Car Wash

[Big Boy]

After a busy week, my car was filthy, and I was feeling quite lazy today.

For the first time ever, I succumbed to the use of a Thai Car Wash. Well, I thought that I did a great job keeping me car clean. In fact I used to leave my car filthy in comparison to the job the guy did today.

We turned up at the car wash at 2pm this afternoon, and said we'd like it cleaned inside and out. We accepted the 240 Baht cost, and asked, "How long?" The guy said that he was on his own, and wasn't sure.

My wife and I wandered off to a nearby cafe, and ordered a coffee. We sat down, and I told Mrs BB that it would take me 3 hours on my own.

At 2:55pm I told Mrs BB to check on progress. She came back, and said it was already finished

I finished my second drink, and wandered out fearing the worst. I couldn't believe the fantastic job the guy had done. Everything was like new. This guy was in a different league to me. He'd done such a good job, I'm now wondering if I ever want to clean my car again.

Is this quality the norm? Was the price I paid about right? I'm completely new to this game, but was very satisfied with the job.

[zeitgeist]

I've only ever used 1 place, they've always done a cracking job so I've never 'shopped around'. I pay 200 baht and depending on work load takes around 1 hour. There's no cafe near it though so its either a lift back or a boring wait.

[PeteC]

Over where I am it's 200. Pattaya around 250 unless a specialized place like in the Central mall underground lot. That can go up to 1,500-2,000 depending on what you want done....wax and engine included in that price.

Speaking of engine cleaning, be very careful who does it if/when you need it. They can mess up a lot of things in there if done incorrectly. Pete

EDIT: Another thing to watch out for are old sponges and/or drying rags. If they have a bit of sand or other abrasive in them, you'll see swirls/scratches on your finish. The darker the car the worse it appears. I know...how do you inspect their equipment?.....you really can't other than going to a place that looks clean and professional and hoping for the best.

[Big Boy]

I had to pay a little extra apparently for a big car, but I can't get over how clean it is - the wheel arches look as though the car's never been driven.

[J.J.B.]

I used a car wash on Soi 88 a few months back, seems like a similar situation to yours - just over an hour and about 200 Baht. I was amazed at how clean they got the car, inside and out, and think there was only one person too. I was incredibly impressed. I only had experience in Bangkok before and there, for 250 Baht, there was a swarm of people who polished the car after cleaning it too!

[Big Boy]

mine was on Soi 88 as well.

[Henry 14th]

I'm one of those old man traditional types where I like to take care of my own stuff...apart from getting the car cleaned.

We have used the car wash at the gym on soi 88 and the one on the first parking floor of Market Village (more expensive but didn't have to circle the place for a parking spot on a busy Saturday lunch time.

I paid 500 bht for an inside out job a Market Village, which removed all the boy's milk and crumbs from the interior but failed to cover the wife's scrape from the exterior!

Unless I'm really at a loose end I'll continue to use these services.

[hhfarang]

We have tried nearly every place in town. My wife takes ours now to one of the two she reckons does the best job (sorry but she puts the one on Soi 88 near the bottom of the list) and we pay around 200 including tip for one near soi 114 on the highway on the south end of town or a little more maybe like the 240 you said if we happen to be on the north end of town and leave it at the one (nearly) accross from Golden Place for cleaning inside, outside, and spraying underneath up on the rack.

I laughed to myself before when you mentioned cleaning your own car as nearly any car wash in Thailand will do a better job in less time for around 200 baht. That, and a haircut are two of the genuine bargains I've found here compared to what I used to pay in the U.S.

[Big Boy]

I used to do it myself for 2 reasons:

- I see any spots or blemishes on the car.

- It was excellent exercise.

For those reasons, I will do it myself at least some of the time.

[hhfarang]

I wash the bird droppings off the car between professional washings since the blow up crows don't seem to be doing their job!

[zeitgeist]

one near soi 114 on the highway on the south end of town

That's the one I use.

[Lung Per]

I have been using the Car Care on the Canal Road for years. They do a wonderful job and leaves my car as new, in and out. My car is a Chevy Pick-up truck, damage around 200THB. Worth every baht.

[jimmy40]

Soi 80 for me, opposite white house bar, drop it off go have some beer. 200 baht latter clean car.
I am back in Oz at the moment and took my car here to the hand and auto wash $22 for just a wash, that's 660 ish baht unreal

[Nereus]

Speaking of engine cleaning, be very careful who does it if/when you need it. They can mess up a lot of things in there if done

Yes indeed. Be very careful about letting anyone loose in the engine bay with a high pressure washdown gun. Even diesel engines have electronic components around the engine that are not designed for high pressure.

In fact, a high pressure washer should not be used anywhere, except under the car. The window seals are also not designed for high pressure, and water will be forced under the lip and be trapped there. The first you know about it is when a big rust bubble appears around the frame. It is difficult to stop them doing it, but if they will not agree to reducing the pressure I suggest you go elsewhere.

[Big Boy]

she puts the one on Soi 88 near the bottom of the list

I've been thinking about this statement a lot. Either I received an extra good clean because he wasn't busy, or I'm missing something. How can you grade something better than perfect? What am I not getting?