MYTH: An automatic car wash can scratch your paint 

FALSE. Automatic car washes are specifically designed to keep your car clean, safe and scratch-free, which is why we have so many customers trust us with one of their most expensive investments time and again. This pesky rumor likely comes from “old-school” car wash models, which sometimes used rough brushes and harsh chemicals. The modern process at Super Star Car Wash uses a gentle yet effective method to remove dirt and debris and prevent any damage to the vehicle.  

MYTH: Driving a dirty car doesn’t matter 

FALSE: When dirt and grime sit on your car for an extended period, it can eventually damage the paint, causing it to dull much sooner. So whether you have a clunker or a higher end vehicle, we recommend running it through the car wash every week or every other week to keep it in top condition.  

MYTH: Automatic car washes waste a lot of water 

FALSE. Most people don’t realize they can use up to four times as much water trying to wash their car at home versus at a professional car wash. At Super Star Car Wash, we make sure every drop of water is used effectively. Our water quality is also better than the hose most people use at home. That’s because we use reverse osmosis to filter our water and strip it of minerals that could leave spots on your car. We then use the “reject” water to pre-soak the car and the tires at the start of the wash. That way, by the time you get to the spot-free rinse, you’re using the best water (and no water goes to waste).  

MYTH: Waxing your car isn’t necessary  

FALSE: Waxing your car regularly is an essential step in maintaining your vehicle. The wax preserves the clear coat over a vehicle’s paint, which ultimately protects it from corrosive elements like rain, UV rays, bird droppings, tree sap, snow and other contaminants. At Super Star Car Wash, we’re proud to offer some of the best products in the industry to give your car the strong protection it deserves. The Carnauba wax we use comes from the leaves of the carnauba tree, found only in Brazil. Super Star Car Wash also uses a higher concentration of product per application than many of our competitors, so your car gets the maximum benefit of this natural protectant.  

MYTH: Use any towel to dry your car 

FALSE: Regular towels are not super absorbent, can leave lint behind, and in worst cases, can even scratch your car’s paint. That’s why, at Super Star Car Wash, we always use microfiber towels. We love the fact that they’re super absorbent, gentle on your car, and do a great job of removing dirt and grime from a variety of external and internal automobile surfaces. We believe in the product so much, we let customers use as many towels as they want for free at our free vacuum stations.  

MYTH: Electric vehicles can’t go through the automatic car wash 

FALSE: It’s completely safe to take your electric vehicle through an automated car wash. In fact, washing your electric or hybrid vehicle is not much different than washing a gasoline or diesel car. The electric system is completely sealed inside the body of the car to prevent water from getting in. Want to learn more? Check out our blog all about electric vehicles and the car wash by clicking here.  

MYTH: All washes are the same 

FALSE: Any time you use our tunnel at Super Star Car Wash, you’re guaranteed to drive off in a clean car. However, not all washes are built the same. Depending on your price point, we have several ways to upgrade your experience, including premium treatments like Carnauba Hot Wax (which repels water and provides UV protection while providing softness and shine) and Ceramic Sealant (which creates a surface that is chemically resistant to environmental acidic elements, etching and staining). Click here to see which car wash works best for you.  

MYTH: Car washes are too expensive 

FALSE: We believe everyone deserves to drive a shiny, clean car, and we’ve built our business around creating affordable membership plans at low monthly costs. The unlimited plans pay for themselves after just two washes, making it a great deal for those who like to keep their car clean all year round. At Super Star Car Wash, we’re always offering great deals on different types of washes. Click here to see current rates.  

We hope this information clears up some of the misinformation surrounding car washes and gives you another reason to stop by your local Super Star Car Wash. Click here to find a location near you.  

The post 8 Common Car Wash Myths, Busted appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

Wash your car regularly:

Leaving dirt and grime sitting on the surface of your car too long not only looks bad, but it can actually ruin your car’s paint job. Debris can end up scratching your car’s topcoat and exposing it to damaging UV rays, or accelerating the oxidation process. Regularly washing your car is one of the easiest ways to protect it from sun damage.  

