car wash lcd monitors pricelist

Perfect to keep in your car for a wash any time! Receive free washes with the wash card you purchase! Wash cards are available for our self-serve, laser wash, and full-service locations.

The hardest part of using an automatic car wash—the kind where machines do all the work while you wait—might be making the right choice from a staggering menu of options. Should you pay more for spray-on wax? Is an undercarriage wash worth it? And what the heck is “wheel brite”?

Whether you"re washing off a layer of pollen or stubborn dirt, it’s confusing. That’s why CR checked in with our own experts as well as paint specialists, car-wash owners, professional detailers, and soap manufacturers to find out just what goes on behind the scenes at a car wash.

Although extras like wax and tire cleaner may make your car look better, we found out that it won’t hurt your car to skip them—and it might just save you some cash.

Cleaning a car isn’t just about cosmetics. According to John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports’ chief mechanic, regular washing can help protect your car"s finish. “You need to remove that road grit and residue left from rain and birds, or it can lead to damaged paint and corrosion,” he says. That"s true even if your car has sat outdoors in a driveway or parking space without being driven.

What does regular washing mean? Dennis Taljan, director of global technology at the paint company PPG has a simple rule of thumb: “When you see stuff on it, wash it," he says.

Taljan points out that today’s cars aren’t as susceptible to rust, peeling paint, and faded clearcoat as older cars used to be, but they still need thorough cleanings to keep grime, salt, and mud from accumulating in places where they can get stuck.

Car washes also keep that grime and dirt from settling into paint, says Paul Lamberty, who was a technical manager for automotive coatings at BASF before retiring recently. “The dirt will actually sweat into the paint film, and that detracts from the gloss.”

The same goes for bird droppings, which can degrade the finish on paint as they dry, and bugs, which release amino acids that can damage a car’s clearcoat. “It’s a very slow process, but it will etch into the film,” Lamberty says.

Drivers can check out what online reviewers have to say, but “the best thing is just to pull in and look at it,” says Patrick Mosesso, owner of the Auto Bright Car Wash in Framingham, Mass. Eyeball the cars coming out of the wash: Are they clean? Is the building well-cared for?

Car washes that seem really cheap may have a hidden cost. Gina Budhai, a professional detailer and managing partner at Car Pool Detail in Richmond, Va., cautions that those car washes may save you money but hurt your car.

They might not replace dirty towels, or use more caustic soaps that remove dirt easily but aren’t as good for a car’s finish. “They’re looking for added revenues,” she says. “What kind of brushes are they using? Are they too harsh for the car? Are they using the cheapest soaps?”

They also might be rushing the job. Cheap car washes might get straight to scrubbing, but a good car wash will apply soap at the beginning and give it a few seconds to soak in.

Without presoaking, dirt will be dragged across a car’s surface instead of being washed off, Mosesso says. “That soap is not just soap,” he says. “There’s lubricants in there; there’s surfactants in there that break the bond the dirt has with that surface.”

So-called “touchless" washes use chemicals and a powerful water spray to remove dirt. Taljan says that automotive finishes are durable enough for any kind of wash, but that poorly maintained bristle or soft-cloth washes could create problems. “As designs, they’re all capable, and I don’t have any hesitation with any of them,” he says. “But as they’re maintained, that’s where you can get a difference.”

If you can, take a look at the brushes before your car goes through the wash. If they look dirty, Taljan warns, they’re probably embedded with dirt from other customers’ cars, which can damage yours.

Dirty cloths or brushes can transfer dirt from one car to another. “You don’t know who came before you, and what was on their car,” Lamberty says, but now it"ll be on your car.

Trouble is, the gentler touchless combination of sprayed-on water and soap alone doesn’t always remove all of the dirt. “You’re relying solely on chemistry,” says Al West, a sales manager at Simoniz, a company that makes chemicals and cleaners for car washes. He says that drivers who usually use touchless washes should occasionally switch it up and get a soft-cloth wash.

You don"t need this option every time you hit the car wash. But it’s a good idea to opt for an undercarriage wash at least once a season, especially if you drive through mud or live in a part of the country where roads are salted in winter, CR"s experts say. According to Taljan, rust can start when a car’s built-in protective layers are breached, or if mud, sand, and salt get stuck in hard-to-clean recesses of a vehicle’s underbody.

A high-pressure wash of a car’s undercarriage sprays off those attackers and prevents rust. “Just getting all that stuff off is the focus," he says. "I like something that cleans the underbody, that’s just getting the junk out.”

Still, some car washes clean undercarriages better than others. “You really have to know the car wash,” he says. “It really comes down to how much water is coming out of those nozzles.”

If you want to get some brake dust off, sure. Brake dust—that black powder that accumulates on rims—has a different chemical composition than road grime and salt, so it requires a different kind of soap to remove it. But unless you’re especially finicky about your car’s appearance, your wheels probably won’t be in trouble if you skip the extra service.

