Thunder Brothers Car Wash FAQs

Question: Where can I find a car wash near me?

Answer: Thunder Brothers has 48 car wash branches across the Western Cape, Gauteng, the Free State and Limpopo, and nearly all of them sit at shopping centres. The locations page lists every branch with its address, trading hours and phone number. In greater Cape Town, Somerset West, Hermanus and Bloemfontein, the mobile car wash can also come to you.

Question: Do I need to book a car wash?

Answer: There is no need to book at any Thunder Brothers branch. Drive in when it suits you, choose a package and the team takes the car from there. The only service that needs a booking is the mobile car wash, which runs through the Thunder Brothers app.

Question: What are the Thunder Brothers opening hours?

Answer: Trading hours are set branch by branch rather than across the whole group. Each branch page shows its own hours, and the same hours appear on that branch’s Google Business Profile.

Question: Is every car hand washed?

Answer: Yes. Every car at every Thunder Brothers branch is hand washed and dried by the team, and every package starts with that same hand wash before any extras are added.

Question: How much is a car wash?

Answer: Car wash prices at Thunder Brothers depend on the package and the branch, because each branch sets its own figures within a fixed range. The Usual covers a hand wash and dry, interior vacuum, tyre shine and mag clean, and the packages build up to the Royal Treatment. Every branch page lists its exact prices, and the Thunder Brothers price list shows the ranges across all 48 branches.

Question: How much does a car valet cost in South Africa?

Answer: Car valet prices in South Africa depend on how much of the inside needs work and where you take the car. At Thunder Brothers, valet packages run from the Usual, with an interior vacuum, up to the Royal Treatment full valet, with add-ons such as leather care priced separately. The car valet page and the Thunder Brothers price list show the ranges, and each branch page lists its exact valet prices.

Question: How much does car detailing cost in South Africa?

Answer: Car detailing prices depend on whether the car needs one treatment or a full detail. A single treatment, such as headlight restoration or a seat shampoo, costs the least, while the Royal Treatment full detail covers the inside and outside together. The car detailing page lists every treatment with its price range, and each branch page carries its own exact figures.

Question: How much does it cost to polish a car?

Answer: The cost of a car polish depends on the paint. A hand polish lifts grime and light marks and is the lower priced option, while a machine buff cuts back swirl marks, oxidation and faded paint and costs more. Both can be added to any Thunder Brothers wash, and the Special package includes a hand polish. Exact prices for both sit on each branch page.

Question: How do I pay at a branch?

Answer: You pay at the branch once the car is done, and both card and cash are accepted. Mobile car washes are paid for in the Thunder Brothers app when you book.

Question: What is a valet car wash?

Answer: A valet car wash, also called car valeting, cleans the inside of the car properly as well as the outside. At Thunder Brothers, valet packages add treatments such as leather care, a hand polish or a wax on top of the hand wash, and the Royal Treatment takes it furthest. Every branch offers a full car valet, and there is no need to book.

Question: What does a full valet include?

Answer: A full valet car wash is the deepest clean of the inside and outside of the car. At Thunder Brothers, the full valet is the Royal Treatment: an exterior hand wash, then the seats and carpets shampooed, the roof lining cleaned, leather treated and odours dealt with at the source rather than sprayed over. Extras such as a machine buff or wax can be added on top.

Question: What is a mobile car wash?

Answer: A mobile car wash comes to you, so there is no drive to a branch. A trained Thunder Brothers technician arrives with a self-contained unit carrying its own water and power, and washes the car where it is parked. It covers greater Cape Town, Somerset West, Hermanus and Bloemfontein, and the mobile car wash is booked and paid for through the Thunder Brothers app.

Question: Can I get a mobile car wash at home?

Answer: Yes. The Thunder Brothers mobile car wash works at home, at the office, in a security estate or in an underground parking bay, because nothing is drawn from your house or your tap. The app checks your exact address to confirm it falls inside a mobile zone in greater Cape Town, Somerset West, Hermanus or Bloemfontein.

Question: What does a mobile car wash include?

Answer: Every Thunder Brothers mobile car wash is done by hand by a trained technician using eco-friendly products. You choose the wash in the app, add any extras, then pick a traditional water wash or the waterless option, which saves up to 300 litres of water on one car. The technician brings the water, the power and everything else the wash needs.

Question: Does Thunder Brothers have an app?

Answer: Yes. The Thunder Brothers app is free on the App Store and Google Play, and it is used to book and pay for the mobile car wash. Branch washes do not need the app, because you simply drive in.

Question: Can I wash my car with Sunlight liquid?

Answer: Dishwashing liquid such as Sunlight is made to cut grease, so it also strips the wax and protective layer off your paint. Used often, it leaves the finish dull and more exposed to sun and water damage. A pH balanced car shampoo cleans without stripping that layer, and a regular hand wash with the right products keeps the paint protected for longer.

Question: How often should you wash your car?

Answer: Every two weeks suits most cars in South Africa. Wash more often if you live near the sea, drive on dirt roads or park under trees, because salt, dust, sap and bird droppings damage paint the longer they sit. A wax every few months adds a layer that makes each car wash easier.