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Bubbles Car Wash
Categories: Automotive Car Wash Automotive Auto Detailing Car Wash, Auto Detailing [Edit]
696 W El Camino RealSunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 733-1424
65 reviews for Bubbles Car Wash
65 reviews in English
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Review from Linda M.
Los Altos, CA
3/9/2012
Took my husband's new car in and wow, I was so impressed. He wanted it hand washed but we didn't know where to take it. Did some surfing and found Bubbles. What a great gig! There were some spots they missed and were anxious to make me happy....I will be returning with my car since it isn't that much more than going to some of the other brush-focused car washes (Lozano, etc.).
So glad I found this place...I would highly recommend it! -
Review from Keith H.
Saratoga, CA
3/9/2012
I wish I read Warren A's review a little closer
They left a huge hand print on my brand new leather seats from tire polish. I hope I can get it out. They tried to rub it out with some cleaner It looked like it was gone, but it came back by the time I got back to the office.
First car wash. I told them. Its brand new please treat it with care I'm going to notice anything wrong with it right away. -
Review from Red D.
Cupertino, CA
4/11/2012
I brought my mom's Buick there. It had been sitting under a tree for several months and was looking pretty bad. They spent a lot of time vacuuming under the trunk & hood to get all the crud out. They got all the tree sap droppings off the windshield. It was truly impressive when it was all finished. Five stars and two thumbs up!
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Review from Esenbek K.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/28/2012
not the best place to wash car, spots on windshield, from inside and outside, many spots from water, pieces of towels, they cleaned my steering wheel with chemical that makes my hand wet while driving. Not the best place to wash your car until you do care about it. If not and you really need just to wipe dust from it, it's a perfect place.
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Review from Devrim T.
Cupertino, CA
4/12/2012
The owner or the manager said he was going to charge me 4-5 dollars more because my car has snow dirt on it. I thought he was kidding but it turned out he wasn't. The workers have done decent job though but didnt like the manager's or owner's attitude at all. Never gonna go that place again.
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Review from Warren A.
Santa Clara, CA
10/18/2011
I have come here about 12 times now. Every time it gets progressively worse. Twice I have had to return with my car because I would get home and notice a hand print made form tire polish on the hood or side.
Last three times my wheels have not been cleaned, and would have massive black spots of brake dust on them still, They are simple 5 spoke wheels.
The past two trips I have not seen the usual manager or owner(?) working and this leads me to think the new manager is letting things slip. I went last time in the middle of the rainy days just to get the build up off, I was the only customer. It took them 45 minutes for a basic wash (most days I am in and out in under 25).
I really liked this place when I started coming here, I would have given it 5 stars. But now I am feeling like 2 stars is exaggerating. I hope they bring the quality back up because I did really like this place. -
Review from Andrew D.
8/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
If I'm too lazy to wash my car, I'll take it to Bubbles. Good price and they do an excellent job. I will either asked for the exterior only wash ($7.99) or the Works ($29.99). The standard wash ($14.99) will leave you disappointed because they do not clean the cracks and doors/trunk jams inside. Think of it as a quick exterior and interior wash.
The exterior only wash is cheap, really quick but don't expect your car to be flawless. It's just a quick wash making your car not looking like a hoopty. This package does not include armor all anywhere but you be out of there in less then 15 minutes.
The Works package keeps your exterior and interior looking new and shiny. The extra $15 from the standard package is a huge upgrade to the interior. Armor all is applied everywhere inside, including the leather seats and tires too. They have this powerful vacuum machine that sucks everything from the cracks. The whole wash can take up to 30 minutes, depending on how busy they are.
Be prepare to wait a little longer then other places. They don't have like five guys cleaning your car at once. It's either one or two the max. They offer free popcorn and coffee, so it's all good. -
Review from Lauren S.
Mountain View, CA
10/13/2011
First couple times we've come here they've done an excellent job. This weekend the bf took his car here and while the car was clean the wheels were left pretty dirty - this was for the $14.99-ish wash.
