How to use Self serve car wash - Car Wash 3 steps + Tips

How to wash your car at the self-serve carwash.
In this video, learn how to use the tools at the self serve car wash. Get some great tips on what to do.

How to wash a car?
Use these steps for regular car care, spring cleaning and especially winter car washing where outdoor manual car washing with the 2 bucket method is not possible. Use our tips to look for a good self-serve car wash near you and start your regular car care maintenance today!

* Please see an important note on using the Foam brush in the comments, pinned to the top *

These car wash steps can help keep your car clean and also aide in rust prevention, especially if your city uses salts or chemicals to prevent icing of the roads.

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Click to skip to chapter to watch:
00:00 - Intro
01:12 - Finding a good Car Wash
01:36 - Entering the Car Wash
01:46 - The Control Panel
02:29 - Tools & Wash Options
02:33 - Prep
02:47 - Wash step #1 High-pressure Soap
03:48 - Wash step #2 Animal hair Foam Brush
05:15 - Wash step #3 High-pressure Rinse
05:44 - Bonus step...Going all the way! Wax & Tire Shine

#Carwash #CarDetailing #carlifestyle #DYK

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Disclaimer:
Any information available at this channel or on its videos are intended for general guidance only and must never be considered a substitute for advice provided by an appropriate or qualified professional.
Due to many factors beyond the control of Frakking Creations, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Frakking Creations assumes no liability for property damage, injury or loss incurred as a result of improper use of tools, equipment or from any of the information contained in this video. Frakking Creations recommends safe practices when working with tools seen or implied in this video.
Use this information at your own risk.

[FrakkingCreations]

Important note!
We have received a lot of comments to not use the foam brush due to reasons that any physical contact is not great for the paint. Plus, there are too many variables to control including a poorly maintained foam brush, foam brushes that are made from hard plastic bristles, other particles that may not be easily removed from the brush by spraying it. Thank you for the comments.

From dirty microfiber cloths and wash mitts to snow brushes used to clear snow to driving at highway speed in sandy conditions to foam brushes and more, any thing or particles that come into physical contact with the paint could potentially cause the paint to get swirl marks or micro scratches depending on many variables.

The aim of the video was meant to familiarize people who haven't used the self-serve car washes before. Hopefully it achieved its goal to demystifying what is involved in using one.

Though a 2 bucket method would be recommended for the ultimate care of your paint, most car washes don't allow you to do this since it takes up a stall without payment to use it for the full time you are there. Plus, in the winter zones where temperatures get below 0°C you can't wash your vehicle at home on your driveway (If you have one).

So, if you want to treat your cars paint with the most care at self-serve car washes, then it may be best to use a touchless method to wash your vehicle at the self-serve car wash.

In the past, we have had issues getting the vehicle fully clean with just a touchless method and was a reason we use the foam brush (one that was cleaned by us, expels a lot of foam soap and was made of animal hair, not synthetic plastic or rubber and used lightly). It helped to remove the fine dirt film/residue that gets left behind. To treat our paint the best going forward, we have recently been trying again with a different touchless method and it so far is working better. More testing needed, though.

The new method we are testing:
1) Start the wash using the high pressure soap or rinse from the wash wand to rinse off all dirt and debris from your vehicle. Focusing more time on really dirty areas.
2) Use the foaming soap from the wash wand (Not the foam brush) to dispense soap to cover the entire vehicle and wheels.
3) Stop the timer to stop the charges and to let the soap soak for a few minutes (You can go as long as you want). NOTE: We don't use the Pause function since it still counts the time and continues to charge. You may need to experiment because there will usually be an initial, higher startup cost to start the wash.
4) Start again, using the high-pressure rinse from the wash wand to rinse the entire vehicle clean. Starting from bottom to top to help ensure no sections are missed, then rinse top down.
5) Dry using a large clean microfiber cloth.
6) Use spray wax to finish.

Of course, use whatever method you are most comfortable with to wash your vehicle.

Don't forget that all car washes are different, with different quality and condition of equipment and soaps. Some are maintained better than others, which could give varying results. You can also consider testing the soap with litmus paper (pH test paper) to check the acidity.

Let us know if you have any comments or suggestions!

[brandono]

Shout out to all the people who are here because they’re terrified of looking like a clown trying to use one of these car washes for the first time. We’re all in this together.

