Learn More About THE BEST Car Wash: Thomas Car Wash

To Our #WashLocal Friends, family and customers...

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 14:13:32 GMT

When our family first started Thomas Car Wash, no one really understood why.

"Carwashing? Who would want to do that? You want to clean cars for a living?"

However, our family pushed forward. Little did they (and we) know of what would come.

The first carwash in Louisville.

In Kentucky.

In the Southeast.

And one of the first in the United States.

All started by 3 brothers who decided to do something no one else wanted to do.

Fast forward 78 years, and we have become the oldest carwash business in the United States , right here in Louisville, Kentucky.

Over the years, we've had more fun times, memories and stories than we can remember. Some of our favorites:

1. Uncle Nick (Nick Thomas) closing up shop when it rained and then playing cards with the crew for hours;

2. Planning the region’s first Haunted Carwash - bringing in people from as way away as Chicago and Atlanta;

3. Throwing team events at Churchill Downs, TopGolf and more to celebrate their hard work;

4. Hearing stories of current customers who’s grandparents washed with us back in the day;

5. Building washes all throughout Louisville, serving millions of customers throughout the years.

And so many more.

Throughout this time, we've put our blood, sweat and (sometimes) tears into this business. Family events were always planned around the wash hours, with many working holidays, weekends, late nights and more.

As Eli, Mike and Alex get older, the more they realize how precious and short our time here on life is. After much thought and consideration, the Thomas family has decided to take a break.

We will be retiring the "Thomas Car Wash" name & Louisville locations starting

January 10th, 2024.

Why? Because Eli & Mike want to *actually* retire this time; Alex wants to spend time with his growing family; And most importantly, we know how proud Tom, Nick & Eli Thomas would be to see everything we've accomplished because of them and would want us to enjoy making memories outside of the wash.

So, what's going to happen?

1. Thomas Car Wash Louisville locations will be transferred to new owners - Whistle Wash - effective January 10th, 2023. While our name will remain on buildings for up to 6-12 months, we will no longer own these businesses after the 10th. Our Bardstown Road location will remain closed indefinitely.

2. Every one of our crew will have the opportunity to stay with Whistle Wash. We have told everyone that works with us. Absolutely no layoffs have happened under Thomas management.

3. All customers plans will transfer to Whistle Wash ownership after January 10th, 2023. All single-wash tickets & gift cards with "Thomas Car Wash" marketing will be accepted at our current locations until 12/31/2024.

4. Eli, Mike, Alex and the Thomas family will catch up on some much-needed time together.

5. Carwashing is still in our blood. Who knows what we'll end up doing later on - stay tuned on that one!

To our crew who has become our family:

Words cannot accurately express how much we love and appreciate each and every one of you. From late nights to early mornings, and all the crazy weather in-between, being able to work with some of the most kind, hard-working people Louisville has to offer has been amazing and we are so grateful. We have no doubt we have the best crew in the state, and know that each one of #TeamThomas will do great things. We cannot wait to see it all unfold, cheering you on from the sidelines. We love you all.

To all our customers who have become our family:

We want to personally thank you for your support. From just driving to wash with us, to telling your friends and family to "Take it to Thomas" - we would not even be writing this if it wasn't for you all. Getting to see and talk to our regulars throughout these years is something so rare nowadays. We are forever grateful for the laughs, the stories, and the quick "Hey how you doing!?"

While we know how bittersweet this ending is, please know this isn't a final goodbye, it's a "see you later.”

From all of us at Thomas Car Wash, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for choosing to #WashLocal.

Love,

-Eli, Mike, Alex, and the Thomas Family

Why does Louisville have so many car washes? And why are more coming?

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:53:22 GMT

Why does Louisville have so many car washes? And why are more coming?

We were so happy to talk with The Courier Journal about the latest boom of carwashes in the Louisville area - a boom we've seen throughout our 75+ years in business. Below are some highlights of the interview, with the full interview here !

How many car washes are there in Louisville?

Yup! We have a full-service detail shop, offering anything from minor paint touch-ups to a full interior and exterior detail in both Louisville as well as Nicholasville, KY. Our Louisville location is at our Preston Indian Trail location, open Monday-Saturday, 7-5:30PM. Our Nicholasville location is at 218 Blueberry Lane, open Monday-Saturday 7-5:30.

Both locations can detail vehicles ranging from vintage to the latest model, as well as motorcycles and large vans. We've got you covered!

Why are there so many car washes in Louisville?

Between 2015 and 2017, the car wash industry saw the emergence of private equity firms as players in what used to be a local, mom-and-pop industry. Private equity firms are known for buying and selling businesses in an effort to make more money for the firm than what it initially invested in the business. With car washes moving to fully automated, express services and monthly membership plans, these seemingly small businesses became more lucrative in the eyes of private equity.

Where are most of Louisville's car washes located?

