For many of us, our car is our pride and joy, whether we’ve had it for many years and cherish the memories that have been possible with it, or it’s a new one and we can’t wait to get it on the road.
Washing your car is a great way to keep it looking in tip-top condition. But if you are looking for a way to elevate your car-washing game, a pressure washer may be the best way to do so.
Keep reading for a definitive guide to pressure washing your car safely – so you get the best results every time.
How to pressure wash your car: A step by step guide
Setting up
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have enough space. Park your car in an open area with plenty of space for you to walk around it, such as your driveway.
Now you’ll need to set up your pressure washer. Unwind the electrical cord and connect it to power. Make sure your pressure washer’s cable does not sit in water as that might be dangerous, and smooth out the hose to avoid any twists or kinks.
Connect to the mains water rather than via a water tank as not all pressure washers are capable of drawing water from a tank.
Check and adjust the nozzle
There are many different types of nozzle, so you should check the one that is fitted is right for the job. For car washing, it’s always best to use a white-tipped nozzle with a large, low PSI water output.
For car cleaning, it is always best to use the nozzle with a wide-angle spray tip. This can help spread the water evenly on the car surface and protect the paintwork from becoming scratched.
Start washing
Now it’s time to start the cleaning process. When you first switch on your pressure washer, make sure the nozzle is pointed to the ground and adjust the pressure as necessary to prevent any damage to your vehicle.
Now just do a plain rinse all over to remove any dirt, mud and debris stuck on the car surface.
Apply detergent
You can now set up your foam cannon to start deep cleaning. You should use specialised car shampoo that is compatible for use with a pressure washer, and follow the instructions on the label about how much to use. Do not use domestic washing detergent for the cleaning process, as it may remove the wax finish on the paint.
Spray the shampoo solution over the entire vehicle from top to bottom, and let it sit for between three and five minutes. During this time you could also use a fine fibred, scratch-free brush to give your wheels a deep clean, too.
Rinse and dry
Rinse off the detergent using your pressure washer. It is best to use a top to bottom motion for a super clean result. You can also use a thick, high-quality, microfibre towel to dry the car for a superior finish.
Once you are done with the pressure washer, make sure to switch it off, disconnect the water and let the hose drain completely. Water left inside the hose could cause corrosion or the build-up of bacteria.
Which pressure washer is best for car washing?
There are many different types of pressure washer available, so knowing which one is the best (and safest) to use for cleaning your car is essential.
Choosing one that is too strong could lead to some damaging consequences including paint chipping, scratching and marring.
The best types of pressure washers for car cleaning are electric-powered ones with custom settings for PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (water flow measured in gallons per minute).
The combination of these two units leads to CU, which is what most pressure washers are measured in. The optimal CU range for car and truck washing is between 1,900 and 2,800.
Which tip and nozzle should I use?
Every pressure washer comes with a set of tips that help shape the spray pattern, but you can also buy other types of tip separately. Here is a rundown of the main four:
- 0-degree tip: very high pressure, and recommended for brick, cement and solid metal applications.
- 15-degree tip: very high pressure, used for aggressive applications such as stripping paint and stains from a pavement or wall.
- 25-degree tip: great for removing mud and washing wheels. Still high pressure, but not too aggressive for washing your car.
- 40-degree tip: safe to use on all surfaces, this tip can clean large areas quickly and efficiently.
For the wheels of your car, a tip that sprays a 25-degree spray pattern works very well. For the rest of the exterior, you may wish to switch to a 40-degree tip. Many modern pressure washers feature a quick disconnect, so switching between different tips only takes a moment.