You will receive a wide range of services when you visit a car wash facility. These services include:

Exterior wash

This service involves a series of steps meant to clean the dirt, grime, and other debris off the outside of the car. The process starts with soaking the car’s exterior in a cleaning solution. This helps break up dirt and grime, making it easy to wash away.

After the car has soaked, the car is given a high-pressure wash to get rid of dirt and other debris. Most car wash stations will use machines to do this. In some cases, the car may be scrubbed with a soft-bristled brush or mitt to help get rid of dirt and grime that won’t come off easily.

Once all the dirt and grime have come off, the car is rinsed with clean water to get rid of the soap. The rinsing is followed by drying using an air dryer or a hand towel. This helps stop water spots and ensures that the car’s outside is dry.

Interior car wash

From its name, this service aims to clean the inside of the car. The process begins with cleaning the car’s carpets, seats, and upholstery. After vacuuming, a car’s dashboard, door panels, and center console are usually wiped down with a cleaning solution to get rid of any dirt or grime that is still on them.

This is followed by cleaning the windows by hand or with automatic tools.

If a car’s carpets or upholstery are too dirty, they may need to be shampooed to get rid of stains and smells.

Some stations like Spark car wash offer services like cleaning the door jambs, polishing the dashboard, or conditioning the leather seats.

Undercarriage washing

Undercarriage car washing focuses on cleaning the bottom of a car. Since this part of a car is often covered in road grime, dirt, and other debris, it can be hard to clean with traditional car washing methods. This is where undercarriage car washing comes in.

The process starts with lifting the car using a specialized system or by hand with jacks.

Once the vehicle is lifted, the undercarriage is sprayed with a high-pressure wash to get rid of dirt, mud, and other debris.

Before the high-pressure wash, the undercarriage may be soaked in a cleaning solution to help loosen dirt and grime. Areas of the undercarriage that are especially dirty or have built-up dirt are scrubbed by hand or with a special brush or mitt.

After the high-pressure wash and scrubbing, the undercarriage is rinsed with clean water to eliminate any leftover dirt or soap.

Finally, the undercarriage is dried completely to keep it from rusting or corroding. Different car wash stations use different methods to dry the car. Some use air dryers, while others let the car dry by itself.

Car detailing

Detailing is a more thorough cleaning service often offered in addition to regular washing. Detailing usually requires more specialized techniques and tools to clean and fix up a car so that it looks like new again.

The first step in detailing a car is usually a thorough washing of the outside. This can be done with high-pressure washes, hand washes, or detailing brushes, and it’s meant to get rid of dirt, grime, and other substances on the car’s surface.

After the outside of the car has been cleaned, it is carefully dried with special towels or blowers so that the paint doesn’t get scratched or damaged.

A car detailer then uses a special polishing compound or machine to gently buff the car’s surface to remove scratches and bring back the paint’s shine.

After polishing, a layer of wax is put on the car’s paint to protect it from UV rays, salt on the road, and bird droppings. Car waxing also helps keep the shine and luster of the car.

In most car cleaning stations, cleaning the inside is also part of car detailing. This includes vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, and shampooing carpets and upholstery to get rid of stains and smells.

Sometimes, a car detailer will also clean the car’s engine to get rid of dirt, grime, and other debris.

Once all the detailing work is done, the car detailer inspects the car to ensure it is immaculate and that all the work is done to the highest standards.

While car detailing is a more thorough service than just washing a car, it can help get a vehicle back to looking new. When getting the service, please note that it will most likely cost more than a basic car wash.

Special treatments

Some car washes offer more than just a basic wash of the outside or inside. These treatments are meant to make a car look and run better. The most common treatments include:

Waxing and sealing: The outside of a car can be treated with wax or a sealant to protect the paint from UV rays, dirt, and other substances. The waxing keeps the shine and luster of the car over time.

Clay bar treatment: In a clay bar treatment, a special clay bar is used to remove tar, brake dust, and tree sap from the car’s paint. This helps make the paint surface smooth and prepares it for waxing or sealing.

Ceramic coating: This is a high-end treatment that protects the paint on a car for a long time. It’s done by putting a liquid polymer on the car’s surface. The polymer makes a protective layer that keeps water, dirt, and other substances from sticking to the vehicle.

Headlight restoration: A car’s headlights can get cloudy and yellowed over time, making them less useful and giving the car an ugly look. For headlight restoration, car wash technicians use special tools and chemicals to remove the haze and restore the headlights’ clarity.

Oversized vehicle cleaning: Some car washes may have special ways to clean trucks, vans, and SUVs that are bigger than most cars. The service involves cleaning the undercarriage and oversized tires with high-pressure water.

As much as special treatments like these can be a great way to improve the look and performance of your car, they often cost extra. To avoid surprises, take time to learn about the options at your local car wash and choose services that fit your budget and car’s needs.