High traffic volume is essential for any car wash. According to data from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet , Shelbyville Road near Lexington Road and Frankfort Avenue averages 35,000 vehicles daily. Preston Highway from Parkway Village to the airport averages 16,000 vehicles daily and Taylorsville Road from Breckenridge Lane to South Hurstbourne Parkway gets 27,000 vehicles daily.

Is there room for more car washes in Louisville?

"I don't think we're there yet. We're not saturated," Thomas said.

Where can I book a find a Thomas Car Wash?

S ee all of our locations here !

New Member Perk: 20% off ALL Detailing Services!

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 21:05:26 GMT

Unlimited Wash Members can now enjoy 20% off all detailing services with us!

Save money, stay spotless with our Unlimited Wash Plan. Not only can you wash your car as many times as you'd like when you have a monthly membership with us, you can now get a great 20% discount on any and all detailing services , just by being a member! See below for the specifics of this offering

(as well as a way to activate a membership *wink wink* ��)

Wait, you all have a detail shop?!

Yup! We have a full-service detail shop, offering anything from minor paint touch-ups to a full interior and exterior detail. It's located at our Preston Indian Trail location, open Monday-Saturday, 7-5:30PM. We can detail vehicles ranging from vintage to the latest model, as well as motorcycles and large vans. We've got you covered!

I wash my car enough, why would I want a detail anyway?

G reat question! A routine detail can not only make your car look off-the-lot clean, but it can also extend the life of your vehicle. Detail services protect your vehicles paint, remove rust and erosion, keep it free from buildup of brake dust, engine exhaust, help survive weather changes and more. These deep cleanings help your vehicle continue to run well and can extend the lifetime of your vehicle (not to mention resale value if you want to trade it in!) We recommend detailing your vehicle once a season to help keep it running in top shape.

Good to know. Now, how do I go about getting this Detail discount?

This d iscount is available for any and all ACTIVE Unlimited Wash Members. All you'll need to do is call to schedule a detail appointment, and mention that you are an Unlimited Wash member! We will look up your account to very you are active, and then apply the discount once your detail service is complete. Simple as that!

And it's good for any Detail Service?

Correct! This 20% discount is good for any detail service needed - please see our list of Detail Service offerings here

How many times can I use this deal?

As long as you remain an active member with us, it's good for however many times you'd like to get a detail!

What if I'm not an Unlimited Wash Member?

Don't worry, you can active a plan here ��

LAUNCHING: Business Plans!

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 20:28:23 GMT

A new unlimited wash offering here at Thomas Car Wash - BUSINESS PLANS!

Whether you have a small business or large, we are now offering you an easy, convenient way to keep your vehicles clean through our recently launches Unlimited Wash: Business Plan memberships.

This idea was started really from our customers, who didn't have the requirement to apply for a Fleet Account but did have multiple vehicles for their business that they were looking to keep clean. Our Business Plan is similar to our Family Plans but are designed for vehicles whose drivers do not live in the same home as each other. One vehicle will pay full price, additional vehicles can be added for $5 off whatever plan they go with.

See below for the specifics on how they work, and feel free to reach out with any additional questions!

WHAT IS IT?

Our Business Plan is a monthly wash subscription for business that have multiple vehicles who want to use the Express Wash regularly. Pay once a month and have all your cars wash unlimited - the primary vehicle at regular price and each additional vehicle gets $5 off.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

One monthly payment will cover all vehicles. The first car pays full price for the unlimited wash plan of their choice and each additional vehicle gets $5 off the normal unlimited wash membership price. All cars receive a sticker to put on the windshield and all vehicles get the same wash.

HOW DO I ENROLL?

To enroll, just come into any of our Express locations, bring the credit/debit card we have on file for your primary vehicle, and then we can add and activate business vehicles. If you drove the new vehicle to sign-up, we can put the sticker on right then and there. If not, bring the new vehicles in for a wash to activate.

PRICING EXAMPLE

Christmas Day: CLOSED

New Year's Eve: Closing at 4PM

New Year's Day: Opening at 10AM

Note - will be closing early on Dec. 21st for our Holiday Party. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate with the entire #TeamThomas family!

*Hours subject to changed based on inclement weather conditions*

We wish you all a happy and safe 2022 Holiday and look forward to seeing you in the new year! P.S. - if you're looking to get the car lover in your life a great gift, we offer wash books and gift cards that can be used for single wash or detail services - check it out today!

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

Newsletter Sign-Up

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 20:26:15 GMT

Thomas Car Wash Newsletter Sign-Up - stay up to date about everything that goes on at Thomas Car Wash by subscribing to our newsletter.

Thomas Car Wash Wins Courier Journal "Best of the Best" for 2022!

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 20:40:32 GMT

�� Two years in a row - WE WON! ��

We have officially won best carwash in Louisville AGAIN - all thanks to our amazing #WashLocal community!

We are excited and proud to announce that we have officially been named The Courier Journal's 2022 "Best of the Best" winner in the carwash category !

This is a community choice contest in which members of the Louisville, KY area vote on "best" services and businesses within the area. We competed with other carwashes around the city, and were chosen as the "Best Carwash in Louisville"!

