The guy working there yelled towards me upon entering the apparent wrong entrance. I backed up and rolled my window down.. He told me I entered in the wrong way. I said i wasnt getting a wash, just using the vacuum area. He said it didnt matter and all traffic has to come in (via the Telegraph side) that way. Then he asked me to turn around and enter in that side. I was already in the car wash and no one else was there. No. I'm not doing that. He continued to yell and explain that everyone that comes to the car wash knows to enter in and exit through the appropriate driveways, and he pointed to the arrows painted on the cement. I said I'm already here, you really want me to leave and come back. YES he said. No. Bye bye. Gimme a break man. Someone talk to this man and not shoot business in the foot. read more

Clean, efficient, and eco-friendly--Solar Car Wash delivers a quick, thorough wash with reliable self-serve bays and fair pricing. The equipment works smoothly, the lot feels safe, and the solar-powered setup is a nice touch. A dependable spot for a fast, spotless clean. read more

Solar Car Wash - Car Wash Near Me - Oakland, California

This place closes way before the hours state. Would recommend owner to change hours if they plan to close early. Unprofessional.

Took a car to the MacArthur site. The prewash on bay #2 from the left not working. Ok. Used regular wash and rinse. Took the other car to bay #3. No soap at all. Paid $8 for a power rinse. Used their website to submit a complaint. Doesn't work. I'm done with them. Zero stars read more

i started using this spot about a year ago after going to those touchless places that are expensive $40+ a wash and your paint gets swirled. at solar, i bring my wash mitt, chamois and other supplies and have the satisfaction of washing it myself for $10-15. there's almost always an attendant, in case you need assistance. the concrete in the far left bay is has crumbled into pieces so watch your step to avoid turning an ankle read more

Tokens only machine took my tokens and would not give cleaning service, no staff member on site to get a refund or mediate issue. Will not be coming back. read more

I regularly attend this car wash due to location. Unfortunately the soap hardly comes out of the "wash" and "brush" options.

One bay is cash/tokens only and thus useless to most people. Every time I've been there it has gone unused while cars are waiting for the other three spaces. Hopefully they correct this soon but since it's been over a year already I don't have much faith that it will be. read more

I had a terrible experience here - would definitely rather pay to do a drive through car wash or a normal external car wash. I came to check it out because I needed a brief wash and when I was looking up places in the area the yelp check in for a free wash showed up. I thought I'd check it out and had nothing to lose. The yelp check in was a total scam. They have you check in and then fill out a google form. There were no employees present. I ended up paying $10 for a very mediocre experience - as other reviewers have mentioned I'm not sure if I was overcharged as the credit card reader did not provide clear feedback as to whether or not the transaction went through. I do not recommend. read more

Solar Car Wash - Yelp check in is a total scam - there was no "free wash" sent - Car Wash Near Me - Oakland, California

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wouldnt recommend if you are on a budget/ smarter. Initial charge is $6 for 5.30 minutes to wash your car. I have a small cat and I felt so rushed. you buy a fiber cloth and it's $2 for a tiny cloth. Have been to places where you get more for your money but wanted to give this place a try bc they accept credit card- not worth it read more

Solar Car Wash - The cloth in my hand and I'm 5'1 - Car Wash Near Me - Oakland, California

Still waiting for my Yelp Check-in free car wash. Been two weeks. As noted on the Yelp Check-in, i emailed info@solarcw.com. My sent email was retuned. Tried twice. Oh well. read more

Easy to get in and out, easy to operate. Some may be quick enough to need only 5minutes, but like most folks I need a 2nd 5-minute installment to finish the job, which is fine. read more

Overall this is a good place and there's almost always someone on hand to help with problems. My biggest complaint is that they frequently don't have all the chemicals, eg only water comes out sometimes when I choose the soap function, same with the pre-wash, and that is something they can probably easily fix. read more

