Should you go to a self-service or full-service car wash to clean your vehicle?
When I searched online for a self-service car wash near me, I was surprised to learn how many of them exist. I also have a full-service car wash near me, but I was always hesitant to go to it because I thought it would cost more money. However, I now realize that self-service and full-service car washes have their pros and cons like anything else.
Here is a breakdown of the differences between self-service and full-service car washes to help you understand them better:
Self-Service Car Wash
A self-service car wash means you must do the washing work yourself. It is like how a self-service gas station requires you to pump the gas yourself. At a self-service car wash, you must use the tools and equipment to wash the car yourself.
The manual car wash near me supplies a microfiber rag, a pressure washing gun, and some optional detergents. I just had to drive my car into the open garage and slip a few dollars into the machine. Then, it activated the pressure washer for me to use to wash my car. The washer stayed activated for about five minutes before it shut off automatically.
Pros
- Lower Prices – A self-wash car wash has significantly lower prices than a full-service car wash. Many self-service car washes only make you pay between $3 to $10 to use their pressure washer and conditioner fluid.
- Commercial Quality Car Washing Equipment – It may be a self-service car wash, but you still get the opportunity to use commercial quality equipment to wash your car. Most self-service car washes have advanced pressure washers and conditioner fluid to wash away stubborn dirt and grime easily. The best part is that it does not leave a scratch on our car’s paint job.
- Perform a Thorough Cleaning – You have complete control over the car washing process. You can use professional equipment to break down the stubborn debris particles on the paint and then perform a hand car wash with a soft microfiber rag to ensure all the particles are removed.
- No Cleanup Necessary – A self-service car wash is not like washing your car at home, where you must rinse your driveway of suds and dry your rags in the dryer. The do-it-yourself car wash near me does not require me to clean up anything. In fact, every self-service car wash I have come across is the same way. All you do is wash your vehicle using the equipment and accessories provided. Then, when you finish, you can leave without worrying about cleaning up.
Cons
- Requires Physical Effort – The biggest drawback to a self-service car wash is having to do the physical labor yourself. I don’t mind doing the work myself, but some people may not have the physical capability to do the job if they have a physical disability.
- Does Not Clean the Undercarriage – Another major drawback to a self-service car wash is that it only focuses on the upper exterior of the car. You don’t get to wash the grime and debris off the components of the undercarriage. That could lead to mechanical issues with those components and related systems as they continue to deteriorate from the dirt and debris.
Full-Service Car Wash
A full-service car wash is a comprehensive professional car wash involving a full wash of the exterior and undercarriage. You can even pay extra to receive a complete detailing job on the inside and outside to make your car look almost brand new again.
One example of a full-service car wash is a gas station car wash. It is basically a drive-through car wash where you drive your vehicle through a lengthy garage comprised of automated high-pressure water jets, foam cleaners, detergents, and rotating brushes located on the right, left, top, and bottom. They clean every inch of your car.
The automatic car wash near me contains a combination of an automated drive-through car wash and a hand car wash. Once my car goes through the garage and comes out the other end, a team of servicepeople manually wash and scrub away the remaining debris on my car.
Pros
- No Physical Labor Needed – A full-service car wash does not require you to perform any physical labor. The automated machines and the professional service people do all the labor. You can sit back in your car seat and relax as your car gets cleaned thoroughly.
- Fast Cleaning Process – A full-service car wash is a much faster cleaning process than a self-service car wash because automated machines and professional service people are performing the work. They can get your car cleaned much faster than you could with a pressure washer and rag.
- Easy to Locate – You don’t have to look very hard to find a gas station with car wash accommodations. There is at least one gas station in every town and city with an automated car wash section for people in a hurry. You can drive up to it, pay the money with a debit or credit card, and drive through the car wash to receive a quick and thorough cleaning.
- Optional Detailing – Some full-service car washes offer detailing services as well. Detailing goes beyond washing your car because it involves polishing, waxing, vacuuming, paint touchups, blemish removals, and more. Detailing can make your vehicle look almost brand-new again.
Cons
- Higher Prices – Since full-service car washes deliver more, you can expect to pay more for the service. I recommend getting a full-service car wash at least once every couple of months to sustain the value and attractiveness of the vehicle.
Conclusion
Self-service and full-service car washes are both excellent. The choice really depends on your time, budget, and the amount of cleaning you need to do. If you need to do a fast and simple cleaning of the exterior, then go with the self-service car wash. But if you need a thorough car wash and detailing job, then it is worth paying a little extra for the full-service car wash.
