saab Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I've got something playing on my mind. Yesterday I creosoted a fence. When I say creosote I actually used creosote subsitute, but the consistency and smell is pretty much the same - no idea about the ingredients though. A few hours after I'd finished my neighbour called round saying that there was "paint" all over the paintwork of his car. I had a look and sure enough there were loads of minute droplets of creosote on his car. All I can assume is that because it was quite windy yesterday it got blown from where I was working to where his car was parked - about 20 ft away. The creosote on the paintwork was still wet (and because of its nature will continue to be so for quite some time I think) and was just beading and easy to wipe away. I said I thought that it should simply just wash off and if he went up the car wash I'd sort him out the cost - he said that he'd give it a go. I suggested he go up that evening just to get it sorted as soon as possible. He also said he'd just had the car painted - it's an R-reg Escort RS2000 (according to the badges) - and it had cost him a fortune. I had a look this morning and although it was hard to be sure because the car was covered in dew, it didn't look like he'd been to the car wash. The guy in question is not someone I've ever spoken to, he lives in a house with quite a transient population regularly moving in and out of rented rooms, and he comes across as slightly dodgy and definitely a bit handy - not someone to piss off. I'm a bit concerned about where all this might be going. I'm hoping that he simply didn't have time to go to the car wash yesterday and will do so today and that will be the end of it. It has however crossed my mind that he might try and take advantage of the situation - possibly to try and make some money out of me somehow. I am a bit concerned that if the creosote is on the paintwork for any period of time it might cause some damage - however he does look after the car and I'm pretty sure that there's a decent layer of wax on the paint which will protect it I think. I'm hopeless at these sorts of situations and I'm really not sure what I should do next if anything. I'm tempted to call round just to keep communications open and see if hes had a car wash if he's happy, say it was unintentional, what a nice car he's got etc. Anyone got any thoughts or advice? Although it seems quite trivial I'm actually quite worried about the whole thing. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 If it does not wash off I am sure a polish or even clay would remove it all. Might need to pay a professional detailer to do the job to ensure he is happy with the job. Is a good idea to call round with him later to see if he has had the chance. Not a good plan to let it bakie in the sun for too long as then it will be much harder to remove. If he has not done anything why not just tell him you will wash it. Warm water and a good shampoo might be all it needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Doesn't quite add up, surely someone with an RS2000 would be looking after it like it was his only child? i'd be washing anything foreign off the car toot sweet. How about you pop over and see what he says, would you be willing to wash the car yourself just to know it's been done and that he's happy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I don't know how long it would take to dry, but I'd definitely be trying to clay that off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I'm pretty sure that if the sh!t did hit the fan, that you could claim on your home insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Lighter fluid should lift it or maybe buy him a bottle of tar remover (Autoglym & Megs do it) from Halfords & give that to him - shows you are trying + if he doesn't use it then he hasn't exactly tried to mitigate his loss if things get taken further later ? Here's some - Meguiar's UK - Car Care Products in the enthusiast/surface prep section or AG do an "intensive tar remover" Autoglym - car cleaning products, car care products, car valeting, car detailing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted June 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Thanks guys. I'm hoping that when I get home it will turn out he's been up the car wash and everything's hunkydory and that will be the end of it. If I have to get a valeter in to do a t-cut and polish then that's not the end of the world, but I'd like to sort it out one way or another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randellp Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I would have thought that a car "enthusiast" who'd just had his pride and joy resprayed would have set to with a bucket of water and sponge immediately. Not a car wash either - I know some people are funny about swirling etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Come on guys why the comments about the bloke washing it right away. Am i the only one that thinks saab should have done this. May have been the thing to do rather than offering to cover the cost of a wash. Giving someone a few quid is totaly different to getting your hands wet in a bucket. If it happened to me and the person responsable said "go and wash it at the car wash, and i will pay", i would paint all his f***ing windows and his cat. Cheeky sod. Even if you offered and he said no, it still would have been the thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Come on guys why the comments about the bloke washing it right away. i think the comments refer to washing it before the creosote had time to dry.. once it's dried on then it would be a nightmare to get off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I agree I think he should have offered to wash the car or have a professional get involved. Would you allow someone across the road from you wash your car, I wouldn't and also he possibly shouldn't do it either as then the guy might accuse him of causing other damage. Now that it will have dried I do not think washing is any help. That stuff is designed to be weather proof so will not just wash off. On reflection get it to a professional detailer, will cost a bit more but then at least the guy knows his car is being treated properly and the detailer will be well placed to refute any allegations of damage caused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 "I said I thought that it should simply just wash off and if he went up the car wash I'd sort him out the cost" I understand why wash it right away, just dont understand asking him to do it. Grab a bucket and Bobs your mothers brother. Sorry but i think the above comment smacks of "im above you". Telling someone to fix it then covering the cost is the easy way. Getting your hands dirty is showing the man some respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I don't disagree with what you are saying at all, but i'm not sure I'd allow some bloke to wash my car who has just sprayed it with creosote. You'd also let yourself in for all sorts of allegations like scratches.. also who's hose are you going to use?.. I'd agree that i would pay for it to be done by a detailer.. if that didn't do the job, then I'd be looking at an insurance job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Would i let someone wash my car? No Would i expect them to offer to wash my car? Yes But hay we are all different and live our lives by different self made rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 also if it was that windy then surely you would of got other cars aswell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb Posted June 30, 2008 Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Would i let someone wash my car? NoWould i expect them to offer to wash my car? Yes But hay we are all different and live our lives by different self made rules. That's a very good point - offering to carefully wash it for them would be well received & probably not taken up - maybe buy him a bottle of Scotch or something as an apology - could always say if doesn't like it then maybe he can use it to take the tar off ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted June 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 I would have been very happy to wash his car for him, at the very least I would have been sure about what was happening. As it was the bloke came round my house at 9pm and he was going out in the car anyway and didn't get back until after midnight so put on the spot I suggested what I thought would have been the simplest and quickest option (a very good local hand car wash) and, as I don't have a power washer, possibly the most effective solution. I certainly don't think I am "above" my neighbour. Anyway I saw the guy tonight, the car wash hadn't been completely effectively but he had a quote for a professional buff with free pick up and drop off from his work, so I gave him the cash for that plus enough for a few drinks as an apology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Now you have explained the situation it is alot clearer. Couldnt see in your first post where you offered to clean his car or that he was going out till after midnight. Now you have stated these things i think you have done the correct thing. He can now have it cleaned and like you say you will pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted July 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 No fair enough - I should have made that part clear. As it is he has been pretty good about the whole thing and it all seems to have worked out alright, and the part of the paint he had had buffed up to show me the result looked excellent. It's a nice looking car - he said only 500 made? Anyway definitely the last time I allow my missus to make me do chores on a sunny Sunday afternoon - looks what happens when I'm allowed out unsupervised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Good job, dealing with a car enthusiast should have made it a lot easier for him glad its all sorted & he's happy with the result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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