Car Wash Gift Cards Make Great Valentine’s Gifts

Car Wash Gift Cards make a great gift for Valentine’s Day

Car Wash Gift Cards make a great gift for Valentine's Day

Give the gift of a clean car for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and we wanted to suggest giving the gift of a clean car.  Pamper your sweetheart or loved one with a car wash gift card and help make their vehicle really shine.  A giftcard can help them to clean, protect and rust-proof their car.  It can also ensure that the vehicle looks nice when you go out on your Valentine’s Day date.

The road salt used to keep us safe in winter while driving is highly corrosive and can cause serious wear on a vehicle clear coat and paint and accelerate the rusting process on a vehicle.  By washing frequently and using high quality soaps and waxes, and washing the under body, you can better maintain your vehicle and help prolong the appearance of your vehicle from environmental damage..

We Sell Gift Cards at our locations in Lawrenceville, Snellville, and Conyers, GA.  Our cards never expire and can be used for both our Soft Cloth Automatic Tunnel Washes and our full-service washes*.

Order a car wash gift card online or stop by today and get your Valentine’s Day shopping done early.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Lighthouse Express Car Wash.

*Full Service Car Washes and Detailing currently available at Lawrenceville location.

How To Get The Most Out Of An Express Car Wash

Express Car Wash 101
Will the car wash effectively clean my car? Is the car wash safe? Will the car wash scratch my car? What kind of chemicals are they using? Is it better to hand wash or use a tunnel drive thru car wash? Is it better to wash my own car or take it to a professional car wash?

These are all questions a customer may have when deciding to wash their car. For starters check out why you may always want to use an eco-friendly professional car wash to wash your car instead of washing your car at home.

Tri Color Conditioner

Once you’ve decided that it is a good idea to wash your car at a professional car wash, you may wonder which is more effective for your particular automobile: A hand car wash or express car wash. If you’ve decided that an express car wash is the most convenient and effective way to go, you should know a few things:

For starters, it’s important to know if a car wash regularly maintains their car wash equipment using professional car wash technicians. All car washes are not the same, and some do not take as much pride in their car wash facility or equipment that will affect the quality of the car wash. If an express car wash is maintained in optimal condition you can be confident that the tunnel car wash will be safe and effective in washing your car, truck, SUV, or other automobile.  We recommend using an express car wash that only uses high quality foam brushes and/or soft cloth brushes, and the best car wash equipment. Also look to see if the car wash is using brand name chemicals such as Black Magic Tire Shine, Armor All Professional, Rain-X, ZEP, Diamond Shine, and or Simoniz. High quality chemicals are important to ensure protection of the clear coat on your vehicle and will provide the greatest shine. One final thing to look for in a quality express car wash is to see if the attendants give the proper attention to preparing your car for entry into the tunnel.

What level wash should I buy?

At most express car washes you get what you pay for. Remember if you buy the cheapest wash package such as a $3 to $6 wash that an express car wash has to offer you are likely going to limit the amount of cleaning power, sealing, and drying. Most basic car washes will not offer any protection in the form of wax, conditioners, paint sealants, underbody wash, and some basic washes may not offer any cleaning of the wheels. At Lighthouse Express we take pride in offering quality washes in every package we offer and even our base wash is still a great wash but usually recommended if you only need a light cleaning. At Lighthouse we recommend our premium washes as they add significant value in the form of wax and sealant protection and shine. Review each package that a car wash has on their menu, and feel free to ask any questions to attendants or staff members. Look for brand names such as Black Magic, Zep, or Rain-X on their menu which usually are a sign the car wash is using high quality chemicals. The car wash packages may also include better prep by attendants and higher end chemicals and waxes that generally means a better, safer, and more optimal car wash process. I always get one of the top 3 premium packages when I drive my vehicle through an express car wash.

