Frequently Asked Questions

Weekly. Washing once a week will properly maintain the paint and exterior of your vehicle.

Cary’s Car Wash & Detail offers interior cleaning on our full-service wash packages. This is a light interior cleaning service which includes vacuum, dusting of the dash, doors, & console, clean windows and mirrors, & hand dry. In addition, our Go Unlimited express wash packages provide interior cleaning on an a-la-carte basis. When the LPR recognizes a customer as a Go Unlimited plan member, the screen will ask if you would like to add interior cleaning for $12. Choose Yes or No.

We accept most cars, vans and trucks up to 84 inches in height and must have at least a 4-inch ground clearance. For trucks with dual wheels, we offer hand washing. We guarantee the safety of all factory-installed equipment in proper working order.

At Cary’s Car Wash & Lube Center, when you spend $17 or more, you automatically gain one (1) point towards a free wash. When you accumulate 9 washes, the pay station (kiosk) will notify you that the next wash is free. The License Plate Reader (LPR) is used to help manage this program so it is automatic and nothing that you need to do other than wash your vehicle.

lmost 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 side mirrors are incompatible with our process and certain types of modification

No appointment necessary for our car wash service.

Yes. Please make sure that the roof is properly latched.

Because the way our equipment spins, unfortunately, unprotected front license plates that are held on by only 2 bolts will sometimes bend in our car wash because they are made of a thin piece of aluminum. Manufacturers and dealers are required to give you a proper mounting bracket for your car in states that require them, although most of them don’t unless you ask! Not to fear, if your plate gets a bit bent out of shape please let us know and we will straighten it for you.

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 (usually at least 30 days for repainted cars and body parts). Please check with the business who painted your car should you have any questions about when the paint is ready for the car wash.

Yes. Most car makers caution against automatic washes that use acids on polished aluminum wheels, since these can stain — or use carbon or plastic tire brushes, which can scratch. At Cary’s Car Wash & Lube Center, we use no such acids! We only use soft cloth washing material, so your wheels are perfectly safe.

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.

Unfortunately, we can't be responsible for aftermarket accessories. 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.
Trailer hitches will not be harmed by our equipment; however, to allow our "wraps" to give you the best quality wash possible for the rear of your vehicle, we recommend removing a hitch if possible. If a trailer hitch is left attached, we have a RETRACT feature with limits the ‘Gyro’ from touching this device. Also, hitch receptacle plug inserts should be removed prior to washing as they may break or come loose in the wash process.

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.

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 us directly if the egg has already hardened for a possible detail service to properly remove the dried egg.

Our wash tunnel will unlikely remove road tar or tree sap. If you ask us, or if we notice a spot or two, we will use a special cleaner to remove it for you. If you have multiple spots all over the car we will be glad to remove them for you for an extra charge. Otherwise, there are special products sold specifically for that purpose. 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.

Our ‘Prep’ team use a ‘bug juice’ application at the entrance to soak the bugs and make them soft. The team will then use a soft brush, high pressure washer, and frequently, muscle power, to remove the bugs prior to your vehicle entering the tunnel. If removal goes beyond normal work, we may ask for a nominal fee to removed bugs.

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 and applying a coat of hand wax at least once a year. If oxidation has already occurred, try cleaning the paint with a paint cleaning compound, then polishing and waxing the finish.

Cary’s Car Wash & Lube Center accepts Cash, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. We will soon offer gift cards. We use a latest technology License Plate Reader (LPR) for our Go Unlimited monthly express customers which makes for an expedited trip through the pay station (kiosk).

The LPR collects license plate numbers with the exact date and time the license plate was encountered. The LPR is used for our monthly Go Unlimited customers and also to track our Cary’s Car Club loyalty program. Once a vehicle is identified as a Go Unlimited customer, it is granted access to the wash tunnel and our computer automatically provides the proper wash package.

Why shouldn't I just wash my car at home? Don't get us started! Here are just a few of the good reasons.

• From the time you enter our conveyorized wash tunnel and exit 120 feet later, it is only 2 minutes. Try that at home!
• Washing at home with a bucket and wash mitt, you are dipping that mitt into a bucket of soapy water and all the dirt you’ve already washed from your car. Now you take that mitt and rub the dirt right back into your paint! This causes swirl marks and surface scratches! At Cary’s Car Wash & Lube Center, our equipment is constantly flooded with fresh, soapy water. So your car’s finish is protected from dirt and debris. Our closed cell foam wash material is the safest material in the industry to use on your vehicle’s finish!
• Studies show that the average person uses between 100 and 150 gallons of fresh water when washing a car by hand; contrast that with Cary’s Car Wash & Lube Center which uses only about 50 gallons of fresh water for each wash!
• The pollution generated from washing your car in your driveway goes directly down storm drains -meaning these untreated liquids, soaps, and chemicals are discharged directly into our streams and rivers, making their way ultimately to lakes, bays, and oceans. Cary’s Car Wash & Lube Center uses 100% biodegradable chemicals and we dispose of our waste by first removing most solids, and then directly disposing the remaining liquids into the sanitary sewer system where it is properly treated and processed.
• So, with Cary’s Car Wash & Lube Center, not only are you doing something good for your car, you’re doing something good for the environment as well!