Why pressure washers are a good way of washing cars

Preparing Your Car for Pressure Washing

If you want to get the best results, cleaning your car with a pressure washer is more than just pointing a stream of water and shampoo at your vehicle. First, you have to prepare the paintwork and other surfaces properly. This means removing any loose dirt and debris from the surface, the best way of achieving this is to rinse your car with a hose or by using a soft brush to remove any dirt that may be stuck to the paintwork.

Dry Ice Cleaning can be useful too

Once you have removed any loose dirt, you need to apply a cleaning solution to the surface of your car. There are many different brands and cleaning solutions on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is specifically designed for use with your pressure washer.

Then after applying the cleaning solution, leave it to sit on the surface of your vehicle for a few minutes. This will allow the solution to penetrate the dirt and grime, making it all the easier to remove.

Choosing the Right Pressure Washer

When it comes to choosing a pressure washer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you should choose one that produces sufficient pressure (PSI - pounds per square inch), 1500-2000 normally be sufficient for cleaning cars.

Secondly, you should choose a pressure washer with a high enough GPM (gallons per minute) rating. If you chose one that is too low, it will take that bit longer to clean your car, so be sure to one that is sufficiently powerful.

Finally, you should choose a pressure washer which has the right type of nozzle or one that allows you to change nozzles as needed. A narrow nozzle is best for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, while a wide nozzle is best for cleaning large areas.

Pressure Washing Techniques for Different Car Surfaces

Different car surfaces require different pressure washing techniques. For example, you should use a lower pressure setting when cleaning delicate surfaces, such as windows and mirrors, and a higher pressure setting when cleaning tougher surfaces, such as tyres and wheels.

When pressure washing your car, it is important to work in sections. Start at the top of your car and work your way down, rinsing each section thoroughly before moving on to the next.

But then there are foam cannons and lances

Foam cannons make the whole car washing process more fun, whilst also helping you to achieve great results. Used with a pressure washer, you can use them to produce a thick shaving cream like foam onto your car.

Basically, a foam cannon is a specially designed piece of car washing equipment, which when used with a pressure washer and an extension wand (if wanted) mixes the cleaning liquid with water and air to produce thick suds. These stick to the surface of the car, the cleaning detergents then breaking down the dirt and grime on the vehicle’s surface.

How is a foam cannon constructed?

The controls are quite simple. There is a soap control knob that alters the amount of soapy water that is mixed with the water from the pressure washer. Then you have a nozzle control knob. This allowing you to deliver a thick stream of foam to a small surface area or alternatively switching it to target a larger surface area.

Maintenance

To keep your pressure washer in fullworking order, it is a must to carry out some basic regular maintenance. This includes cleaning the nozzle and filter, checking the oil level (when the pressure washer is a petrol version) , and inspecting the hoses and connections for any signs of wear or damage.

It is also important to store your pressure washer properly when not in use. This means draining the water from the machine and storing it in a dry, secure location.

For more information on cleaning equipment, please see our guides:-

Professional Cleaning Equipment

Window Cleaning Tools

Wall Mounted Hose Reels