Four Ways to Get the Most Out of a Self-Service Car Wash
Self-service car washes sometimes get a bad reputation. Some people feel that they can't possibly be as effective as automatic car washes, or that there's no way to actually get your car clean in the time allotted. The truth is, however, that a self-service car wash can be a convenient and affordable way to keep your car clean—as long as you take a few steps to ensure you get the most for your money.
Park your vehicle in the center of the wash station.
You don't want to be reaching to get the back or front end, or these areas won't end up as clean as you'd hoped. Make sure your car is parked in the very center of the wash station, and then before you put your money in, grab the washing wand and make sure you can easily reach all sides of your car. If you can't reach a certain area, adjust your parking accordingly so you don't have to do so when the timer is running.
Use the hot water option.
Look for a self-service car wash that offers a hot/warm water option. Many offer hot water for an additional dollar or two charge. Paying this extra dollar or two is worth it, since the hot water is so much more effective at removing the salt and other grime from the surface of your car. You'll have to spend a lot less time scrubbing and re-spraying with hot water, so you'll be more likely to get around the entire car before time runs out.
Study the sequence of the wash before you put your money in.
Most self-service car washes recommend a specific series of steps. They might recommend, for instance, that you spray the car down, scrub on the soap, then rinse with plain water, and then rinse with a shine enhancer. You don't want to be figuring out which button to push next while time is ticking away. So, take a minute to study the recommended series of steps and figure out what buttons you'll need to push before you put your money in. That way, when the timer is ticking down, you can swiftly move from one step to another, allowing for more time to actually wash your car.
Dry your car immediately.
Most of your work may be for naught if you don't dry your car promptly after the wash. Any little bits of soap left behind from the washing process might make your cat look spotty. Pull right out of the wash bay and use towels to dry your car. Bring along your own towels so you don't have to pay to borrow or buy some from the wash.
If you find that washing your car is something you excel at, you should consider opening a wash yourself! Reach out to a company like Canuck Industrial Sales (1982) Ltd Edmonton for more info on startup costs.