7742 Auburn Blvd. Citrus Heights, CA 95610

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"Best self-service car wash in Sacramento!"

7742 Auburn Blvd. Citrus Heights, CA 95610

(corner of Antelope Road)

Logo

"Best self-service car wash in Sacramento!"

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Since we've been doing this for 20 years now, we get asked a lot of questions! 
Here are the most
common ones...


What are your hours?

We're really open 24 hours!


Do you accept credit cards?  How do you pay?

Yes, we accept credit cards!  We offer 2 ways to pay:

  • Purchase $1 tokens at the Cash Machine (under the blue metal awning, close to Auburn Blvd), using paper bills, credit & debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.  For your convenience, we absorb the credit card fees! 
  • OR skip the tokens, download the Coinless payment app (setup with your credit card), then swipe to start the wash bays and vacuums!


How much does it cost to wash my car?

The price to start washing is $4 for 5 minutes. Each $1 token = 1:15 minutes. Add more tokens for more time!  Since you're buying time and in control, the price depends on how large your vehicle is, how dirty it is and how much time you spend washing and drying it. MORE TOKENS = MORE TIME!  


I've never used a self-service car wash.  How does it work?

First of all, let me welcome you to our car wash!  It's very simple and easy.  Since you're just buying "time", select your method of payment (see above question), then turn the yellow knob to select one of the 7 wash options available (see Menu sign posted on the bay wall).  You don't need to use all the options on the Menu sign, but definitely follow the order from the top down. 


  • If you're using $1 tokens to wash, insert 4 tokens in the coinbox for 5 minutes of "Wash Time." 


A common "Rookie" mistake is to start with the RINSE to wash off the dirt.  It's MORE efficient to start with the HIGH-PRESSURE SOAP.  The soap comes out 1200 psi and does a better job softening the dirt on your car, than plain water.   


  • If you're using the Coinless payment app, just swipe to START the wash bays and vacuums.  When you're done, be sure to swipe again to turn the Coinless app OFF.  In case you forget, the app automatically shuts off after 20 minutes.



What is the best way to clean bugs off my car?

Start with PRESOAK.  This is a low-pressure, concentrated chemical, specifically designed to penetrate and soften road film and bug residue.  Then, turn the yellow knob to the FOAMING BRUSH setting.  Our brushes are made of natural hog's hair bristles and will gently scrub away the bugs.  It's best to come in as soon as you see the bugs on your paint.  Once they are baked on with the Summer heat, it may take more time and money to remove them completely.  See additional cleaning tips below.


I have an expensive paint job.  Are your chemicals safe to use?   
All of our chemicals are high pH, which means they are alkaline NOT acidic!  They are gentle, safe and effective.  We are proud to partner with Blendco Systems, that has been providing high quality automotive chemicals to the car wash industry for more than 50 years.  Their chemicals are made with advanced polymer technology, which means they clean better, rinse faster and leaves it shiny!


Are you a touchless car wash?

Yes, we are a touchless car wash if you use just the spray nozzle.  Use the PRESOAK, TIRE CLEANER, HIGH-PRESSURE SOAP, SPOT-FREE RINSE and WAX. 


I'm new to washing my own car, can you offer any helpful tips?

Yes!  For a quick wash, start with the HIGH-PRESSURE SOAP.  Spray your vehicle lightly to immediately start softening the dirt.  Then, turn the yellow knob to select FOAMING BRUSH.  Scrub your whole vehicle, you'll spend more time with this brush.  Then switch to the SPOT-FREE RINSE, and rinse from the top down.  Squeeze the trigger handle for more pressure!


Do I need to rinse the Wax off?

Blendco recommends that you wash their WAX off, as the chemical can leave white powdery residue on your paint.  They are NOT water spots.  But, we've discovered that if you use the Air Dryer or towel-dry your paint, the WAX actually leaves a brighter shine on your paint. 


How much pressure comes out of your hoses?

We use CAT pumps that pressurize the water to 1200 psi.  If you want high-pressure, use the SOAP, RINSE and WAX. 