We could not have won this award without the amazing support of all our #WashLocal customers. Still being a small, family-owned and operated business after these years is because of people who go out of their way to come wash with us. It means the world to us that everyday, people choose to spend time at our washes, sometimes driving out of their way to support us! Knowing this makes this award that much more special.

From our customer service to our equipment, we strive to have every person have a positive experience with Thomas Car Wash. We truly believe in the saying "people will never forget how you made them feel" and hope that you see all the hard work we have put into bringing that saying to life.

Our customers are our lifeline of our business, and from all of us at Thomas Car Wash, THANK YOU for choosing us as best carwash in the city, and thank you for choosing to #WashLocal!

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

How to Protect Your Car in the Summer

Tue, 17 May 2022 16:41:23 GMT

Summer is here, how can I protect my vehicle?

Nothing feels as good as the Spring & Summer months approaching! The warm weather brings relaxation and vacation mode to a lot of people. We often prepare our vehicles for those harsh winter months, but what about when the summer heat comes? How can you protect your vehicle during the summer? Find out below!

The benefits of protecting your vehicle during the Summer are:

Protecting your vehicle paint

Washing your vehicle to knock the bugs, bird poop & pollen off is actually helping preserve your vehicle's paint. This every day "crud" that gets on your vehicle actually can erode your vehicles paint if left on for even just a short amount of time. The longer that "crud" stays on your vehicle, the higher your chances are of your vehicle's paint breaking down + that crud being stuck on there.

Protecting the underbody of your vehicle

Although there might not be any snow or salt on the ground, protecting the underbody of your vehicle still should be a priority during these warmer months with dirt (wet or dry) coating the underbody of your vehicle. As that dirt builds up, it makes your vehicle harder to turn and brake. Washing your vehicle with a wash that cleans the underbody of your vehicle makes sure you're riding smooth all year round.

How can I protect my vehicle in the Summer?

Frequent washing

Getting your car washed on a weekly basis can help protect it from the everyday summer grime. Whether it's knocking off the bird poop, bugs pollen or more, or simply making sure the underbody of your vehicle remains dirt-free, frequent washing can and will help protect the life of your vehicle! Want to wash with us? Find a location here!

Adding a ceramic wax

A ceramic wax acts as a topcoat for your vehicle. This extra layer of protection is added by our wash equipment as it goes through the tunnel. It helps protect your vehicle from the acidity of those bugs, slowing down the time they can eat into your paint, as well as protecting it against the heat of the summer sun. This ceramic wax is included on our $20 Ultimate Wash at our Express locations , and our $28 Ultimate Wash for our Full-Service locations . What's the difference between an Express & full-Service clean anyway? Find out here!

Getting an underbody wash

Making sure you choose a wash that includes the underbody cleaning of your vehicle helps protect it and keep it dirt-free. We offer an underbody clean in our $10 Classic Wash, as well as our $15 Works, or $20 Ultimate Wash for our Express locations . For our Full-Service washes, we offer this on our $18-28 washes as well. To find out the difference between these two wash services, check it out here !

Activate an Unlimited Pan

The best - and easiest - way to keep your car clean as often as you'd like during these summer months is by activating an Unlimited Wash Plan! Instead of paying every time you'd like to wash, simply pay once a month and receive as many carwashes as you'd like with us! Our plans range from $20-35/month, with our $20/month plan including an underbody clean, and our $35/month plan include both an underbody clean as well as a ceramic wax application. Find out more about our plans and active one with us today here !

What's the difference between an Express & Full-Service Carwash?

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 21:40:07 GMT

EXPRESS VS. FULL-SERVICE CAR WASH:

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

When choosing a car wash, it’s important to consider several factors in order to select what type of car wash that is best. Do you wash your car often? Have you waxed your car recently? Are you a solo traveler with a strict no-food-in-the-car policy or do you consistently have snacks, kids or pets roaming around in the backseat? At Thomas Car Wash, we strive to provide the best experience to our customers by offering a variety of options for routine car care.

Here are the key insights to what you can expect with our full-service car wash and express car wash options.

The benefits of an Express Car Wash are:

Exterior Vehicle Cleaning

Select a wash from our pay stations, enter the wash tunnel, and leave sparkling clean all under 3 minutes!

Time Efficiency.

On the go? Express is your best bet! Zoom through the tunnel in a matter of minutes and then be on your way. Don’t sweat the time it takes to clean your vehicle because you'll be in and out with a nice, clean car. Planning on frequent visits? Consider value-priced unlimited car wash plans and cruise through the tunnel as often as you want!

Tunnel Technology

Our automation software is advanced. The vehicle profile detector (VPD) maps out a sonar image of your car so the machines can accurately clean your vehicle safely without any worry of missed spots on your car.

Perfection to your Standards

Express car washes are ideal for someone who wants to clean their car on their own terms! Our tunnel wash uses reverse osmosis (RO) water along with Neo-Glide brushes, high-quality soap and waxing products to enhance shine and clean off dirt and bugs. You’ll receive free materials, like our handheld vacuums and rubber/carpet mat cleaners to ensure you leave with your car looking exactly how you want it.