Park in the shade:

Exposing your car to UV rays for an extended period can cause the paint to fade and damage your car’s upholstery and dashboard. We know it’s not always possible to find that coveted shady parking spot, but try and park under cover when you can. It’s amazing how much covered parking can bring down the temperature of the car, inside and out. Be careful when parking under trees, though. The acid in bird poop can actually eat through your car’s clear coat and destroy the paint.  

Crack the windows:

We all know how uncomfortable it can feel to get in a stuffy hot car that’s been sitting in the sun. It turns out, hot air can also cause deterioration to the interior features of the vehicle over time. Rolling down the windows just a bit when parked can help provide more ventilation to make sure air is moving throughout the vehicle. Of course, make sure to check the forecast and roll the windows up if rain is expected!  

Use a windshield cover:

For only about $20, this tried-and-true product can reduce the inside temperature of a car by up to 30 degrees. Also referred to as a car sun shade or a window protector, most come with a metallic side that reflects heat and UV rays away from the car, instead of cooking the inside of the vehicle. Your car will thank you, and you’ll be much more comfortable getting in your car during a hot day.  

Get your car waxed:

A coat of wax can make a big difference in protecting your car’s exterior from the harsh rays of the sun. The wax acts as a protective layer to minimize scratches and UV damage. Think of it like a coat of sunscreen for your car. In addition to safeguarding your car’s paint from the sun, the wax shields your car from road debris. The answer to how often you need to wax your car varies depending on how much it’s exposed to the elements and how many scratches are visible on the exterior.  

At Super Star Car Wash, we’re proud to offer some of the best products in the industry to give your car the strong protection it deserves. The Carnauba wax we use comes from the leaves of the carnauba tree, found only in Brazil. Super Star Car Wash also uses a higher concentration of product per application than many of our competitors, so your car gets the maximum benefit of this natural protectant.  

Test your battery:

The heat can drain your battery even quicker than usual, especially if you’re blasting the AC nonstop. That’s why we recommend getting your vehicle’s battery tested often to make sure it’s running properly. Trust us, you don’t want to wind up stranded on the side of the road on a hot day. Many auto shops provide a free curbside testing service. Or, if you’re a bit of a DIY mechanic yourself, you can purchase a multimeter to test at home.  

Check your tire pressure:

Changing temperatures can cause tire pressure to fluctuate, and burning hot pavement can put you at increased risk of a blowout. Keep a close eye on your tire pressure and make sure your tires are in good condition to prevent any serious issues throughout the year. We never want you to drive around with low tire pressure. That’s why Super Star Car Wash lets you test your tire pressure and fill up your tires with free air at all of our locations. You can find the equipment in the self-service vacuum areas.  

Super Star Car Wash started in sunny Arizona, so we know a thing or two about protecting cars from the hot sun. Inspired to get a car wash or auto detailing? Click here to find a Super Star Car Wash location near you today.  

The post 7 Easy Ways to Protect Your Car from Extreme Heat  appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

While the automatic car wash may seem like a fairly recent concept, the basic idea has been around for over 75 years. In 1946, a man named Thomas Simpson created the first semi-automatic car wash, which consisted of a conveyor belt to move cars through the process, an overhead sprinkler, and an air blower to dry the car.  

Since then, many inventions and advancements have been made to create the modern automatic car wash we recognize today. These systems are remarkably convenient, affordable, and environmentally-friendly due to their ability to conserve water, power and in their use of non-toxic products.   

There are two basic types of automatic car washes used today:

Roll-over

Also referred to as “In-Bay”, this type of automatic wash requires the driver to pull into a small bay and keep the car stationary while the equipment moves around the vehicle.  

Conveyor Tunnel

This is what most people think of when referring to an automatic car wash. With this type of service, the car moves along a conveyor as it passes a series of machines that effectively clean, rinse and dry the vehicle.  

While the experience can vary slightly depending on which car wash you’re using and the type of wash you’ve purchased, there are standard steps you can expect at most conveyor-style automatic car washes. 

What to Expect:

Select your wash:

The first step of an automatic car wash is typically to select the type of wash you want and pay for the service (unless you already have a membership). This can often be done yourself using a kiosk, or with the help of an associate.  

