Clausen's Car Wash (2024)

FAQs

Are the extras at car washes worth it? ›

Most of the time, the basic automatic wash gives you everything needed to drive away with a fresh, clean car. This includes the rinse, soap, scrub, rinse, and dry. However, don't fall for those gimmicky-sounding add-ons like pH neutral, triple foam, or fast-acting, as the basic wash alone will remove visible dirt.

What psi should I use to pressure wash my car? For most cars, a psi between 1200 and 2200 is recommended. This range provides enough cleaning power to remove dirt and grime without damaging the car's paint or delicate surfaces. Yes, you can use soap with a pressure washer.

Some triple foam applications could even include a variety of cleaners, conditioners, and waxes all in a single product. If you want the very best results, then paying a bit more for a car wash with triple foam is well worth it.

Keeping your ride clean helps keep it in good condition. If the weather's not too harsh where you live, washing your vehicle every two weeks is a good rule of thumb to help your car last longer. However, if you apply a coat of wax at the end of each cleaning session, you may be able to wash it less often.

While some car washes may be safe bets, others might not be worth the risk. An automatic car wash can damage your paint if you don't take care of your car afterward. If you don't dry it off thoroughly after washing, the water can create scratches in the paint that will show up later.

Dish soaps are formulated to cut through tough grease and should never be used as car washing soap. Gentle dish soaps can ruin your car's clear coat and protective wax. Leave your dish soap for the dishes and choose a different, safer car washing method.

Although many electric pressure washers produce a pressure of about 1900 psi, you should only use a water pressure of 1500 psi or lower on your car. You'll need to look for a low-pressure machine that's a bit less aggressive than the standard.

You should also never set your pressure washer above 2,200 psi when washing your car. 1,500 psi is really all you need to get a good deep clean; any pressure higher than that won't make a noticeable performance difference.

Works great on synthetic boards + cars in winter. 600 psi works for my applications.

If you've added wax to your car, there's one final step you need to do: rinse it off again. Set the spray nozzle to Spot Free Rinse to use filtered water. Then, rinse your car from the top down, being sure to get the crevices and the wheel wells as well. Dry your car with the air dry nozzle if your car wash has one.

Does car wash wax really work? ›

Spray wax at a car wash does provide a little protection for the paint and adds a bit of a shine. It also tends to rejuvenate any remaining wax.

The clear coat typically used at a car wash is on the low end, and when applied, may not get every part of your vehicle. We recommend manually washing your car and applying a professional clear coat to better protect your vehicle.

Although you probably don't need to wax your car every single time you get a wash, you should consider adding it on to your car wash every couple of months – you may be surprised by the difference it makes. To help you understand the importance of car waxing, here are our favourite perks of a high quality car wax.

Dirt, salt, and other debris can lead to rust and corrosion on your car. This is especially true in the winter when roads are full of salt. Washing your car regularly will remove these corrosive materials. So don't wait until your car is covered in dirt to give it a wash – make it part of your car care routine.

Washing your vehicle every two weeks is a safe rule of thumb, Progressive officials said. However, those who apply a coat of wax to their vehicle following a cleaning session might be able to get away with longer breaks in between, since it creates a barrier between your car's exterior coat and the elements.

These washes usually cost a few dollars more than a basic, but don't necessarily offer anything more beneficial than a basic wash. If you're wanting to splurge and get your vehicle the works, consider the “ultimate” packages, which will get you all the features of a deluxe and basic, but a few more.

The clear coat typically used at a car wash is on the low end, and when applied, may not get every part of your vehicle. We recommend manually washing your car and applying a professional clear coat to better protect your vehicle.

When you own a luxury car, you want to keep it looking its best. Regular car washes not only rejuvenate the look of your car, but also help to preserve its exterior paint.

Spray wax at a car wash does provide a little protection for the paint and adds a bit of a shine. It also tends to rejuvenate any remaining wax. The downside of spray wax is that you are also applying wax to the windows.