A fun (and safe) experience.

It’s always fun to come to the car wash! Kids love rolling through the tunnel and watching the neon-colored experience of cleaning your vehicle. It's one of the few chores that has a show built in.

What can I expect from a Full-Service Carwash?

Vehicle Cleaning: Inside and Out

With a car wash and quick interior vacuuming, window wiping and dusting, our full-service car washes cleans your vehicle from the inside out so that your car’s wheels, doors, console and dash will be sparkling clean. You can even choose additional car wash services like tire shine and air freshener.

Quality Care

You’ll experience a more hands-on cleaning service for your vehicle. Our employees are trained professionals who have the tools to get the job done right. They use their knowledge of how to effectively care for your vehicle, but in a timely manner to get your back on the road quickly. With final review checks in place, your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Convenience.

The full-service car wash takes approximately 20 minutes start to finish to serve as an effective means to clean your vehicle inside and out. Relax in our indoor or outdoor waiting areas while your car is being cared for. We recommend two washes per month to keep junk buildup at bay.

Best option for routine car care.

Remember, a full-service car wash is different from a thorough (and more expensive) car detailing service . While full-service washes are comprehensive, old fabric stains and caked cupholders are likely to remain. This distinction is important because it means full-service washes are ideal for routine cleaning, and stain removal/deep cleaning are for a detail service.

Thomas Car Wash Selected as Honoree for Louisville Business First 2022 Family Business Awards!

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 20:44:11 GMT

Louisville's 2022 Family Business Awards Honoree

We have been selected as a 2022 Family Business Honoree through Louisville Business First!

We are excited and proud to announce that we have officially been selected by Louisville Business First as an honoree for their Family Business Awards !

Honoring a company with 51 to 150 full-time employees that demonstrates excellence in strategic planning, employee and leadership development, community involvement and an inclusive healthy culture.

We could not have won this award without the amazing support of all our #WashLocal customers and crew. Times have changed throughout our 75+ years washing cars but being able to remain a family owned and operated business has been a point of pride for us. This is because of people who go out of their way to come wash with us, and our crew that truly believes in our business style.

From our customer service to employee training, we strive to have every person have a positive experience with Thomas Car Wash. We truly believe in the saying "people will never forget how you made them feel" and hope that you see all the hard work we have put into bringing that saying to life.

Our customers and employees are our lifeline of our business. From all of us at Thomas Car Wash, THANK YOU for choosing us to not only be your carwash, but supporting our family business along the way by choosing to #WashLocal!

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

What's the difference between Interior and Exterior Detailing?

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 14:16:17 GMT

EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DETAILING

Many people think car washing and car detailing are one and the same. But this is not the case. Detailed car washing goes beyond the normal car wash to make a vehicle look spotlessly clean both inside and outside, removing stains and bringing back a vehicle's shine. Unlike car washing, car detailing involves a few hours of deep cleaning.

EXTERIOR DETAILING

Exterior car detailing is not just a quick wash of a car. A good car detailer will make the car gleam, minimize surface scratches, and should always apply a shielding paint sealant.

The common exterior process includes:

Hand/Buff Wax– After a car has been used for a while, it is normal that it loses its polish or shine. Therefore, in this process, the original polish is restored.

DynaGlaze – To give the car a glossy shine, a sealant is applied, and in some cases, wax can be used.

Other exterior services that can be done include repainting, engine detailing, headlight polishing, engine pressure cleaning, and paint touch up.

THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT:

INTERIOR DETAILING

Interior detailing involves cleaning the inside of a vehicle. Some of the components found in the interior cabin include leather, plastics, vinyl, carbon fiber plastics and natural fibers.

The common interior process includes:

Stain Removal– We use deep cleaning techniques to remove any stains from milk, pens/markers, paint, you name it, no matter how long they've been there.

Carpet/Seat Shampoo – If you're needing to deep clean your seats to get rid of any stains or smells, we've got you covered! Our safe, yet-effective shampoo cleaners allow for us to remove unwanted odors and stains while preserving your interior. Note - all interior cleanings do come with exterior wash.

THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT:

FULL-SERVICE DETAILING

Needing both the inside & outside deep cleaned for your vehicle? We've got you covered!

This service includes:

HAND WAX
SHAMPOO CARPET & MATS
CLEAN WINDOWS IN & OUT
CLEAN DOOR JAMBS
AIR VENT BLOWOUT
VINYL/UPHOLSTERY CLEANED
ULTIMATE WASH

THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT:

INTERIOR VS. EXTERIOR DETAILING:

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Car detailing is divided into two components: interior detailing and exterior detailing, and full-service detailing. Exterior Car Detailing restores the car's surface to the original condition and may include products like polishes, wax, detergents and degreasers. Interior detailing is about cleaning the inner parts of a vehicle: vacuuming, wiping and conditioning leathers and vinyl, carbon fiber plastics and natural fibers. A full-service detail includes both!