Drive onto Conveyor:

Next, an attendant will direct you to drive your car onto the conveyor track by making sure your wheels are aligned with the track. This part can be a bit nerve-wracking for new customers at first. Once your car is properly resting on the conveyor, the attendant will instruct you to switch your car into “Neutral”. From there, you can sit back, relax, and let the machines do the rest of the dirty work.  

Wash:

The wash itself is broken up into several parts inside the tunnel depending on which wash was selected.

Basic washes usually include: 

• A pre-wash spray to loosen unwanted dirt and debris 
• A foam-like soap that breaks down grime  
• High-pressure water blasters designed to clean tough-to-reach areas on the vehicle 
• Tire cleaner and shine for squeaky clean wheels.
  

Finish:

A typical automatic wash usually concludes with: 

• A clear, glossy coating to provide protection from the environment.  
• A final, high pressure rinse to ensure a spot-free shine 
• Powerful air dryers to avoid streaking for a perfect finish 

Premium Treatments:

If you’ve opted for a more advanced car wash, you may also receive premium treatments like a wax application and a ceramic sealant to protect the vehicle’s surface from oxidation.  

The best part?

This entire process typically takes only about three minutes of your time, making it an extremely convenient and cost-effective way to clean your car.  

Once you exit the tunnel, you’re free to drive away or take advantage of some of the other services on site. At Super Star Car Wash, we pride ourselves in offering a variety of free amenities for our customers, including free high-suction vacuums, use of damp microfiber towels, air blaster and tire inflation hoses, dash wipes, mat cleaner and even an air freshener depending on which wash you select. 

We hope this information has inspired you to treat yourself (and your car) to a car wash today! Click here to find a Super Star Car Wash location near you.  

The post How an Automatic Car Wash Works appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

With more electric vehicles on the road than ever before, many people wonder whether these new cars require special care when getting cleaned. If you think about it, ever since you were a child, you’ve likely been taught the potential dangers of mixing water and electricity, so it’s certainly a valid concern.

The good news is, it’s completely safe to take your electric vehicle through an automated car wash.

In fact, washing your electric or hybrid vehicle is not much different than washing a gasoline or diesel car. Each vehicle must pass an extensive checklist of standards to ensure they’re safe on the road before they hit the market. Just as your car can drive through a heavy rainstorm with no leaks, these vehicles have been thoroughly tested to make sure they’re waterproof during car washes as well. The electric system is completely sealed inside the body of the car to prevent water from getting in.

That said, electric vehicles are built with unique features that may require your attention before a car wash.

Here are a few suggestions to prepare your electric vehicle for an automatic car wash:

Keep your car on and know how to put your vehicle in “Neutral” before you enter the conveyor tunnel. Each manufacturer may have a different set of instructions to put the car in “Neutral” that may not be as simple as a gas-powered car.

Ensure the charging port door is properly closed and secured to avoid exposing the charging port to water and cleaning products.
Turn off certain automatic functions that may activate during a wash, such as windshield wipers.

Like all vehicles, prepare for the wash by making sure mirrors are folded in, protruding elements like antennas are retracted, and the windows are completely closed.

Certain cars come with their own specific recommendations when it comes to getting a wash. For example, the Tesla Model 3 comes with a “Car Wash Mode” which automatically closes all windows, locks the charge port, and disables windshield wipers, according to their website. When in doubt, check your owner’s manual or with the manufacturer directly to see what they advise.

Still have questions about washing your electric vehicle? Our friendly and knowledgeable staff at Super Star Car Wash would be happy to assist you with all of your needs. Click here to find a Super Star Car Wash location near you.

*Source: CleanTechnica

The post Can electric cars go through the car wash? appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

These minerals make the water “hard” and can leave water spots. Additionally, they can corrode metal. While rust may not be a concern on a painted car, the hard water spots can damage your paint, with the minerals seeping into pores on the paint job. Without careful removal of these spots, it can even damage the clear coat, exacerbating the sun’s harsh UV ray effects on a car’s paint.

How is Super Star Car Wash Water Different?

