What Does a Standard Car Wash Include?
4 Answers
Step 1: Remove and clean the floor mats, then place them in a spin dryer for drying; Step 2: Use a high-pressure water gun to wash the vehicle body, starting from the top down, with water pressure generally not exceeding 7 MPA. Begin with a dispersed mist spray to wet the entire car before using a concentrated water stream for rinsing; Step 3: Use the high-pressure water gun to clean sludge from hard-to-reach areas like the chassis, gaps between thresholds, and the top of wheels. For parts with mud and gravel, such as tires and the lower body skirts, use specialized decomposition equipment to avoid damaging the paint; Step 4: Apply car wash soap, typically a neutral detergent. Use a new sponge (about the size of a brick) to apply soap around the lower skirts of the car, then use the other side of the sponge to clean the four wheel hubs. Switch to another sponge, dip it in a different detergent, and clean all the windows. Then, use a new sponge with fresh detergent to wash the car's painted surfaces; Step 5: Rinse off the soap from top to bottom with the high-pressure water gun, paying special attention to "hard-to-clean spots" like side mirror gaps; Step 6: Polish the car body using towels or chamois, with different towels for different areas; Step 7: Vacuum the interior and clean the floor mats; Step 8: Clean the trunk; Step 9: Perform tire care—dry the wheel hubs and apply a protective coating to the tires. Following these nine standard procedures, washing a complete car should take no less than 25 minutes.
I've driven several types of cars and frequently visit car washes to learn about their standard services, which mainly include a few key steps. First is the pre-rinse, where staff use a high-pressure water gun to thoroughly spray the car body, removing large chunks of dirt and dust from the surface to prevent scratching the paint during washing. Next, they apply a specialized foam car wash soap, covering the entire car in white foam to dissolve stains more thoroughly. Then, they gently wipe the entire car with gloves or soft brushes, including the tires and rims—areas that tend to accumulate dirt—leaving the rims sparkling clean after washing. After rinsing off the foam, they dry the car body with microfiber cloths to ensure no water spots or streaks remain, also wiping the windows clean and clear. The whole process takes about half an hour. I find it helps protect the paint from rust, and the car looks brand-new and hassle-free after each wash. It's important to choose reputable shops for reliability—some even add tire shine, but standard washes don't charge extra for it. This is a great basic routine maintenance method.
I use my car frequently, and when chatting with friends about car washing, we all opt for the standard service because it's practical and cost-effective. Typically, the car wash shop first rinses off major dirt from the body with water, then sprays foam all over and waits for a while before someone comes to scrub the entire surface of the car. The wheel area gets special attention because it's particularly dirty. After rinsing it clean, they dry it with a cloth and polish the windows in passing. This doesn't include interior cleaning; it's purely a simple exterior job. Right after washing, you can see the car looking much fresher, and the price isn't expensive, around ten-something yuan. A neighbor mentioned that washing once a week can prevent mud erosion and extend the car's lifespan, and it's best to avoid quick wash machines to prevent scratching the paint. I think this is efficient enough for daily maintenance.
I chose the standard car wash because it's basic, practical, and reasonably priced. The process is straightforward: rinse the car body with water to remove dirt, spray foam for cleaning, then rinse off with a high-pressure water gun, and finally manually dry it, including wiping the glass and rims. The service is usually completed in about fifteen minutes, keeping the vehicle clean and reducing damage from dust and grime. Choosing a reputable shop helps avoid potential scratch issues, which is better for the car.