What can I expect from Interior Professional Detailing?

Vehicle Cleaning: Inside and Out

When you get professional car cleaning, we vacuum carpets and seats, steam-clean fabric seats, clean the windows, counsel, door jambs, and all vehicle surfaces, condition any leather, and do what we can to make the inside of your vehicle look as good as the outside.

Quality Care

You’ll experience a more hands-on and quality cleaning service for your vehicle. Our employees are trained professionals who have the tools to get the job done right. They use their knowledge of how to effectively care for your vehicle.

Extends Life of Vehicle

Getting a detail on your vehicle once every 6 months can help extend the life of the vehicle and help save you money in the long term!

Best option for routine car care.

While full service car washes are comprehensive, old fabric stains and caked cupholders are likely to remain and that's what we can help solve with interior detailing. Our interior detailing includes:

Vacuuming – The first step to cleaning the interior of a car includes vacuuming seats, headliners, rear cargo area, trunk and shelf. To get the best out of vacuuming, floor mats and the vacuum should be cleaned separately. As for the difficult areas that cannot be reached using a vacuum, an air compressor can be used.
Brushing and Steam Cleaning – This is used to clean carpets and mats. A thorough scrubbing is done on the mats in order to remove any stains and blemishes that may have accumulated over the past years. To be more effective, a steam-cleaner should be used. However, carpets should be left to dry completely to avoid mildew.
Glass Cleaning – A glass cleaner is used to clean the glass. It ensures that the glass remains sparkling and ensures the driver’s view is not obstructed.
Leather Trimming – A leather cleaner, saddle soap and leather soap are used to clean all the leather parts. As for the soapy areas, a damp cloth is used to remove the excess soap. If the leather is dry, a conditioner customized for leather can be used to make cleaning more efficient.
Re-Vacuuming and Wiping – Re-Vacuuming is important just after vacuuming. Any dirt left in the interior cabin is removed. Dashboards and windows should be wiped clean with a clean cloth using a cleaning detergent. After all this is done, a car’s original shine is restored.
Perfuming – Finally, to leave the car with a good scent, a deodorant is used in the car.

What can I expect from Professional Exterior Detailing?

Exterior Vehicle Car Detailing

Exterior detailing services clean the exterior of a vehicle only. Exterior detailing involves cleaning, and either restoring or exceeding the original condition of the surface of the car's finish (usually a paint with a glossy finish), chrome trim, windows, wheels, and tires, as well as other visible components on a vehicle's exterior. Our exterior detailing service gets you professional car care results at a fraction of the cost. Upgrade your wash with a little extra shine with an exterior detail. Thomas Car Wash offers detailing at our Preston Indian Trail location.

Exterior Detailing Services

If your car needs extra attention to detail, select from some of our other detailing processes like tar removal and bug splatter, detailing the engine, polishing headlights, washing windshields and wiper blades, and cleaning the car’s wheels and tires.

Hand Wax
Buff Wax
Minor Paint Touch-Ups
Tar Removal

Perfection to your standards.

While professional automotive detailing can seem a bit costly to clients, it’s well worth it. Firstly, it will maximize the vehicle’s lifespan, especially since the wheels and chassis are vulnerable to salt and dirt when in use. Secondly, it will improve and prolong the vehicle’s resale value when it comes time for the owner to sell, even despite the years and mileage the vehicle already has. As a result, interior and exterior detailing are both important parts of keeping cars looking good and staying valuable. Exterior detailing isn’t simply a brief wash of the outside of a vehicle. Rather, it’s a more complex, intensive detailing of its exterior components. A vehicle will no doubt see its share of road salt, rocks, gravel, and/or dust from construction areas. Exterior detailing can help greatly improve its outward appearance by using products like degreasers, waxes, and detergents.

Our Bardstown Road Location is OPEN!

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:58:03 GMT

We're excited to announce that our long-standing Bardstown Road location has RE-OPENED - read below to see the upgrades we've made!

New Equipment, new style, same Thomas.

What did we change?

We've gone EXPRESS at Bardstown! Just like our Thomas Car Wash locations on Hurstbourne and Fern Valley, this Bardstown Road spot now offers:

Exterior-style Cleaning : With brand-new tunnel equipment, Thomas Car Wash on Bardstown Road gives you the same Thomas-standard clean, at half the wait! Tire shine, ceramic wax, Bug Prep & more, our brand new, state of the art washing equipment can get your car cleaned to the Thomas standard, in 3 minutes!
FREE, self-serve vacuums : This location now offers free, self-service vacuums with any wash purchase! You don't have to pay by the minute with our vacuums. Simply purchase a wash ($7-$20) and use our vacuums for however long you'd like to clean the interior of your vehicle. (Did we mention our vacuums are also brand new?)
Unlimited Wash Plans : Pay once a month, wash your car as many times as you like at our Bardstown Road location! Now built to easily read and/or activate our Unlimited Wash Plans, this Bardstown Road location is yet another spot anyone in town can swing by and get a clean ride. Learn all about our monthly plans here !
FREE, self-service mat cleaners : On top of our free vacuums, we offer free rubber and carpet mat cleaners for you to use!

