Car washes, typically known for their convenience and cleanliness, took an unexpected turn in Melbourne. What was supposed to be a routine car wash became the scene of a shocking and frightening ordeal.
In a frightening incident in Melbourne’s southeast, a 34-year-old woman was ambushed while vacuuming her car at Shiners Jet Car Wash in Frankston. CCTV footage shows the assailant, a 24-year-old man, confronting and physically assaulting the woman in an attempt to steal her vehicle. Thankfully, her courageous resistance thwarted the carjacking, and authorities quickly apprehended the attacker.
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From Carjacking to Car Washing: A Journey Through the Quirky History of Car Washes
While such serious incidents remind us of the importance of staying alert, car washes have also been the setting for numerous quirky, humorous, and unusual events over the years. From hilarious mishaps and bizarre criminal escapades to the intriguing evolution of car wash technology—car washes have witnessed it all. Let’s dive into some lighter and quirkier moments from the world of car washing that have captured headlines, made us smile, or simply left us shaking our heads.
The Pink Soap Caper
A would-be thief learned a colourful lesson at the Titanium Car and Dog Wash in Bunbury, Western Australia. This driver sneaked into the wash’s storage and stole a container of bright pink “pre-soak” cleaning chemical. She then proceeded to douse her white car in the stolen solution—apparently thinking a free wash was in order.
What she didn’t realise is that this concentrated chemical is meant for automated systems and needs dilution; otherwise, it strips paint and stains skin.
Security footage captured her frantically trying to scrub off the neon-pink foam as it stained her hands red and her car’s exterior. In fact, staff joked the vehicle might end up a new shade of gun-metal grey once the acid was done.
Come morning, red handprints were found on equipment all over the site, evidence of her literal red-handed attempt to hide the mess.
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The US Car Wash Bandit and His $20 Bill on a String
In 2018, multiple American states were plagued by a slippery scammer who targeted coin-operated car washes with a middle-school prank turned felony.
Dubbed the “car wash bandit,” this thief travelled across at least five states using a laminated $20 bill attached to the fishing line as his weapon of choice. Security cameras caught him feeding the coated $20 into self-serve wash payment machines to trigger a purchase, then hitting “refund” and yanking the still-connected bill back out.
The machine would spit out change each time, but the $20 would return to the thief’s hand. He netted $700 in quarters and fives in one Ohio car wash in a single day using this trick. Over months, he stole thousands of dollars in small change—truly nickel-and-diming the industry.
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Windows Down and Roofs Open: Soaked Passengers and Viral Laughs
It’s the classic car wash mishap—leaving windows open, or the sunroof cracked as the water and soap start flowing. But these days, it’s often no accident, thanks to social media pranksters and thrill-seekers!
A standout example comes from Australia’s own daredevils: Hamish and Andy, in a viral stunt seen by more than 250,000 viewers, drove through a car wash with their convertible’s roof wide open, gleefully enduring the drenching and foam. Check out this classic Video from Australia’s own comedic duo on YouTube — guaranteed to leave you both cringing and laughing.
A Dip into History: The Auto Wash Bowl
Back in the 1920s, an innovative car cleaning method known as the ‘Auto Wash Bowl’ emerged. Cars would drive into a vast basin filled with water, allowing for the cleaning of their undersides. This method was patented by C.P. Bohland in 1921 and was a literal interpretation of a ‘carpool.’