How to Safely Use An Express Car Wash

Here are some helpful tips to getting your car ready for an express car wash:

1) Check for loose parts and that moving parts are secure. Parts to check:
Wipers (front and rear windshield wipers)
• Wheel covers
• Fender covers
• Bumpers
• Antenna covers (e.g. shark fin, antenna bases, etc.).

Plastic pieces that are held on by adhesive get loose over time, particularly if you wash your car regularly. By assuring the plastic pieces such are secure you will minimize any potential damage or loss. If you have loose parts, ask the attendant if they can tape down the loose parts and/or set the tunnel wash to a safer mode setting to prevent possible damage and driver liability.

2) Remove or lower your antenna. Especially on busy days it may be wise to remove your own antenna before getting in line to go through a tunnel wash.

3) Fold in side mirrors.

4) Check your tire pressure and inflate if necessary. Often times, you will not notice deflated tires, and tires that are low in air may not get as efficient a cleaning and may have issues going through a wash that use rollers to guide vehicles through.

5) Prep your own vehicle especially if it is very dirty. Our express car washes have a prep area where you can remove bugs, road tar, tree sap, bird droppings, and mud. This space also provides an opportunity to apply a wheel cleaner on dirty rims for a more effective wheel clean. Remember, most tunnel washes are 2-3 minutes. If your car has been neglected, don’t expect a tunnel express car wash to do the same job as a car wash detail that takes a lot more time.

Express Car Washes are an excellent way to wash and maintain your vehicle‘s appearance. You may want to consider a monthly subscription to a car wash which is sometimes called an Unlimited Wash Club. I like to think of an express car wash doing about 95% of the work needed to maintain my car’s appearance, which saves times, money, and effort to maintaining my vehicle’s brilliant shine. Application of wax, conditioners, tire shine, and other elements add additional layers of protection. Know what you are getting and what you are not getting from an express car wash, and your car and wallet will thank you for many years to come!  Please contact us with any further questions or suggestions.  Thanks for reading and have a positive day.

-Brian Hah, Detail Manager at Lighthouse Express Car Wash
See also: How often should I wash my car?
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Best Of Gwinnett 2015 – Best Car Wash

best car wash lawrenceville, ga and snellville, ga

Lighthouse Express Car Wash Named Best Car Wash by Best of Gwinnett 2015

The Lawrenceville / Snellville Car Wash was named the best car wash in Gwinnett County by Best of Gwinnett 2015.

“We are humbled by the award and appreciate the recognition by our community! This award is a testament to our amazing fans and customers. Despite the many challenges this year, we have been encouraged by the support of our community and friends. Thank you!” says General Manager, Brian Hah.  The county of Gwinnett and Rockdale, GA will be happy to know, Lighthouse Express Car Wash has some even bigger plans for the 2016 year. Our motto to “Keep moving forward” is alive and well today and we aim to create an even more efficient, convenient, and excellent car wash experience for our most important asset – you. Yes, you, our amazing customers.  “We do not and will not take for granted the amazing opportunity to serve!”

So again, a big thank you to all our customers, fans, and friends for helping make the award possible and we look forward to serving you in the New Year.  Don’t forget you can find specials, car care tips by signing up for our monthly promotions.

Lighthouse Express Car Wash – Let your ride shine!

Best of Gwinnett 2015 - Best Car Wash

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4 Pro Tips That Could Prevent Damage To Your Car

Here are 4 Tips that can help you save your car’s finish and money

Q: I wash my car at home using a garden hose. Lately, the finish looks dull and marked. What could be wrong?

A: Washing your car at home is harmful to your car’s finish. Studies prove that a single home hand-wash can leave scratches in the finish as deep as 1/10 of the paint’s total thickness.

Also, the average garden hose cannot supply enough water and water pressure with the detergent action to avoid damaging a car’s finish. Only a professional car wash can provide the proper amounts of water, water pressure and the appropriate cleaning solutions to clean your car safely and effectively.

Q: Isn’t rain a natural, cost-effective car wash?

