While some people consider a pressure washer to be a luxury item, you’ll quickly realize how useful it is once you use one for your household tasks. Finding a great pressure washer for cars starts by making sure it is powerful enough to clean the vehicle thoroughly without damaging it, which means paying attention to the PSI number.
It is recommended that for residential use, you never go above 3,000 to 3,500 PSI. For cars, sticking to 1,200 to 2,200 PSI is best, and the preferred range is below 1,900 to 2,000 PSI. If the device is any more powerful than this, it might cause damages to the car.
Choosing the Right Pressure Washer
Choosing a high-quality pressure washer isn’t difficult if you learn what to look for first. Before you put down your hard-earned money on any type of pressure washer, it’s best to know which features are most important, and they include the following:
- The PSI, or pounds per square inch, which is discussed above.
- The GPM, or gallons of water used per minute, which is an important number for people who are conscious of the environment. It is also called the water flow rate.
- The CPUs, or cleaning power units, which is just the number you get when you multiply the PSI by the GPM. Again, never let the PSI number get above 3,000 to 3,500.
- Electrical versus gas-powered pressure washers. Gas-powered washers require no power source and are perfect for getting rid of sludge and grim. Electric washers, on the other hand, are low-maintenance and less expensive than gas-powered pressure washers.
- Portability. You have to decide how important it is to have a pressure washer that is lightweight and easy to transport from one area to another. Gas-powered pressure washers tend to be a bit heavier than electric ones.
- Tank capacity. If you want to go two to three hours at a time without stopping, choose a pressure washer that has a three-liter water tank.
- Renting versus purchasing your pressure washer. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, but purchasing this tool is usually your best option if you decide you’ll be using it on a regular basis.
Greenworks makes a great pressure washer for vehicles because it offers 1,700 PSI and has 25- and 45-degree tips, a 20-foot high-pressure hose, a 35-foot power cord, and a price that is under $135. In fact, you can easily find a pressure washer for your car that is within your budget because these tools are made in all price ranges.
Other Considerations
Another aspect that you may want to consider when buying a pressure washer for your vehicle is the detergent tank that comes with most of these tools. When you’re cleaning a deck or your driveway, you can get away with not using any type of cleaning agent, but that isn’t the case when you’re cleaning a vehicle.
High-pressure water is fine for some fixtures, but a car needs cleaning products as well. Most high-quality pressure washers come with detergent tanks of different sizes, and most of these tanks are removable to make filling and emptying them a breeze.
You’ll also want a pressure washer that is lightweight and easy to maneuver, and this is especially important if you have a lot of jobs to do that are going to take a while. Carrying the washer around can be cumbersome if it’s too heavy, so keep in mind that gas-powered pressure washers are usually heavier than the electric ones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of the most-asked questions regarding pressure washers for your vehicle include the following:
Should I apply my detergent by hand?
A: Before you start washing the car using the pressure washer, it’s best to go ahead and wash it by hand first. This allows you to remove most of the large pieces of gunk and debris so that using the pressure washer isn’t as time-consuming or difficult.
What type of wand should I use for my vehicle?
A: Typically, the angled wands do better with cars and trucks because it will be easier for you to get deep into all of the cracks and crevice in your vehicle, including underneath it.
Can I use more power if I want to clean the car faster?
A: In general, you should stick with 1,200 to 1,900 PSI. Any higher than that can scratch or damage the car. You should certainly never go above 1,900 to 2,000 PSI on a vehicle.
How can I remove dried-on or stubborn debris from my vehicle?
A: You should always remove as much debris by hand before using your pressure washer. If not, you may use the pressure washer too long in one location, which could scratch the car or even remove the paint. Aim for pointing your pressure washer at one spot for no longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
