Car wash

[Icantremembermyusername]

Dc and I have cleaned out the inside of the car. What happens when you go to the automated car wash? Do I have to remove the aerial? I'm 45 so can't do the whole 'I'm pretty and don't know what to do'

Wow, there's a car wash section?

Yes, remove your aerial if it removes. Close your windows.

Oh no, there isn't 🤣 - this is in Chat.

Lol! I've been driving for 20 years and never been to a car wash. My car is 6 years old and only had a perfunctory wash by the kids. Doing lots of miles recently and it really needs a clean. I'm massively claustrophobic.

I unscrew the aerial and fold in my wing mirrors.

Depends on your aerial, I've never removed mine but it like a little shark fin shape and secure.

Just make sure you folllow the traffic lights and drive up to the line, otherwise you'll be like the man in front of me last time, who didn't, presumed it didn't work, drove to the kiosk and moaned whilst I pulled up and followed the instructions and unsurprisingly it worked

If you have a code, don't rush it won't start until you're in place.

I also never bring the wing mirrors in.

My Dad always told me that the drive through automated car washes scratch your car but no idea if that's true.
So I go down the hand car wash and sit in the car while some men clean it for me.

I remove the aerial and leave the wing mirrors. Then I have a mild panic about whether I've parked centrally enough for the wing mirrors not to get ripped off.

Also 45 and never done a car wash. Currently have grass growing in the window surrounds on my car so perhaps time to consider making the leap.

They screw your paintwork that’s for sure!

@Shade17

They screw your paintwork that’s for sure!

Ah so my Dad wasn't lying to me?

I'm not disagreeing regarding auto car washes scratching your car. My Dad completely knackered the side of his car in a car wash though I strongly suspect he'd not parked it between the rails (driving was never his strong point).
BUT on a serious note. The zillion carwashes around where men swarm around the car washing and polishing are often to be found to be part of a modern slavery ring. I never thought about it until I went on a course given by the police. The "employee's" may not even realise they are being exploited as they are earning more than they would in their home countries. Their working conditions are often below our countries legal requirements. Also, once they are in post they are often used for other illegal activities. I'm not explaining it well but women for example are used for prostitution, sham marriages and drug running at the same time so their "overlords" get their moneysworth.
I'm no expert and apologise again for it explaining badly. My course was 3 years ago. I've never gone to one of those carwashes since. Feel free to look at your local police authorities website and Google modern slavery.
Apologies again for bringing the mood down.

@J0nah, I've read the same thing about hand car washes and nail bars. There are some things to look out for - the main one is being charged less than NMW for the people and time involved, but I think I also read staff not speaking any English at all, and having someone else deal with all interactions.

I see groups of men on my drive to work, I think they're collected and taken to their work place. I always wonder about them.

It's crazy that we have to worry about slavery now.

You remove the aerial, shut the windows and boogie on down