A: No! Rain and snow contain acid that eats away at the paint and finish of vehicles. After acid rain (moisture with trapped dirt and pollution) falls on a car, the water evaporates, but the acid (dirt and pollution) remains.

Concentrated by sunlight, this acid can become so strong that it will “eat” through the finish, ruining the vehicle’s paint and appearance.

Q: Is it true that my new car shouldn’t be washed or waxed for a certain period of time?

A: This may have been true a long time ago, but with the new modern acrylics and enamels, your new car’s finish needs tender care immediately.

Be careful to wash your car properly. Most new cars are treated with a clear coat finish. It’s important that you exercise extreme care – especially when washing your new car for the first few times.

Many initial washing errors result in water spots, setting stains and loss of luster. Without the benefit of protective coating layers that your car will receive over the years, mistakes made during the first few washes may not be correctable.

Should you decided to wax your car, use a wax that’s compatible with your paint. Check your owner’s manual and the wax’s label for instructions. The best advice is to trust your car’s finish to a professional from the beginning.

Q: Aren’t hand washings safer for my car and the environment.

A: No. Dirt that collects in wash water, sponges and chamois will scratch the paint. Hand washings use nearly twice the amount of water than professional car washes.

Cleaning solutions professional washes use are biodegradable and safe for the environment. Also, high-pressure water at self-serve and professional washes clean cars better and faster.

Also, professional car washes dispose of waste water correctly; waste water off driveways usually ends up in the water supply and pollutes lakes and streams.

Source Credit: carwashes.com

Park In The Shade

Hot Porsche

Porsche at Lighthouse Express

Park In The Shade

One of the best ways to keep your car interior looking like new is to avoid allowing your upholstery from baking in the sun.  Although it’s not always possible to park your car in a perfectly enclosed area or cool garage we recommend you to to look for shaded areas when you will be parking your car for any extended period of time. Not only will UV rays from the sun heat up your vehicle’s interior but can also cause unsightly damage to your dashboard and upholstery – leather, cloth, and vinyl.  Find a shady spot whenever you can and if a shaded area is not a possibility, consider utilizing interior car shades to block out harmful UV Rays from the sun. While the foldout shades may not look so cool the temperature inside your car surely will be and you’ll be thankful in the end.

 

We’re Always Working Hard To Improve The Car Wash Experience

At Lighthouse Express Car Wash we like to keep the mentality of “keep moving forward” in our minds as our motto.  With this mission statement and goal in mind, our customers are able to experience unparalled customer service driven by constant improvements to the car wash experience so that you, our most important asset, will be able to continuously enjoy the fruits of our labor.  We are pleased to share with you and inside look and sneak peak into some of our latest upgrades here at Lighthouse Express Car Wash and look forward to some even greater upgrades coming soon!

At your service,
Lighthouse Express Car Wash

#letyourrideshine #keepmovingforward #waitforit #haveapositiveday #lhecarwash

MORE PICTURES COMING SOON

How Often Should I Change Wiper Blades?

At Lighthouse Express Car Wash we enjoy sharing important car care tips to our fans, patrons, and friends.  This month’s car care tip deals with with wiper blades and how often one should change wiper blades and how to check the condition of your wiper blades. Hold on tight, because here we go!

The answer to how often one should change their wiper blades may vary based on weather conditions and how often one uses their wiper blades.  If you use a car wash often and add Rain-X or Hot Wax to your car wash, you may not have to change them as often (once every 1.5 to 2 years), whereas if you live in climate areas where there is a lot of rain and you need to use your wiper blades frequently, changing them every few months to every year may be wiser.  In any case, we recommend drivers exercise a few car care tips with regards to their window wiper blades to ensure safest and clearest driving.  Here are a few points and recommendations we suggest:

1) If you notice your windshield wiper blades leave streaks and smears, or if they make squaking, scraping, or vibrating noises when used (particularly when their is liquid on the glass) this may mean it is time to invest in new wiper blades. This will be especially important if your glass is untreated and you find yourself in a sudden heavy rain storm and you find yourself struggling to see out your windshield, and outside visibility is blurred you could need new wiper blades.

