Hey all,

I'm looking for a detailer (or car wash) in Philadelphia, preferably Center City. Normally, I would go to the $10 car wash to wash the salt and sand from my car, but am not scared, after hearing the horror stories about scratches in automatic washes.

Also, if anyone has a suggestion on a self wash, for when it is a little warmer, I would appreciate that. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

 

Why not do it yourself and save the money? That way you don't put swirls on your finish by doing it right vs hacks who will.

 

If you're scared of scratches, try looking for a touchless carwash. That's what I use on winter time, on on spring and summer I wash my Fit myself.

 

I normally would do it myself at my parent's or in-law's house (they have driveways a hoses, and I have all of the washing stuff), but it's just too cold in Philly.

I guess I could go to a self-washing place and just use their water, but again, I believe it is just too cold.

I'd try a touchless wash, if anyone knows of one in Center City. I used Google, but there don't seem to be any in this part of the city (there are a bunch in the various suburbs). In any case, I'll try a detailer who charges ~$25 for a full hand wash and let you all know how it turns out.

 

Just to complete the thread, I ended up going to Spring Garden Wash & Lube. It was basically $50 for an oil change & car wash (I paid an extra $10 for a waxing).

The wash is decent in that they hand scrub, you can watch through a window, and they vacuum your floor mats. It's decent, but not great (and doesn't scratch up your car).

I'll probably end up going to a self-wash place and washing it myself, once the weather warms up a bit.

sg home

Spring Garden Wash & Lube Incorporated - Spring Garden - Philadelphia, PA

 

Did they use 2 buckets, a grit guard, soft mitt, and dry with waffle weave microfiber towels? If they didnt then they put swirls in your car. Its also very bad if they did not put protection on your car, especially in the conditions you drive it in.

Check out www.autopia.org for REAL detailers in your area. You can observe their work before you hire them. Stay away from those lube and wash places.

I would NEVER let anyone wash my car, or do an oil change for me.

 

They had a hand wash area where they scrubbed in soap, and then jets rinse off the soap (that part was automated). Then they had blow driers (no brushes or wipes) and after that they hand dried, spray waxed, and vacuumed the inside. It's not the best job, but since we had >50" of snow these past few months and I live in a high rise in Center City Philly, it is difficult to wash & change my oil.

Hopefully at the end of March the weather will hit 50 or so and I can do it myself at a coin wash place, although my car is dirty again (since I had to drive through another storm).

 

Here you go;

Bergey's Touchless Car Wash
261 West Broad Street
Telford, PA 18969-1925
(215) 723-6071‎

 

Sounds perfect, but it's 38 miles from Center City. I don't know why they don't have self-serve washes in the city, where most people don't have driveways.