![at the car wash](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cover-car-wash-49.jpg)
“A quick wash and brush up, Madam – to refresh the exterior?”
Last week we took my old car to the car wash. I admit it is probably more than 5 years since I’d been through the strange experience of sitting in a car while the automated ‘wash and brush up’ whirred, rattled and rolled all about me. As I had my iPhone with me I decided to shoot the experience from the inside. After all it might be another 6 years before I get the chance again ;o)
So here is the journey into the surreal world of car wash.
We were quite relieved to find a car in front of us, as we couldn’t remember how it all worked – so we learned as it went through ahead of us.
![waiting for the car wash](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-03.jpg)
Once in the machine daylight vanishes. For an alarming moment you feel you might be in a crusher, as it feels the car body to estimate its size.
![starting the car wash](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-04.jpg)
And then, goodbye world – hello soap! An amazing array of soapy abstracts began to unfold across the windscreen……
![soaping the car windscreen](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-10.jpg)
Then it really got interesting, and just a little scary (it was so long since I’d been there) The ‘brush up’ was beginning……
![car wash brushing the windscreen](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-17.jpg)
But I was absorbed in the drama that was playing out on the screen before my eyes. Soap suds and that giant brush…..
![soap and brush in the car wash](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-21.jpg)
Then a quick rinse, and the world beyond the car wash was suddenly there again – but at the bottom of a watery pool…..
![watery distortions through the glass](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-27.jpg)
Meanwhile the brushes were tackling the sides of the car. The inside was getting hot and the windows were steaming up…..
![the side windows all steamed up](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-33.jpg)
And I found myself shooting myself in the side window …..
![reflections in the side window](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-41.jpg)
Then on to more wonderful watery distortions as the rinsing off began…..
![watery world in the car wash](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-42.jpg)
And some great abstracts of the brushes. almost an oil painting…..
![the car wash brushes at work](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-45.jpg)
And the final stage – bring on the hair-dryer! Another crazy sequence of ripples…….
![drying the windscreen](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-53.jpg)
Finally the world outside starts taking shape again…….
![watery abstract](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-57.jpg)
Yes – the sun is still shining out there, though it looks like a heavy downpour from here…….
![distortions through the windscreen](https://theliddells.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Maxim-car-wash-61.jpg)
The whole process only lasted about 10 minutes, but I took over 60 shots. It was an ever changing kaleidoscope of almost abstract visuals – and enormous fun! I think I’ll be back before another 5 years slip by!
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© 2019 Elisa Liddell