Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

Don't neglect self-service car washes. Of course, some of them are worn out from many years of use, but, at least, it is more profitable than paid car washes. They have the same features and the same hardware as the paid ones. In addition, you will be able to control the process of washing your car so as not to damage external parts such as the antenna or the decorative radiator grill.

Steps

1. 1 Look for a station in your area with space for a car and a spray bottle.
2. 2 Drive into the niche by placing the car in the center. There should be enough space around the vehicle for you to walk around with the sprayer in hand. The design of the sprayer allows you to completely bypass the vehicle.
3. 3 Determine the cost of washing. If the price is illegible, look for another station - there the price will most likely be the same. Old machines accept only coins, new ones also accept plastic cards.
4. 4 Change money to get the required amount of coins, or bring them with you. Usually a car wash costs from 20 to 60 UAH.
5. 5 Determine which indicator indicates the start of the wash. As a rule, there are 4-5 washing stages:
   1. Pre-wash (to remove the top layer of dirt).
   2. Main wash (soapy water).
   3. Foam cleaning (a special brush is provided for this).
   4. Flushing (to remove foam).
   5. Wax (will give your car a shine and repel dirt).
6. 6 Use your time as efficiently as possible. The washing time is limited. Remove the foot mats from the car and place them around the perimeter of the wall so that they can be washed while walking around the car.
7. 7 If the machine is too dirty, start with a pre-wash, if not, select the stage of the main wash and add the required number of coins to the slots. After a couple of seconds, the station will start washing.
8. 8 Point the hose at the vehicle and press the lever.
9. 9 Go around the car quickly, knocking down the top layer of mud with a jet of water. One cycle is sufficient. Do not forget to rinse the rugs during the walk.
10. 10 Rinse the brush with a high pressure of water before using it. Dirt and sand may have remained on it from previous washes.
11. 11 Switch the arrow to the main wash stage. Soap solution will immediately flow from the hose. At this point, it is good to have a rag to wipe off the lather. Ask a friend to help you with this. You can also foam the foot mats if you like.
    • If you require more than one complete cycle, let the time elapse while you are in the foam scrubbing phase so that after the foam stops, you have enough time to brush. During this time, you will also be able to notice the places that you missed, which will appear after the foam dissolves, and you do not have to rush, since the time is already up. Just do not allow the foam to remain on the surface of the car for a long time, and a film does not form. While working with the brush, continuously wet the surface of the car with water.
12. 12 Switch the arrow to the rinse stage and start rinsing off the soap solution. If you work quickly, the foam will not dry out and form a film. If some areas are dry, wipe them with a rag and then rinse with water, then do not wipe with a rag again. Don't forget the rugs.
13. 13 Now select the surface wax mode. Walk around the car one last time using the remaining minutes. Do not use this mode for rugs.
14. 14 Leave the car wash and find a place where you can vacuum the interior of the car and throw away debris that gets on the seats.

Tips

• Rinse the wheel arches and the underside of the vehicle with a high pressure of water. In most cars, the engine can also be flushed, but not with powerful water pressure.
• Vacuuming your car is best done before washing, as vacuuming a wet car can suck in water from the gutters and door channels. The fastest and easiest way to ruin a car interior is to stain it with dirty water.
• You may not make it to your child if you are in a traffic jam. So first of all, avoid traffic jams and come back at a different time.
• If the machine does not tell you how many minutes you are given to wash, start small. Add the first part of the coins and see how much time you have. Time this period so you know how fast you need to work in order to get everything done in the second stage.
• Take a rim cleaner and apply it to the rims to loosen the stuck-on dirt before you go to the car wash. When washing with high pressure soapy water, rinse off any remaining dirt from the discs.
• Bring your own coins or good bills to exchange. The vending machine may not accept a worn-out bill.
• Some car washes provide shampoo cleaning. Think about it if your salon is dirty.
• Be careful when changing money. Not all machines give change.
• Some car washes provide a minimum down payment (for example, UAH 10), but warn when time is running out so that you can add a coin and extend it. This is convenient in cases when you have very little left and there is no need to make another contribution.
• Self-service car washes do not give the same results as a hand wash, unless you set aside time for a pre-wash and ALSO foam. To verify this, slide your finger over the surface of the car after washing. However, be careful, as most self-service car washes do not provide for manual washing, while others do.
• After washing, some spots may still remain. Use a microfiber rag (or an old towel) to wipe off any remaining water that may stain your car.

Warnings

• Check which side the wind is blowing from and if air is coming out of the atomizer.
• If you have felt foot mats, do not rinse them with water, or they will take a long time to dry.
• Do not damage the car paint. High pressure can peel paint, magnetic badges and stickers on your vehicle.
• Pay attention to the inscriptions that may indicate that the machine is not working. Otherwise, you will lose your coins.
• Be careful not to get close to the vehicle during high pressure water washing. Do not use frontal thrust (if you accidentally aim the jet at your leg, you can see why). Keep your distance. The tires are surprisingly vulnerable too. Frontal thrust can damage the cords or straps on the sidewall, causing all sorts of problems. Therefore, wash your wheels carefully.
• Washing a car in winter requires special skills, especially in freezing weather. Water applied to the machine will freeze almost immediately upon contact with the surface, forming a thick layer of ice that will need to be removed after washing. If you wear gloves, make sure they are dry, and if you wash the car with your bare hands, be careful not to get icy water on your hands (this will be painful, especially if you rub your hands after washing).
• Pay attention to the operating mode of the car wash. The light can turn off, and washing in the dark is inconvenient. Some electrical equipment may also shut down.
• Some car washes have many additional functions, such as washing tires and the engine. Use these functions carefully and only for their intended purpose - they may damage the paint of the vehicle.