:09	#9 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,634 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	it might also be rather difficult to get away with after pasting it up in here for all to see

2nd February 2007, 13:16	#10 (permalink)
Charles_Harding Civinfo guru Join Date: 14th August 2006 Location: S.E. London Posts: 3,298 Thanks: 113 Thanked 27 Times in 26 Posts iTrader: (0)	[quote=Bungle;46253] It is not unheard of for wipers or arials to be ripped off No problem there then! ............Hand wash every time! Must always wash your hands! "Why on earth did Mary have a little lamb?" Charles H.

2nd February 2007, 13:59	#11 (permalink)
Honcho Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 5th October 2006 Posts: 376 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts iTrader: (0)	Joking apart, Charles is right. Hand wash every time. If doing it yourself is out of the question, you can get it done for around a fiver, including wax. And inside and out for around nine. (You may need an East European language of course!) Auto washes are death.

2nd February 2007, 16:18	#12 (permalink)
MARK182 Wheelnut Join Date: 14th December 2006 Posts: 88 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	i have been driving since 1997 and have only ever used a car wash once, there are too many stories of damage being caused, always wash by hand you may get cold be it is better than getting a damaged car

2nd February 2007, 17:35	#13 (permalink)
Mark996 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 11th April 2006 Location: Nottingham, Notts. Posts: 495 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (0)	Yep - totally agree with the rest - don't car wash at all, ever!!! When I first got my Civic, I wanted it to stay beautifully brand new and shiny, so I took it to my local car wash twice a week - until after the 6th or 7th time, I started to notice those nasty circular 'swirl' fine scratches in the paint...... Stopped going, and also stopped being lazy and now do it myself everytime!!!!

2nd February 2007, 18:21	#14 (permalink)
Topcat Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 11th May 2006 Location: Middlesex Posts: 2,753 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts iTrader: (0)	I would never risk taking my Civic through a car wash, the way it scratches I dread to think what it would like after!!

2nd February 2007, 19:44	#15 (permalink)
Kerry Valve Cap Join Date: 6th November 2006 Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Hi sonicm My wife insists I let you know this. 'anyone with a bit of sense should know not to use a car wash, the damage caused can be heartbreaking.' she hopes that the damage to your civic can be rectified without too much expense. Regards Kerry

2nd February 2007, 20:25	#16 (permalink)
czechplastik King of the rodeo Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th October 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,727 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader: (0)	Auto washes are for the lazy. Can't beat the superior clean, finish and exercise of a good hand wash!

2nd February 2007, 21:51	#17 (permalink)
Stef Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 14th October 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 406 Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts iTrader: (0)	Could not agree more, never ever used a car wash in my 30 years of driving, and I wash my car every week, counting also the 2e car, I washed about 3000 cars... Also the Civic is about he easiest car to wash I ever had.

3rd February 2007, 01:54	#18 (permalink)
Fedorov Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th April 2006 Posts: 783 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Same here never used one. Perhaps rename this thread to "I attacked my Civic with a carwash" Sorry, trying to be lighthearted

3rd February 2007, 02:31	#19 (permalink)
JPDirect Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 1st October 2006 Location: London Posts: 172 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Hi SonicM, Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I have NEVER used Automatic car washers for that very reason. I would rather (as others have said here), have a dirty car, than take mine to have it cleaned by a machine.

3rd February 2007, 11:39	#20 (permalink)
Honcho Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 5th October 2006 Posts: 376 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts iTrader: (0)	My wife tried a car wash once, but it ripped off her shower cap.