Car Washes

Car washes. They can be found in almost every town, big or small. The can be completely automatic, self serve, or have people washing as your car travels via conveyor. These things aren't new. In fact they they have been around for a LONG time. In my 11 years behind the wheel, I have seen my share of bad washes, and some very good washes. However, one doesnt truly know anything until youhave either worked at one, or worked at a gas station. 

I currently work at a Holiday Stationstore. We have both an automatic and a self serve. Until know I thought even the brain dead could operate these washes, but I now know that isnt the case. SO, here is a guide to car washes(well atleast ours!)

Automatic washes:

These are a marvel of the quick auto detail world. You purchase a code, and drive in. Three minutes later you have a clean car. These can either be with or without brushes. A brush free or touchless system relies on high pressure water to clean your car, while the other uses brushes. They both work on the same basic principals.

Before entering the wash, please remove any garbage in the box of your truck. It is uncool and douche baggy to have your trash blow about the wash! We're not your maids, take care of your own trash. Also, check your car for pre existing damage. We arent responsible for the wash taking off your duck tapped bumper. 

1) Purchase a code and enter it into the kiosk.

Each wash has multiple levels of washing. Every thing from a basic which will soap, rinse and dry, to the super duper which washes, scrubs your wheels, bug sprays, waxes... you get the picture. 

2) Enter the wash.

Once your code is accepted youll see a green arrow pointing up. This means you may enter the wash. Drive forward SLOWLY!!! Once the nose of your car has reached almost the center of the wash, you will see a RED X. This means STOP and place your vehicle in PARK. If you had gone too far ahead, you will see a green arrow pointing down. This means REVERSE! Please back up until you see a red X! 

3) Enjoy the wash.

If at anytime you notice you forgot something, LET IT BE! An antenna is WAY cheaper than repairing your door, and the wash. Stay put in your vehicle until the wash had ended. 

4) Exit the wash.

Once the wash has ended, proceed to the dryer. Drive SLOWLY once again to allow the dryer to blow dry your car. You have almost 3 minutes to use the dryer. Savor the moment. 

5) Visit the detailing area.

Depending on the wash, there will be a detailing area. This area will have vacuums and towels. In the case of my Holiday, the towels are located inside the self serve wash right by the vacuums. It is not cool for you to use all the towels located at the gas pumps. We are watching. And we are judging. 

Automatic washes are not perfect. You may have some soap and bugs left on your car. This is why you pretreat your car prior to washing. Also, this is NOT what window washers are for. You WILL scratch your paint! 

Self serves are pretty self explanatory. You driver in, park, deposit coins, and wash your car.

Pointers: 

1) If you go mudding with your truck, and leave enough dirt in the wash bay to plant a field, you are an ASS HOLE! At least have the courtesy to spray it down the drain! 

2) If you have a truck, and want to clean out your box, please dont leave your trash on the bay floor, also please wash the leaves down the drain. 

3) The trash recepticles are there for your convenience, not for you to fill up because you are to lazy to pay your trash bill! Please respect the trash! 

People dont like to use an dirty wash. We arent your maids and arent paid to clean up after you! Please do us and the other patrons of our wash a solid, and leave it how you found it. 

Thank you for following along. I hope this will enlighten you to be a better person, not for the sake of the store, but for your fellow patrons who use our facilities.