2) Like with most things in life, let common sense be you guide.  If you notice your windshield wipers not providing adequate clear windshield with each wipe you may be wise to invest in a pair of new wiper blades which can be purchased for $10 to $30 based on model and brand of your vehicle. 

3) Wiper blades should function to easily and swiftly clear water, snow and slush from your windshield. The importance of properly functioning wiper blades is especially true in areas where salt is used on the roads as dried salt can create a great deal of hindrance to visibility and make a windshield glass very unclear.

4) Another tip to check if your wiper blades need to be replaced is to pull your wiper arm away from the windshield and check for any tears, rips, or cracks in the wiper blade. Again, use common sense.  

Personally, I recommend replacing your wiper blades every year as ideal.  As mentioned earlier I make regular use of a rain repellant that is found in our Rain-X wash or you can opt to apply a rain repellant such as Rain-Vision (available in our detail vending stations) which can extend your wiper blade life since regular use of such treatments can minimize the need to use wiper blades.

5) One last tip we can offer before replacing any wiper blades is try wiping the rubber portion of the blade with a clean, lightly moistened towel.  Do not use any harsh chemicals which may further damage  and make sure the wiper arm isn’t bent or broken and that the blade sits snugly on the glass. Sometimes just lifting the arm off the glass and letting it snap back into place will make the blades seat more snugly on the glass and work better.

Remember folks, as we like to say at Lighthouse Express : safety first.  Wiper blades are an important piece to hardware in ensuring clear visibility while driving.  Windshield wipers are generally inexpensive, so LHE Carwash recommends you check them and replace them regularly.  Feel free to ask any of our car wash technicians for help should you ever need assistance to check or install your next set of wiper blades.  LHECARWASH CAR CARE TIP SUMMARY: When in doubt with wiper blades, do it now — before it becomes a problem. If you own an SUV, minivan or hatchback, don’t forget to check your rear window wiper blade as well!

If you enjoyed this car care tip or found it useful, please share via social media with your loved ones with #letyourrideshine and/or #lhecarwash.

#haveapositiveday

7 Scary Things About Driverless Cars.

​​driverless cars

Innovation excites us at Lighthouse Express Car Wash and when it comes to cutting edge technology this is not an exception. Sometimes though, some of the technological advancements can seem, dare we say, almost too over the top, like as if it was straight out of a science fiction movie. Lately, it seems more of the upcoming technology being presented by companies such as google and apple can be a little unnerving to some. Here are 7 reasons why driverless cars could be a little scary. 

1. They may be used for terrorism and help criminals.

Some researchers, including IHS Automotive, have warned that the technology of autonomous vehicles could be hacked by criminals to override safety features. Most alarming was a report in the Guardian detailing how the FBI fears terrorists might try to hijack the cars and use them as weapons.

 

 2. They may bankrupt cop budgets

Police departments across the country, especially smaller ones, often depend on the income they gather from ticketing motorists. In fact, about 41 million people a year are hit with speeding tickets, with more than $6.2 billion in fines, according to statistics gathered by the U.S. Highway Patrol.

But if self-driving cars don’t make highway mistakes — developers expect them to be able to eventually detect stop lights, speed limits and other road warnings — then tickets for running red lights and going too fast could become obsolete. It’s unclear how this could fully affect law enforcement, but there have been various reports over the years linking a department’s budget to ticket revenue.

 

 3. Glitches may turn them into zombie cars

There’s always the chance that a glitch in the vehicle’s complex sensors could lead to accidents, deaths and other problems. A malfunctioning robot car could end up lurching down a highway aimlessly or, worse, plow into another vehicle or pedestrians.

 

 4. People will trick them out to be hotel suites on wheels

The Rand report also poses that once the fatigue of driving is erased from the equation, people may opt to travel farther – and with all the comforts of home. “Autonomous cars may shift users’ preferences toward larger vehicles to permit other activities,” says the report. “In theory, this could even include beds, showers, kitchens or offices.”

