Does Rice Street Car Wash offer unlimited memberships?

Yes. Unlimited memberships start at $20/month and include free vacuums every visit. Additional family vehicles are 50% off. Sign up at the pay station — no app required.

What is the vehicle height clearance at Rice Street Car Wash?

The Petit i360 touch-free automatic accommodates vehicles up to 8 feet tall — a full foot taller than most competitors. The self-serve bays have 9'6" clearance for even taller trucks, vans, and SUVs.

Is the car wash touchless?

Yes. Our Petit i360 dual-arm system is 100% touchless — no brushes ever contact your vehicle's paint. It is ideal for new finishes, ceramic coatings, and vinyl wraps.

What are Rice Street Car Wash hours?

We are open daily from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM, seven days a week including weekends.

Where is Rice Street Car Wash located?

We are located at 1736 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN 55113, near the intersection of Rice Street and Larpenteur Avenue.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cash, and coins at all stations.

#11b - Inside the Self-Serve Bays: The Technology Behind Hands-On Washing

David Knutson
Mar 19
3 min read

Wash Your Way — Powered by Smart Technology

At Rice Street Car Wash in St. Paul, Minnesota, we believe a great self-serve car wash should feel just as advanced as a full automatic system.That’s why each of our six self-serve bays is equipped with state-of-the-art mechanical, chemical, and safety technology — the same professional-grade components trusted by detail shops and industry pros.

When you choose to wash by hand, you’re not just getting soap and water — you’re using a finely tuned, air-powered, sensor-driven system designed for power, precision, and protection.

Precision Equipment for Powerful Cleaning

Rice Street Car Wash self-serve bay with Arimitsu high-pressure pump and Mosmatic wand

Each self-serve bay at Rice Street Car Wash is powered by Arimitsu high-pressure pumps, known for their smooth, consistent water flow and quiet, reliable performance.These commercial-grade pumps are engineered in Japan for industrial duty — delivering professional cleaning power with every trigger pull.

The high-pressure system feeds:

Mosmatic stainless-steel wands for durability and smooth rotation
Hog’s hair foam brushes for gentle scrubbing without scratching
Foaming wax applicators that evenly coat your vehicle
Ceiling booms that allow 360° range of motion, keeping hoses off your car and out of your way

Each piece is designed for the best possible customer experience — sturdy, balanced, and built to perform year-round in Minnesota’s extreme conditions.

Smart Chemistry: Hydrominder and ARO Systems

Behind the walls, every self-serve bay runs on an ARO air-powered chemical delivery system — the same style used in industrial manufacturing.This ensures precise chemical delivery to each bay, eliminating pressure drops or inconsistent mixes.

Chemical dilution is handled by a Hydrominder metering system, which keeps soap, presoak, wax, and rinse agents perfectly balanced.The result: a reliable chemical mix that’s powerful enough to clean winter salt yet gentle on modern vehicle finishes.

Easy Payments: CryptoPay, Tokens, and More

We’ve made paying for your wash simple, fast, and flexible.Each bay features CryptoPay readers that accept:

💳 Major credit and debit cards
🍎 Apple Pay and Google Pay tap-to-start options
🪙 Traditional coin operation through SlugBuster 3 coin mechs
🪙 Custom Rice Street Car Wash $1 tokens, perfect for regulars and gift bundles

Every CryptoPay system connects to our secure wireless network for fast transactions and automatic accounting — no fumbling with change or worn-out dollar bill acceptors.

Safety First: Air-Powered Doors and Banner Sensors

Each self-serve bay is protected by automatic Air Lift doors — fast, quiet, and reliable.The system includes:

🔄 20-second programmable timers that close doors automatically after each use
👀 Two sets of Banner Engineering safety eyes per door — one at bumper height and one at undercarriage level — ensuring that no door ever closes on a vehicle
💨 Air-powered operation for smooth, controlled motion in all weather conditions

These doors help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures in winter and protect your wash time from wind, debris, and freezing spray.

Reliability You Can Feel — From Start to Finish

All these systems work together to make every self-serve wash safe, efficient, and enjoyable:

Arimitsu pumps deliver steady, powerful water flow
ARO air systems power chemical delivery with precision
Hydrominders ensure perfect dilution and consistency
CryptoPay + SlugBuster systems give you flexible payment options
Air Lift doors and Banner sensors keep you safe
Mosmatic wands, booms, and foam brushes give you professional-grade tools

When you squeeze the trigger or swipe your card, everything responds instantly — because the technology behind Rice Street Car Wash is designed for zero hesitation and maximum uptime.

A Better Experience, Built in Minnesota

Every upgrade we make — from our Petit i360 touch-free system to our self-serve bays — reflects our commitment to quality, safety, and community.By pairing American-built systems like Air Lift doors and Banner sensors with globally respected brands like Arimitsuand Mosmatic, we’re proud to deliver a wash experience that’s both high-tech and locally inspired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbgck53rpAc