Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

[Fr0zen]

Here comes a rant! So here we go; I just recently moved and got settled in today. It

[Fr0zen]

Re: Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

Seems like I got an error when trying to post. Here is what I ment to write originally...

Here comes a rant! So here we go; I just recently moved and got settled in today. It’s in the single digits here in Chicago and my Jeep was filthy (lots of road salt) so I drove by this new really nice hand car wash called Elements Hand Car Wash in Mundelein, Illinois. Anyway, they pulled my Jeep in then washed the wheels, and under carriage and got off a lot of excess grit with a pressure washer. So far so good right? Afterwards they were supposed to start washing it by hand with mitts, instead the machine that sprays foam on the vehicle was broken so the bus boys pulled the car around 3 times and put it back in thru the car wash trying to get it t work. The foam didn't work so they can't wash it by hand. So what they proceeded to do now is use the lower body panel brush on the hood, roof, doors, trunk and every where else. I knock on the window and tell him to stop and get my car the hell out of there and go and talk to the owner. I tell the owner I know a thing or two about detailing and this is just ridiculous. He asks me if I work at a car wash (please, I’m in internet marketing). I kindly reply saying no, but I own a large forum that knows a lot about detailing and I’m a member at practically every other forum specializing in luxury and exotic cars. Anyway, he tries to show me the brush and mitts they use to further reassure me that everything they are doing is ok. He is then swept off his feet when he see's the bus boys doing it to another car. He tells them to stop and gets my car washed by hand. We talked for a little while and he apologized, gave me a free detail, and had my car cleaned up.

So you’re wondering ughh what the hell is the big deal right? You got a free car wash… I'm really anal and got really heated when I saw what was happening. Sure my Jeep is a 99 and has 80,000 miles on it, it's not a S600, or Ferrari F430, but that doesn't mean I don’t like to have nice paint. After they were done they couldn't start my Jeep. They said the battery died because they left the lights on for 45 minutes… They were lucky to have jumper cables and jumped it…

www.elementscarwash.com is there website. The owners name is Bill Rouse. He is a pretty nice guy, although at first he came off as a “no not my guys” type character Then he then saw the bus boys using the lower body panel brush with his own eyes and apologized.

I got a few swirls on my hood, doors, and roof now. Nothing a little buffing can't fix in the spring, but still all I wanted was a car wash instead I got a car wash + swirls. Good thing my BMW wasn't going thru that car wash!!! The owner told me they had a SL65 AMG and a Murcielago come thru the wash a few days ago, kind of hard to believe, because i'd shoot up the place if I saw my Murcielago getting hacked up with a handle brush.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

Sounds pretty darn frustrating, but at least the owner acknowledged the "crime" and did something to make you right.

As for the Murcie and AMG running through there, I believe it (well, the Murcie is sorta hard to take!). I've seen brand new black Porsche 911s, various AMGs, etc get pulled through fully automatic washes and dried using the same old towels that just dried every other car that came through, were dropped, picked up and reused. I always check out the local washes if I'm stopped at a light right outside their drying area. Sorta like watching a train wreck, you know?

[Fr0zen]

Re: Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

Yea, it's pretty sad. I'd never take my BMW to any of those washes. I was stupid for even taking my Jeep there. Oh well, I will be breaking out the speed glaze in the spring.

[RamAirV1]

Re: Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

As you just discovered, hand wash does not necessarily equal good wash!

Before I use a car wash I get references first. Seems to have worked so far. I did find a good automatic car wash near me. I only use one if I can't wash my car for a month or so, or if it is the end of winter and I need to have the underbody cleaned.

We feel your pain, and you were right to complain and to make them stop! You may have prevented some serious swirls!

RamAirV1

[STG]

Re: Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

Rule No. 1. Never let anybody else wash your car.

Rule No. 2. If you break Rule No. 1, you deserve whatever happens! After all, you KNOW what's going to happen....

There's a carwash here in Cody where the workers take dirty nasty brushes to the paint prior to running the vehicle through. Doesn't matter if it's a rusted-out 1978 Ford pick up with a load of manure or a 2007 Escalade. Everybody gets the brush!

Fortunately, I spoke with the service manager at the Local Ford dealership today and got permission to use the huge heated (with water & drain) enclosed detail/wash bay. No charge (I'll probably tip the detail employees to stay away or bring them a fast-food lunch), I just have to call ahead to make sure it isn't booked up. It will be just like washing at home during the warmer months.

[Fr0zen]

Re: Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

I'm doing that now as well. My friend works at the local Chevy dealership!

[Sydster]

Re: Elements Hand Car Wash - Rant

I feel for you there Fr0zen something similar happened to me before and ever since that happened I never let anyone wash my car.