5. Kiss car romance goodbye – no one will love them

Americans have always put their cars on pedestals, admiring and pampering them. But if robot cars are mass-produced under strict performance and design guidelines, each one looking just like the next, then where’s the lyricism, the romance?

Automotive analysts have long pointed out that many car lovers find one or a few models to obsess over, with their infatuation growing stronger over the years. Would they be so devoted to driverless vehicles that are more likely to be as anonymous as they are autonomous?

  

6. They will kill the classic road trip genre

The fabled “road trip” may also lose its special appeal when friends who usually share time behind the wheel are expected to become passive passengers in a driverless universe. Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” doesn’t sound as charismatic re-imagined as “In the Backseat,” suggests the Rand report.

  

7. People won’t own cars anymore

Some industry watchers believe autonomous cars will provide a new model of transportation that will give people little incentive to own their own vehicle. “Under this ‘Uber’ like scenario, the same autonomous vehicle could be called upon for the morning commute by a number of individuals with laddered arrivals, while the vehicle could remain ‘on duty’ for errands during the day as needed by others

source credit: Strawn & Co, Insurance

What do you think?  Are these possible outcomes consistent with reality or are they far fetched hosh posh?  Feel free to let us know in the comments below!  And of course, if you found this article interesting please share.

#haveapositiveday
#letyourrideshine
#lhecarwash

 

How to Safely Remove Ice & Snow From Windshield

how to remove snow and ice on windshieldIt’s snowing in Atlanta, GA so Lighthouse Express Car Wash wanted to bring you this car care tip to help keep you safe and visibility clear.  Since it’s been cold outside lately car windshields and bodies are vulnerable to frost, snow and ice forming which can not only be annoying but a safety hazard.  Ice forms on windows generally because of moisture in the air caused by the environment and/or any water that is present outside that finds it way onto the windshield. Freezing temperatures can cause the liquid to crystallize and harden.  Snow and ice on windshield should be addressed properly and promptly.  Rather than trying to scrape off the ice, which can cause scratches and damage to your windshield, or using the defrost functions on your car, or trying to rub off ice with your hands, try pouring some water on the glass.  The temperature of the water should be room temperature or warm for best effect.

We do not recommend hot water as this can lead to potential cracking or damage of the windows.  I usually use a bowl of water and just slowly pour on top of the windshield and the ice will usually instantly melt away.  Additionally, you can put water into a spray bottle and spray the ice away though I find this method to be more time consuming and tedious than just pouring water from a bowl.

QUICK TIPS:

1) Do not use hot water.

2) Using a car windshield wiper to remove ice is not recommended due to the potential for damage.

3) Use room temperature water or slightly warm water.  Even cool water will generally be ok (results may vary).

4) Fill a bowl or any container that can hold a few cups of water with roughly a quart of water.

What do you think?  Do you have a better suggestion or safety tip for removing ice and snow from windshields?  Feel free to comment below.

Be safe, stay warm, and be in the know friends and have a very positive day.

If you found this tip useful, please share with your friends.

February is Black History Month

black history monthFebruary is Black History Month and Lighthouse Express Car Wash wanted to recognize the great African American people who have helped form and shape this great country in which we live, the United States of America.  From the likes of George Washington Carver who was arguably the hardest working farmer to have ever graced our planet, to Rosa Parks who showed us all that equality is a God-given right for everybody, to the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen who demonstrated honor, skill, and courage in their fight for freedom, to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who showed us so eloquently through word and deed what it is to live the American Dream, we honor all the great historical figures that came before us.

This month at Lighthouse Express Car Wash, we would like to honor Black History Month by offering a gift to all for the entire month of February.  Simply show us this post and receive either a Free Car Wash Upgrade or a Free Car Wash Detail items with any car wash.  Expires February 28, 2015.

United We Stand.