How to Wash Car With Pressure Washer without damaging?

Washing and cleaning your car is essential to protect your vehicle. However, if you want to clean your car in no time with less effort, you need to wash car with pressure washer. Many auto detailers and enthusiasts use a car pressure washer to offer you the best results. As for beginners, it remains a common issue to use pressure washers. So, I am here to help you with common queries about pressure washers that remain pinging in one’s mind.

Let’s have a quick look at the top queries.

Can You Pressure Wash a Car?

Yes, you can quickly pressure wash a car, even as a beginner. However, you must remember certain things, precautions, and the working method. As a professional, it is super easy to pressure wash a car using different nozzles and attachments.

If you are a beginner, all you need to do is watch some videos or read this blog until the end. You can also get help from a professional for doing this job. Selecting a suitable pressure washer is a crucial step in the whole journey. Also, it would be best if you chose nozzles, depending on your requirement and work type.

How To Start A Pressure Washer?

Pre-Check:

Ensure that the fuel and oil are present in the gas-powered pressure washer. If there is no fuel, you must get it fixed before proceeding.

Starting a washer gun is super easy. You must follow some basic steps and instructions to get this query nailed. So,

  • Make sure that the fuel valve of the pressure washer gun is on.
  • Adjust the position of the valve.
  • Now, rotate the choke slightly to the left, probably to the open part of the washer.
  • Move the throttle and adjust its part of it.
  • Finally, you need to turn on the engine switch.
  • Pull the engine cord while the gun is still in a static or fixed place.
  • Close the choke of the pressure washer nozzles.
  • You are good to go.

What To Do With the Pressure Washer Once I Have Completed The Task?

Once you are done using the pressure washer for the car, you need to turn off the engine. Then you have to release the pressure inside the washer’s system. Squeeze the trigger slowly and remove it when your unit becomes off. Now, you need to turn the water supply off too.

Detach the pressure washer with the water tank from the unit and the gun. Then detach the garden hose from the washer. Execute and remove water as much as possible. Disconnect the nozzle from the gun and pack the pressure washer.

Wash Car With Pressure Washer Safely In 5 Steps

Cleaning cars with a pressure washer is super effortless. You must follow some rules and tips to get your job done quickly.

Step 1: Selecting Right Nozzle And Pressure Washer

selecting right nozzle

While washing your car, you need to use the proper nozzle to have reliable water flow and power. A good pressure washer provides you with a high amount of GPM. So, the greater GPM results in more incredible water from the release.

Pressure washers with 1,900-2,700+ cleaning units are perfect for doing jobs. Compared to the garden hose, a pressure washer is more efficient. Like a pressure washer, you also need to select the proper nozzle.

Many types of nozzles are available in the market, and you need to select one according to your work requirements. Also, use the correct size nozzle. You can pressure wash a car with a washer having a pressure of 1200-1900 best PSI for a car wash and a GPM of about 1.4-1.6.

Step 2: Selecting The Right Area For Treatment

choosing the right area

While selecting the area for washing your car, remember some essential points. Like,

  • Don’t start cleaning in direct sunlight, as you might not be able to get effective results.
  • Try to use an electric pressure washer away from the rushy areas.
  • Don’t work near plants, animals, or kids.
  • Have a proper grip over the outlet so that perfect pressure is delivered.

Step 3: Washing Car

wash a car

Before working with a pressure washer, you must pre-treat the car by rinsing and cleaning. Dust the car using a microfiber towel. Then move towards the actual washing.

Material Required:

  • Pressure washer.
  • Water and electric outlet.
  • 25-degree tip.

Steps:

  • Plug the pressure washer into an electrical outlet.
  • Combine the washer with the outlet.
  • Now, use a 25-degree tip to start washing.
  • Turn the pressure washer on and spray the nozzle across the affected surface area.
  • Rinse the wheels along with the surface. Remove all of the visible spots, dirt, and grime.

Tip: Check the pressure of the hose by pushing the washer against the ground. Use the washer in the downward direction.

Step 4: Applying Detergent

soap a car

Once done with prewashing, treat the car with qualitative detergent; you can also use pressure washer soap. Use cleaning detergent designed for pressure washers. You can also use detergent after diluting it with water.

Material Required:

  • Pressure washer.
  • Detergent.
  • Water.
  • Microfiber towel.
  • A clean bucket.

Steps:

Diluting The Detergent:

Firstly, you need to grab a bucket. Push in some water in it. Now, add some amount of detergent into the bucket and start mixing. Mix until a solution is formed.

Filling Detergent Tank Of Pressure Washer Hose Reel:

Now, you need to fill the detergent section of the washer with a diluted solution. Switch the washer’s settings from water to detergent so that you will not be gashing water if your portable pressure washer has no detergent tank. You can also apply the diluted solution using a microfiber towel.

