Clausen's Car Wash (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you don't wash your car enough? ›

Substances like tree wax or bird droppings are trickier to see than a layer of salt coating the paint, and people often leave these things on the car for too long. Infrequent washings can also cause brake dust to build up and eat through your wheel finishes.

The amount you tip depends on the type and quality of service you receive. Think about the level of effort required. You usually don't need to tip for an automated, mechanical car wash with minimal human supervision. For a basic hand wash, you might tip a few bucks.

Never use a nozzle with less than a 25-degree spray pattern to pressure wash your car. If you aren't sure which size nozzles came with your pressure washer, check the manual or consult the manufacturer. You should also never set your pressure washer above 2,200 psi when washing your car.

The standard recommendation is to wash your car every two weeks. However, there are some factors that may affect this frequency, such as the season, your driving patterns, and the environment. For example, you can wash your car less often if you store it in a garage or don't drive it frequently.

In general, washing your car once every two weeks will help keep it clean without harming your car's finish. Keeping a regular schedule like this will help keep most automobile finishes from fading excessively and stop the accumulation of dirt and debris in areas that can damage your car's finish or paint.

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.

Average Tipping Rates for Car Wash Services

It is a way to acknowledge their dedication in making your vehicle look clean and presentable. For basic wash services, such as exterior cleaning and vacuuming, a 10-15% tip is generally considered appropriate.

No, it's not mandatory, but it is definitely expected.

In other words, they rely mostly on tips. While you can certainly skip the tip if the service was especially bad or you really don't feel like they earned a tip, it is generally considered standard to tip.

The standard tip for a car detailing service is 15%. If you're not sure how much to give, best practice is 10-15% of the total cost. For example if an auto detail costs $100 then leave a dollar or two as thanks (and because it's still technically called "tipping").

Washing Your Car

For pressure washing a car, stick with a 40-degree nozzle (typically white, per industry standards), though a more powerful 25-degree (green) nozzle can be useful for blasting wheels, tires, and the undercarriage. Apply soap using either the 65-degree black nozzle or the foam cannon.

Is it better to pressure wash or hand wash a car? ›

Hand washing is excellent for carefully scrubbing delicate areas on the car and ensuring a thorough and detailed clean. On the other hand, power washing your truck or car achieves higher efficiency and can help remove caked-on mud and grime from heavy use.

Car washes typically blast out their liquid at 1,000 to 1,200 PSI, although pressures can go up to 2,200 in some situations. For this reason, along with the squirts of hot wax and slaps from towels, we do not recommend going through a car wash on foot.

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.

Since your car needs to be washed, is it best to do so before or after the rain? Ideally, we believe washing before is the best option. The wash needs to be accompanied by a wax to be effective, because it will repel the rain water off the car's surface.

A thorough vacuum every couple of weeks (or at least once a month) should suffice. Vacuum the interior of your car twice! Vacuum once to get the surface dirt out. Then, beat the seats with something like a tennis racket to bring embedded dirt to the surface and vacuum again.

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.

Risks of Not Washing Your Car

The tiny particles of dirt, grime, pollen, or other debris you'll encounter from one season to the next can be acidic and corrosive. They can also be rough in texture, and can readily wear down your car's clear coat.

Scratches or chips in your car's paint. Fading of your car's finish. Rust or other forms of corrosion that can cause damage to components or body panels. Limiting your visibility while driving (aka having a dirty windshield)

Let us put your fears to rest. While washing your car improperly can damage it, cleaning it as often as you'd like won't hurt your vehicle, even if you do it every week. Keep in mind, however, that if you wax your car, you may need to reapply that wax after each wash, depending on how well it holds up.