How to Wash a Car with a Pressure Washer
Washing your car yourself can be a fun weekend activity. Not only does it help you save some money, but you can actually do a better job of thoroughly cleaning your car as compared to driving it through an auto car washer. For your car’s exterior, employing a pressure washer is an efficient and effective way to clean it, helping you to save time and achieve better spotless results. In this step-by-step guide, we will be instructing you on how to wash a car with a pressure washer as well as add in some additional useful tips and recommendations relating to the subject.
Learn How to Wash Your Car Using Your Pressure Washer
| Image | Title | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 Max PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric Pressure Washer | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Sun Joe SPX1000 1450 Max PSI 1.45 GPM 11.5-Amp Electric Pressure Washer, Green | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Top | Stanley SHP1600 Electric Power Washer, 1600 PSI, Yellow | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon |
| Greenworks 1600 PSI 13 Amp 1.2 GPM Pressure Washer GPW1602 | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon | |
| AR Blue Clean, AR383 1,900 PSI Electric Pressure Washer, Nozzles, Spray Gun, Wand, Detergent Bottle & Hose | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Step 1: Choose the Right Pressure Washer
There are many household pressure washers currently on the market. However, not every one of them is designed to be used for car washing. The pressure and nozzle design of a pressure washer are two of the most important factors when choosing one for car cleaning.
Nozzle
There are differently designed nozzles available for pressure washers. The nozzle regulates the amount of flow and PSI of the water coming out of the pressure washer. For car washing, you would want a 40-tip degree nozzle, which ensures a large and even distribution of the water flow, and at pressures that are low enough for safely washing your car.
Pressure
Pressure washers with a PSI of around 1300 to 2000 are recommended for car washing. At such pressure levels, you can effectively clean off the most demanding of dirt and grime stuck to your car, but the pressure still isn’t high enough to damage the car’s paint job or be a safety hazard if in unsupervised hands.
Our Favorite Car Pressure Washers
For your ease, we did the research for you and here is our listing of the best car pressure washers currently on the market.
AR Blue Clean, AR383
With a max PSI of 1900, the AR Blue Clean will do quick work of even the toughest of dirt patches stuck to your car. The pressure washer is also very environmentally friendly, using 80% less water compared to a regular garden hose. The 35-foot long power cord and 20-foot cleaning hose is a welcoming convenience, allowing you more versatility in choosing the spot for washing your car. Assembling the pressure washer is easy, and with a very durable built, you can expect the pressure washer to last a long while.
- OUTDOOR CLEANING POWER: Make quick cleaning jobs of decks, patios, siding, driveways, outdoor furniture, cars, trucks, RVs, ATVs and more.
- ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED: Professional-style pressure washer gun, 2 different pressure washer wands, 20 foot high pressure hose, 14 oz. detergent bottle and 2 high pressure quick change wands with pressure washer turbo and variable nozzles. Hose diameter: 0.25 inch
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Conserves water by using 80% less water with 40% more power than a standard garden hose. Quieter than gas engine models.
- EASY TO ASSEMBLE: Pull it out of the box, insert the hose reel and attach the handle. Connect the high pressure hose and garden hose. Plug the GFCI to a 3 prong outlet with a ground. Pull the trigger to start cleaning.
- CUSTOMER SERVICE: Best in class support. Contact us at anytime in Fridley, Minnesota. using the information found in the owners manual.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Great value for money
- Efficient
- Extra-long power cord and hose for greater reach
- Durable and rugged design
- Easy to Assemble
Cons
- Hose vulnerable to tangling
- May leak
Sun Joe SPX3000
The Sun Joe SPX3000 is another excellent pressure washer with a long reach and exceptional cleaning performance. Like the AR Blue Clean, the Sun Joe also boasts a long 20-foot hose and 35-foot power cord. The pressure it provides is ample for getting rid of extremely stubborn dirt, gunk, and grime off your car.
- POWERFUL: 14. 5-Amp/1800-watt motor generates up to 2030 PSI/1. 76 GPM for maximum cleaning power and water inlet temperature (max) is 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
- VERSATILE: Tackle a variety of cleaning tasks: homes, buildings, RV’s, cars, trucks, boats, decks, driveways, patios, lawn equipment, and more. With two 0. 9 L onboard detergent tanks, removable tanks carry and store different types of detergent to simultaneously tackle different cleaning projects.
- TSS (Total Stop System): Automatically shuts off pump when trigger is not engaged to save energy and prolong pump life.
