Clausen's Car Wash (2024)

FAQs

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

All these contaminants can eat away at your car's finish, affecting the paint, damaging the seals and rusting the metal. 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.

As with most service industries, the customary tip at a car wash is around 15-20% of the total cost. However, remember that this is a general guideline, and tipping rates may vary depending on the quality of service you receive.

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.

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.

The general rule-of-thumb is to wash your car every two weeks, with a little variation depending on a number of factors. Consider the following about your car's situation: + Location. + Driving Habits.

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.

Tipping Etiquette at Car Washes

While tipping is not mandatory, it is a gesture that is greatly appreciated by those who work in the industry. The best time to give your tip is when the car wash professionals have completed the service and you are satisfied with the results.

Tip car detailers 10-20% of the total bill based on the quality of their work, the size of your vehicle, and how dirty it was when you handed it over. Give car wash attendants $2-5. Tip more for a larger vehicle and/or if they've cleaned the interior, or less if they've just given your vehicle a quick drying.

Wash each section of the car (moving from top to bottom) to remove larger pieces of dirt. Remember to use soapy water from your clean bucket to wash the body of the car! When you go to rinse off the soapy water it is best to use a hose without a nozzle.

You'll need to look for a low-pressure machine that's a bit less aggressive than the standard. Pressures higher than 1500 psi won't provide a significant increase in cleaning power; it only raises your chances of scratching or damaging your paintwork.

What pressure washer do car detailers use? ›

Kranzle high power pressure washers are essential when it comes to cleaning your car, and reliability. Kranzle pressure washers have built a reputation with professionals and are trusted to give daily use for years.

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.

You can use a 3000 psi pressure washer to clean a variety of surfaces, including decks, patios, driveways, cars, and more.

Work with a fan jet nozzle at the lowest pressure setting that is effective (never go above 200 bar), and make sure you apply the water jet at a shallow angle to paintwork, not directly into it. Your pressure washer needs a minimum of 1150 PSI to clean a car. Anything over 3000 PSI risks damaging your car.

We recommend M.A.X. Power Car Wash, which was recently reformulated to be foam-cannon-ready, or Cherry Snow Foam.

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.

Industry experts recommend washing your car about every two weeks as part of its general maintenance schedule. This frequency helps keep your car's exterior clean and free from harmful substances that can cause long-term damage.

Use the pressure washer and wash of all the dirt possible. Then spray snow foam to soften the dirt and grime that has been hardened over time. While the snow foam is doing its job, use a medium hardness horsehair detailing brush to break all debris. Pressure wash the car again.

While this may be less obvious, the cleanliness of your car can impact your health and the health of your passengers. Dust, pollen and other allergens can build up inside and outside your vehicle, potentially causing or exacerbating allergy symptoms.