CAR WASH Magazine is the leading trade magazine for the professional car wash industry, and it has been serving that industry since 1973. It is published by the International Carwash Association, and it is written for the people who own and run car washes, not for the drivers who use them. That matters, because a magazine written for the industry tells you how a car wash works, how much it costs to run, and what makes a good wash, and that is what you need to know if you are thinking of opening a car wash, or if you want to know whether the wash you use is any good.
What it covers
The magazine covers the business of car washing, from the equipment to the chemicals to the customer service. It reports on new car wash technology, on the best ways to wash a car, and on the trends that are changing the industry, from waterless washes to express washes. It also publishes profiles of successful car wash owners, and it reports on the awards that recognise the best washes in the world. Action: if you run a car wash, read the magazine each month, and look for one idea you can use in your own wash, because a small change in how you wash a car can make a big difference to your customers.
The awards that matter
The magazine is also known for its awards. It runs the CAR WASH Magazine Awards, which recognise the best car washes in the world, and it also runs the Most Valuable Carwasher award, which is given to the person who has done the most for the industry. The awards are a good way to find a good car wash, because a wash that has won an award is a wash that has been judged by its peers, and that is a better guide than a sign on the road. Action: if you are looking for a car wash, check whether it has won an award, or whether it is a member of the International Carwash Association, because that is a sign that it takes its work seriously.
Who should read it
This magazine is best for a reader who owns or runs a car wash, or who is thinking of opening one. It is less useful if you only want to know how to wash your own car, because its focus is the business, not the driveway. If you are a driver, it will still help you understand what a good wash looks like, and what to look for when you choose a wash, because a wash that is run well is a wash that will look after your car. For more sites that help you research a car before you buy, see our guide to the best websites to research a car before you buy, and use it to check the car you are buying, so you know what you are paying for.
How to use it in three steps
Step one, read the magazine’s latest issue, and look for the trends that will affect your wash, or the wash you use. Step two, look at the award winners, and see what they do differently, because a good wash is a wash that has been thought about. Step three, visit a wash that has won an award, and see for yourself what makes it good, because a wash you can see is a wash you can learn from. That order, read, look, then visit, is how you turn a magazine into a lesson in how to wash a car well.
Frequently asked questions
Is CAR WASH Magazine only for car wash owners?
Mostly, yes. It is a trade magazine, written for the people who own and run car washes. A driver can still read it, and learn what makes a good wash, but its main reader is the industry.
Can I subscribe to CAR WASH Magazine?
Yes, it is published by the International Carwash Association, and you can subscribe through the Association, or read it online. A subscription is worth it if you run a car wash, because it will keep you up to date with the industry.
Does it cover car detailing?
It covers car washing, and it also covers some detailing, because a good wash is the first step in detailing a car. If you want to learn about detailing, look for the magazine’s articles on paint protection and on interior cleaning.