Different Types of Car Washes: Which One is Best?
1/16/23
Different Types of Car Washes: Which One Is Best? Not all car washes are created equal—and most of them suck more than they shine. If you care even a little about your car’s appearance (or resale value), you need to know the difference between the options out there. Let's break down the most common types of car washes, what they actually do, and which one won’t destroy your paint in the process.
1. Automatic Drive-Thru Wash
Pros: Fast, cheap, everywhere
Cons: Swirls, scratches, zero attention to detail
The drive-thru gas station special. Big spinning brushes slap your car like it owes them money. You’ll get surface-level clean, maybe, but you’ll also get micro-scratches, missed spots, and zero interior attention. You didn’t buy a car just to watch it get beat up by rubber noodles.
Verdict: Lazy and damaging. Avoid unless it’s an emergency and you hate your clear coat.
2. Touchless Wash
Pros: No brushes = fewer scratches
Cons: Weak cleaning power, misses buildup
Uses high-pressure water and harsh chemicals to clean your car without touching it. Sounds good—until you realize it doesn't actually remove stuck-on grime or brake dust. Safe for paint, but not actually that effective.
Verdict: Slightly better than drive-thru, but still leaves your car half-dirty.
3. Self-Service Car Wash
Pros: Control, low cost
Cons: Time-consuming, mediocre tools
Grab the hose, fumble with foaming brushes used by 1,000 other people, and spend 30 minutes getting soaked. The pressure washer is fun for 10 seconds, but unless you bring your own towels and products, you're leaving with streaks and water spots.
Verdict: Great for control freaks with free time and no standards for convenience.
4. Hand Wash (Basic)
Pros: Gentler on paint, better results
Cons: Depends heavily on who’s doing it
If someone’s hand washing your car using quality products, clean mitts, and two-bucket methods—great. If they’re using a crusty sponge from under a gas station sink, good luck.
Verdict: Can be solid if done right. Can also be trash if done cheap.
5. Professional Mobile Detailing (The Rinzer Way)
Pros: Full interior + exterior clean, on-site, high-grade products, zero shortcuts
Cons: None if you book Rinzer
This is the gold standard. Deep clean, wax, polish, odor removal, pet hair extraction, leather treatment—whatever the hell your car needs, delivered to your driveway. You don’t move. You don’t wait. You just get results.
Verdict: Best-in-class. Worth every penny. Especially if you give a damn.
Book the Only Wash That Actually Matters
Skip the swirls, streaks, and stress. Rinzer brings high-end detailing to your location—fast, convenient, and obsessively thorough. Interior, exterior, leather, tires, odors—we handle it all.
Click here to schedule your wash →
Protect your car. Respect your image. Let us handle the dirty work.
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