Vicksburg’s newest car wash is more than a car wash; it’s an experience.

Before arriving at the wash, there are four self-prep stations and two pay stations, followed by a team of employees who perform a prewash on the vehicles, owner Doug Hudgins said.

“The $8, $12 and $14 wash come with complimentary prep work,” he said. “That’s just something extra I do.”

Once inside the car wash, patrons first receive a lava bath with side wraps and triple foam made of three different chemicals, Hudgins said.

“(There are) LED color lights that flash and rotate, so it’s a light show too,” he said. “You get scents too — scents from soaps and scents we disperse in there too, which will penetrate your ventilation system. It’ll stay no more than 24 hours.”

The machine also features another option, Buff n Dry, which patrons can add on to any wash for $4.

“You get hot wax applied to the car, and at the end of the wash, there’s a buffer that will drop down and buff your hood, your top and the back, which gives it a hand buffed look,” he said. “It’s the newest technology. As far as I know I’m the only one in this area, maybe the only one in the state.”

After exiting the wash, patrons have access to free, self-serve vacuums and a free mat cleaner, which will clean cloth mats, Hudgins said.

“It’s an express wash,” he said. “It’s intended to get a good wash fast. When they come out of that tunnel, I want to make sure they’ve got a clean car.”

Hudgins said this is his first car wash venture, but he does own some other small businesses.

“It’s a good business,” he said. “There was certainly a need in Vicksburg for this type of wash. I found what I thought was a great location. That’s key.”

Hudgins said there’s an old magnolia tree on the lot that a church planted years ago.

“I was adamant about saving that tree,” he said. “We went to great lengths, and it fit in perfect with Magnolia Car Wash.”

Hudgins said he’s crazy about Vicksburg and he thinks it has a lot of great things going for it.

“A lot of people responded to it very positively,” he said. “Everyone tells me they’re very glad we’re here. It’s been very positive, which makes me feel good, obviously.”

Hudgins said he’s been pleasantly surprised about the draw Vicksburg has from outside communities.

“There’s a lot of Louisiana traffic,” he said. “Not only do you have the good folks of Vicksburg, but you have people from outside communities coming in going through the wash too, and that’s good.”

Hudgins said it’s a great feeling to look out there and see people stacked two cars out to the street.

“I tried to build something that people could be proud of,” he said. “I tried to make it nice. I tried to hire good people, and I try to keep it clean.”

Magnolia Car Wash, which opened three months ago, has the newest equipment available, Hudgins said.

“My manager (Jon Bass) went to carwash college and graduated first in his class,” he said. “I’m trying to give Vicksburg the best carwash. That’s my commitment, and they’ve rewarded me with their business.”

The wash is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, weather permitting.