Was I in the wrong?

[D4ng3r]

A little while ago, my best friend's brother (who I am also friends with) bought a new truck (A nissan somethingorother).

He had not washed it in about 2 weeks, and it was really dirty and dusty. I took my finger and wrote "I wish my girlfriend was this dirty" on the driver's side door in the dust.

The next day, I get a call from my best friend saying that his brother is REALLY upset and mad that I would do that to his truck, because I could have scratched the paint.....

I called the truck owner directly and apologized to him, and told him I would wash his truck if he wanted, which he declined. We haven't spoken since (although I don't think the dirt thing is keeping us from it, its just a bit awkward).


My point of view:

1. Yes, I touched property that wasn't mine. I was in the wrong for doing that, but we all do little things like this for good fun. If I had known he would react like that, of course I wouldn't have done it. Regardless of my reasons for it, I still am technically in the wrong for touching his truck.

2. It IS a new truck, so I'm giving him the right to be sensitive about his baby (even..though... it was filthy).


3. I think he grossly over-reacted. Car paint isn't tissue-paper quality. Its meant to be rained on at 120kmph, snowed on, dusted off with a snow brush, freezing rain, etc. If I had used a piece of plastic or metal, I could understand.. but yeah, you get the point.


I'm looking for car enthusiast's perspectives here. I know how I feel about the issue, but I want yours. Would this have an icecube's chance in hell of scratching the paint? Was it wrong of me to touch his truck? Was he over-reacting?

Thanks guys. I just want to learn and grow for next time

edit:just to note, there was nothing wrong with the paint after he washed it. If there were scratch marks from where I touched the door (would probably have had to use sandpaper to make scratches that deep, no? O_o) I would have paid to have it repainted.

[Giccin]

I think he's overreacting saying it scratched his paint. Also it was probably there before you had touched it with your finger(?)

[D4ng3r]

Originally Posted by Giccin

I think he's overreacting saying it scratched his paint. Also it was probably there before you had touched it with your finger(?)

Again, he said it COULD have scratched the paint, but it didn't.

[ihaskrayon]

I guess it depends on how close you are to the guy.

For example, if my best friend did that to my new car, sure I'd be pissed, but I'd get over it. If it was someone who I'm kinda friends with and he did that I'd be a little more upset. I know my good friends and they know how anal I can be about my car. I think it's just rude to write or do something to someones car if you're not that close.

I would never really get that mad unless I really disliked that person (why touch my car) or it actually scratched my paint

[Neilus]

I guess I understand it's a good opportunity to have a bit of a laugh.... I think if you wrote it on the glass it would not have bothered me and after all not a bad saying at all. As a enthusiast though I have never gone through a car wash. I always hand wash my car and wax it. My point is maybe he's coming from a point of view that you didn't know it wasn't going to scratch the car and you did it anyway. That fact that you didn't scratch it means I personally would have got over it by the next day.

[Longhorn248]

[Shagaliscious]

Does he have a girlfriend? Maybe he's pissed off more because of that? But me personally...I would find this funny, even if it was someone who I am not real good friends with. I think he overreacted.

[Calum]

Your finger wouldn't scratch the paint, but rubbing the dirt around could. To tell you the truth, I'd be shocked if you didn't scratch the clear coat a little. Not to mention he just bought and paid a bunch of money for something, he was probably proud of it, and you defaced it.

The fact that you posted this question tells me you aren't an ass, just that you had a moment of ass like behavior.

[Jeff Lange]

If you're going to do something like this, do it on the glass, not the paint.

Rubbing dirt around on paint does no good. I'd have been pretty mad.

Jeff

[ichitaka05]

K, there are 2 answer to this q for me.

1. Yes, I'll be pissed IF - I was babying that SPORTS car (like FRS/BRZ, LFA, GTR) & kept it clean. Just I was gone on business trip for several weeks (which sometimes I do) & I couldn't wash it and see that... BUT if my friend apologized, I'll forgive and laugh it off.

2. No I won't be pissed IF - I buy a trunk or other car that I'm gonna make it dirty. If I went lil off-road & mud everywhere and left it like that for few days & you did that, I'll laugh so hard! Maybe I'll take a pic & put a caption "WTB GF!" or something.

Like other member have stated, you could of scratched the paint. It's not recommended to wash brand new car for few weeks, due to paint is still soft.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by D4ng3r

Again, he said it COULD have scratched the paint, but it didn't.

Why are you trying to reinstate your point when I was simply AGREEING with you?

[Chupacabra]

I'd be angry if I was the truck owner because you touched my property, but you did the right thing by being apologetic towards touching the paint.

You shouldn't have a guilty conscience for doing what you did, he should have a guilty conscience for not seeing that you made a poor choice and regretted your actions.

Either way, if he can't get past this incident you seem like a person who could use a new friend

[mattles]

its a truck... :|

If it was something with valuable/fragile paint then maybe Id be worried, but its a fucking utility vehicle. He's gonna get plenty of scratches if it EVER goes offroad. If he is one of *those* truck owners that babies his OFFROAD vehicle wellt hen there is no hope for him.

[M-17]

Originally Posted by mattles

its a truck... :|

If it was something with valuable/fragile paint then maybe Id be worried, but its a fucking utility vehicle. He's gonna get plenty of scratches if it EVER goes offroad. If he is one of *those* truck owners that babies his OFFROAD vehicle wellt hen there is no hope for him.