[XanderYTV]

Just used my first self serve carwash today and decided to only use the foam brush on my wheels + tires. My wheels are so shiny and my car looks fantastic. I've never been so satisfied with a car wash.. FOR HALF THE PRICE. And it was fun to do it myself. This might become addicting and it'll be atleast a weekly thing for me haha.

[RobertIngersoll]

This is the video I've been looking for. Clear, concise, and easy-to-follow instructions help take the mystery out of car washes. For years I drove a 2005 grey Corolla. It was a workhorse and I liked it, but I just picked up a brand new VW GTI and for the first time in my life I found myself suddenly concerned about car washes! This was a huge help. Thank you very much for the time and effort that you took to make such a quality guide.

[ranjan_v]

Thank you, I’ve been dodging these car washes all my life, now i think i am equipped

[girlonfire]

Thanks for helping the ladies out. I feel more confident about washing my car tomorrow. I’m so tired of letting others wash my car and not thoroughly cleaning or drying.

[bigkarl]

This is the same method my old man taught me. I miss the good old days of 50 cent Tuesdays at the car wash. This may not be for everyone but my tip is rinse with the wax or clear coat protectant setting on the spray gun.

[Admrial]

This was perfect. I followed the wash steps and used a spray wax at the end and my car looks beautiful. Thank yall!

[BuhnanaFone]

To avoid foam brush, use foam brush setting, gently put foam brush on the body of car to just use the foam. Put foam all over ur car without dragging the foam brush. Use your own wash mits to clean the car using the foam spots uve created.

[citrusmixer]

Thanks for this video! I just moved out on my own and have been watching "how to be an adult" videos, lol. Like I had to watch a video how to use a garbage disposal because my mom taught me wrong lol, and I watched a video how to do laundry because I didn't know if you put the detergent in the machine before the clothes or on top of the clothes, or do you put the detergent in that hole on the side, lol.

[TheBigQ]

That was an amazing guide with very well described steps. Really appreciate it, keep up the good work.

[独木桥-hy]

Thanks!! I'm feeling a little less scared of the car washes now 😂 nearly ready to do my first one!

[cammims]

Just bought this absolutely filthy 09 impala ss I needed this. Bring this 09 back to life now. Thanks

[fromthedigmedia]

Here are the 10 steps I follow:

I take two buckets (one with soapy water and one with just water) lots of drying towels, 3 microfiber mits (only need 2 but one extra in case you drop one), portable pump foam sprayer, soap, wheel cleaner, spray wax, and tire/plastic trim shine.

Step 1: high pressure rinse

Step 2: use your foam sprayer to presoak your entire car and let soak for 5-10 min.

Step 3: clean wheels with your fav wheel cleaner while paint soaks. I like to use the brush method shown in this video for wheels only. Rinse brush after each wheel is clean.

Step 4 (optional): rinse car again and reapply soap from foam gun

Step 5: wash paint with micro fiber mits using two bucket method

Step 6: high pressure rinse

Step 7 (optional): spot free rinse

Step 8: spray vehicle with your favorite spray wax/quick detailer.

Step 9: dry vehicle from top to bottom

Step 10: shine your wheels and exterior plastic trims if applicable.

Now you will have a scratch fee experience, and will never wash your car another way. Happy detailing fam! :D

[smalltownbeauty]

Thank you, just the info I was looking for, other videos didn’t mention the wax. I had no idea what I was doing whenever I went to wash my car, all I used was soap and rinse power wash.

[marryannc]

Awesome video explaining how to use a car wash bay. As a Canadian, I was thrilled to see it was Canadian.

[qtn]

Simple instruction but still have the details that matter. I like the ‘wash top half first’ tip and also the ‘stop bebore the minute end’ to avoid getting charge for the next minute :))

[jamesenfield]

I just used the foam brush in same manner on a rental and didnt do any additional damage. Afterwards I applied QD and waxed it with sprawy wax - looks impressive and there is no additional swirls or scratches really.

Spoke to the owner of car wash - they replace the natural brush often, but he also recommended pre rinse of the brush to ensure there is no grime in it.

I will test it on new car which I’m picking up next week!

I think more scratches are caused by people doing touchless and then wiping dry.

[conrak]

Finally, someone I completely agree with! Good job man!

[leozz]

lol, why not clean the brush b4 use it? Thats an awesome answer. never thought it b4!