Why did Bardstown Road go Express?

Long story short, Eli Thomas wanted to retire, & this is the way the industry is going. That's it. ��

"The only thing for certain is change."

What are Bardstown Road hours now?

Thomas Car Wash on Bardstown Road is now open Monday-Sunday, 8AM-8PM, rain or shine!

NOTE - We will close in cases of inclement weather, and or tunnel equipment maintenance.

How can I get to Thomas Car Wash Bardstown Road?

S o glad you asked!

Locate d at 4139 Bardstown Road - click here for directions!

What are the benefits of an Unlimited Plan?

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:12:54 GMT

What are the benefits of a monthly subscription to a carwash?

Listen up & we'll tell ya!

Unlimited Wash Plans are a popular monthly subscription programs that allows customers to pay once a month and wash their car as much as they like. Think of it like the Netflix for carwashing.

Why would I want a monthly carwash plan?

In a world where everything is being automated, carwashes are adapting to it! Here are some benefits to having an Unlimited monthly plan:

Ease of use : Long gone are the days where you're panicking to get the pay station to work so you can get through and stop holding up the line. *Everyone has this thought, right? * You'll no longer have to worry about pulling up just to realize you forgot your wallet at home. As long as your credit card is active, your plan is active!
Efficiency : You can use an Unlimited Wash Plan at any carwash location you have it with, as many times as you like! Unlimited Plans also allow you to simply pull up, let a gate scan your sticker, and *poof* move on through the line! No more scrambling to get your wallet out and pay or debating what wash you're wanting to get. In, out, and on your way!
Rainy Day washouts no more : Nothing is worse than getting your car washed, only to have to rain/snow the next day. Car washes no longer give out rainy checks, so you can be left feeling like you just wasted your money. However, with an Unlimited Wash Plan, those rainy days? Fah-get-about-em! You can simply come back through once it's cleared up and have your car looking brand new in no time!

How does an Unlimited Wash Plan work?

Once you're activated, we put a little sticker on the bottom part of your windshield, and one in your car door jam. You pull up to any location in any lane, the gate reads your sticker and opens when it's your turn. With us, there really is no limit on the number of times you can use it, so feel free to run it through as much as you like anytime, any day.

How does billing work?

Pretty simple actually!

With us, all we need is a credit or a debit card to put on file. You're charged the day you sign up, and once every 30 days after that.

It is automatic if you don't touch it, but you're free to cancel anytime you'd like.

If there comes a time when you don't want to use it anymore, that's totally fine! Just give us a call, email us or simply pop up to any of our locations before your renewal date and we can cancel you right then.

If you'd like to restart it back up later, just keep the sticker on your windshield and we'll reactive you whenever you like!

Want to activate a plan?

Now that you have the details, let's get you activated!

Simply click here , choose the plan you'd like, and purchase it online. Next time you come to any of our Express locations , simply show them your purchase receipt and we'll take care of the rest. If you don't pull up in the vehicle you'd like the sticker on, we'll hold the sticker for you for when you come back with the right vehicle. We're pretty easy to work with (perks of being a small business!)

How to Get Tree Sap Off Your Car

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 23:01:55 GMT

Trees are great!

Tree Sap on your car? Not so much.

Have black spots all over the roof of your vehicle? Chances are, you're looking at tree sap. This pesky material can be difficult to get off your vehicle without some old-fashioned elbow grease, but we're here to show you some options on getting it off.

What is Tree Sap?

We often get the question "what is this?" as customers point to their roof or the sides of their vehicle, and more often than not, it's tree sap.

Tree sap is basically "the blood of a tree" - which sounds a lot more gross than it actually is. It comes from, you guessed it, any tree, and you can get it just from a short stay under a tree! It drips from a tree, and can quickly harden on your vehicle. It looks like small, black or clear, hardened spots on your car. Think of it like a hardened mist over your car!

Will a carwash get it off?

Express and Full-service carwashes are known for cleaning, but there are some things that even these high-pressure water and strong soaps can't remove, and one of those things is tree sap unfortunately.

You'll need friction to remove tree-sap. Strong cleaning soaps and air just won't remove this stubborn stain. Carwashes may knock some of it off, but thinking you'll get rid of all of it by taking it through a carwash is, unfortunately, not happening. We wish though, that would make our life a lot easier!

So, what will remove tree sap?

While a simple carwash might not be able to remove tree sap, a detail service will!

Detailing allows us one-on-one time with your vehicle, where a detail shop crew member can personally work to remove the stains. We have a full-service detail shop that deals with these problems frequently, so we encourage you to give them a ring if you're wanting this pesky problem gone!

If you're looking for a more DIY solution, we encourage our customers to purchase Goo-Gone Automotive (online or at your local grocery store!). Spray a bit on the spots, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe away with a cloth towel

Looking to schedule a detail service?

