Exterior Car Wash Package in Chicago - $100, at Your Door
Our Full Exterior Wash package is $100 and takes about 1 hour. It's a full hand wash of the exterior - paint, wheels, tires, and glass - performed at your home, office, or job site anywhere in Chicagoland. No drive-through, no drop-off, no waiting room.
Is $100 a lot for a car wash?
For a tunnel wash, yes. For a mobile hand wash, it's in line with the Chicago market - mobile hand washing generally runs $75–$150 in the area, since a technician, equipment, and supplies come to your address rather than you driving to theirs.
Here's the comparison that actually matters:
Feature | Exterior Wash | Exterior Detail |
|---|---|---|
Drying | Blow-dry, spotting common | Hand-dried microfiber |
Missed areas | Rockers, wells, jambs | Cleaned |
Swirl mark risk | High | Minimal |
Method | Brushes or harsh chemistry | Two-bucket hand wash |
Your time | 20–40 min drive, queue, wash | Zero - you don't leave |
Cost | $15–$30 | $100 |
What the $100 package includes
Pre-rinse and foam to lift loose grit before anything touches the paint
Two-bucket hand wash across the full exterior - one bucket for soap, one to rinse the mitt, so grit never gets dragged back across your paint
Wheels cleaned individually with wheel-safe products
Tires cleaned and dressed with a non-sling finish
Wheel wells rinsed
Exterior glass cleaned streak-free, including mirrors
Hand dry with clean microfiber towels - no air-blast drying spots, no water streaks
Door jambs wiped
Why hand washing beats the automatic tunnel
Automatic car washes are quick and cheap, and they cost you in ways you notice about a year later.
Spinning brushes hold grit. Whatever came off the car ahead of you is still in those brushes when your paint goes through. That's where swirl marks come from - the fine circular scratches you see on a dark car in direct sunlight.
Touchless washes use harsh chemistry. Without contact, they compensate with strong alkaline detergents that strip wax and sealant and dull trim over time.
They miss things. Lower rocker panels, behind the wheels, mirror housings, the fuel door - the places Chicago road salt actually accumulates.
Blow-dryers leave spots. Water pushed into panel gaps drips out afterward and dries into mineral streaks.
Hand washing with the two-bucket method takes longer. That's the point.
When you need more than a wash
The $100 package cleans your car. It doesn't correct paint. Book exterior car detailing instead if:
Your paint feels rough or gritty after washing - that's bonded contamination the soap can't remove
You can see swirl marks or light scratching in direct sun
The finish looks dull or chalky
There are water spots that don't wash off
It's been over a year since wax or sealant was applied
You're heading into winter and want salt protection on the paint
Want interior and exterior in one visit? That's our Full Custom Detail, from $325.
How often should you wash your car in Chicago?
Every two weeks in winter, monthly the rest of the year.
Winter is the non-negotiable part. Road salt and brine sit on lower panels, seams, and the undercarriage, and salt corrodes metal continuously as long as it's there. A car washed every two weeks from December through March will show meaningfully less rot at the rocker panels and wheel arches over a decade than one washed twice a season.
Spring adds pollen and the last of the salt residue. Summer brings bug splatter, which is acidic and etches clear coat if it bakes on, and bird droppings, which can mark paint within days in July heat. Fall brings tree sap and leaf tannin on street-parked cars.
Book online at any time, or call (915) 383-2277
Pick your location - driveway, office lot, garage, wherever the car is
We arrive with everything [VERIFY water/power requirements]
About an hour later, you're done - no need to be present if we can access the vehicle
Serving Chicago and the suburbs
"I made an appointment and he showed up exactly on time. They brought everything they needed with them, so I didn't have to arrange for drop off and pick up. He did a wonderful job for a reasonable price." - Mary H., Glenview, IL
"I found Chi-Town Mobile Wash on Yelp, and was impressed by their excellent reviews. They were communicative, friendly, and my car looks fabulous. Highly recommend, I will definitely be using them again." - Katie S., Park Ridge, IL
Frequently asked questions
Is the exterior wash the same as detailing?
No. The wash removes surface dirt. Exterior detailing removes bonded contamination, corrects light paint defects, and applies protection - it takes two to four hours instead of one.
What if it rains on my appointment day?
We'll contact you to reschedule. Washing in active rain doesn't produce a good result and isn't fair to charge for.
Can you wash my car in winter?
Yes, in above-freezing conditions. In hard freezes, water freezes on panels and in door seals, so we may need a heated garage or a reschedule. Winter is exactly when washing matters most, so we'll work with you on timing.
Do I need to be there during the wash?
No, as long as we can access the vehicle. Many customers book it while they're at work or inside the house.
Do you need access to water and electricity?
[VERIFY - answer precisely. If self-contained, say: "No. Our vehicle carries its own water and power, so all we need is a parking space beside the car." If not: "Yes, we need access to an outdoor spigot and a standard outlet."] This is one of the most-asked questions about mobile car washing, so answer it exactly.
How long does the exterior wash take?
About 1 hour for a standard vehicle. Large SUVs, trucks, and heavily soiled vehicles take somewhat longer.
What's included in the exterior wash package?
Pre-rinse and foam, a two-bucket hand wash of the full exterior, wheels cleaned individually, tires cleaned and dressed, wheel wells rinsed, exterior glass cleaned, and a hand dry with clean microfiber towels.
How much is a mobile car wash in Chicago?
Mobile hand washing in the Chicago area generally runs $75 to $150. Chi Town Mobile Wash's Full Exterior Wash package is $100 and takes about an hour, performed at your home, office, or job site.