I had a great experience at Solar Car Wash! The exterior of my car was very dirty after several road trips, and needed a good scrub. Washing my own car with industrial level materials was surprisingly fun, and the majority of the grime came right off. There weren't many instructions to guide me through the process, but the staff was incredibly helpful and sweet. They could tell I was a novice, and they helped me out. They also made sure I closed out my transaction at the end of my wash to ensure the next visitor wouldn't accidentally charge their wash to my account. The vacuum station was a game changer. The powerful vacuums cleaned up all the dog hair in my back seat and left my interior looking nice and new. Highly recommend the vacuums for pet owners! read more

I admit; a big part of my low rating is due to my novice skill level. Look, I've washed my car alone a handful of times at car wash stalls like these but Solar Car Wash was by far, the worst experience. To start, they have no guidance on the various settings and which order to use them in. It's not posted in the stalls and I guess they just assume you know what you're doing. I was lost and confused the entire time. I appreciate that they accept credit card but the credit card reader doesn't work consistently and I had a swipe a few times before it registered. I'm not even sure if I was overcharged for the car wash. With the wash and vacuum, I think I paid $9. The water pressure wasn't quite sufficient to get off all of the stuff stuck on my car and with the time counting down, I didn't feel like I was able to clean it to the desired degree despite the high cost. Also, there was a rinse option but not a spot free rinse and I ended up towel drying in my garage when I got home. Not worth the hassle and the price. read more

Loved it. I didn't know how to do things and the gentleman out there taught my adult-self how to walk through a DIY car wash. I washed a rental, but if I owned a car and lived in the neighbourhood, this is where I'd pop in for a car wash and a smile. read more

no posted hours and the yelp hours are wrong. went at 8:15 m to get a car wash before work and it was not open.

I often wonder what people expect from a business that is basically self serve. If you are incapable of reading and understanding instructions, you won't like this. You are required to think and handle everything on your own. I prefer doing things myself, so I had fun. If you want to be waited on, just don't go to anything self serve. It's not right to go someplace that clearly says self serve, then trash it because they weren't what you prefer. That's like going out for frozen yogurt, and complaining because it's not ice cream. read more

The carwash was great and there was an attendant there when I didn't know what I was doing, even before I asked for help! If you're fast you can do the outside of your car for $5, but I'm not fast and paid $10, still half what I pay normally at a hand-car-wash place. I wasn't lured by the Yelp coupon, so my experience was good. And the other drivers there were friendly and helpful too. Of course that would vary greatly, depending on a lot of factors. Anyway, one of them gave me one of his towels to dry off with (the car). If you want to do that bring your own soft towel. read more

I always vacuum my car here and once I was accidentally charged twice. I called the number on the machine and the manager wrote me a personal letter and mailed me coins to replace my charge! Amazing customer service! read more

I've been coming here for years. It's pretty run of the mill. It's been pretty popular lately. I'm not sure why. I was a little disappointed because I purchased $10 worth of tokens, only to get to the lane and it accepted only debit/credit cards! What upset me the most was an employee or the owner told me he couldn't give me a refund! So,I basically spend $20 to wash my car and I've been driving around with 10 tokens in my center console! Otherwise, pretty good place. read more

Hi Seth, Thanks for running such a consistently great business and service! I appreciate that your machines are always working, the property is clean and supplies stocked up! Be back soon! read more

Place is great convenient. I take my dog out and he always get stuff on the back seat cover. I always stop to clean up. Takes credit cards who h is perfect. read more

I like this business, but there is a problem. They do NOT accept credit cards (so my first time there I spent a long time in line and then it wouldn't take my card) and so I started feeding in a ten dollar bill and getting back one token - for the $9 wash. Once I had nine tokens, I discovered you cannot use them to get a car wash. I have spent several hours trying to figure out how to get back the $12 refund I am owed - I will have to drive by and give the tokens to an attendant (I have never seen an attendant there) and then they will mail me a check for $12.00. So - WARNING - great service but it is cash only and (hopefully) $9.00 cash will work for me next time. I did NOT like having to give my personal information to the owner.... read more