So obviously, using your garden hose at home to hand wash your car is risky. However, Super Star’s water is different. Our water is first filtered through a reverse osmosis system, which removes minerals and more than 90% of contaminants from tap water. This process does, however, result in a large amount of “waste water.”

Whether you live in Arizona or California, both states have problems with droughts, and Super Star is conscious of this; therefore, we put our waste water to good use. We make sure not to simply toss out this valuable resource, but to use it in our tire and wheel cleaners, where the hard water won’t cause damage like it will on paint. This ensures that we don’t waste our water while taking good care of your car!

Now that you know not to use the hose at home to wash your car by hand, save yourself the effort and come to your closest Super Star location. Not only will this give your car gentler water for awash, but it saves you time and effort to clean your car yourself!

The post How Super Star’s Water is Different From the Hose appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

How detailing can improve your car’s condition

Detailing itself is a term that encompasses a lot of things. Super Star Car Wash provides auto interior and exterior detailing services in Arizona at our full-service locations. Exterior detailing improves the look of the outside of a car. Here are some exterior detailing services we provide:

Clay treatment: Our skilled auto detailing technicians use detailing clay to remove surface contaminants on your car’s paint. Surface contaminants can include the aforementioned road construction tar, pollution from the environment or even bits of brake dust. This will renew your car’s paint, giving it a better shine and a smooth feel.

‍Super Nova wax: A spray-on wax treatment is applied to the car after it gets a wash in one of our conveyor wash tunnels. Wax protects the paint, functioning as a layer over it to resist the sun’s harsh UV rays and oxidation damage.

Engine cleaning: The top of your car’s engine is cleaned. This will remove the dirt that inevitably ends up atop your car’s engine in a dusty desert environment, along with fluids that have leaked out.

Express hand wax: A wax treatment is applied to your car by hand, rather than sprayed on. This treatment protects your car’s paint for three months.

‍Carnauba wax: Carnauba wax is a special type of wax derived from Brazilian palm trees. Stronger than our other wax treatments, this wax will protect your paint for six months.

‍Rim polish: Your rims take a lot of abuse. Being as close to the road as they are, they get rocks, brake dust and all manner of dirt thrown on them. A good polish will shine them up again.

‍Headlight restoration: If you live in Arizona, you’ve probably seen headlights that look yellowed and fogged over. This is what the sun does to the plastic of a headlight over time. This can cause reduced visibility from the headlights, limiting how well you can see at night. Our headlight restoration services will get them rejuvenated and clear again.

‍Orbital polish: An orbital polish leaves the paint looking shiny. The orbital sander used on the paint will avoid the swirls caused by more traditional buffers, ensuring that your paint will not only look shiny, but avoid damage. This also includes the six-month protective carnauba wax treatment.

‍Paint sealant: This gives your paint one year of protection, and it’s safe for clear coats. It requires less treatment sessions than wax with its long life, which saves you money in the long run.

‍Clay Magic: A normal clay treatment is good, but our high-end Clay Magic treatment is meant to remove stuff that’s REALLY stuck on your paint. Things like residue from bug guts, tree sap and paint overspray. Two-step buff & wax: This more thorough buffing and wax treatment can even remove light scratches and oxidation from your paint. This is a great way to rehab mildly damaged paint before it gets too far gone to save.

‍Simoniz Diamond Plate: If you’re looking for extreme protection from the elements for your car, this is it. Simoniz Diamond Plate provides two years of weather protection. It even protects against known acidic substances that can damage paint, such as bird droppings and acid rain. And the key for Arizona: strong protection against sun fading. Think of it like SPF 100+ sunscreen for your car.

‍Now that we’ve covered our exterior detailing options, you can’t forget your interior. All too often, a car’s interior can actually be dirtier than the exterior. Take care of it and get your interior looking its best with these services:

‍Carpet shampoo: Your carpet looks great after vacuuming, sure, but think about all the dirt really stuck in it that a surface level vacuum won’t catch. Give it a deep cleaning with our carpet shampoo service, and you may be pleasantly surprised at just how nice it looks afterward

‍Seat & upholstery cleaning: Your seats may have all the crumbs gone now, but that stain from your spilled soda isn’t going to come out without a more thorough cleaning. After you get your seats and upholstery cleaned, head inside one of our Full Service locations’ convenience stores for some seat covers. That way once your seats are clean, they’ll stay clean for much longer!

