How to use a pressure washer properly?

[Batmobile]

Hi, I've just bought a Karcher Pressure washer 2.98 with 2 kinds of head. I am not really sure about how to use it properly. It has high power, so want to make sure that I don't ruin my own paint. I also bought swirl X and finishing pad to complete my detailing products.

Do you guys have any certain techniques or tips of using a pressure washer?
Are there any do and don't?

Thank you for sharing...

[Eddie6th]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

I have a pressure washer,but I don't use it for washing the car.I use it for the engine bay from time to time.I normally just use the garden hose.

You DON'T want to use the highest power jet.It is a highly concentrated spiral jet.It's really best left for cleaning your driveway(stonework) etc.
Don't even use it for your wheel arches.It has the strength to remove the protective coating.

You say you have two nozzle attatchments.I take it one is high output and the other is an adjustable,low output?

Use the lower output nozzle,and if it can be adjusted,put it on soft.

The whole reason I don't use it for the bodywork,is that even with the soap bottle attatchment on,and after it is rinsed,you still have to pass over with soap again and a wash mitt or sponge.

I generally find that they are good for removing mud under the wheel arches and that's about it.

[wang]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

me too.just bought a Karcher Pressure washer HD6_15c.It can adjust to(30-150)bar.
I would like to Know what pressure is safe for paint.

[Eddie6th]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

Hi Wang,I don't have karcher.I have an Alto.Can't remember the exact psi ranges,but it's something similair to what you've got.

I would use it on the soft setting and just wash your car as normal.

Maybe some users here that use their pressure washer on their car can give you some more accurate advice, and tips.

[Black Bart]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

I have a pressure washer and it is nice for a lot of projects but washing a car is not one of them.
By the time I get the washer ready I can have half the car washed and like above poster said you still have to use a mitt the washer will NOT get it clean.

If you hold the spray head a foot or more away from the paint even on high it will not hit the car with all that much force you need to hold it close to due damage with the cheaper washer in the 2000 PSI or less range.

[CieraSL]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

I agree with Eddie, you don't need to use a pressure washer to wash your car. You're not going to gain a thing.

[john m.]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

But the one thing you can do with a pressure washer is use a foam gun attachment! Well you can do it with a regular hose too but it looks so much cooler with the pressure washer!

[Black Bart]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

But the one thing you can do with a pressure washer is use a foam gun attachment! Well you can do it with a regular hose too but it looks so much cooler with the pressure washer!

I bought a Gilmore foam gun from AG used it once and threw it on the shelf and it has been their for nearly 2 years now.
I view it as a big waste of money.
IF I allowed my car to get filthy then maybe a pressure washer and foam and all those gadgets would help but for me all I need is a hose and some quality car soap and a mitt.
In the time it takes to get a washer ready and mix the foam gun I can have it washed and did it on far less soap.

[john m.]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

Very true, for people like us it isnt a necessary tool but for people that do other cars besides their own it can come in very handy for a highly soild vechile imho.

[Tom Weed]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

I use a pressure washer everytime I wash my car and customers cars. It's an electric 1800 PSI Campbell Hausfield. The reasons I chose to use it over just the hose are the following.

1. I can use the adjustable head and control the fan and pressure of the spray, I use a low pressure spray to wash the car
2 It works great to crank it up a little for wheels, wheel wells, tires, engine bay and the undercariage
3 My DI system wants the water pressure regulated, which the pressure washer does without any other fittings
4 It saves water

I have quick connects on it along with my hose and a shut of valve at the end of the hose, so it's super easy to connect and disconnect. I never think of it as damaging the paint because I dont hold it close to the surface and I turn down the pressure down. What the extact pressure is I do not know but you will figure it out I'm sure. A little common sense goes a long way with using one of these.

[wang]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

Hi Wang,I don't have karcher.I have an Alto.Can't remember the exact psi ranges,but it's something similair to what you've got.

I would use it on the soft setting and just wash your car as normal.

Maybe some users here that use their pressure washer on their car can give you some more accurate advice, and tips.

Thanks you Eddie6TH & right now i know 1/BAR=14.6/PIS.

[Batmobile]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

Thank you...

I use the pressure washer this afternoon to wash two of my cars.. My place has a lot of dirt and soil on the road. Everytime it rains, my cars turn brown.

The high pressure nozzle works well on the tires and above the tires.. it really kicks a lot of dirt out.. For the body I use the adjustable nozzle, I tried it on my hand 3 kinds of settings and I found than the medium setting is nice, not too strong not too soft. It kicks some dirt and soil off the paint with such an angle.. Then I continue the two bucket system and wash it as usual.

I found it useful to kick the dirt off the tires, above the tires and side body where dirt are so many.. I think it minimizes the possibility of scratching the paint during scrubbing / washing..

[Eddie6th]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

Hi BatM and Wan,Glad to see you've got to grips with your pressure settings.From what you've described Bat,sounds like loose dirt or dried mud under the wheel arches and inbetween the tyre treads.Maybe your car isn't to dirty at the moment,but you'll find after you remove the loose stuff,there will probably be dirt left on the sidewalls that is not loose and the pressure washer cannot take that off.That will have to be taken off manually.

Anyway,hope everything is going fine with your washer.

[Batmobile]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

Yes, the pressure washer only kick loose dirt, but still there are still sticky dirt on the paint and still using wash mitt and shampoo to make the car really clean.. Man, I like Gold Class and NXT shampoo...

[Eddie6th]

Re: How to use a pressure washer properly?

The point is,you bought a pressure washer.So there is no harm in using it!

They are so handy for cleaning stonework. Just pressurized water,no soaps or detergents....That's what I love them for.

They can be addictive too.Once you start,you keep on going looking for little bits that might have been missed.

Just for me it would be a nuisance.Waste to much time prepping it for washing the car.Outlet extentions etc.....

Anyway,enjoy...they're good fun!