We have a full-service detail shop at our Preston Indian Trail location!

Our detail shop is open from 7AM-5PM, available for drop-off's, and cars are usually ready within a day or two.

If you've washed with us, you know we put time and effort into making sure your vehicle comes out looking new. Our dedicated detail service crew is properly trained in detailing services for a wide range of vehicles (from vintage to luxury and everything in-between). Read below on how to schedule an appointment with us!

SCHEDULE A DETAIL SERVICE

Wanting a detail service? Take it to Thomas!

Call (502) 618-4764
Ask for Mike, our Detail Manager, and talk about what you're looking for
Bring your vehicle in where you'll get an exact quote and timeline on when it can be done
Drop it off or sit and wait in our Detail Lobby
Enjoy your refreshed and restored vehicle!

To find starting prices, check out our detail page here: Thomas Car Wash - Preston Indian Trail

Thomas Car Wash Wins Courier Journal "Best of the Best"!

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:38:36 GMT

�� WE WON! ��

We have officially won best carwash in Louisville thanks to our amazing #WashLocal community!

We are excited and proud to announce that we have officially been named The Courier Journal's 2021 "Best of the Best" winner in the carwash category !

Our customers are our lifeline of our business, and from all of us at Thomas Car Wash, THANK YOU for choosing us as best carwash in the city, and thank you for choosing to #WashLocal!

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

Why Would I Need to Detail My Car?

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:53:27 GMT

Whether it's spilled milk, coffee stains or just some car "funk" you can't get rid of, a detail service is the deep clean you're looking for.

What's the purpose of a detail, & why should you get one for your vehicle?

DETAIL vs. CARWASH

What's the main difference between a detail service and just a regular carwash?

Let's break it down.

With a "regular" full-service carwash, our crew will wipe down your interior with a microfiber cloth and vacuum your mats. This will clean up any loose dirt or dust, and might work fine for you! However, if there are any stuck-on stains, they won't come off with a regular wash.

A detail service can help remove stains, such as pen marks, drink or grease stains, and more. A dedicated crew member trained on proper interior stain removal will have the time to remove these stains, leaving your car back to brand new.

BENEFITS OF A DETAIL

What are the benefits of getting a detail service for your vehicle? Find out below!

1. Protecting your vehicle

Regularly scheduled detail services can actually help protect your vehicle! For example, stuck on bugs, or tree sap can actually eat into the paint of your car, and ruin the paint job. A detail service can properly remove these stains, and preserve the life of your vehicle.

2. Maximize Resale Value

With a detail service, the interior will be deep cleaned, mats will be scrubbed, air vents blown out, hand waxes will be applied and more. All of these one-time investments can help maximize the value of your vehicle if you're looking to sell it, either by yourself or an auto dealer! When your car looks brand new in the inside and out, you'll be able to ask for a higher price.

WHERE TO GET A DETAIL

Looking for a detail service?

We have you covered!

We have a full-service detail shop at our Preston Indian Trail location! We offer interior cleaning, exterior cleaning, or both! (Called a full detail). Our detail shop is open from 7AM-5PM, available for drop-off's, and cars are usually ready within a day or two.

SCHEDULE A DETAIL SERVICE

Wanting a detail service? Take it to Thomas!

Call (502) 618-4764
Ask for Mike, our Detail Manager, and talk about what you're looking for
Bring your vehicle in where you'll get an exact quote and timeline on when it can be done
Drop it off or sit and wait in our Detail Lobby
Enjoy your refreshed and restored vehicle!

To find starting prices, check out our detail page here: Thomas Car Wash - Preston Indian Trail

Difference between Express, Full-Service & Detailing

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 18:00:18 GMT

One of the biggest questions we get from our customers when we explain the type of carwashes we offer is “well what’s the difference?”

And, to be honest, if we didn’t work in this industry, we would be confused too. I mean, a carwash is a carwash, right?! *wrong*

Continue to read as we explain the difference between all these washes!

There are 3 main types of carwashes you’ll see around town. They are:

Full-service
Express
Detailing

(yeah, there’s a few in-between, but those are the most common in our area.)

So, what’s the main difference between these? Let’s start off with the most long-standing style: Full-Service

FULL-SERVICE CARWASHES

These are the traditional, “old-school” style carwashes you probably grew up knowing. This is where you pull up, get out, (kindly) tell the attendant which wash you’d like to get, and they handle the rest. The crew will vacuum out the inside for you, take it through the tunnel, and towel-dry it, all while you sit back and enjoy! This style started way back in the 1920s, and while is still around, is not common anymore. Nowadays, we’re seeing the industry go to a faster, “in and out” type of style. This isn’t to say they’re going away anytime soon! But, if you pay attention to all the new washes going up, you’ll see they are all “express style,” which is what we’ll explain next.

