In 1914, two Detroit men opened the first commercial car wash service, the Automated Laundry, right at the heart of Motor City. It was a risky enterprise, one that started a chain of car wash centers opening all over the world. Soon the business paid off and the commercial car wash generation was born.
Today car owners have to decide whether to pay a car washing service or to stick to the old-fashioned way of washing the car themselves. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. But before you decide anything, you ought to at least know the different types of car washing services and how they work.
The different car wash categories
Self service – The car sits in an open bay surrounded by a system of pressure sprayers and brushes connected to a central pump. The driver inserts a coin, turns a dial to select between soap, rinse and wash, and the washing begins.
Exterior rollover – The driver pulls the car inside the bay and a series different equipment moves over the car, each performing a different function like soaping or rinsing. Exterior rollovers are a common car wash service in gas stations.
Exterior only – A similar service to the exterior rollover except it is the car that moves through a long tunnel-like bay via a conveyor belt. This is a popular washing method around northeast United States.
Full service – Same as the exterior only service: the car moving on a conveyor belt past a series of gears and equipment. The difference is the car's interior being manually cleaned up by attendants.
Detail shop – A detail shop means spring cleaning for cars; it provides manual cleaning services that include washing, waxing and polishing the car, even steam cleaning carpets and removing dull paint and scratches. Some detail shops also utilize automated systems to wash the exterior, and the attendants take care of the rest.
