A FORMER car wash employee revealed the dirty secrets behind the car cleaning tiers and gave some insight into common mistakes made by drivers.
The Tiktoker, who goes by the username True Combo (@truecombogroup), stitched a video of one man asking whether going for a premium car washing tier was worth it or if lower tiers are just as good.
2
2
Car washes typically offer drivers a lower, mid, and premium tier.
The higher the tier, the more the service includes, leading an average driver to assume that getting the premium tier must mean a deeper clean.
On average, a basic bottom tier wash can cost between $10-25, whereas a premium tier can run drivers way over $100, Four Seasons Detailing reported.
Premium services which include waxing or interior cleaning, may cost nearly $500.
However, the content creator argued that while a premium tier does offer more perks, such as tire shining, it doesn’t necessarily mean you get a better wash.
“The tiers don’t wash your car any better,” the former car wash employee said.
He mentioned that most of a car’s shine comes from physically cleaning the outside of the car instead of going through the machine.
“Realistically, your car isn’t getting that washed going through the machine in the first place because 95% of your car is getting washed by the people scrubbing it down the first time.
“So, paying for the car wash is really paying for that whole experience. I normally get the bottom tier.”
The creator’s video went viral, with over 25,000 likes and 300 comments.
Car was employees as well as other drivers chimed in to give their opinions on the Tiktoker’s statement.
“Car wash tech here,” one user wrote.
“Lowest tier washes all get the same brushes/contact as higher tier. The biggest difference is underbody rinse for higher ones and more chemicals applied plus tire shine.”
“The wax is a scam; it needs to harden and be buffed to work properly,” another commenter replied.
Others agreed, with some adding that the only way to reap the benefits of a premium car wash, which includes liquid wax, is to get the wax done multiple times consistently.
“If you’re going once or twice a week, the liquid wax will start to make a difference,” the user recommended.
How often should you clean your car?
Professionals recommend an interval that may be surprising when cleaning your car.
Depending on where you live and what your typical day looks like, the suggested interval for cleaning a vehicle is every two weeks.
“Regularly washing your car removes everyday contaminants like tar, road debris, and bird droppings that can ruin your car’s paint job over time,” wrote Progressive.
“But there’s no one right answer to this question — it depends on factors like your lifestyle, the climate where you live, and how you store your vehicle when you’re not driving it.”
However, if applying a fresh coat of wax after every cleaning session or if the vehicle is parked in a garage, cleaning may not have to be done as regularly.
“Waxing your car creates a barrier between your clear coat – the layer on top of the paint – and outside elements, so it won’t be able to absorb and affect the exterior of your car,” the site continued.
Source: Progressive Auto Insurance
One driver argued that he needed to do a higher-level tier due to the intense weather conditions in his northeast home.
“Mid-tier and up have the under spray, and I need that salt gone,” the user wrote.
“But always touchless. Don’t you put any of those rock spinners against my car!”
The video creator replied that cleaning the salt from his car in the southeast isn’t a necessity.
“We don’t get a lot of snow down here, but when we did, the line was out the street to get all that crap out from under the car,” he replied.
One car owner said he mixes between premium and basic tiers every couple of weeks for the best possible clean.
“I get the top tier once every 4-6 weeks and get lower tiers inbetween them,” the user wrote.
