Many Spring Branch residents are two-stepping their way to a new spot for a rooting, tooting heck of a carwash experience.
So, here’s a tip of our cowboy hats to Cowboy Carwash Express, 1522 Wirt Rd., for their five-star service.
Lisa Kerley (Stephen Anderson photo)
Cowboy Carwash Express is owned by 40-year residents of Spring Branch, Paul and Lisa Kerley, who are from Mississippi.
They raised their four children not far from where the carwash sits. Paul owned and operated a self-service wash for years at the same location.
Like most entrepreneurs, Paul has long had a vision — in this case to have a Western-themed business at the same location. When the property next door became available, he jumped at the chance to carry out his plan.
With the support of his wife and children, who now share the operation of the business, Paul opened Cowboy Carwash Express in March 2021.
The cowboy theme is in tribute to their dear friend and 95-year-old former neighbor, “Uncle Roy.” There are two photographs on the wall at Cowboy Carwash Express:
“There is one of my wife Lisa, and below it there is one of Roy in cowboy attire when he was 20 years-old holding his guitar. We are told he was a pretty good country western singer in his day. I don’t even know if he knows that we did this thinking of him,” Paul explained.
Cowboy’s rustic features set the stage for a different carwash experience. As you make your way through the wooden, farm-like fence to pull into one of the two drive-up express menus, you will have some decisions to make. The selections stick with the theme:
Options include an $8 Wagon Wash at the low end, which includes a pre-soak shampoo, soft touch foam wash, spot-free rinse and power air dry and shine up. Middle-priced washes are called Ranch and Cowboy, The top-level Ultimate Texan Wash for $20 includes everything in the other washes plus a double pre-soak, tire cleaner and shine, splash triple shine, wheel scrubber, blaster arch, clear-coat, nano tech shield, underbody protectant, bumper blaster, sunset foam and 2-step gold rush wax.
Each wash includes access to free self-serve vacuums.
With the unpredictable Houston weather, customers who want to have frequent washes can purchase a monthly plan that features a “fast pass” tag so you can get thru quickly without needing to pay each time.
After you drive through the express tunnel you can pull up to one of 19 vacuum bays.
What I really love about these areas is they come fully equipped. A compressed air hose blow-dries hard-to-reach areas. There are fresh micro towels for your use.
I am not one who likes to wash my car, but I have to say Cowboy has made the chore a more likable experience. My husband is even surprised by my eagerness to clean the car. I think it is because I know I will have all the necessary tools and equipment to have my car shiny as new in one quick visit. From the window cleaner and fragrance to the clean towels, everything I need is there. Even my 77-year-old mother does her vehicle at Cowboy.
Need to give your floor mats a quick cleaning? There is a floor mat cleaner available for you to use. For large mats that do not fit in the mat cleaner, the staff will power wash them at the wash entrance.
Cowboy Carwash Express has a little something for when your “critters” need a good cleaning as well. The ‘’doggie corral’’ wash station is open and available for pets, making washing your four-legged fur babies a bit easier.
The Kerleys encourage customers to follow them on social media and look for the digital coupons and other opportunities for savings.
It is the attention to detail as well as the commitment to personalized service that keeps Cowboy Carwash Express a welcomed “partner” to our area.
“Some people have told us that we can be hard to see from the street. There were suggestions from the sign company for us to put a huge sign out front so people will notice,” Paul said. “But I just wanted to stay committed to the integrity of the area. It is important to me because we have been a part of this community that we do our part to belong and let the area know that we respect the neighborhood appeal.”
Cowboy Carwash Express
cowboycarwash.com
Facebook: @cowboycarwashexpress
Instagram: cowboy.carwash.express
Phone: 346.571.0189
SPRING/SUMMER HOURS
Monday – Saturday: 7:30 am-7:30 pm
Sundays: 9 am-6 pm
FALL/WINTER HOURS
Everyday: 7:30 am-7 pm
Sundays: 9 am-5 pm
— By Jessika Leal
