Hi all :) ,

Here's a question about a minor issue that occurred while I was washing my car at a pay carwash not far from my home.

There are five bays available and sometimes you have to wait for a bay. I understand that and either wait my turn or try another day if I can't be bothered waiting.

I have always, repeat always, chamois dried my vehicle but never in the direct sun. As a consequence, I dry the car under the cover of the wash bay roof. I have done several times now, with no issue. (Please note that there are no carwash facilities in my apartment complex).

While doing this a couple of days ago, a guy drove up behind the bay I was occupying in his "doof doof" Mazda SP20 with fog lights ablaze (bright sunny day at 11.30am, weekday. Go figure!) and demanded :laughing: that I take my car outside and dry it in the sunshine.

Smiling :mellow: , I advised him that this was something I do not do and if he was prepared to wait for ten minutes the bay would be his. He then said words to the effect of "So I've gotta wait here for you to finsh drying your car?" Seeing that he had a reasonable grasp on the subject, I said "Yes, you could do that or you could try another bay".

Indignant he muttered something about a rude womans private parts and slinked off to his ride and practised his serious glaring :glare:. As I finished the job, the occupied bay next to me became vacant and he savaged :angry2: his car into the bay.

I am interested to see if anyone thinks I was out of line with my action. I understand that the bays are built for the public convenience and I always endeavour to do a thorough job in the least amount of time. (I can't see the point of washing the car and then driving it wet back into traffic!).

I took the time to arrange MY schedule to allow me to do the job I would be satisfied with. If the day had been without direct sun, then I would have had no issue with moving, but there was strong direct sun.

Is it necessary to compromise my situation because someone else can't/won't get it together and plan ahead?

Is there an etiquette?

Look forward to replies.

Cheers,

Andrew B)

I would have done the same thing if i were like you but i only wash my car a total of 5 times a year (spring to fall) if i feel lucky once in the winter.

Hi Andrew!.......had there been only a single bay, the guy MIGHT (& only might!) have had a point.

Unfortunately, the world is full of jerks......but , in my experience, there are less of them in Australia than most places!.

Cheers,
Nick. :)

Hmm :) ,

I didn't think I was a totally unreasonable sort of bloke, and I'm happy that I've had some positive feedback.

I don't obsess about cleaning the beast either, doc. I use a good polish and the occassional rain has kept it reasonably clean but every so often the yuk factor gets too much. My missus gives me grief if it gets too dirty.

Nick, I was pleased to see you using Pedders gear in your suspension. I have had new dampers(Touring) and springs(Sports Ryder) fitted to the Lantra as well as having the front bushes replaced.

I can't explain the difference it makes to the handling, sensational doesn't do it justice. Potenza G3's help too.

It not as full bicky as yours obviously, as I don't have the huffer, but damn it's cool to punt through windy bits.

Anyway, I'll put some pics up soon. It's not overt as most of the stuff done is discreet.

Speak again soon.

Cheers,

Andrew B) .

Honestly, unless there were other bays open, I wouldn't dry my car in a bay if someone were waiting.

this is a good question, as far as the etiquette goes. i think it really comes down to if there are people waiting or not. sure, you want your car to look nice, but nobody wants to wait while somebody dries their car off. perhaps you can find a car wash that has some shade nearby in case this happens again.

You know what Trakka I feel ya...I would have done the exact same thing...I'm the kind of person that has my plans planned and I'm set on that...if there's other bays...hey he's got open times...a Car Wash is a car wash and in the indications of washing a car it also needs to be dried...therefore I say you were in the clear!

Xiti

I've found the ones I go to don't allow you to chamois dry your car (at least in the bay).