Asking about the car they are washing, the mower they are using, just anything to start a conversation.

I have 6 years experience in managing a construction company and two car washes.

My first job was washing cars at a local car dealership.

But back to your goal to get a 2nd property: the bank underwriters might only see the mortgage/ insurance payments as a wash with your existing rent since it hasn't been rented for 2 years yet.

when he would get to work first thing he did was check out on his list to see if the co pilot was busting the union or being a scab.. he was..  he

Most of the newbies have already washed out of the market.

I'm an Operations Manager for one of P&G's manufacturing plants that makes a bunch of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and that type of stuff. 

Fannie/Freddie only require 6 months of rental income to wash that debt.  

in those high-competition areas, it's much easier and quicker to sell (my average days on market is 9 months... it's terrible) so I guess it's kind of a wash.

You can approach someone with a win win situation without having to resort to sly tactics, which will always come out in the wash sooner or later.