‍Leather treatment: Leather treatment in Arizona is essential for your car interior. With the dry and hot climate, your leather seats will dry out and crack over time without conditioning. This treatment will keep them pliable and give them a longer life.

‍Super clean: This service cleans the dash, doors and center console. There’s probably a lot of stuck-on dirt and other gunk that, once removed, will let your interior really shine. You might see it in a completely new way!

‍Complete interior detail: Get your dash, doors, console, seats and carpet cleaned. Honestly, this would be our best deal; you save quite a bit of money getting everything cleaned at once, instead of breaking it down into individual services. Besides, if you’re going to get your carpet shampooed, do you really want to leave your seats out? You’re better off making your whole interior look as close to new as possible.

‍With all of our different detailing options, you’re sure to find something to get done to your car. Bring it in to Super Star today to get it looking great again. Your car will thank you when you’re done!

The post How Detailing Can Improve Your Car’s Condition appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

Think again… 

Dirt can hurt your car’s paint significantly. All of that dust slamming into the car can chip away at the paint and then leave a nasty layer of dirt on the outside when the storm is over. When dirt is left on car paint, anything touching it can scratch the paint underneath. This is because if the dust is moved, it scrapes on the surface of the paint, which can cause small scratches and damage the clear coat.

Once that clear coat is worn away, your car will look much duller, and your paint will be exposed to take even more damage. This vicious cycle will continue the longer you let damage go on until you’re down to the bare metal. When the metal takes damage, your car’s body itself will then start to get worn down, reducing the car’s overall lifespan.

Additionally, dirt isn’t necessarily the only thing carried in a dust storm; dust storms can carry other manners of debris as well, such as bugs, that are sticky and can get stuck to car paint, causing even more damage.

So, next time wash your car after a dust storm! 

At Super Star Car Wash, we even offer additional paint protection in some of our washes, such as wax and ceramic coating. Wax provides a protective layer over the top of the paint, while a ceramic coating will bond to the paint itself, providing better protection and lasting even longer than wax.

So don’t let a dust storm ruin your car’s perfectly good paint. Visit your nearest Super Star location after a dust storm to get it looking good as new!

The post How Dust Storms Can Damage Your Car: A Guide for Desert Drivers appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

In 2021, Phoenix area had one of the wettest monsoon seasons on record, accumulating 4.2 inches of rain. Precipitation in 2021 totaled 9.15 inches, according to the National Weather Service. This means that the 3 and a half months of monsoon season produced almost half the rainfall of the year.

In addition to bringing rain, Phoenix’s monsoon season can bring with it heavy winds, thunder and lightning. This can cause significant destruction to the areas that it hits, knocking over trees, causing flooding and shutting down power to homes and businesses.

Along with the destruction monsoons can bring, they can make your car incredibly dirty. The combination of blowing rain and dirt covers any car left outside with unsightly spots.

When you consider the unpredictability of when monsoon storms occur, as they can pop up any evening most of the summer, cars parked outside get dirty frequently. What’s a car owner with outdoor parking to do?

Enter Super Star Car Wash’s Unlimited Plans. With one of these wash plans, you can wash your car as often as you’d like for one monthly rate. If you have storms two nights in a row, you can bring your car in both days afterward. Super Star will clean your car up as good as new every time. No need to stress about how much you’re spending when you get more washes either!

With 30 locations around the Phoenix metro area, you can also use your wash plan at any Super Star Car Wash. If a storm blows through while you’re at dinner with a friend across town, you can use the Super Star location near there after you leave and get your car cleaned within minutes.

Get your plan today and treat your car like a star this monsoon season!

The post Keeping Your Car Clean in Monsoon Season appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

Unlimited Car Wash Plans for Purchase Online

‍We offer any of our amazing Unlimited Plans for both Express and Full Service Washes for sale on our website. For those seeking the ultimate in a quick and thorough wash, Super Star Car Wash has Express Washes to suit a variety of needs. Whether you’re looking for a Basic option to give your car a quick touchup or our Signature Ceramic Sealant Plan to give your ride the ultimate quick cleaning option, Super Star has you covered.