Yesterday I took my car over during the day - I was the only car there at the time other than 2 cars that they were finishing up on. I was there almost an HOUR! But when it came out from being washed (45 minutes after I got there) - they had it all dried off within like 5 minutes. Usually they take so much more time on that part of the deal. When I got home I noticed a big spot on the hood that hadn't been washed so I had to clean that off myself.
Wheels were left filthy on my car too. I think they just use a hand mit and wipe off the surface of the wheels - any grooves or recessed portions don't get any attention.
I don't think I'll come back here. Guys are nice. Cashier's could be friendlier. It wouldn't kill you to say hi back, smile, something other than just pulling money through your window and then pushing change and the receipt back though it. -
Review from Aliza P.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/6/2012
A friend borrowed my car and took it here as a surprise thank-you.
And it was quite a surprise -- when they cleaned the clutter out of the passenger compartment, they also threw away my driving glasses, my Rand McNally book map, an unpaid ticket, an envelope of car registration paperwork, a small pillow, and who knows what other stuff.
Yes, they threw out my prescription glasses.
Gee, thanks. -
Review from Gary P.
Santa Clara, CA
2/9/2012
I am glad I didn't read the reviews on here first. I brought my Saturn Vue here for his first wash. I was really impressed. I sat outside and watched them dry and detail my car. They took their time and dried off spaces I wouldn't normally pay attention to, I.e- gas cap door, lifted tailgate and got up by roof latches, etc... It did take about 45 min, but if they're doing a great job, I don't mind waiting, esp for $15.99! what impressed me the most is the manager coming to inspect my car and making sure it was dried completely. Not sure if he was just double checking the guys work because he's new or not, either way I left a happy camper and will bring my baby back again and again.
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Review from foodie c.
Mettawa, IL
4/11/2012
Good place, nice service. Go here instead of some random place.
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Review from Karin R.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/12/2012
The guy said you have to wait 45 min for an exterior wash when it doesn't even look the busy. What the.... poor job. They finished earlier than 45 minutes but didn't do a good exterior job which was about $14-15 including tip! They didn't even get into the frame around the grill in the front of my car where I needed it to be cleaned.
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Review from Therese P.
Mountain View, CA
2/5/2012
The inside of my new car smelled like mold and mildew for a week and a half after going there. I was even there first thing in the morning so it seems that they used dirty rags from the previous days. As someone else wrote too, it took about twenty minutes to just rinse the car off with the power washer... it is a new car so I didn't understand what took so long. This is NOT a quick wash place, I was there for about 45 minutes.
As with several others that have written reviews here, my encounter with the Manager or Owner (?) was a very unpleasant experience. He was rude and condescending. -
Review from Sameer S.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/30/2012
$25 to wash just the outside of my Lexus IS250. Why? because the manager said the car looks more dirty than regular. Who is he to judge?? Where does it say at their rate was at the discretion of the manager? The sign said car wash for $8.99 and I wanted that deal. But the manager was very rude. I think he wanted to charge me more because he saw the car I was driving and thought i was gullible. I would not use these guys. Bad customer service, false advertising and overall felt duped. Ugly experience, real ugly experience. Btw. Used them before once and the guys do a decent job, but the manager was not working then. But never again.
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Review from Arek S.
Mountain View, CA
8/1/2011
I take all our cars here religiously for a wash and wax. If you care about your paint / clear coat it is a relief to know that Bubbles only does a 100% hand wash. The owners are nice guys and they make sure that everything is done right. I "almost" feel bad sometimes for those doing the work when they crack the whip to ensure nothing is missed.
TIP: You might have to wait a little longer than most car washes but a quality hand wash is well worth the wait! Bring your laptop or tablet as they have free WiFi to help you kill time. -
Review from Abhishek P.
Dublin, CA
10/2/2011
I went in and showed him the problem I was having. I had tree sap on my car that wouldn't wash off. He put me in for a wash plus a hand wax saying it would definitely remove it. I ended up paying extra plus the tree sap did not wash off. I was very disappointed with that.
