General Questions About Our Service
What should I expect when I arrive?
You'll be greeted by friendly, professional people who will guide you through
the simple process. Basically, all you need to do is put your vehicle in neutral
when asked, and relax! We'll do the rest. We clean the vehicle exterior with
gentle cloth washers and mild cleaning solutions. Your wheels and whitewalls
will be cleaned, and your vehicle will be rinsed and gently air dried - all
automatically, in three minutes or less!
Should I remain in my vehicle?
Yes. For safety reasons, there must be a driver at the wheel. All Rapid Wash Car
Washes use extensive lighting, and lots of glass, to create a comfortable,
wide-open environment. We'll give you easy to follow instructions, answer any
questions you might have, and guide you through the process.
Do you take credit cards?
Yes. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
Do you clean the inside of the car?
We at Rapid Wash Car Washes offers "exterior-only" service. We do provide free
self-service vacuums, and a self-serve detail area that allows you to give your
car the attention it really deserves!
What kind of cleaning products do you use?
Our cleaning products use no acids or caustics, and are biodegradable. They are
safe for your vehicle and for the environment. To guarantee this, they are
manufactured to our specifications by a sister company of Rapid Wash Car Washes.
They are made exactly to our specifications to ensure that they are the safest,
most effective products available.
Do you recycle your water?
We are excited to announce that we have began reclaiming our water. This doesn't
mean that the quality of water goes down. What it means is that we recapture
filter and clean left over water and re-use it in certain areas of the wash. We
still use a fresh water rinse as our final rinse but this way we are able to
have a smaller negative impact on our natural resources. Because of our water
saving efforts we are among one of the first carwashes in Pennsylvania to be
recognized as a 'Water Saver' by the International Car Wash Association.
How do you save water?
By comparison with a study showing that the average person uses between 100 and
150 gallons of water when washing a car by hand, our computer-controlled system
uses only 30 to 45 gallons of fresh water for each wash. By reclaiming our water
we are able to lower that number even lower to around 8 gallons of fresh water
used per car.
What's the difference between "brushless" and
"touchless"?
We employ a brushless process, using only Fiber-Soft® (a 21st century cleaning
medium) that gently cleans your car in combination with safe, biodegradable
shampoos and cleaners. Touchless washes, like our Vector, don't use
direct-contact cleaning media, and rely instead on chemicals and high
pressure water.
What types of vehicles can you wash?
We accept most cars, vans and trucks up to 88 inches in height. We guarantee the
safety of all factory-installed equipment in proper working order.
Can you wash my pickup truck?
Almost certainly. All we ask is that the pickup bed be empty before going
through the wash. This is for the safety of your vehicle, and those of other
customers. Also, some oversized "trailering" side-mirrors are incompatible with
our process, and certain types of modifications that employ oversized or
off-road tires or radically raised suspensions may not be compatible.
Is the wash safe for convertibles?
Yes. Please make sure that the roof is properly latched.
Is the wash safe for newly painted cars?
Yes. We use cloth wash materials and mild cleaners. However, the paint should be
allowed to cure before washing. Consult with your body shop for curing times.
(Paint on new cars is fully cured before delivery.)
Is the wash safe for alloy wheels?
Yes. Most carmakers caution against automatic washes that use acids on polished
aluminum wheels, since these can stain, or carbon or plastic tire brushes, which
can scratch. At Rapid Wash we use no such acids, and only soft cloth washing
material (no brushes); so your wheels are perfectly safe.
Will a cracked windshield be safe in the wash?
Yes. However, once the integrity of windshield glass is compromised by rock
chips (even very small ones), it becomes more susceptible to changes in
temperature. So, while you may wash your vehicle with windshield damage, cracks
or chips may expand. It's always best to repair or replace a damaged windshield
immediately.
Will my antenna be OK?
Aftermarket products such as CB and cell phone antennas should be removed before
washing; we'll gladly attend to this when you arrive.
Will my bug shield be safe?
Unfortunately, we can't be responsible for aftermarket accessories made of
plastic. Most customers who have bug shields wash their vehicles with no
incident. However, problems can arise if the shield has already been damaged by
rock chips, or by stress cracks around the installation screws (which can be
hard to detect), or if it is made from low-grade plastic. If you need a new bug
shield, we recommend products made of Lexan, such as Lund® or Deflecta-Shield®,
which are virtually indestructible.
What is HydroPel? Is it safe, and how long will
it last?
HydrpPel is a two-step process that is safe for all rooftops, including
vinyl and convertibles. First, we apply a heated foam polish, then our
HydroPel. HydroPel
is a registered trademark of Rapid Wash Car Washes. We recommend an application
at least every four washes or once a month.
Will HydroPel
keep the car clean longer?
No. It will slow oxidation and help keep the finish in its present condition.
Problems with your vehicle's finish?
Will the car wash remove egg?
If you get to the car wash before the egg dries, it might be removed in the
wash. Dried egg is very corrosive, and damage starts almost immediately. Contact
a local detail professional if the egg has already hardened.
How do I remove road tar or tree pitch?
There are special products sold in automotive departments for that purpose.
Refer to your owner's manual for the manufacturer's specifications. Whenever
possible, try to remove the stain while it is still sticky. NEVER use abrasive
cleaners or pads to remove stains from your vehicle's finish. make sure to clean
the area thoroughly after treatment. Consider protecting the area with a paste
wax after cleaning. If you would like us to show you how, call our Customer
Service Manager, John Richard, at (412) 854-1006. He will gladly help or advise
free of charge!
My finish looks dull and streaky. Why?
This is usually a sign of oxidation, which occurs as paint ages and decays from
exposure to sunlight and road oils. You can slow the process by washing your
vehicle often, applying a coat of wax at least once a year, and our
HydroPel each month. If oxidation has already
occurred, try cleaning the paint with a paint cleaning compound, then polishing
and waxing the finish. Or visit a professional detail shop.
How do I protect my clearcoat?
Regular application of Clearcoat protectant creates a polymer barrier that helps
protect clear coated surfaces from UV rays and airborne contaminants, as well as
acids from leaf stains, tree sap, bug spatter and bird droppings ...all of which
can eat through the clear coat and cause permanent damage. Clearcoat Protectant
is designed to provide a protective polymer barrier for up to 30 days from date
of application. So make it part of your "routine maintenance" by asking us to
include it with your car wash on a monthly basis.
