Big Dave's on Williams Street in Kaiapoi is a touch-free car wash built around an automatic unit, a PDQ LaserWash from the United States, with self-serve bays fitted with iWash equipment from Australia. The automatic wash cleans with chemical application and high-pressure water. The water goes through a softener first, and the final rinse uses reverse osmosis water, which is what keeps the car from drying with white spots. The self-serve bays have a Spot Free Rinse option for the same result. A Rangiora site also operates under the Big Dave's name.
Payment is by PayWave card, a corporate fob or a Big Dave's token from the activation stand at the entrance. The automatic unit takes $1 and $2 coins but gives no change. Vacuums and car care products are paid for with tokens or $1 and $2 coins. Fleet owners can open a company account and get a key fob for each vehicle.
A dog wash at the Kaiapoi site is separately owned, as is the Mobil across the forecourt. Within 1 km there are eight other car wash listings. The nearest is Waitomo Fitzgerald, 0.5 km away and rated 4.5 from 250 reviews. Detail King Christchurch, also rated 4.5 from 167 reviews, is 0.6 km away, and Grooming Solutions, rated 3.8 from 49 reviews, is 0.6 km away too.