Futility/car wash

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jdeare

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When I got my new car a few months ago (June), I was thinking that I would do as much hand washing as I could so my paint doesn't get swirly. The reality turned out different.

I live in a condo without a garage, so I was planning to use my parents driveway for washing. Unfortunately they have a crazy neighbor who blows dirt or whatever off her driveway numerous times a day. 3 times in a row I've washed and dried the car, gone inside for a drink of water, and come back out only to find she has blown dirt and grass clippings onto my car. It doesn't seem to matter what time or what day I do it. I think she may be doing this on purpose.

So then I bought some Optimum No-Rinse with the idea that I could do a wash in my condo parking lot. It worked fine (in fact the product is pretty awesome) but I got reported to the condo board by no less than 5 other residents. The board asked me to stop. In the interest of reducing conflict, I agreed. fwiw, I have been reported previously for checking my oil or refilling washer fluid.

So now it seems like an automatic wash is going to be a better option (that or a dirty car, I guess). I was thinking I would use a local self-serve that also has a touchless automatic... that way I can spray any gunk off beforehand (I'm not going to use the soap brush). Or should I go to a soft-touch wash instead? Any advice on this is appreciated...

I still plan to wash and wax my car by hand every couple of months. I'll have to move it into the garage ASAP after the wash to avoid the dust tornado though.
 
What was the ground of their complaints for you washing your car?

If you are being written up for filling washer fluid then you need to move. This complex sounds pretty whacky. I would agree if you were doing actual vehicle work but what you are doing is basic things with no harm to the environment or the communities' grounds.

In regards to the crazy neighbor I agree, get another blower and blow the stuff back.
 
We've done that before, it doesn't do much good... she just keeps doing it. I have also seen her picking up sticks in her yard and throwing them over the fence into the other neighbor's yard. And in the past she would take all of her yard waste and dump in the park that is next door to my parents house. She has finally mostly stopped that.

Basically we're battling mental illness here.
 
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
What was the ground of their complaints for you washing your car?

If you are being written up for filling washer fluid then you need to move. This complex sounds pretty whacky. I would agree if you were doing actual vehicle work but what you are doing is basic things with no harm to the environment or the communities' grounds.


In our condo bylaws there is this statement: "The parking lot is not to be used for vehicle maintenance of any kind." But like any place, it's really up to the residents as to how much is allowed. Unfortunately, my fine neighbors don't want anything happening out there. They are a bunch of old ladies (literally) and they are sort of fanatic about what they consider to be "keeping the place up"... although that mostly seems to be stuff like complaining and cleaning a fence with a paper towel.

There's no real process for the complaints (I own the condo, so I can't really be written up or anything) but I have to live there so I don't want to foster animosity towards my neighbors. I think one lady might be related to my parents' neighbors though... she was trying to clean old oil drips with bleach and a brush earlier this year.

Anyway, yes, I definitely need to move. But financially, it's not going to be possible for 3-4 more years.
 
Ugh, I hate "associations" of any kind with these unreasonable idiots ruining them. I've lived in condos, and I can understand not wanting someone doing major work in the parking lot.

But wiping your car down, checking the oil and filling the washer fluid? Give me a break. No rational person should have an issue with that. Is there a dress code for when you step outside your place too?
 
Ask any friends who live nearby if you can use their driveway instead.

I had a similar situation and sometimes I would just go to the DIY carwash place late at night with a bucket and wash mitt. I waited until night so no one would complain I was monopolizing a bay. It was certainly easier than driving 45 minutes to my parents' house.
 
When you let neighbors get away with stuff like that they see weakness and take advantage of you. Mental illness or not. Sneaky retaliations are useless. Gettin up in somebody's grill is most effective. When she thinks its you thats crazy, that fear will stop it all.

Been there with the Condo's. Everyone thinks they own the property, but nobody owns anything. And they hide the dirty work of confrontation behind the association. Same as above, sneaky cowards. Same as above, if they fear you they will be afraid to rat you out.

Pretty sad comments, but its the only way to deal with some people.

What you need to do is find a car wash that has a self serve spray booth. Take your sponge and towel. set to soap, soak. Wash the soap by hand. set to rinse, use a towel. What i used to do when I was a condo dweller. In winter its a good idea to run the car through anyways, get the salt off the undercarriage.
 
I feel blessed I'm fortunate enough to not have neighbors so close!

There's no way I'd be able to make it through craziness like that.

Joel
 
re: the blower lady. I would definitely confront her if I lived there. In fact I almost called the cops on her. But my parents don't want the confrontation, and they are the ones that live there (also, their cars are in the garage).

re: condo associations. I will never live in a place with an association again if I can help it. I've had confrontations with the board before (and I've had confrontations while I was on the board as well), and I truly do not want to deal with it any more. While I was on the board, we were threatened with a lawsuit because one of the fine ladies wanted to run the meeting without being on the board. The day after we told her no, we were presented with letters from a lawyer. I resigned that day, and I won't get involved with something like that again. It's just not worth it.

I'm thinking the late night self-serve is what I will do. There is one near me. They have a sign that says no hand washing, but I don't think there is an attendant.

Thanks for letting me vent guys...
smile.gif
 
You won't know who the rat was at the condo, the problem with associations. Your confrontation is with the board, not the rat. People can screw over neighbors anonymously. Sounds like you have a lot of over 55 seniors. They have nothing to do all day but peep on the neighbors and complain. Rent it out and move.
 
When necessary, I do the self serve/hand wash routine. I take a 5 gallon jug of hot water with carwash soap with me. Dump it in a 5 gallon bucket, rinse the car off, hand wash, rinse again.

Do it during a non busy time. The very worst that can happen is that the attendant shows up and boots you out. But if you explain to him why you hand wash and that you are still spending $$ there, he might not care (if he's a decent guy).

Your situation reminds me why we have wars....if neighbors can't get along.........
 
The self serve wash is goign to be your best bet before goign to the gas station car wash....hopefully no one will see you there and just let you be.
 
At one time there was an employee there that was making change. I only saw him once though, and it was a number of years ago.

I like the jug idea... thanks for that!
 
I know this is probably rubbing salt in the wounds, but next time read the fine print on the homeowner's association before purchasing the property.

Not all homeowner's associations are bad. The purpose of their existence is to protect property values from bad neighbors. Do you want to live next door to people who park an semi in their driveway and let their grass grow 12" long?

In your case though, clearly they've jumped the shark. It's unfortunate when they've got a magnifying glass on your backside.
 
I wanted to start a business in a Board Run community, waxing
the cars of seniors for a very nominal fee. I was told that a
business was not allowed. Amazingly one guy was allowed to
mow every lawn for a fee. (He lived there)! I moved. I wish
we were neighbors, you could come to my house and I would even
help you wash it and wax it!
 
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