Watch Toughest Summer Jobs on WTXL ABC 27 Wednesdays at 11 p.m. or Thursdays on WTXL Midday and vote for who you think has the Toughest Summer Job. Watch July 27th to see who takes home the trophy for This Year's Toughest Summer Job.
MIDWAY, Fl. (WTXL) -- Cars are some peoples "babies" on wheels and at some point, they all need a bit of love to help to stay nice and shiny. Enter: Simmons Truck and Car Wash in Midway, Florida.
"We have washed in the rain. We have washed in the cold", said Pamela Dickens, a helper at the Car Wash. "Just because the weather change. That don't stop them from needing stuff done."
But those conditions are no match for the sweltering Summer heat.
Heat takes an great toll on your car's finish, and an even greater toll on those washing your car. Cleaning a car is hard work, from scrubbing to the waxing, and even the rinsing.
"We've got to take breaks in shifts because you got so many people that you got lined up and actually ready to get their car washed," said Dickens.
"You got to keep going and going", said Jeanette Bethea, a helper at the Car Wash, "No break until you get done."
And its not just cars. Being right off of Interstate 10 means every now and then, the semi trucks roll in. "It might take you 10-15 minutes to wash a car. It may take you an hour to wash a semi," said Dickens.
And with those semi trucks, you just can’t wash them down with soap and water. Sometimes, you need acid cleaners to get off the grime and dirt, making them more hazardous to an already physically demanding job.
"They do use gloves and we try not to get them [chemicals] on ourselves, because that can cause problems," Dickens said.
Not everyday is perfect, equipment can and will break. "If one of these pressure washers shuts down, then we're doing everything by hand", said Dickens. "And I'm talking about from taking the bugs off, taking grease off."
But that doesn’t stop this crew from getting the job done. "I always say wash it like you own it," said Dickens. She added that she takes pride in washing her own car.
And its with that pride, hard work, and determination that Bethea, Dickens, and the rest of Simmons Truck and Car Wash are in the running for the title of "Toughest Summer Job."