Great place to wash your car. They basically have everything you need to wash, vacuum and wipe down your car. The machines work and you can get-er-done! read more

This place is convenient. Went mid-day on a weekend. No lines, no wait. Super fun to use all the tools. I had never gone before so I put a little extra time on to figure it all out and it added up to about 6 bucks. My car is nice and clean now, very satisfied. My only issue was that the vending machine for the towels didn't read my card and I didn't have change for tokens. I don't like the tokens, but whatever. Just be sure for bring some single dollar bills or quarters with you (at least 4.00 dollars) just in case. read more

Solid car wash but they do not open promptly That the business hours are listed on here they did lose some business including mine since I was waiting for at least 10 minutes a few cars came and left. read more

My car wash companion and I have a system: I watch the clock and turn the dial from soap rinse to foam brush and so on while he washes. Typically we can get our car clean for $4. Our system is as follows: - Soap rinse, 1 minute - Foam brush, 1 minute - High power rinse, 1 minute - Wax, 30 seconds - High power rinse, 30 seconds We've never used the vacuums available but bring your own chamois to give your car a first rate dry job after you've washed it. read more

Excellent car wash self-service. Clean, friendly, fair prices. Highly recommend this place.

I've been using Solar Car Wash for almost 2 years. I'm very satisfied with the business. But less than 2 weeks ago the payment machine charged my credit card twice. I was furious because I didn't have much money so I contacted them, not expecting to hear back from them at all much less so soon, so I was stunned when they not only refunded my $5.00 they also sent me a letter of apology and included multiple free tokens for future use. I was so grateful and have discovered what a great business they run. I will highly recommend this car wash to everyone. read more

There was an offer for a $5 credit on Yelp when you checked in. The online coupon said to show the online screen to the attendant on duty... but there was no attendant. Then I contacted them and they said they mail the coupon, but Yelp doesn't allow them to advertise it clearly. Never received the coupon (it's been a month). So it seems like the offer is just a farce to get you to come there. The car wash is fine but I won't go back given the false advertisement. read more

After spritzing my car with a pre-wash spray, I was ready to wash 'n wax b4 blow-drying it on 24/680 as I drove to Walnut Ck. Unfortunately, the wash bay token box was inoperative and took my tokens, but delivered no wash. Had to move to a different bay and buy 5 more tokens to complete the job. Upside, blow-dry was even more effective b'cuz I had to speed to my appointment. Downside was concern about a speeding ticket! I left a msg on the listed phone #'s v/m, and contacted Solar via their website. Even though there was prompt acknowledgement of my issue, I had to leave a follow-up reminder 9 days later. Seth Z. apologized for the delay and a $5 refund + 5 tokens was in my mailbox 3 days later. All good; thx mch Seth for following thru! Woulda been 5 stars but for the delayed response and reminder notice. I'll be back though! read more

I am so happy to find a good car wash place that is conveniently located. I had an issue adding time to the machine and the management was very professional handling it. I would say the customer service was excellent and will continue using this car wash. read more

Used the automatic car wash here and it practically keyed my car for the low price of 10$. Called and left a complaint asking what they could do to remedy it and they didn't call back. read more

I've been going to this particular car wash off and on since moving to the area 3.5 years ago, but the experience I just had on Friday insures that I will never return there. As others have mentioned, the attendant/owner (?) was extremely rude to me as I was washing my car. After several years of using this facility, I have a system down pat. 5 coins ($5's worth of tokens) is just enough to spray down my car with the pre-soak, scrub it with the brush, and then rinse. As I was minding my own business, scrubbing my car with the brush, the attendant came over to inform me that I wasn't doing it right because no soap was being dispensed from the brush. Well... yeah. That's how I do it! The brush puts out enough soap to do TEN cars, let alone my little Honda. I politely told him I was doing it the way I wanted to. He continued to tell me I wasn't washing MY car to HIS satisfaction. If I wanted to wash, I should to put coins in the machine. I again told him no thank you, and that I'd put more coins in when I was ready to rinse. He continued his harassment, telling me how I couldn't wash for free (!?!!) and that it was a business -- if I wanted to be in his car wash, the machine needed to be running the entire time. Sick of being talked down to and harassed while trying to wash my car, I gave him my remaining two tokens and told him where he could go. The sad part (for him) is, I would've spent a bit more money and used his vacuum to do the inside of my car (LIKE I ALWAYS HAVE). Instead, I'm NEVER coming back here, telling all my female friends never to come here (since apparently he thinks ladies don't know how to wash cars!) and writing this review. So long, Solar! read more

