What’s an auto spa?

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Auto spas offer full service car washes, detailing, and maintenance services for a variety of vehicles. They may use hand washing or automated equipment and offer packages or a la carte services. Some auto spas also provide preventative maintenance and luxury waiting areas. Mobile car spas are also available.

“Auto spa” is a popular name for what is essentially a full service car wash. Some auto spas offer more upscale services than traditional car washes, but in many cases, the services are similar. Automotive spas clean cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and passenger trucks. They may also care for motorcycles, boats, mobile homes, and other vehicles. Auto spas provide washing, waxing, interior cleaning, and vehicle detailing services.

The specific services and methods offered by auto spas vary between companies. An auto spa can do everything by hand, using soft, lint-free cloths or sheepskin gloves to wash cars and perform waxing and polishing by hand. Another automated spa might use tunnel washers or other automated equipment to wash and spray on wax and polish. Some auto spas offer hand washing and auto wash services, with a higher price for hand cleaning, which involves more workers.

Other services provided by many auto spas include cleaning and dressing tires, cleaning interior windows, deodorizing, washing underbody, and more. Many auto spas bundle services into detailed packages, such as bronze, silver, and gold levels, for example, which include increasingly higher tiers of cleaning services. A basic bronze package may include exterior wash and interior vacuum with window cleaning. At gold level, tire shine, polishing, clear coating and engine bay cleaning are also part of the package. Some auto spas have a la carte menus for customers to pick and choose specific services, as well as providing package services.

Some auto spas take a one-stop-shop approach, offering preventative maintenance services in addition to standard car cleaning. Oil changes, replacement of fuel and air filters, and flushing of radiators and transmissions are some examples of maintenance services that can be provided. Other services provided by auto spas include dent removal, window tinting, windshield repair, and upholstery repair.

In an auto spa, the waiting area for clients can be comfortably basic or more luxurious, depending on the individual business and its clientele. At the basic end, complimentary coffee and tea can be provided, along with magazines and television. Self-spas on the more luxurious end of the spectrum may have waiting areas with leather or other padded chairs, flowing fountains, and children’s play areas with toys, snacks, and more.

Many auto spas are traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, but others bring the service to their customers. Mobile car spas visit homes, businesses and other locations, providing services similar to more traditional car wash businesses. Mobile car spas are often more expensive, but they are becoming increasingly popular due to the conveniences they offer.




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