EXPRESS CARWASHES

Also known as “Automatic carwashes,” this is the most popular style of carwash today. Designed with your time in mind, these carwashes are meant to get you in and out in under 5 minutes, with top-of-the-line-equipment. Here you will pick the wash you’d like, stay in your vehicle as it goes through the tunnel, and then use the vacuums yourself. There are (usually) self-serve vacuums for you to use, along with monthly plans you can purchase (more on this later). With us, we offer free, self-serve vacuums with any of our washes! Others offer pay-by-the-minute-style vacuums, either with the wash or by itself.

The idea behind these is that our customers are wanting a quicker-style wash, where they don’t need to get out if they don’t want to, and can clean up the interior of their car to their own liking. This is what the majority of our carwashes are now, ( Hurstbourne , Preston Fern Valley and, most recently, Bardstown ) but we still have two full-service locations - Preston Indian Trail and Nicholasville!

DETAILING

Have a stain, chip or just looking for a deep clean? You’re looking for a detail service my friend!

Detail services are where you’re looking to get rid of that weird stain you have in your car, that smell from when you dropped milk, or those paint chips from driving on the highway, and more. Here you’ll drop off your vehicle, wait for a few hours while a detail service attendant works on your vehicle, and then come by and pick it up when it’s done! With us, we offer interior, exterior, or full-detail services on top of carwashing . *Bonus – every detail with us comes with a free, Ultimate wash.* Detailing services are becoming more popular, with mobile detailing on the rise. The benefit of detailing with a carwash company, however, is the fact that we have been around cars our entire life, so we know a thing or two about cars. ��

Whether it’s full-service, express or detailing, here at Thomas Car Wash, we’ve got you covered! We offer all these styles of washing, and have been for over 75 years . In the words of Farmers Insurance, “we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.”

Learn More About THE BEST Car Wash: Thomas Car Wash

To Our #WashLocal Friends, family and customers...

We will be retiring the "Thomas Car Wash" name & Louisville locations starting

January 10th, 2024.

So, what's going to happen?

Why does Louisville have so many car washes? And why are more coming?

Why does Louisville have so many car washes? And why are more coming?

How many car washes are there in Louisville?

Why are there so many car washes in Louisville?

Where are most of Louisville's car washes located?

Is there room for more car washes in Louisville?

Where can I book a find a Thomas Car Wash?

New Member Perk: 20% off ALL Detailing Services!

Unlimited Wash Members can now enjoy 20% off all detailing services with us!

Wait, you all have a detail shop?!

I wash my car enough, why would I want a detail anyway?

Good to know. Now, how do I go about getting this Detail discount?

And it's good for any Detail Service?

How many times can I use this deal?

What if I'm not an Unlimited Wash Member?

LAUNCHING: Business Plans!

A new unlimited wash offering here at Thomas Car Wash - BUSINESS PLANS!

WHAT IS IT?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

HOW DO I ENROLL?

PRICING EXAMPLE

2022 Holiday Hours

PRESTON FERN VALLEY

HURST ﻿ BOURNE

BARDSTOWN

PRESTON INDIAN TRAIL

NICHOLASVILLE

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

Newsletter Sign-Up

Thomas Car Wash Wins Courier Journal "Best of the Best" for 2022!

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

How to Protect Your Car in the Summer

Summer is here, how can I protect my vehicle? ﻿

The benefits of protecting your vehicle during the Summer are:

How can I protect my vehicle in the Summer?

What's the difference between an Express & Full-Service Carwash?

EXPRESS VS. FULL-SERVICE CAR WASH:

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The benefits of an Express Car Wash are:

What can I expect from a Full-Service Carwash?

Thomas Car Wash Selected as Honoree for Louisville Business First 2022 Family Business Awards!

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

What's the difference between Interior and Exterior Detailing?

EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DETAILING

EXTERIOR DETAILING

INTERIOR DETAILING

FULL-SERVICE DETAILING

INTERIOR VS. EXTERIOR DETAILING:

﻿ WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

What can I expect from Interior Professional Detailing?

What can I expect from Professional Exterior Detailing?

Our Bardstown Road Location is OPEN!

What did we change?

Why did Bardstown Road go Express?

What are Bardstown Road hours now?

What are the benefits of an Unlimited Plan?

Why would I want a monthly carwash plan?

How does an Unlimited Wash Plan work?

How does billing work?

How to Get Tree Sap Off Your Car

What is Tree Sap?

Will a carwash get it off?

So, what will remove tree sap?

SCHEDULE A DETAIL SERVICE

Thomas Car Wash Wins Courier Journal "Best of the Best"!

VISIT A THOMAS CAR WASH TODAY

Why Would I Need to Detail My Car?

DETAIL vs. CARWASH

BENEFITS OF A DETAIL

1. Protecting your vehicle

2. Maximize Resale Value

WHERE TO GET A DETAIL

SCHEDULE A DETAIL SERVICE

Difference between Express, Full-Service & Detailing

There are 3 main types of carwashes you’ll see around town. They are:

HURST BOURNE

Summer is here, how can I protect my vehicle?

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?