Pull into an open bay, pay, choose the setting you want, and work from the top of the car down: soap, optional brush, rinse, optional protectant, spot-free rinse, dry. The timer keeps running while you switch settings, so it helps to know the order before you begin.
At Washie, $5 buys 6 minutes, the bays take card or cash, and you don't need coins. Here's how to make a first visit go smoothly.
What's in the bay
Each of Washie's four bays has a spray wand, a foaming brush, a function selector, a payment unit and an air dryer. There's also a STOP control, which is the emergency stop for every function in the bay. Find it before you start.
Instructions are posted in English and Spanish, and the phone number on the sign, (407) 205-9614, is the one to call if something isn't working. Hours, payment and other basics are on Washie's FAQ page.
What each setting does
These are the settings in Washie's bays, in plain English:
| Setting | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Tire cleaner | Loosens brake dust and grime on wheels and tires. The posted instructions suggest scrubbing by hand afterward for best results |
| High-pressure soap | A pre-soak applied under pressure to break down dirt and road film |
| Foaming brush | A hog's-hair brush fed with foam, for scrubbing the surface |
| Triple foam conditioner | A high-foaming polish for shine |
| High-pressure rinse | Clean water under pressure to remove soap and dirt |
| Clear coat protectant | A protective layer that adds shine |
| Ceramic seal | A sealant for longer-lasting protection and water beading |
| Spot-free rinse | A final rinse with filtered water to prevent water spots |
| Air dryer | High-powered air to push water off the surface |
You don't have to use all of them. A good basic wash is soap, rinse, spot-free rinse and dry.
A simple first wash, step by step
- Get set before you pay. Park in the middle of the bay so you can walk all the way around. Close the windows, take the wand off its holder so you know how it feels, and decide which settings you're going to use.
- Pay and start with the wheels. If you're using tire cleaner, follow its posted application and rinse instructions. Do not leave wheel cleaner sitting while you wash the rest of the car or let it dry. Don't spray cleaner on wheels that are hot from driving; Toyota's manual warns against using detergent on hot wheels, and some automakers restrict wheel cleaners altogether, so check your owner's manual.
- Soap from the top down. Switch to high-pressure soap and cover the roof, glass, hood and trunk, then the sides, then the lower panels and bumpers, which are the dirtiest. Follow your owner's manual and the posted equipment instructions for nozzle distance and pressure; the Tesla example below specifies at least a foot. Keep the wand moving.
- Brush if you need to (optional). For dirt that soap alone won't move, switch to the foaming brush. First rinse the brush head with the wand to flush out any grit, and make sure you've already knocked the loose dirt off the car. Inspect the brush after rinsing and skip it if any debris remains. Use light pressure, and skip brushes entirely if your finish-care guide requires it.
- Rinse from the top down. Switch to high-pressure rinse and start with the roof so you aren't rinsing clean panels twice. Pay attention to mirrors, badges, trim and the gaps around the trunk and hood, where suds hide.
- Add protection (optional). Use clear coat protectant or ceramic seal only if your vehicle's finish-care instructions allow it, and follow the posted directions.
- Finish with the spot-free rinse. Make this the last water that touches the vehicle. Cover the vehicle completely, following the posted directions; results depend on complete rinsing and the condition of the surface.
- Dry. Follow the posted air-dryer and payment instructions to push water off the glass, mirrors and flat panels. Budget time for drying, then catch leftover drips with a clean microfiber towel where permitted.
If the clock runs out partway through, you can pay for another cycle.
Where not to point the wand
High-pressure water is a bad idea in a few specific places. Owner's manuals and product care guides flag the same ones:
- Stay back. Toyota and Tesla both specify keeping the nozzle roughly 12 inches (30 cm) or more from the body, and both say not to hold the spray on one spot (Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual).
- Avoid door and window seals. Water can be forced past them and into the cabin. Honda's manual says to take particular care around the windows.
- Don't spray cameras, sensors or the radar emblem directly. Toyota and Honda both warn that high-pressure water can damage them. Wipe them with a damp cloth instead.
- Keep it out of the engine compartment. Honda and Toyota both say not to spray high-pressure water under the hood.
- Lock the doors and mind the fuel door. Honda recommends locking the doors while washing and notes that a direct high-pressure blast can pop the fuel door open.
- Wraps and paint protection film: keep the spray perpendicular to the surface and away from the film's edges, as 3M advises, and follow the limits in your film's care sheet.
And it should go without saying: never point the wand at a person or a pet, including your own feet. Closed-toe shoes are a good idea.
About the foaming brush
Washie's brushes are made with hog's hair, a soft natural bristle. Used the right way (rinsed first, on a car that's already had its loose grit rinsed off, with light pressure), a foam brush moves stubborn road film that spray alone can leave behind.
Skip the brush if your finish's care instructions say so. Some coating makers tell owners not to use brushes at self-serve washes at all; Ceramic Pro is one example. Wraps, matte finishes and fresh paint all come with their own care instructions, and those come first.
FAQs
Can I wash a truck or an SUV with a roof rack?
Washie recommends the self-service bays for trucks, RVs and vehicles with roof racks. Check the clearance sign posted at the bay before you pull in.
How many cycles will I need?
It depends on the vehicle and how dirty it is. Start with one $5 cycle, see how far you get, and add time if you need it. You'll get faster with practice.
Next step: Before your first visit, take a minute to look over the settings and posted instructions for Washie's self-service bays. Knowing the settings ahead of time is the easiest way to save minutes on the clock.