- PRESSURE: Max rating per CSA test standards. Maximum internal pressure is 2030 PSI. Under typical load, working pressure is 1450 PSI
- WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! : Your new pressure washer is backed by the Snow Joe + Sun Joe customer promise. We will warrant new products for two years from the date of purchase. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Contact Snow Joe + Sun Joe Customer Support at 1-866-766-9563 for further assistance
One feature worth mentioning includes the total stop system, which automatically shuts off the pump when the trigger is disengaged to save energy and prolong the pump lifespan. Two 0.9 L onboard removable detergent tanks, 5 different sized quick-connect tips, and among other accessories, add to the versatility of this pressure washer.
Pros
- Extra-long power cord and hose for greater reach
- Great value for money
- Auto total stop system
- Plenty of additional extra features
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Not the most durable
Karcher K5 Premium
Provided you can afford, the Karcher K5 Premium would undoubtedly be a worthy investment. This pressure washer is among the best when it comes to cleaning performance. The overall design is also very high-grade. The non-corrosive motor pump is water-cooled, helping reduce noise, lower energy consumption, and increase its service life by five-folds. The pressure washer also features an onboard detergent tank and adjustable spray.
- Cleaner. Quicker.
- 2000 PSI, 1.4 GPM electric pressure washer
- Integrated hose reel for easy storage – 25ft high pressure hose
- Vario Power Spray wand – easily adjust spray right from the wand
- Dirtblaster spray wand – tackles the hardest jobs in half the time
- N-COR pump – durable, non-corrosive and maintenance-free
- Water cooled induction motor – increases life by up to 5X. Maximum water inlet Temp (°F) - 104
- Onboard detergent tank. Power supply (V/Hz) - 120 / 60
Pros
- Long-lasting, durable design
- Powerful Cleaning
- Extra-long power cord and hose for greater reach
- Relatively Quiet
- Easy to maintain
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Pricey
Step 2: Park the Car in the Right Spot
After having chosen your desired pressure washer, it is now time to set the car up for a wash. Park your car in an open space, making sure it’s far away from other people’s cars and other objects. After all, you wouldn’t want to dirty their cars while washing your own. Also, in case of hot weather, make sure the car isn’t being directly exposed to harsh sunlight.
Additionally, when choosing the parking spot, make sure that the pressure washer has access to an electric and water outlet. This shouldn’t be a problem with any one of the pressure washers we mentioned previously as they all feature an extra-long power cord.
Step 3: Rinse the Car Off
Before applying detergent, do a pre-clean of the car with the pressure washer to rinse off mud and other accumulated debris from the car. Make sure that all the doors are closed, and the windows rolled up before you start using the pressure washer.
Step 4: Apply the Detergent
Many pressure washers, including all three we mentioned, feature a special tank for storing detergent. Make sure to purchase a cleaning agent that is compatible with a pressure washer. Additionally, since most car cleaning detergents are sold as concentrates, it is important to dilute them with water before filling them inside the pressure washer.
Once that is dealt with, switch the setting on the pressure washer, and start spraying the detergent over your car. Start from the top and work your way down the car. Allow it to stay on your car for 3-5 minutes.
| Image | Title | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Chemical Guys CWS_301 Citrus Wash and Gloss Concentrated Car Wash (1 Gal) | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon |
| Meguiar's G7101FFP Gold Class Car Wash - 1 gallon | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Griot's Garage 10866 Car Wash (Brilliant Finish) 64oz | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Mothers 05674 California Gold Carnauba Wash & Wax-64 oz | PrimeEligible | Check Price on Amazon |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Step 5: Wash Away!
Now, switch the setting back to water spraying and start washing away the detergent. Hold the washer wand at a 45-degree angle and rinse the car starting from the top-up. Make sure to keep the entire car wet as you wash to prevent any water spots from arising.
Once all the detergent is washed off, use a towel or a soft cloth to dry the car and scrub off any remaining residue of soap or dirt. Use a separate brush or sponge for the car’s bottom and wheels as they are dirtiest, grittiest sections. Wax the car once fully dry.
Congratulations, you have successfully washed off your car using a pressure washer!
Our Final Thoughts
Cleaning your car with a pressure washer is not only efficient in helping you achieve neat, spotless results but can also be in itself a fun, therapeutic activity. We hope you found this guide on how to wash a car with a pressure washer to be helpful. Share it with others who you think may also find it useful.