There’s actual science behind using specific cleaners for specific parts of cars. For instance, glass and chrome need a different soap than painted surfaces do, Mosesso says.

“The finish on a car built anywhere in the last 10 years, frankly, it’s strong, it’s going to last,” says Taljan. While spray-on wax can have some purely cosmetic benefits, he says that a modern car’s finish will last and look good even without frequent waxing, unlike the ’73 Chevy Chevelle he used to drive, which would get chalky without constant care and attention.

Even car-wash owners and soap salespeople agree that spray-on wax adds only cosmetic benefits. “Is it as good as hand-waxing your car? Of course not. It takes 2 minutes,” says West.

More expensive spray waxes—like carnauba wax—last longer. Still, both Mosesso and West say that even a basic silicone-based wax will enhance the vehicle’s existing shine and help prevent water spots during drying.

Many enthusiasts prefer to have their cars detailed and hand-washed for the ultimate in appearance and paint protection. But for the average consumer, an inexpensive automatic car wash is a good way to go. Even professional detailers see it that way.

“Car washes are meant to maintain a clean car,” says Budhai. “It’s kind of unrealistic to expect that it’s going to scrub it all off and make it perfect.”

According to her, detailing isn’t just about restoring a showroom shine. There are also some messes that an automatic wash just can’t clean. “You can’t get mildew off from an automatic car wash,” says Budhai. “You can’t go off-roading and you’ve got mud stuck onto it and it’s going to clean it all off.” Machines also give the same wash every time. Only a human knows to spend extra time removing bugs from a front bumper or scrubbing tire rims.

CR and other experts warn that hand-washing at home with the wrong materials might do more harm than good. For instance, using the wrong type of soap—Ibbotson says he"s seen folks even use dish detergent—can strip a car’s finish of its protective qualities, and using a sponge improperly may cause swirl marks.

The bottom line, says Jake Fisher, CR’s director of auto testing, is that owners need only keep their cars reasonably clean over time. “Absolutely, owners should make sure the dirt and salt that attack your car’s paint and undercarriage get cleaned off regularly," he says. "But some of the extras are just for vanity’s sake. You’re better off saving your money.”

Washing a car is pretty straightforward, right? On the "Consumer 101" TV show, Consumer Reports expert Jen Stockburger reveals the top tips for keeping your ride sparkling clean.

Despite my love for quirky, old European sedans like the Renault Medallion, it"s my passion to help others find a safe, reliable car that still puts a smile on their face—even if they"re stuck in traffic. When I"m not behind the wheel or the keyboard, you can find me exploring a new city on foot or planning my next trip.

GO Car Wash delivers superior washes performed by a caring team of people who appreciate the value of your time. We adhere to the highest standards of our industry, using only environmentally friendly products.

To offer this level of consistent service, each of our car wash professionals is committed to ongoing training. Our commitment to continual learning ensures that GO Car Wash customers in each of our markets enjoy best-of-industry standards and practices.

Pete"s car was in Stratford/wayne is the best car wash anywhere . I drive from havertown Bec. I am greeted w recognition from the management . Nick and Kyle treat me like royalty n family .always helpful caring n warm welcome . They set the example for all the staff . N make it both a great place to be a customer n to work. They have trained the staff to b equally outstanding .giv greatest cuts omer service . It is an amazing value starting at fiv dollars for standard wash unlimited free vacuum which with my dirty car means the car wash is practically free Bec I get my money"s worth in vacuuming . They have monthly unlimited washes n free vacuum starting at 10 dollars a month. But again what sets pete s apart is in the heart of main line u for fiv dollars get v.ip service from nicest guys aywher. It makes my day when Kyle Nick and their staff act happy to c me.

It doesn’t take long for the interior of your vehicle to accumulate dirt, dust, pollen and more from the outside. When uncared for, it causes untimely wear and an unsightly appearance. Regular interior care helps prevent this from happening and protects the value in your vehicle!

Common New Jersey elements such as sun rays, chemicals used to melt snow, and bird droppings are some of the many reasons Exterior Detailing is critical in maintaining your vehicle’s appearance and value. Many times, simply washing your vehicle with soapy water can lead to fine scratches, removing or damaging the protective clear coat, and not fully removing contaminants that might damage the finish.

At Hamilton Honda, Complimentary Lifetime Car Washes are one of the Set For Life™ benefits included with every new and Certified Pre-owned Honda purchase!

If you’re committed to clean and want a spotless car all week long, become a member of our Wash Club. Get exclusive access to unlimited washes and premium treatment.

Each location offers unique car wash and Express Lube services, so choose yours based on your needs. Take advantage of our always-free vacuums, towels and air detailers with any wash.

Our extensive wash menu varies by location and offers up to 5 wash services for the exterior and interior of your car, and 2 Express Lube services for oil changes and tire rotation.

SUMMER IS NEAR! Don’t underestimate the POWER and CONVENIENCE of our UNLIMITED vacuums. Take your time cleaning out the sand from those beach days