Some people like to care about the exterior of their car and are willing to spend time cleaning and waxing the exterior as well as detailing the interior. If you don’t have time to wash your car, a trip to the clean car with a pressure washer is a great option.
Steps To Clean Car With A Pressure Washer
To clean your car with a pressure washer, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Pressure Washer and the Right Nozzle
When washing your car, it is important to use a pressure washer with the proper power (PSI: pounds per square inch) and water flow (GPM: gallons per minute). The higher the PSI, the greater the force with which the water flows from the top of the washer. The higher the GPM, the more water the washing machine drains.
The wash unit represents the combination of power and water volume that a pressure washer can produce. This is proved in the following equation:
- PSI x GPM = Cleaning Units
- 1500 PSI x 2 GPM = 3000 cleaning units
Washing a car with a pressure washer requires approximately 1,900 – 2,800 washing units. Pressure washers are more efficient than garden hoses and use less water. In the table below you can compare the cleaning setup between the hose and the pressure washer.
There are different types of nozzles to choose from. The correct size is very important to ensure that your car is cleaned effectively and the paint is not damaged. There are two characteristics to consider when choosing a pressure washer for your car: pressure rating and nozzle size.
Step 2: Park your car in a good car wash
It’s important to park your car in an open area away from other cars or objects you don’t want to get wet or damaged by water. Large driveways or roads are recommended. If you use an electric pressure washer, make sure you have access to an outlet to power the washer.
Step 3: Rinse the car
Before applying any cleaner to your car, be sure to rinse the car and spray off any mud or other residue that sticks to the surface. It’s best to start 4-5 feet away from the car, and then get closer after you’ve tested the pressure washer. Make sure all windows are rolled up and the doors and trunk are closed to prevent water from entering the vehicle.
Materials needed
- Pressure Washer
- drain pipe
- Power outlet
- 25 degree peak
Using these materials follow these 4 steps to flush your car
- Plug the pressure washer into a power source.
- Connect the pressure washer to the water outlet.
- Attach the 25 degree tip to the washer nozzle.
- Turn on the pressure washer and spray water over the entire surface of the car.
Be sure to wash the wheels, as well as the entire body. You may need to close-flush the tires to make sure you can remove all the dirt and grime from the hubcaps.
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Step 4: Apply cleaning products to your car
Most pressure washers have dedicated detergent compartments. Be sure to use a cleanser suitable for use with pressure washers.
Materials needed
- Pressure Washer
- Detergent (1 liter)
- water
- bucket
The following 4 steps explain how to best use a high-pressure cleaner:
- Pour detergent and water into a bucket and dilute the detergent concentrate with water.
- Fill the detergent tank of the pressure washer with diluted detergent.
- Make sure to change the pressure washer settings so that the car is sprayed with cleaner instead of water. If you don’t have a detergent tank, apply the detergent by hand with a cloth.
- Spray the cleaner on your car.
Start at the roof and work your way down. You can choose to wash only one side of the car at a time or wash the entire car at once.
Step 5: Rinse the cleaner off the car
Flush the cleaner off the car at a 40-degree angle. It’s a good idea to keep the washer at a 45-degree angle and flush down from the top of the car.
Materials needed
- Pressure Washer
- 40 degree peak
To effectively flush cleaning products from your car, follow these 3 tips:
- Switch the washer tip to a 40-degree tip.
- Switch the dispensing method from the detergent tank to the water source.
- Rinse off the detergent.
Depending on your preference, you can dry the car with a towel or a soft cloth after rinsing with detergent.
You have now successfully cleaned your car with a pressure washer, improving its appearance and saving time and water. Regular high pressure cleaning is a quick and effective way to improve the appearance of your car and extend the life of your paint. Be sure to follow these steps every time you wash your car to keep it looking its best.