Prickly Grain of Pollen

Wiping pollen off your car with a dry cloth can damage your car’s finish, producing that “swirly” effect we’ve all seen in a finish if the light is right. Rinsing your car regularly during high pollen count times of year (now!) keeps those prickly grains at bay — and following-up with a coat of protective wax actually helps repel pollen.

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As always, Thanks for your Business!

Rose Royce Car Wash

ROSE ROYCE
“Car Wash”

Ooh, ooh
You might not ever get rich
But let me tell ya
It’s better than diggin’ a ditch
There ain’t no tellin’ who you might meet
A movie star or maybe even a Indian Chief

Workin’ at the car wash
Workin’ at the car wash, yeah
Come on and sing it with me
Car wash
Sing it with feelin’ ya’ll
Car wash, yeah

Whew!

Come summer the work gets kinda hard
And this ain’t no place to be
If you plannin’ on bein’ a star
Let me tell you it’s always cool
And the boss don’t mind sometimes
If ya act the fool

At the car wash
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Talkin’ about the car wash, yeah
Come on, ya’ll and sing it for me
Car wash
Woo, hoo, hoo
Car wash, yeah

Work and work
Well, those cars never seem to stop coming
Work and work
Keep those rags and machines humming
Work and work
My fingers to the bone
Work
People, I can’t wait till it’s time to go home

Hey, get your car washed today
Fill up and you don’t have to pay
Come on and give us a play
Do the wash, right away

At the car wash
Talkin’ ’bout the car wash
Car wash, yeah
Come on, ya’ll, let’s sing it with me
Car wash
Sing it with feelin’, ya’ll
Car wash, yeah

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Car wash
Never seem to stop comin’
What’d I say
Keep those rags and machines hummin’

Get the MP3 from Amazon.com and then come “Honor Thy Auto” @ Kirkwood Car Wash!

A full-service hand wash is the ultimate in indulgence for you and your vehicle. Employees wash the exterior and clean the interior of your vehicle without the help of any large automatic cleaning machines. Because this type of business cannot serve nearly as many customers, and has higher labor costs, it can be expensive, especially if you desire any extra detailing or require special attention. These types of businesses may or may not provide a place for you to wait. In either case, chances are good that your will incur additional expenses on related or non-related services and products while you wait for your vehicle to be cleaned. This is not an economical choice for most people. $$$$$ (Detail Masters)

At a full-service conveyor type wash, you get out of your vehicle. The vehicle may then be prepped (antenna pushed down, presoak applied, tire&wheel cleaner applied, extra soiled areas may be pre-scrubbed, etc.). It then goes onto a conveyor and through a building equipped with large automatic machines that clean, rinse and possibly blow dry the exterior. When it comes out, several employees complete the dry and buff step by hand, clean and vacuum the interior, including windows, and spritz the interior with a scented air fresher of your choice. Most of these full-service car washes offer additional detailing services such as waxing, polishing and interior carpet and upholstery cleaning. Some even provide oil changes, tires and minor repairs on site. The upside of these types of establishments is luxurious convenience! It’s like a total spa experience for your vehicle — but it comes with spa prices. Not only will you spend a pretty penny to get your vehicle pretty, but chances are you’ll spend a few more dollars for extra services and then in their coffee shop, gift shop or on other products while you wait. In fact, they count on that to help cover their elaborate operating costs. $$$$ (Cactus Car Wash, Avril’s Carwash)

An exterior only conveyor type wash, you stay in your vehicle while it goes onto a conveyor and through a building equipped with large automatic machines that clean, rinse and possibly blow dry the exterior. Your vehicle may or may not be prepped before it goes through the cleaning building. Most likely these types of washes do not provide interior cleaning or any other additional detailing services, though typically a self-service vacuum may be available. These types of washes are often provided by gas stations, etc. They are great for a quick clean-up, but the quality of the clean is often disappointing, especially with the “touchless” versions. You get what you pay for. $$$ (Swifty Car Wash)

An in-bay automatic type wash is similar to an exterior only conveyor type wash. You stay in your vehicle, but instead of going onto a conveyor, you drive your vehicle into a car wash bay, where it stays still. The large automatic cleaning machines move back and forth in the bay, spraying and washing your vehicle. These types of washes are the most common types offered by gas stations. Again, they are great for a quick clean-up, but the quality of the clean is often disappointing, especially with the “touchless” versions. These types of car washes can be a bit less expensive that a conveyor type car wash. You get what you pay for. $$ (BP)

We’ve saved the best for last: the self-service car wash! At a self-service car wash like Kirkwood Car Wash, do-it-yourself stations are provided for you to wash and detail your vehicle your way. Water, detergents and other detailing products are provided via a sprayer. The sprayer offers low pressure and high pressure sprays. Friction for scrubbing is provided by the offering of a hogs hair brush. Foaming cleaner is pumped through the hogs hair brush for a sparkling clean wash. The hogs hair brush is a very soft, non abrasive material that absolutely will not scratch or hurt the finish of your vehicle in any way. Extra products, like Armor All protectant and air freshener “trees” are available via a vending machine if you like. Vacuuming and carpet and upholstery shampooing stations are provided as well. At a self-service car wash like Kirkwood Car Wash you pay only for the amount of time you want to spend on your vehicle. Spend as little or as much time and money as you want or can at a self-service car wash — and get the job done to your satisfaction because you are the one lovingly detailing your own vehicle. At a self-service car wash you can also wash your antique or vintage vehicle, your motorcycle, your bicycle or other vehicle that wouldn’t trust to an automatic system or in someone else’s care. This is the most economical choice of all the vehicle washing options available. $ (Kirkwood Car Wash)

Check out the cool pictures!

http://leahandmark.com/intern/ashley/2010/08/09/u-ganda-love-this-carwash-2/

http://architecturetourist.blogspot.com/2010/07/kirkwood-firehouse-mosaic-by-deanna.html

Stuart acquired the abandoned wash in 1997 and was open for business early 1998.

One important figure in the success of the car wash has been Jerome Ford. A lifetime resident of Kirkwood, Jerome was the first person that Stuart met in Kirkwood! Ever since then, Jerome has been helping out at the wash — and also at Fire Station #18 — on a daily basis.

Kirkwood Car Wash was a pouring station again this year for the Kirkwood Wine Stroll on June 18th. The gathering in Bay #1 was even more successful than last year, the inaugural year of the Stroll.

Vote for Kirkwood Car Wash on Facebook.

As always, “Thanks for Honoring Thy Auto @ Kirkwood Car Wash!”