The workers there really do a good job though. They work like they really care and do not leave spots behind. The only reason I don't want to give them more stars is because the manager did not give me the right add on even for the extra money i was willing to pay. One of the workers told me a clay wax would have done a lot better to my car but it would have been great if i knew that at the beginning.. so yea, i did not get the value for my money. -
Review from Mingjun C.
Palo Alto, CA
3/10/2012
It's a good place to wash car. They use 100% hand wash to make car clean and new~I advise you to come here get car wash!!
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Review from Doug T.
Santa Clara, CA
12/27/2010
I liked it! The lot was large enough to wash my lifted F250 and what else can I say, they cleaned my truck. The truck was taken up to the snow and it was filthy. Bubbles washed off the dirt , wiped down the interiors and dressed up the tires.
I don't want to wash it, I'm too lazy.
So Bubbles gets a Woohoo! As good as it gets! from me. -
Review from Sabrina A.
San Jose, CA
10/18/2010
It's ok . . . . but not a place I'd go out of my way to make sure I came back.
At 8:30am on a Saturday morning I was the 2nd car here and a man ushered me into the line as I pulled into the lot. He seemed ok, little odd though and mentioned to me my car was really dirty, Um, yah, that's why I brought it! I chose the standard inside and out $14.99 wash. It only took about 20 mins and so I waited on the old, fading, ripped black couch outside and played games on my phone.
I didn't expect a great job but it was just ok. The outside was pretty good but the inside was a little lackluster. I went through with a cloth when I got home to get into some places and wash off the dash. Again I wasn't expecting perfection but i've had better for the price. Eh . . . -
Review from Michael B.
Mountain View, CA
6/16/2011
I've been to most of the car washes in the Mtn View/Sunnyvale area, but I come here religiously.
They're not the fastest car wash. They are one of the most thorough though. For the price, you can't really beat their service, whether you're going for a wash only or full detail.
The last time I went here, I didn't feel like they didn't do their job as well as they could have. But, I admit I did stop by right before closing and ordered a clay and wax.
I just wish there were a Starbucks or Peet's nearby. -
Review from R K.
Santa Clara, CA
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
A bit on the slow side but a GREAT car wash for a decent price
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Review from Sanjeev K.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/11/2012
They do a good job. Attitude of owner is very good. He had his crew work on my car when it was almost closing time. Bit pricey as compared to the competitors but nonetheless they do a great job.
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Review from Teju A.
Mountain View, CA
1/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Straight up sevice with no fuss. No fuss also means no shelter/ little office for you to sit in while your car is getting washed.
The little patio table & seats would probably be great in Summer, but If like me you go on a rare cold California Winter day, bundle up or freeze at your own risk. ( Or run into one of the stores across the street)!! -
Review from Mek S.
Sunnyvale, CA
8/18/2010
Don't go here if you have an expensive car and really care about it. The workers here don't really know how to separate the drying cloth for wheels and for the body of the car. My Lexus IS got zigzag scratch marks on the trunk. It seems that there were some small stones in the drying cloth and they rubbed it on to my trunk.
The scratch was into the premier now I will have to wait for more scratches then I will go to the body shop to fix them all in one batch. -
Review from Jeff L.
San Jose, CA
7/6/2010
For 40 bucks, I expected a lot more. Streaks everywhere. Water dripping from the cracks after driving home. Unwiped waxed in places. Where's the due diligence??
They place some of my items on the floor in my center console - Good job guys. But.. why did they vacuum up all my change? Should I really tip if they vaccum up all the money I spill on the floor?
They got everything done in less than an hour which was good, but they don't do a air pressure wash along the cracks to get rid of the excess water. So when I left, I had drip marks all along the doors and trunk. As the sun shined on my car, I saw there were excess wax or unpolished wax bits around the car. Very disappointing.
Interior was good. They wiped down the interior well... except for the fact that they also wiped the ArmorAll on my windows and didnt bother to clean that up.
