Beware the car wash
 

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I know I've read threads where people give their opinions on the pros and cons of using a car wash (or as my 5 - year old calls it, the wash car), but I've never had any problems in my 40+ years of driving. Until 2 weeks ago. I didn't notice it until a week later. At first I thought someone had just yanked it off. Then, I remembered going through the car wash. Went back and they had the part. I was happy to see this and that they didn't just throw it out and play ignorant. I filled out a customer service report and was contacted by a rep from higher up the command chain. At first he tried to get me to agree it was loose before I entered by showing me some photos. "Looks like a shadow to me." I said. After a little back and forth like this the rep says they'll cover it.

My dealer's body shop quoted $300. The flair doesn't come painted so they need to match it. Car wash asked me to go through their body shop which also does a lot of work for several dealerships close by. I agreed to have them look at it and give an estimate. Haven't visited them yet, but looked up their name. Saw some mixed reviews, but every body shop seems to have the same. Some of the complaints are focused on rental car issues, which might better directed at the insurance company, but . . . we'll see how it goes.

What type of car wash was this? Not a "touchless" i assume?

I’m assuming it was not a touchless car wash? I’m too afraid I’ll get scratches and stuff from anything but a “touchless” car wash. Glad they finally owned up to it but if they had thrown the part away they would have told you “see ya!”

you reading my mind?? Lol

Haha yep! Was thinking exactly same thing. The only carwash i go to is like 10 miles from my house, touchless and is big enough i dont have to fold in mirrors! But 99% of time I hand wash.

Dam what is it with f150 and car wash .

haha i feel ya. The only one I’ve found that my truck will fit in is on my way home from work which is about 30 minutes from my house. Other than that I have to hand wash it. Every one of the ones near me have the rails on the ground that are not wide enough for the truck to drive into. :wallbash:

that's pretty crazy. i do use a full touch car wash in the winter, and haven't had that issue, but I find they do a crappy job. big areas on the doors and tailgate sometimes don't even look touched. Sucks, but it's the salt life here in the midwest so you just have to get it off there sometimes.

Touch-less leave a film that builds up over the winter, no problems with the touch style so far, knock on wood.