Tips & Advice
What is sealer wax?
Sealer wax is applied at a car wash after the vehicle has been cleaned and polished. It enhances the look of the car's paint, lending a rich glow that can shimmer as light conditions change. Sealer wax can protect car paint from sunlight, moisture, and oxidation. It also repels a wide range of contaminants.
A clear coat is paint that contains no pigments. It’s applied over a car's standard paint job. While a clear coat doesn't provide color, it works to deepen the hue and increase the shine of the car's color coat. A clear coat can protect car paint from fading caused by the sun, and can serve as a shield against contaminants like acid rain.
How much does a car wash usually cost?
Car washes cost anywhere from $6 to $20 or more. The cost depends on the extent of services provided. A basic wash will be the least expensive, and extra services, like getting the wheels cleaned, will increase the price. If you have a larger vehicle, like a truck or a minivan, you might pay a slightly higher price for your car wash.
How often should a car be washed?
Generally speaking, it's best to wash a car every two weeks or so. However, there are some situations that call for more frequent or less frequent washing. Bird droppings and tree sap can corrode your vehicle's paint. If your car is often parked outside, you’ll need to wash it more frequently. If your car is usually parked in a garage and/or rarely driven, you can go for longer stretches between washes.
What is a waterless wash?
A waterless wash is one in which sprays are used to polish and clean the car's body. These sprays contain chemicals designed to easily remove dirt and grime, and they allow the car to be cleaned using little or no water. Waterless car washes are most effective when used on cars with a light coat of dirt, but they're not recommended for cars that are extremely grimy or muddy.
With a clay wax, dirt is removed from a vehicle's exterior prior to polishing. Clay waxing removes contaminants that can't be removed with washing alone. This process helps to make the car's clear coat surface more receptive to polishing. Clay waxing helps wax or paint sealant penetrate more deeply, which will give your car's coat of paint added shine.
What is a touchless car wash?
With a touchless car wash, there are no brushes or cloth pads used when cleaning the car's exterior. Instead, dirt is removed from the car's sheet metal using chemicals and pressurized blasts of water. Touchless car washing minimizes the risk of paint damage. The process can take longer, however.
Are automatic car washes bad for cars?
Automatic car washes are not typically bad for cars, but it's important to know what to avoid. Most modern car washes use cloth pads that are gentle on car paint. However, some older places use abrasive brushes. Car washes that use brushes might wind up scratching the clear coat used on modern cars.
What is a green car wash?
A green car wash is one that places great emphasis on sustainability. The water used for each wash is scrupulously recycled, and the only products used are those that are bio-based, biodegradable, and gentle on the environment. Some green car washes also rely on renewable energy sources for power.
Do car washes waste water?
Many car washes make an active effort to recycle, reclaim, and reuse their water. Recycled water often comprises the majority of the water used for each wash, and, in many cases, the process is precisely managed by a computer-controlled system.