I ran my car through a car wash a month after that and was more satisfied there than what these guys did. -
Review from Mike P.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/14/2010
Thanks for the Wash & Wax!
Fast & Friendly with an emphasis on the little details!
They use an an air blower to remove excess water from the mirrors & trim so drips won't mess up the fresh hand wax.
I will refer!
M -
Review from Israel Z.
San Jose, CA
10/14/2011
This place its great. I went there couple days ago and I ask for the works wash. And man they did a great job they take there time to make sure it is spotless. I have been to many car wash places and always something was duty because they are always rushing and they don't pay attention but this time I couldn't even find a duty spot. It was a great experience and I will definitely come back.
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Review from Kirsten C.
San Francisco, CA
6/15/2010
I went in today to get my car washed. I chose to do the wash and detail in side for 29.99. They did a good job for the price. The only reason Im not giving them more stars is that it was only supposed to be 30 mins an ended up being 45 and I had to point out a few spots that they missed. They happily re-washed/polished those areas that they missed.
I find it really hard to find a good car wash in the area without paying an arm and a leg. So for what I paid versus what I got, I would come back here again. -
Review from Bebe C.
Santa Clara, CA
5/12/2009
If you care about your car, then remember that "hand wash" doesn't necessarily equal quality. Bubbles has the tools do do a good job, but is lacking knowledge about detailing.
When I first pulled up, a guy met me by my car to show me a listing of the different services they offered, as well as pricing. He looked at my car, then said "Wow, your car is dirty!" And then he proceeded to rub his finger back and forth on the hood. This was something like mental nails on a chalkboard for me. I brought my car over to have the layer of crap washed off, not rubbed in to create a million little scratches.
While my car was being washed, I sat on the little patio they had set up with chairs and tables. One of the workers ended up calling me over to my car to demonstrate clay-barring. I told him I had had it done before and didn't need a demonstration, but they did it anyway since they were set to upsell me. When they were doing the clay bar demo, I noticed a chunk of stuff still on my car, and asked if that could be cleaned, and the man assured me they would take care of it.
They waved me over when my car was "done", and the chunk was still there. I once again asked them to clean it off, and a woman took a spray bottle full of blue fluid and started spraying away and trying to scratch it off with her nail. I would have explained that window cleaner is meant for windows, not paint, if I had a more extensive spanish vocab. Since I don't, I had another little mental freak out and ended up telling her it was fine. I finished the cleaning job at home myself.
On the bright side, my carpets were clean. And the ring I left in the change tray was still there when I got my car back. -
Review from tara d.
San Jose, CA
9/20/2010
I highly recommend Bubbles Car Wash. They do a very detailed job with cleaning your car. The prices are reasonable and they aim to please their customers.
I went in with scratches and a really dirty car. I told them I was tight on time. They went on a mission to accomplish what I thought impossible in 1hr and a half. I was astonished when my car looked like new, with all my scuffs and scratches all gone and shiny, my interior sparkling.
If you want to have a good hand wash car wash with great customer service then you have to make time to go bubbles car wash. -
Review from vin k.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/20/2009
Their prices are decent, but don't expect A+ service. Their cleaners are very amateurish at best. While I was there, I noticed a guy in a white shirt (seems like he was the most fluent in English) trying to over-sell to a woman in a mercedes. It looks like he got a little annoyed when she didn't fall for it.
This is not a good sign, even if customers don't take your offer, you should still try and keep a professional demeanor. I was spying their detail service center, which is a little more than a parking space with detail equipment on wheels.
I don't think I will come back here. Shady business ethics are things I don't appreciate. -
Review from greg w.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/18/2011
I went to this car wash last Saturday and they did an excellent job for the 14.99 car wash I had done. The guy that dried the car and cleaned the inside really did a great job. I think he must have spent 10 minutes cleaning the inside and i just have a 2000 honda accord. i don't know if all the workers are as good as this guy I had,but I will go back.
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Review from Neha S.
