Frequently Asked Questions

Our Service

What should I expect when I arrive?: You'll be greeted by friendly, professional people who will guide you through the simple process. Basically, all you need to do is put your vehicle in neutral when asked, and relax! We'll do the rest. We clean the vehicle exterior with gentle cloth washers and mild cleaning solutions. Your wheels and whitewalls will be cleaned, and your vehicle will be rinsed and gently air dried - all automatically, in three minutes or less!
Should I remain in my vehicle?: Yes. For safety reasons, there must be a driver at the wheel. All Kaady Car Washes use extensive lighting, and lots of glass, to create a comfortable, wide-open environment. We'll give you easy to follow instructions, answer any questions you might have, and guide you through the process.
Do you take credit cards?: Yes. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.

Water Conservation

Do you recycle your water?: Yes. We reclaim our water.
How do you save water?: By comparison with a study showing that the average person uses between 100 and 150 gallons of water when washing a car by hand, our computer-controlled system uses only 30 to 45 gallons of fresh water for each wash, in addition to over 100 gallons of recycled water.

Car Wash

Do you clean the inside of the car?: Kaady Car Washes offers "exterior-only" service. We do provide U-Vac vacuums at most locations.
What kind of cleaning products do you use?: Our cleaning products use no acids, caustics or phosphates, and are biodegradable. They are safe for your vehicle and for the environment. To guarantee this, they are manufactured to our specifications by a sister company of Kaady Car Washes. They are made exactly to our specifications to ensure that they are the safest, most effective products available. It's even likely that your vehicle was cleaned with Kaady products before it was delivered to you, since many major manufacturers use Kaady Chemicals either as the final step in the manufacturing process, or to clean them after shipping.
What's the difference between "brushless" and "touchless"?: We employ a brushless process, using only Fiber-Soft® (a 21st century cleaning medium) that gently cleans your car in combination with safe, biodegradable shampoos and cleaners. "No Touch" operations, on the other hand don't use direct-contact cleaning media, and rely instead on acid-based chemicals and high pressure water. This is hard on the vehicle finish and can even etch glass and uncoated polished aluminum wheels. Some of these chemicals can be as unsafe for customers and employees as they are for the environment. Moreover, the process often requires water pressure of 1,000 psi or higher. (It's no surprise that most carmakers recommend against using such chemicals and high pressure water.)

Your Vehicle

What types of vehicles can you wash?: We accept most cars, vans and trucks up to 87 inches in height. Unfortunately, we cannot wash trucks with dual wheels. We guarantee the safety of all factory-installed equipment in proper working order.
Can you wash my pickup truck?: Almost 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 oversized "trailering" side-mirrors are incompatible with our process, and certain types of modifications that employ oversized or off-road tires or radically raised suspensions may not be compatible.
Is the wash safe for convertibles?: Yes. Please make sure that the roof is properly latched.
Is the wash safe for newly painted cars?: 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. (Paint on new cars is fully cured before delivery.)
Is the wash safe for alloy wheels?: Yes. Most carmakers caution against automatic washes that use acids on polished aluminum wheels, since these can stain, or carbon or plastic tire brushes, which can scratch. At Kaady we use no such acids, and only soft cloth washing material (no brushes); so your wheels are perfectly safe.
Will a cracked windshield be safe in the wash?: 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.
Will my antenna be OK?: Aftermarket products such as CB and cell phone antennas should be removed before washing; we'll gladly attend to this when you arrive.
Will my bugshield be safe?: Unfortunately, we can't be responsible for aftermarket accessories made of plastic. 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.

Liquid Polish

What is Liquid Polish? Is it safe, and how long will it last?: Liquid Polish is a two-step process that is safe for all rooftops, including vinyl and convertibles. First, we apply a foam polish, then our Ceramic Paint Protection. We recommend an application at least every four washes or once a month.
Will Liquid Polish keep the car clean longer?: No. It will slow oxidation and help keep the finish in its present condition.
What's the difference between Liquid Polish and wax?: Liquid Polish is a cleaner, not a wax. Think of polishing your fine silver. Liquid Polish helps to remove stubborn stains, and add gloss and luster to your vehicle's existing finish. Wax is a layer of protection between the elements and the surface of your car. You should have a good coat of paste wax applied to your vehicle once a year. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, a detail shop can do it for you for around $100.

Problems with your vehicle's finish?

Will the car wash remove egg?: 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 a local detail professional if the egg has already hardened.
How do I remove road tar or tree pitch?: There are special products sold in automotive departments for that purpose. Refer to your owner's manual for the manufacturer's specifications. 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. If you would like us to show you how, call our Customer Service Manager, Zed Newkirk, at (503) 793-8664. He will gladly help or advise free of charge!
My finish looks dull and streaky. Why?: 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, applying a coat of wax at least once a year, and our Ceramic Paint Protection each month. If oxidation has already occurred, try cleaning the paint with a paint cleaning compound, then polishing and waxing the finish. Or visit a professional detail shop.
How do I protect my clearcoat?: Regular application of Ceramic Paint Protection creates a polymer barrier that helps protect clearcoated surfaces from UV rays and airborne contaminants, as well as acids from leaf stains, tree sap, bug spatter and bird droppings ...all of which can eat through the clearcoat and cause permanent damage. Ceramic Paint Protection is designed to provide a protective polymer barrier for up to 30 days from date of application. So make it part of your "routine maintenance" by asking us to include it with your car wash on a monthly basis.