Will your car wash leave water spots on my paint?

No, we use a Culligan Water Softener that filters out 99% of calcium and magnesium that causes hard water, leaving just softened water to flow through our pumps, and onto your car.   


What is on my car, and how do I clean it off?

Greenish-yellow powder:

If it's springtime, it's probably pollen from the trees.  While pollen is not especially harmful to your vehicle, it is unsightly. 

  • If the pollen is fresh and light: Start your wash with HIGH-PRESSURE SOAP to wash it off, followed by either the FOAMING BRUSH (SOAP) or SPOT-FREE RINSE.
  • If the pollen is old, and baked on: Start your wash with PRESOAK.  The solution comes out low-pressure, but made with a concentrated cleaner designed to soften and loosen old dirt.  Follow with the FOAMING BRUSH (SOAP), and SPOT-FREE RINSE.


Sticky, spotty sap:

Sap comes from trees.  It's best to remove tree sap ASAP, as it can harden and crystallize, and the crystals can scratch your paint.  The sap can also eat through the clear coat and lead to staining and discoloration.  If the weather is hot, the sap can harden and turn brown or black, making it especially difficult to remove. 

  • If the sap is fresh, soft and small: Start your wash with PRESOAK.  The solution comes out low-pressure, but made with a concentrated cleaner designed to soften and loosen tree soap.  Follow with the FOAMING BRUSH (SOAP), and SPOT-FREE RINSE.
  • If the sap is large, thick or baked on:  Pre-clean with either 20% diluted rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), WD-40, or Goof Off.  These cleaners can be purchased from your local WalMart or home improvement store.  Put the chemical on a soft micro-fiber towel, then dab at the spots to loosen them.  Once removed, then start your wash with either PRESOAK or HIGH-PRESSURE SOAP. 
  • To make the job easier next time, keep your vehicle waxed. 


Bugs and Insects:

It's best to remove bugs and insects ASAP! 

  • If the bugs are fresh and soft: Start your wash with PRESOAK.  The solution comes out low-pressure, but made with a concentrated cleaner designed to penetrate into their protein and loosen their hold.  Follow with FOAMING BRUSH (SOAP), and SPOT-FREE RINSE.
  • If the bugs are old, thick or baked on:  Pre-clean with either 20% diluted rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), WD-40, or Goof Off.  These cleaners can be purchased from your local WalMart or home improvement store.  Put the chemical on a soft micro-fiber towel, then dab at the spots to loosen them.  Once removed, then start your wash with either PRESOAK or HIGH-PRESSURE SOAP. 
  • To make the job easier next time, finish with our spray-on WAX.  This will create a barrier for new insects and offer some UV protection for your paint.


Small, yellow spots:

It's digested pollen from bees - more specifically bee poop! 

  • If the bee poop is fresh and soft: Start your wash with PRESOAK.  The solution comes out low-pressure, but made with a concentrated cleaner designed to penetrate and loosen the poop.  Follow with FOAMING SOAP BRUSH, and SPOT-FREE RINSE.
  • If the spots are old, or baked on:  Pre-clean with WD-40, or Goof Off.  These cleaners can be purchased from your local WalMart or home improvement store.  Put the chemical on a soft micro-fiber towel, then dab at the spots to loosen them.  Once removed, then start your wash with either PRESOAK or HIGH-PRESSURE SOAP. 
  • To make the job easier next time, finish with our spray-on WAX.  This will create a barrier for new spots and offer some UV protection for your paint.


Oily road film:

During the wet, winter months, a dark, oily film may show up on the lower portions of your car.  This is surface oil from the roads.  Dirt is also magnetic, so you may need to wash more frequently or spend more time to wash off this oily film. 

  • Start your wash with either the TIRE CLEANER (DEGREASER) or PRESOAK.  This solution comes out low-pressure, and concentrated to penetrate this oily film and break the adhesion on your paint.  Follow with FOAMING SOAP BRUSH, and SPOT-FREE RINSE.
  • To make the job easier next time, finish with our spray-on WAX.  This will create a barrier for this oily film. 
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