Great and clean machinery. Friendly CS. While the San Pablo location is closed I come here. Highly recommend. One suggestion would be that their timers be more visible. read more

My car was filthy and I just needed a quick wash to hold me over for a couple weeks. Solar Car Wash is open later than their competitors in the area, and I stopped in one night shortly before closing. It's $3 for four minutes and $1 per minute after that. I only had three ones in my wallet, so I got my tokens and hoped I wouldn't end up with a car drenched in soap when time ran out. Some things I learned during my car washing experience: - Skip the pre-wash. It's low pressure and a waste of time. - The high pressure soap is money. - Before you start, try to remember where on your car the dead bugs and bits of bird shit are concentrated. Focus on these spots with the foam brush, while glossing over the rest of the car. - Leave at least 1:30 for the high pressure rinse at the end!! I came up at little short on time and had to speed down Telegraph to get the remaining bits of soap off my car. Also, be sure not to push soap back onto the areas you've already rinsed. - Don't be ashamed to jump and run around your car like a crazy person to beat the time limit. I was glad I had just came from the gym and still had my exercise clothes and shoes on. In the morning, I checked my car, and it still had some dirt on it, but nothing too bad (especially compared to before the car wash). Overall, I'd say it's a barely three star quality car wash, but you can't beat getting your car decently clean for only $3! read more

Who the hell is giving this place 1 star? It's a self car wash. Were you unhappy that someone wasn't there to wash your car for you? You racist. You put the coins in the machine, and it bestows upon you water, soap, foam in a brush if you're picky. I won't give up my spray nozzle until Jerry Brown pries it out of my cold dead hands in the middle of the coming droughtpocalypse. read more

This place and others like it in the bay area are FAIL. Seriously the owner/attendant dude of the place sits in his truck to make sure you aren't taking more than 5 minutes to wash you car. The first time I walked away to get a brush from my girlfriends car (we usually wash together) and he's like, "Hey! Is this your car?" I'm like... Well, yes. That's why I walked away for like 2 seconds to get another brush out of my girlfriends car... Whatever. Went there again and then it ate one of my girlfriends tokens and he wouldn't even give her another one. We're not trying to get free tokens, just getting what we paid for. And he was sitting there too so I dont know what the big deal is. Whatever. And this place is pricey. Honestly, I'd rather spend the $25 to get the full hand car wash than $5-10 here and rush just to get in and out. I dont know about you but I can spend 4 hours on my car. At this point with parking on the street and all the dings in my car, sap, bird shit, whatever, I don't even care about cleaning my own car. I mean, sure it looks cleaner now, but the brushes don't do shit. My car is still pretty damn dirty. I could probably go through the thing again. Here's the tip. If you live in the bay area an don't have your own driveway that you wash your car in. Spend the $50 and get someone to do a REAL job and detail it. I wouldn't come back here again, waste of money, waste of time. The 5 minutes that the tokens give you is not enough to give your car a good wash, especially when you feel rushed. Go elsewhere! read more

I have been here twice on Mondays at 9:30 AM and the car wash was closed. They advertise to be open at 8 AM. Very frustrating. I have been to the one on San Pablo Ave in Berkeley and have had a great experience there. The concept is good. Please be open when you say you will be!! read more