Paint Damage Complaints

[Max]

How do you guys deal with customers who damage their cars with the wands? Do you have signs up instructing customers about how to use the wands properly or signs warning customers that they are using the wash at their own risk? THANKS!

 

[DiamondWash]

Please explain ""customers who damage their cars with the wands" do you mean customers getting to close with the wand and taking loose paint off or blowing the moldings off? this would be due to ignorance on their behalf for putting the wand too close to the molding or painted surfaces, now if the pressure is Inadequate then yes customers feel as if getting closer to there vehicle will do the trick, make sure this isn't the case because this will be a reoccuring issue which no operator needs, just curious what is your pump pressure set at when pulling the trigger?

 

[Jeff_L]

What is the industry accepted standard? I keep mine between 800-1000psi. I feel that keeps good, solid pressure, but not so much as to knock a small-framed customer.

 

[Richard Rust]

Max : I have only had 2 issues with brush damage in 13 years.
The 1st one a couple years ago, a gal put a deep scratch in the hood of her brand new car when the brush came off of the wand while she was washing the hood. The wand left a deep scracth .
That one cost me $400. Just a month ago a customer showed me his brand new minnie van with paint scracthes. Said he had washed the day before and the brush had lots of sand in it. He was not to happy. I showed him the signs that inform customers to rinse off the brush prior to using it. Obviously he didn't read them 1st. Told him I was sorry, but I could not take responsibility for the damage. If its my fault I pay, if it is not, I don't.

 

[MEP001]

What is the industry accepted standard? I keep mine between 800-1000psi. I feel that keeps good, solid pressure, but not so much as to knock a small-framed customer.

It's a combination of pressure and flow that affects the "kick" from the gun. I wouldn't say there's a standard, but there's definitely an average. I run 2506 tips at 1200 PSI and have never had a damage claim.

Max didn't specify for certain whether he meant damage from the water pressure or physical damage from the wand hitting the car, but I use rubber tip protectors so the careless won't accidentally scratch their paint.