I haven't been through a car wash that required a human operator for at least a decade, forgot it was even a thing
I know 2 people at work who specifically went to small claims court for damages to their vehicle at the local PetroCanada wash. One had a scratched door panel and the other had a dented hood. Both were settled. If the op wants to take it in the rear that's his choice, and the owner is depending on the typical docile Canadian to quietly go away. If it were me, I'd stop at nothing to get compensation for this bs.
I'm sure your car wash ticket says the type of wash you requested, no?
Though, they'd likely say your rack might have been damaged if it's an OEM type - hundreds of ppl wash daily with roof racks with no issue...
I've gone through 2 of these touch less washes and they do such a lousy job I can't justify the $12. You can always tell who's too lazy or cheap to get a real car wash as their rims are brown from brake dust.
Good luck OP.
I'm curious to see pics of the damage. I can't see how a brush can wreck a roof rack. On both my cars I can literally shake the whole car by the rack and they're rated for over 150 lbs...
My last VW had studs that the rack latched onto, I was never worried. The new one uses the slightly bent pieces of metal that are held on by magic, I would expect the new one to rip off.
I don't know how to multi quote, so this is for Rob as well (and no offense to the op), but I have gone through the car wash many times with my antenna attached, luggage rack on, bug deflector, window shades etc. Even the touchless washes have a disclaimer when you have accessories on. How is this disclaimer not valid? Or is this because of the attendant being negligent?
Their equipment did fail as the operator was the one that put the wrong code in or the brushes activated when they shouldn't have. If the car wash was operating properly the brushes wouldn't be near
so it was operator fault, not equipment fault