car wash scratched up my brand new Edge

[pgribbin]

Took my new Edge in for its first bath yesterday (my mistake for not washing it myself, have learned my lesson). After getting home, I noticed that the front, hood, windshield, and roof had been terribly scratched, in some cases down to the primer. I am certain that I would have noticed this before the wash, and since I have been the only one driving it, I am sure that it did not happen while driving. It is obvious to me that it happened at the wash, but I cannot prove it. I don't even know how it could happen. I am guessing that perhaps the sponges picked up some ice, rock, etc. and beat on the car. Obviously, the car wash owner is not convinced of this. I took pictures of ice sticking to the sponges, and of the damage in case I have to bring them to small claims court.

 

Just a few questions for anyone who might be kind enough to help:

 

1. Has anyone had any experience with this or any ideas what might have caused it?

 

2. Has anyone fought a car wash for damages? Any advice?

 

3. Any advice on repainting the hood. I have heard that repainting is never as good as factory, and will fade or not match. I have also heard, however, that this is no longer an issue with new technology. If new painting is not as good, perhaps I should learn to live with the scratches.

 

4. Should I go to a Ford dealer with a body shop, or an independent body shop?

 

Thanks for any help, I'm pretty upset about this and hope to get it fixed soon.

[solas989]

I have not personally had this experience however (and if you have not proceeded with this):

 

1: Was it a brush or touchless carwash. I avoid brush (contact with car) carwashes at ALL COST because the brushes are cleaning with other cars dirt. I only use touchless in winter time to get salt off when it is freezing (I use the heated carwashes - cost more but open during freezing weather).

2: Most car washes clearly indicate somewhere that you enter the car wash at your risk - thus you cant go after them - at least around here they do.

3: You always have a risk of paint not matching. However, if you find a really good body shop, there wont be any issue. We had a 2000 Cavalier that was quite faded from Original color - and my body shop matched it PERFECTLY - to the naked eye anyway. We did not have any problems with the paint - just keep it waxed and clean. A lot of scratches can be polished out - try that first.

4: I like independent bodyshops myself because that is all they do.

 

Note: This is not saying Ford body shops are not good either and the independent shops are better - do your research.

Note: I have heard it is harder for shops to match the new ford colors - this is a rumor and i have no data to back that up.

 

Good Luck

 

Solas

[dpboone]

Took my new Edge in for its first bath yesterday (my mistake for not washing it myself, have learned my lesson). After getting home, I noticed that the front, hood, windshield, and roof had been terribly scratched, in some cases down to the primer. I am certain that I would have noticed this before the wash, and since I have been the only one driving it, I am sure that it did not happen while driving. It is obvious to me that it happened at the wash, but I cannot prove it. I don't even know how it could happen. I am guessing that perhaps the sponges picked up some ice, rock, etc. and beat on the car. Obviously, the car wash owner is not convinced of this. I took pictures of ice sticking to the sponges, and of the damage in case I have to bring them to small claims court.

 

Just a few questions for anyone who might be kind enough to help:

 

1. Has anyone had any experience with this or any ideas what might have caused it?

 

2. Has anyone fought a car wash for damages? Any advice?

 

3. Any advice on repainting the hood. I have heard that repainting is never as good as factory, and will fade or not match. I have also heard, however, that this is no longer an issue with new technology. If new painting is not as good, perhaps I should learn to live with the scratches.

 

4. Should I go to a Ford dealer with a body shop, or an independent body shop?

 

Thanks for any help, I'm pretty upset about this and hope to get it fixed soon.

[dpboone]

I had the same problem at the car wash I used for years. I took the EDGE to the dealers body shop and they were able to buff the scratches out.

[dckotwicki]

If a car wash scratched your car.

The car wash fixes your car.

 

I received some small scratches on the top of the back bumper from my local car wash.

I immeadiately showed the scratches to them and was given approval to take the vehicle to a

body shop that they use. The scratches were small enough that I decided to "Live with it".

Didn't want to risk a paint job that might look worse than a small scratch.

 

Please note... Car washes are responsible for what they do.

[VagabondEdge]

If a car wash scratched your car.

The car wash fixes your car.

 

I received some small scratches on the top of the back bumper from my local car wash.

I immeadiately showed the scratches to them and was given approval to take the vehicle to a

body shop that they use. The scratches were small enough that I decided to "Live with it".

Didn't want to risk a paint job that might look worse than a small scratch.

 

Please note... Car washes are responsible for what they do.

Right On - You cannot waive liability by simply posting a sign in most states. This would be a fitness-for-use issue - it's a CAR wash and you are washing a CAR. Your claim isn't for aftermarket trim or accessories or poorly attached items - it's the PAINT. I hope you get thru it without the courts, but if you go there, I hope I'm on your Jury! Multi-million dollar award? Nah, but lots of sympathetic citizens would get you a whole new paint job! :hyper:

[bri719]

sponges -- what sponges were these?? was this a "hand" car wash?

[Kanatronic]

Independent body shops are very good, but keep in mind that most Ford Dealers uses them as well, Ford do not have any body shop as such, at least not in my area, that I know of, all thye do here, is using independent ones that offer good service to keep their reputation up...

 

I received a couple fo dents the other day, on the driver doors, courtesy of a Diner parking lot, the guy hit me and run, I was inside eating, unfortunatelly for him two old ladies that were sitting in their car in the parking lot, one of the them a widow of a police officer, took his plate number...Now doing the tedious job that follows the damage, i ahve learned a lot about those issues the hard way...

 

A few remarks:

 

Keep your deductible in the minimum, pay for the rent a car service, never park a car while you do not see it, and try to use the parking spots at the ends, usually the ones at the passenger side, that will minimize the hit of doors opening besides you, park as far as you cna, people is lazy and laways try to park close to the place they will go into, leaving the parking spots that are far away empty...

[Cindy]

Independent body shops are very good, but keep in mind that most Ford Dealers uses them as well, Ford do not have any body shop as such, at least not in my area, that I know of, all thye do here, is using independent ones that offer good service to keep their reputation up...

 

I received a couple fo dents the other day, on the driver doors, courtesy of a Diner parking lot, the guy hit me and run, I was inside eating, unfortunatelly for him two old ladies that were sitting in their car in the parking lot, one of the them a widow of a police officer, took his plate number...Now doing the tedious job that follows the damage, i ahve learned a lot about those issues the hard way...

 

A few remarks:

 

Keep your deductible in the minimum, pay for the rent a car service, never park a car while you do not see it, and try to use the parking spots at the ends, usually the ones at the passenger side, that will minimize the hit of doors opening besides you, park as far as you cna, people is lazy and laways try to park close to the place they will go into, leaving the parking spots that are far away empty...

 

 

I with you on this one. I always park away from other cars. I also have a 1998 Expedition and have done this with it since I have had it. The only dent it had was at the dearlership getting service but I couldn't prove it but it was able to be taken out by those dent remover people (Press A Dent). I now have a black Edge and am very careful where I put it too. On the car wash thing, I would never think of going through those car washes, I think you're just asking for trouble. I 'll drive a dirty car first.