I am an associate at Mike's. I do not work at that particular location.I understand the frustration you have, I know I would be absolutely furious myself if that happened to me. I do want to tell you though, we obviously did not intensionally harm your mother's vehicle. My assumption as to what happened with the molding is with the manufacturer's glue. The cheap quality of glue used, by many different manufacturers, is not strong enough to hold up. This is not to say the wash is too powerful, if the wind gets to strong or some punk teenager pulls at it, it will come off. It is fixable though.
My question to you, was there perhaps any kinda of previous damage with the molding? If it had been out just slightly, then that could even more easily explain it.
Secondly, we use soft clothes in our wash. There is that comes in contact with your car that could ever scratch down into the metal. That is just impossible, I am sorry. I know this is not what you want to hear. Also, when customers do not file a report immediately following the wash, the credibility of the damage is lessened greatly. I can tell you I have one scratch down to the metal on my car, its from someone who keyed it. If I look very closely at the paint itself on the top of my car, I too can see very faint circular looking marks, I do understand that part. But as far as down to the metal, that is impossible.
I also want you to know, that I am not a representatives of Mike's, I have worked for the car wash over a year now, and that is long enough to see just about everything. Also, I am only seventeen year old female. My point is, I am just trying to offer you some insight as to why or how it happened, not necessarily offer an answer or solution.
And as far as the damage liability sign goes, yes there is one at every Mike's location, majority of people pay it no attention however.
I am not sure if you will hate me or have questions, but I hope I was at least able to add a personal voice from a big business.