It’s the old question again: which car wash gives the best result? A gantry car wash or an express tunnel wash? The populair German consumer program Markt wanted to know the answer and sent two identical cars to a local German car wash for a test. It makes for an interesting view.

In the 8-minute long video, we learn that the program makers have used two identical sparkling white vehicles for their test. Expert Michael Walter has been asked to judge the result.

As a car wash specialist, he knows exactly where the potential weak spots on a vehicle during a car wash are. Often, some dirt remains around and under the headlights, under the handles and at the top of the rear window,

Walter carefully applies smear and dirt on those areas with a small paint roller. Afterwards he uses a white tissue to check if any dirt remains.

Results

Although no clear winner emerges (both the gantry and the tunnel do a fine job), the wash results are slightly better both times after choosing the more extensive programs. At tunnels, the pre-wash can make a huge difference too.

To us, that seems like good news for car washes. It justifies selling premium wash programs to consumers. Simply because the end result will be better.

Watch the video (in German) here

Also read: 

• CWSE, report from day 1
• CWSE, report from day 2
• How to build better car wash managers