Melting Grill and Mirrors after Carwash

[CassiG]

Hi!

I am new and excited to be here!

I bought this 2016 TRD Tacoma the end of last year. It had one previous owner who took immaculate care of it. I spent quite a bit on it and wanted to really take care of it.
I live in N Indiana and it’s been quite snowy with lots of salt pouring out all over the roads so I got an unlimited carwash this last month. I took my truck 1-3 times a week.
I started to notice some paint crinkling on my grill and thought, “Did I buy it like that?”. However it started getting worse and even warping the top of the grill area. I finally figured out it had to be the carwash. So I paid close attention when I went through a few times more and sure enough that was the culprit!

Has this happened to you before?

 

[black_taco]

Holy crap. I can’t say I’ve ever seen something like that happen on any car.

 

[B-Man]

WOW! Soap/cleaner they use? Cold paint with hot water?

 

[Takotruck]

I think I would say it’s probably a reflection off of some kind of glass or the like of the sun.

 

[Meclizine]

I've never seen anything like that. Did they put acetone in the rinse aid or what?!

If it's something in the car wash then you probably aren't the only one. Have you talked to them? Maybe get a list of products they use?

 

[Bird dog]

That SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. There has to be some harsh chemical in the water or the water temp is way too hot. Almost forgot, welcome aboard.

 

[Takotruck]

That SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. There has to be some harsh chemical in the water or the water temp is way too hot. Almost forgot, welcome aboard.

 

[Dirtboy2009]

Welcome to the family. Those are some serious injuries. Is there a super-heated blow dryer at the end of rhe wash?

 

[Meclizine]

Jeez, I also forgot. Welcome! Sorry that this is your grand entrance to the community...

I wonder if this can be an insurance claim, depending on your coverage.

 

[Berserker__taco]

Welcome aboard! That is some serious heat. I've never seen anything like that.

 

[jdr3366]

Looks like somebody used a heat gun on selected areas of your truck. Don't think it's the car wash because it is relatively localized.

 

[Meclizine]

Apparently particularly reflective windows will do this, too. Do you have comprehensive insurance?

 

[bonifacio]

Is it just the paint or is the plastics underneath also deformed?

 

[TwoDan]

Yikes! My vehicles might go thru a touch less car wash once a year in the winter. The car and truck get hand washed and dried or stay dirty. The 2021 I just bought came with a windshield sticker on the interior windshield for a local car wash. The girl at the service desk was surprised when I told her to have it removed; duh.

 

[bonifacio]

Yikes! My vehicles might go thru a touch less car wash once a year in the winter. The car and truck get hand washed and dried or stay dirty. The 2021 I just bought came with a windshield sticker on the interior windshield for a local car wash. The girl at the service desk was surprised when I told her to have it removed; duh.

Sounds like a lot of work. Mine gets washed every time it rains.

 

[Meclizine]

Sounds like a lot of work. Mine gets washed every time it rains.

Lucky. If I wait that long mine will go from Midnight black to Quicksand. Best I can hope for this season is it raining just enough to get the pollen smearing but not enough to wash it off.

 

[Dirtboy2009]

Sounds like a lot of work. Mine gets washed every time it rains.

That's been my solution lately as well.