I love TOP Express Car Wash because it's employee monitored! The employees are quick and efficient, and will assist customers (especially the first timers) who are confused at the payment kiosk because they don't know what to do or expect.
Customers first drive through the entry driveway that leads to the payment kiosks. All first timers and customers getting single washes must stop at the station to pay after selecting one of the four levels of car washes, from the Basic Wash to the Tip Top Wash, each having a different price point. To add on even more decision making for customers, each person has to choose whether they want to buy a single wash or purchase a monthly plan. The monthly plan allows customers to wash their car one time per day. Of course, the monthly plans cost more than a similar level of car wash. However, if the customer plans to wash their car at least twice a month, the monthly plan would be less expensive than paying for only single car washes. Customers who buy monthly car wash plans pass through the payment gate quicker because the multiple cameras not only detect your car plate and verify in the system their monthly plan is valid, but it also automatically programs the car wash system for the car wash level. Simply, customers with a monthly plan drives up to the station, the gate/arm goes up, and the customer drives to the automated car wash.
An employee is always at the entrance to the car wash tunnel, indicating to customers which way to steer to get the front tire aligned with the automated track that moves the car through the tunnel, and pre-wets the vehicle with a hose. Customers must disengage the brake and put the vehicle in neutral. Each phase of the car wash tunnel that the customer paid for based on the car wash level will start its operation, and this will continue all the way through the tunnel until the customer receives a green light at the very end of the tunnel, indicating that it's safe to drive forward. Customers should be aware that spinning brushes (I'm not sure what they're made of) are used here. We've come to TOP Express at least 6 times so far, and haven't seen any scratches on the car.
Customers can drive to the drying/vacuuming stations and park until they're done hand wiping their own car, and or vacuuming it. A vacuum hose is on each side of the car, and these are industrial strength. Make sure to keep all pets, kids, clothing, money, and anything else you don't want quickly disappearing into the vacuum void. In black plastic bins attached high off the ground are clean dark towels that are damp that customers can use to wipe down their vehicles. Customers put their used towels into a separate red plastic (looks like a) trash can with a hole cut out in the middle of the lid. There is also a mat cleaner. I used it once, and it didn't make a difference in cleaning compared with using the strong vacuum. At the wiping/vacuuming area are spray bottles that customers can use to clean their windows and hard plastic interior parts. Customers can stay as long as it takes for them to vacuum and wipe down their cars. I haven't seen any employees tell anyone to leave.
If you don't like to physically wash your car but don't mind doing the wiping down and vacuuming afterward, this is the place to go! read more