Spray The Solution:

It is ideal for spraying the diluted solution from the top of the surface. You can wash a single side of the car or the whole. Wait about 5-10 minutes and let the solution do the work. Now, it’s time to rinse the detergent.

Step 5: Rinsing Detergent

rinse soap

For rinsing the detergent, you can use different pressure washer nozzles. Select a 40-degree tip and start rinsing the detergent.

Point To Note:

Use the washer at an angle of about 45 degrees. Start rinsing from the top of the car toward the bottom.

Material Required:

  • A pressure washer with a water tank.
  • 40-degree nozzle tip.
  • Microfiber towel.

Steps:

  • Change the tip of the nozzle and fix the 40-degree direction.
  • Now, switch the water pressure from the tank to the water.
  • Start rinsing from top to bottom.
  • Use a cloth or dryer to dry the car and get your car’s surface fixed.

So, finally, you have reached the final results and successfully done the wash car with a pressure washer.

How To Choose A Pressure Washer?

To select a perfect washer gun, you need to keep a few incentives in mind. So, a few options that one needs to look at while choosing a washer are:

Size Of Pressure Washer

The size, pressure, cleaning capacity, and GPM factors play an important role in selection. Selection between these factors is dependent on your requirement for a wash.

  • For light-duty tasks like washing a car or cleaning sideways, you can buy a pressure washer with having pressure range from 1,000-1,750 psi and a GPM range from 1.4-1.6.
  • For medium-duty tasks like cleaning driveways or concrete, you can buy a washer having a range of about 2000-2,800 psi and 2-3 GPM.
  • For heavy-duty tasks like removing paint, you need a washer of 2,800 or above with a GPM of 3-4.

Electric Or Gas Portable Pressure Washer

A pressure washer comes in two forms: electric or gas.

  • For light-duty jobs like car washing, you can use an electric pressure washer with having psi of 1000-1,500 and GPM of 1.0-1.5. Electric washers are quieter and easy to maintain; also, you get mobility quickly.
  • You can buy a gas pressure washer for heavy-duty tasks like cleaning sidewalks and removing paint. These washers range from 2,000 to above psi with a GPM of 2-4.

Cold Water vs. Hot Water Pressure Washer

  • Cold water pressure washers extract mud, sand, and debris from the surface. Also, these washers are cheaper. However, you are not recommended to use them for grease, and they use a large amount of detergent.
  • Hot pressure washers are large and heavy to tackle. You can clean grease and oil using these washers. Also, hot water washers are easy to clean and consume less detergent. However, hot water detergents are more expensive and have less psi.

Pressure Washer Tips For Safe Wash

There are some safety precautions that you can apply while working with the car pressure washer. So,

  • Don’t ever point the washer directly at yourself or others.
  • Never try to move objects away using spray pressure.
  • Never make the mistake of using a gasoline-powered washer in the garage or closed spaces.
  • Check out the ground outlet while using the washer.
  • Test the pressure washer on the ground to look for the pressure.
  • Plug the grounded washer into the right source.
  • Wear rubber shoes, gloves, and a suit while working with the washer.
  • Don’t cut the power cord to the extension unintentionally or intentionally.
  • For a circuit breaker, you can call a professional to look for issues.
  • Don’t operate near children or pets. Keep a safe distance from plants.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQS)

What psi-pressure washer do I need to wash the car?

You can go with a psi of about 1,500-2,100 if you want to clean the car deeply. Don’t go for more than 2,200 psi pressure for the vehicle. As if you do, you might damage the paint surface or develop other defects on the layer.

Can you pressure wash an engine?

Yes, you can. Over time your engine might develop grime, grease, and accumulated dirt. You will notice a black coating all around. However, you can get rid of it all using a pressure washer in no time.

Can you use hot water in a pressure washer?

There are hot water pressures present in the market. You can use hot water if you use that type; however, if you plan to put hot water in a cold washer. I am afraid that you will end up damaging it.

What to look for in a pressure washer?

You have to look out for the psi, GPM, and cleaning capacity along with the duty of the washer. If you want to perform some heavy-duty tasks, go for a washer. Also, look out for the hot or cold washer and the electric or gas washer.

Which pressure washer nozzle for car is best?

It would be best if you used a 40-degree nozzle for the paint surface and glass. However, you can go with a 25-degree nozzle for tires and wheels. As for the engine, you can also go with a 25-degree nozzle to wash all the accumulated dirt and grease.

Still Doubtful?

Following these safety tips, the proper method of pressure washing a car, along with the general information. You will achieve the best results. Also, try to remain focused while doing the job. Don’t try to go with a low-priced pressure washer with less psi or features, as you might not be able to get particular desired results. If you have any more queries, you can ping me. Thanks for giving this article a big read. Share if you like.