I like the points you bring up in you article that highlight the negative properties of carwashes. It might be more effective (as suggested by another member responding to you question) to list your points in bullet form for quicker reading. I would list the pros and cons of car washes (brush, soft cloth and touchless) and proper quality hand washes side by side, to present a balanced assessment to the reader...that way it does not look like you're bashing carwashes out of spite. I would make some clear distinctions about "soft cloth washes" that many think are safe when compared to the washes with those whirling plastic whip-like brush reels. They're not, but alot of people think they are. Washes used recycled water....that is touted as a benefit here in recycle conscious Oregon, they save water. I suspect they lose about as much water as a good detailer would use per car, but don't know that for a fact. Detailer washes cost more money... period. Emphasize that they are maintaining their investment in the car, that the car will be totally clean and the finish will not have added damage from the wash process. You're trying to sell a service that is not only more expensive, but a good deal less convienient, which is why an honest listing of pros and cons side by side will be more effective. Above all, include pictures, pictures, pictures!!!! Show a properly maintained finish next to one that has seen only auto carwashes. Try to keep the style and color of the cars as close as possible. Show a properly maintained car that has been run throught the autowash once a week for say...4-8 weeks to show what kind of damage they can inflict. You may have to sacrifice your own car to make these pictures, but you can then restore it and use those pictures elswhere in your site. I think your focus should be to provide concise and honest information.. you're trying to educate a reader who has shown enough interest in the topic to seek out your website....your presentaion needs to demonstrate that you acknowledge his efforts to obtain info and respect his intelligence by delivering it in a manner deisgned to share info and expose the reader to the basic principles of maintaining a finish on their car rather than subtlely chastising the reader for his ignorance. People do not care to be condescended to. Of course you must include either here or referenced to another part of your website, how the reader can do a proper wash himself....using local products with price estimates of each, technique and time involved. This again emphasizes a comittment to inform and teach and allows the reader to make informed choices about autowashes, detailer ones or learning some basic skills himself.
I think that includes a fair number of principles in adult teaching/learning. I do quite alot of this in my line of work, which is cardiac surgery. I have to teach and educate all the time and try to minimize the fears they are experiencing. I reviewed your website the other day and thought you were doing a great job and applaud your efforts. Good luck.....MTwedt
