Using a pressure washer is a great way of cleaning your car, especially for those who detest handwashing. The ability to shoot out a jet of highly pressurized water helps to eliminate all the hardcore dirt marks and grime quickly and efficiently.
However, pressure washing does come with a share of risks. Do it incorrectly and you could end up messing up the paint job or even ruining the car tires.
To ensure you get it right, consider the guide below on how to clean your car with a pressure washer.
Step 1 – Find the Right Spot to Wash Your Car
The first thing you want to do is find the right spot to wash your vehicle. Ideally, it should be an open space away from other objects so that you don’t risk damaging anything with the pressurized water. You can look for a deserted driveway or street for this, but make sure that it’s close to a power outlet.
Also, you should note that there are multiple hoses involved when using a pressure washer, which can clutter the ground and easily end up being a safety hazard. To reduce the likelihood of tripping and falling, ensure there is enough space to pace around the car comfortably.
Step 2- Rinse the Upper Layer of Dirt
Before you start using any cleaner or detergent on your car, you want to start by rinsing off any grime, mud, or grit lodged on the surface. Some car pressure washers come with different jet sprays; if you’re using this type, adjust the spray to about 5-8cm wide for the rinsing.
Be sure to spray off any visible mud patches from the body but take care not to interfere with the paintwork. For fragile areas like the lights and windows, you’ll want to use a wider spray with less pressure to avoid damaging them.
Step 3- Apply the Detergent
Set the car pressure washer nozzle to the widest and least pressure setting when applying the detergent. Take a foam cannon basin and fill it with warm water to around three-quarters from the top. The warm water serves to agitate the shampoo so that the application is thicker.
Shake the basin just enough to get the water to blend with the detergent as needed then apply the foam solution on the entire car, making sure to cover all sections from the top to bottom and left to right.
Allow the shampoo to soak in for a couple of minutes so that it works its magic. However, don’t wait too long, lest it dries on the surface and leaves behind blemishes.
Step 4- Loosen the Hardened Dirt and Grease
Use an attachable car brush to scrape off any stubborn dirt stains that couldn’t be washed off in the first step. If you’ll be using the same brush to scrub the wheels and the paintwork, make sure you do the wheels last.
This is because the brush can easily pick up small particles like stones that can damage the paintwork when you start brushing the car body. Once you’re done, rinse your brush thoroughly to get rid of any grit stuck between the bristles.
Step 5- Wash the Detergent off the Car
Set the washer to a high-pressure setting to rinse away the detergent on the car body. Use a slightly more powerful jet on the paint than the windows. If the washer doesn’t have an adjustable nozzle that can vary the width and pressure of the spray, just move a distance away from the car to manage the pressure.
Step 6- Wipe Your Car Dry
Once all the detergent is rinsed off the car, look for a dry and clean piece of rag or clothing to wipe the body of the car. Finally, find a nice place under a shade to park your vehicle and let it dry out completely.
Pressure Washing Dos and Don’ts
- When using a car pressure washer, remember to keep the following in mind:
- Point the washer nozzle towards the ground when you turn it on
- Wash the car on concrete instead of gravel to prevent the loose debris from hitting and spoiling the paintwork
- Ensure the windows are properly closed to prevent leaks inside the car when spraying
- Don’t hold the hose close to the paintwork and avoid spraying directly at panel gaps for long
- Don’t allow the detergent to dry as it may cause undesirable blemishes
