Why You Should Never Pay More Than $5 for a Car Wash
If you pull up to any car wash, you’ll probably be presented with terms like “advanced wash,” “extra plus package,” and an abundance of others. If you’re like many car owners, you have probably found yourself getting overwhelmed by all the options available. Getting your car washed shouldn’t be so stressful, right?
Commercial car washes are not as clear cut as they should be, but do you really need all the bells and whistles they try to sell you? In this post, we’ll walk you through why you should never pay more than $5 for a car wash.
Why a $5 Car Wash is All You Need
The Basic Wash
In most cases, the basic $5 car wash is all you need in order to drive around with a clean car. The basic package includes the wash, soap, scrub, rinse, and dry. While it’s easy to get tempted with extra features like triple foam or pH neutral, the basic car wash package is enough to remove all visible dirt.
Most people don’t have the time for a long and intensive car wash either, so a basic package is both time efficient and cleaning efficient. If you want a more detailed wash, a hand wash is more appropriate for your needs.
The basic wash is also great for preserving the vehicle’s clear coat and protecting the pain from corrosion.
How Often Do You Wash Your Car?
Ideally, you need to wash your car on a regular basis. This way, you are keeping your car clean and dirt build-up is kept at a minimum. Basically, keeping your car clean and shiny requires little to no work if you keep up with it. And if you do keep up with it, a simple $5 wash is all you’ll need.
On the other hand, if you don’t wash your vehicle that often, a higher-priced package might be more appropriate. Dirt can get embedded in your car’s paint film, which requires a special cleaning treatment.
Do I Need an Undercarriage Wash?
While car wash professionals advocate that car owners only stick to a $5 car wash, there are sometimes extra spruces that could be appropriate every now and then. This is all dependent on your car’s needs and your time.
An undercarriage wash is a great example of one of these options. If you live in a particularly dusty or muddy area, the undercarriage of your vehicle could have mud or sand stuck underneath it. If the mud and dirt are kept unwashed for too long in hard to reach places, you can risk rusting in those areas, which leads to problems for your car down the road.
Is Spray-On Wax Worth the Upgrade?
If you have an older car model, a spray-on wax might be a good idea if you’re looking to improve the look of it. However, the cosmetic benefits of spray-on wax are generally not worth the upgrade since the application will only last for a few days. There are more expensive car waxes like carnauba that are applied manually and last a little longer, but they’re hardly worth the extra cost.
Basic is the Way to Go
So, is paying for the higher priced car washes worth it?
Most car wash extras are only for vanity’s sake. Unless you’re going to participate in a car show, you’re better off with a basic $5 car wash to save some money and some time.
