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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Therefore, washing it every day or even every week could be seen as excessive, unnecessary, and more work than is needed—but if you have the urge to wash, wash away. The frequency of car washes in itself is a safe practice.

If you use a valet service at a car wash, it's customary to tip $2 to $5 at pickup. While tipping is not mandatory, it's customary in the U.S. and always appreciated. For many service providers, the tip makes up a significant portion of their pay.

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").

Whether or not detailers expect a tip often depends on where they are based. For example, in the United States, it is customary to tip for services, usually around 10%. Meaning, US-based detailers will expect a tip, however, that does not mean it is mandatory, especially not if you are not happy with the end result.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Washing your car every 2 weeks is important for maintaining its appearance and longevity. Regular washing helps remove dirt, dust, and grime that can accumulate on the exterior surfaces. This not only keeps your car looking clean and shiny but also prevents the buildup of corrosive substances that can damage the paint.

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.