Saving Time and Money With Unlimited Wash Plans

‍Not only are Super Star Car Wash Unlimited Plans conveniently available online, but they save you time and money over paying for car washes individually. When you pay for washes individually, you have to stop, make your payment for the wash, and possibly wait longer in line behind other customers who are paying. With an Unlimited Plan, you get to pull into our Fast Pass lane and drive right into our washes after the gate opens. If there is a line, no one with a Fast Pass has to pay, so it will also move faster than a line full of customers paying for individual washes.

‍Super Star Car Wash Unlimited Plans also save money over paying for individual washes. If you pay for just two washes per month, you’re already paying more than you’d pay for one of our Unlimited Plans. Becoming one of our Unlimited members can save you money over what you’re paying to wash your car already!

License Plate Recognition Technology‍

Our washes use license plate recognition (LPR) cameras in place of windshield stickers. Because your Unlimited Wash Plan uses your license plate number for identification at Super Star Car Wash, you can start using your plan as soon as you buy it online. There’s no need to flag down an employee and ask them to install a sticker on your windshield anymore!

‍A Variety of Cleaning and Maintenance Options in One Place

Every Super Star Car Wash location has compressed air for cleaning or drying parts of your vehicle, as well as hoses with gauges to fill your tires with air if they’re low. We also provide free use of our vacuums to get your interior looking as good as new. Microfiber towels are also available to use for free at our vacuum stations to wipe down or dry your interior and exterior.

A Wide Variety of Locations

If you take a vacation from one state to the other or find yourself across town running errands, your Super Star Unlimited Plan is good at any of our locations in any state. No need to pick one location and stick with it!

We’re Here for You

Super Star Car Wash is here to take some of the stress out of life. You’ve got plenty to worry about; don’t let your car wash routine be one of them. With Super Star, you’ll have a partner for car washing in your community, and with our Unlimited Plans, we’re here for you to wash your car seven days a week. Get on one of our Unlimited Plans and let us treat your car like a superstar today!

The post Super Star: A Convenient Car Wash Experience appeared first on Super Star Car Wash.

Dash Wipe

All of our Express car washes come with a free dash wipe, which you’ll receive from one of our friendly attendants as you pull into the wash tunnel. Packaged in our special Super Star Car Wash branded wrapping, these wipes are perfect for cleaning your dash. If your dash isn’t dirty, you can even use this as a cleaning wipe around your home!

Microfiber Towels

Super Star Car Wash offers microfiber towels for your use at our vacuum stations. If you want an extra level of detail on drying your car’s body or wiping down your interior, you can use our towels for free to get the job done. Just drop them in the dirty towel bin at the top of the storage shelves when you’re finished!

Vacuums

Gone are the days of scrounging for quarters to pay for vacuuming your interior. Super Star Car Wash offers two vacuum head options: angled and narrow or wide and flat. Whichever works best to clean your carpets and seats, our vacuums will beat whatever dirt you throw at them!

Compressed Air for Tires and Cleaning Your Car

All Super Star Car Wash locations have vacuum stalls with compressed air hoses offering two options: a nozzle for blowing dirt off of areas on or in your car, and a hose to fill your tires with air if they’re low. A gauge is included on the hose as well, so you’ll know exactly when each tire has the perfect amount of pressure. If your tire pressure monitor sensor light is on for low pressure, we can help with that!

Air Freshener

For anyone who chooses the Super Star Car Wash Premium Express package or above, a black ice-scented air freshener in our signature water drop shape is included! Give your car a nice new smell by hanging it from your rearview mirror. Be careful not to put it on your dash or shifter though, as chemical reactions from air fresheners can damage your interior!

A Great Value Wash

No matter which Super Star Car Wash location you go to , we’re here to provide you with the best car wash possible while making your money go far. With all of our inclusive and free extras with our washes, we make it easy to get your car cleaned right. Come see us at your nearest Super Star Car Wash location today!

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