Clean Cars, Happy Pets,
Anytime, Every Time

The Auto Wash is designed for regular maintenance but has limits with heavily soiled cars. If your car hasn’t been washed in a while or has gone through mud or roadworks, some spots may require a bit of manual cleaning. We recommend using the pre-soak and foam brush in our self-service bays for tough grime before heading into the Auto Wash for the best results.

Wheels can be tricky due to brake dust, which often gets baked onto the surface by heat. The Auto Wash does its best, but some wheel designs can make it difficult for water and chemicals to reach all areas. For heavily soiled wheels, a quick scrub before the wash will ensure a thorough clean.

Absolutely not! Our Auto Wash uses touchless technology, meaning no brushes to scratch or damage your car’s finish. The cleaning chemicals we use are specially formulated to be gentle on paint protection coatings, and our supplier guarantees they won’t void any warranty.

At our car wash, we recently had a customer concerned that the wash might be damaging the plastic mouldings on their 4-year-old car. After some research, we learned some interesting things about plastic trim, and we want to share this with you so you can better understand how to care for your car.

What Causes Plastic to Fade?

Plastic mouldings, especially the black trim pieces, are prone to fading over time, and it’s not caused by our car wash products. The fading is mostly due to UV damage from the sun. Here’s why:

1. UV Rays Breakdown: Plastic naturally contains oils, and when it’s exposed to the sun, UV rays break down these oils, causing the plastic to dry out. This leads to fading and even cracking over time.
2. No UV Protection: Unlike your car’s paint, headlights, or wheels, the plastic trim doesn’t have a protective UV coating. This makes it more vulnerable to fading. The plastic is also affected by harsh weather and road contaminants, which can speed up the damage.
3. How Fast Can It Happen?: Plastic can start to fade in as little as 2 years of regular sun exposure! I’ve seen this happen on my own son’s ute, and it’s a common issue for many car owners.

How to Protect Your Plastic Trim

The good news is there are ways to restore and protect your plastic trim, so it stays looking good for longer:

• UV Protection: Some manufacturers add UV protectant to plastic mouldings, but it’s usually enough to get them through the warranty period. If you want to keep your plastic looking fresh, consider using a UV protectant product that will help preserve its colour and prevent further damage.
• Regular Care: There are some great tips and tricks to help maintain your trim, which are explained in the video linked here. It’s definitely worth watching if you’re keen on keeping your plastic looking its best!

Is Our Car Wash to Blame?

Rest assured, the chemicals we use at our car wash are safe for your car’s plastic. We use specialty non-corrosive, Australian-made cleaning products that contain far less caustic than imported or cheaper products. Plus, we avoid using harsh chlorinating products like bleach. This means the risk of fading from our chemicals, whether it’s from one wash or one hundred, is irrelevant. Our products are formulated to be gentle yet effective, ensuring no damage to your plastic trim.

The fading you notice is almost always due to the sun’s UV rays.

In conclusion, while UV damage is the biggest culprit when it comes to fading plastic trim, following the right care steps can help you maintain the appearance of your car for years to come!

If your plastic is already faded or streaky, we recommend using a trim and plastic restorer, which can help restore them to a like-new appearance. It’s worth a try of a product like “Mother Naturally Black trim and plastic restorer”

Video bellow will show you how to restore Plastic Trim in your Car and the right products to use for best results:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmhyaJ8EljQ

We recommend washing your car every two weeks to maintain a clean and shiny finish. For those who travel on dusty roads or through areas with a lot of construction, washing more frequently may be necessary. Don’t forget to apply a protectant during every wash to make future cleans easier!

Yes, it’s normal to see spots in areas where water might pool, such as under the mirrors or spoiler. These spots can easily be wiped away with a chamois. We also offer a spot-free rinse option in the Auto Wash to minimise watermarks.

The time it takes for the soap to switch is due to the distance the product needs to travel through the hose. On average, it takes between 5-8 seconds for the new soap to reach the spray gun after you select it. If you’re looking to save time, leave a small patch unfinished while you wait for the new soap to come through.