How to Clean A Car with A Pressure Washer

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Cleaning a car by using a pressure washer is not only easy but also highly effective. For hand wash using a sponge and detergent, you will need a lot of time, and there is a chance of scratch on the car paint. But you are less likely to leave a scratch on the car when washing your vehicle with a car pressure washer.

Also, a pressure washing car will allow you to complete the cleaning job fast. If you know how to use a pressure washer, you can wash the car’s exterior like a pro within a short time by yourself.

Follow the steps we described below and see videos to learn the easiest way of car cleaning.

Will It Safe to Clean Car Using Pressure Washer?

Yes, it is safe. Not only safe, but pressure washing is also easy and effective. But you have to follow proper guidelines. Like you are not allowed to exceed 2000 PSI to keep your car paint safe. There is also no need to exceed the limit as it is sufficient for stubborn dirt, hard stains, dirt to loosen and clean.

Steps of Pressure Washer Car Cleaning

We will describe the process within 7 Simple Steps. Understanding and following the proper steps can give you the best outcome. We will also discuss the necessary precautions that you have to follow.

1. Pick a Good Pressure Washer and Pressure Washer Nozzle

We know electric and gas power pressure washers are available, and both are good. As it is for your personal use, the electric pressure washer will be best for your car washing.

It is always essential to apply appropriate power and water flow for safe work. The higher the PSI, the more the GPM. If your pressure washer can produce 1800 to 3500 cleaning units, it will be enough to clean your car.

Cleaning Units = PSI (pounds per square inch) * GPM (gallons per minute)

So, suppose you buy Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 (one of the best electric pressure washers for cleaning cars).

It generates up to 2030 PSI and 1.76 GPM water flow so that its cleaning unit is 3572.8 at most.

Gas-powered pressure washers are professional use as they are much powerful than the electric washer. So, if you want it for heavy use on professional work, pick a gas pressure washer.

Last update on 2023-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. What Else You Will Need to Wash Your Car

You need a long hose to move your electric pressure washer around the car quickly. The longer, the better, the minimum requirement is 5 meters long. Besides, A wheel will make it easier to move.

You will also need nozzle attachments to comfortably change spray directions. An angled nozzle will be required to direct the water flow upwards.

Besides these, you will need car wash soap. For a more professional and effective car wash, you should use an electric pressure washer for foam cannon. You can make and thick suds layer on the vehicle using foam and car soap. Most of the car wash pressure washers come with a built-in detergent tank. It eliminates that extra time of applying the detergent manually on the exterior. Although most experts suggest using a foam cannon instead of detergent, still detergent tank comes in handy.

3. Setting Up the Proper Environment

Experts say that early morning and evening is the best time to clean your car. During this time, the intensity of sunlight is the least.

If you have to clean your car on a hot summer day, you must place it under some shade or shadows. Let the exterior cool down before start washing. Otherwise, the cleaning substances will dry out instantly.

Then start gathering all the necessary elements. Unwind the power cable of the power washer before connecting it to the electrical power supply. Make sure the electrical cord is away from water.

Unwind the water hose and make sure there is no sharp twist. Connect the hose to the lance.

Note: You are about to get dirty in this process. So, put on the most casual clothes and keep your electronics away from the cleaning area.

4. Rinse with Water

It will be best if you initiate the cleaning process by rinsing the exterior with plain water. It will remove the loose mud and dirt. For this, it is safe to use a 25 to 40-degree nozzle. Less than that can bring in risk or damage to the car’s paintwork.

• First, power up the pressure washer. Then check and ensure a modest amount of water speed,
• Hold the nozzle one foot away from the car and spray water on the entire surface along with the wheels. If the tires are a bit grimy, you can move closer to make them loose,
• For the fragile elements like headlights, view mirror and brake lights move a bit farther back.

Last update on 2023-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. Soap It Up

Now it’s time to soap up the exterior. The most pressure washer comes with a built-in detergent tank. If your care pressure washer has not, apply by hand. Choose a car shampoo that is compatible with both your particular pressure washer and your car.

• Fill up the detergent compartment by following the owner’s user manual. Dilute the cleaning substance with water in a bucket if you need it.
• Attach the tip of the soap to the end of the spray wand.
• Apply detergent from the bottom up. Get close to the wheels to remove the stubborn brake dust and road salt.
• Ensure you have covered all portions of the exterior.

After placing the soap, let it sit for some time. Wait for five minutes or more. During a hot summer day, you need to spray it more often due to immediate drying out.

6. Rinse the Soap

After the soap has sat on the surface, now it’s time to rinse it off. Follow the steps to rinse the soap:

• Disconnect the detergent tank and place a 40-degree nozzle,
• Point the pressure washer wand towards the ground and spray to rinse off the soap from the exterior’s surface,
• Get closer to the wheels if still there are stubborn specks of dirt,
• Keep spraying the water in a top-to-down manner,
• Keep the wand 3-4 feet away from the surface.

7. Dry the Car Properly

For this step, you need a high-quality microfiber detailing towel to avoid any scratch on the surface

• Lay the cloth flat on the surface of the car
• Keep the cloth or microfiber towel in contact with the car and slowly put it towards you
• Repeat over each area until the vehicle is dry
• Wring out the water when the fabric soaks up

If you want touch-free drying, you can use a blow dryer or grab your leaf blower. Experts always prefer to use a touch-free method. Turning the leaf blower on high will dry the car in a flash.

Precautions

You have to follow some safety precautions to avoid any potential damage as follows:

1. Read the manual before you start using the pressure washer machine. This will give you instructions on the recommended wash distance, control, and maintenance.
2. To avoid paint damage, keep the nozzle at a safe distance.
3. Do not pressure wash the parts under the hood and never spray inside the car engine.
4. If you use a commercial pressure washer, set the settings carefully according to the manual instructions.
5. Do not wash the car from bottom to top. Apply the stream in a top-to-bottom manner, and water will get down due to gravity.
6. Do not keep the nozzle of the pressure washer at a single spot for long. Make sure the stream is always in motion. Otherwise, it can chip off the paint.
7. Decrease the intensity of the stream at weak points like view mirrors and lights.
8. Avoid washing your car on a surface with small pebbles. During pressure washing, tiny rocks can bounce off the surface and hit the exterior.

Last update on 2023-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Final Verdict

Pressure washing is the best way to clean your car like a pro. The tips we share will help you to wash your car quickly and safely; if followed correctly. Cleaning a car using a pressure washer is a lot faster, and it uses less water than a garden hose.

To avoid any damage, ensure that you have understood the working procedure of the pressure washer well enough. And be aware of the precautions.