San Jose, CA
9/8/2011
In short: reasonable rates, good customer service. They do care, just talk to them if you have any issues.
I went there last Fall or winter (2010), I think, and had decided to write a review which has been pending since then...until now. I needed to get my car cleaned only from the inside. I searched online but did not find any car wash which offered only inside cleaning so I decided to go and talk to them personally. I went there since it was closest to me. It was a very slow day for them due to weather. The place was empty. If they did not have the "OPEN" sign lit, I would have thought, they were closed.
So, I went and asked the manager (or owner perhaps) if they would clean my car from inside only and how much would they charge for it. I mentioned that I did not need them to clean every nook and cranny inside and not the trunk either but I did need good vacuuming and wiping down dashboard and windows, etc. He agreed to do it for $8 which was in the ballpark of what I had in mind so I agreed.
The job was done as expected. While a guy was cleaning my car, I started talking to the manager/owner. This is when I learned that he would like his customers to talk to him if they had any problems. For example, if there were coins on the floor that got sucked in the vacuum, they would be happy to get it out for them and that even though they took great care while cleaning, if they caused any damage to the car, they would get it repaired at their expense and showed me a flyer of a repair shop they dealt with. Though, from other reviews, I get the impression that they are pretty careful and haven't damaged people's cars :) but its nice to know that they take responsibility.
This is what I liked most about them that they care!!! So, if I went there and am not satisfied with the job, I could talk to them. -
Review from Matt L.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/11/2011
They did a fairly good job for the price ($15.99) - for the basic job. They were very thorough and demonstrated care. I'll most likely return for my next wash.
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Review from Juliet C.
Mountain View, CA
3/4/2009
Bubbles Car Wash is the best! They wash and clean your car like you would- if you weren't being a bum and paying someone to do it! Compared to the other places on El Meano they are the best hands down. Get the punch card- buy 10 get on free! It's worth the wait.
I imagine as the grow- and when the weather is better they will speed up the process. -
Review from Jackson M.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/22/2010
Excellent work!
First they vacumed my car out like it has never been vacumed before. They took time with the floors, seats and all the little spots where dust and dirt are hidden. The great vacume job left the car smelling fresh and clean.
The hand wash job and quick spray on wax was excellent. The windows were crystal clear.
The car was dry and ready for me very quickly - considering what a thorough job they did. -
Review from Andy H.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/2/2011
If you need a quick and simple wash of your car, here's the place. The hand wash is OK, not very careful with drying the windows, still water marks left. and the trunk wasn't clean thoroughly. Has a nice wait area with plenty of seats and watch your car being cleaned.
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Review from Lisa C.
Sunnyvale, CA
7/12/2011
Yes, folks you will have to wait bait longer but as many have pointed out this is a true HAND wash and the attention to detail for the $29.99 Works option is a good price and far better the Leronzo up the block where one tends to feel like cattle in the que. I will be going back to Bubbles from now on.
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Review from de f.
San Jose, CA
8/8/2011
Bubbles is great. I always get great service here and my car is nice and clean. The full service hand wash for 14.99 is what I always get, they do a great job ...much cleaner than other places.
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Review from Dan C.
Sunnyvale, CA
7/5/2011
My favorite car wash. I go here less than I do Lozano's, due to intermittent cash-flow; but when I've got the money but don't have the time to do it myself, I come here with my laptop and get work done while they do a great job.
First off, this is a true hand-wash place. They use a pressure wand for initial spray down and then rinse, but the rest is cloth-to-clear-coat. They are pricy ($30 for basic wash), but you get what you pay for. Additional detailing options are usually tacked on at $30 per service. If going for the whole detailing package, I tend to go to AJ in San Jose. But for a la carte add ons (such as polish and wax), Bubbles is my first choice.
I've always had good communication with the manager, and never felt shortchanged. They take quite a while, but are comparable to other places that do real hand-wash. If you want quick, you need to go to places that run your car through a machine (which risks scratches). If you want it done right, you'll need to give them some time.
