Taking care of your car is one of the prerequisites if you want to extend its lifespan. However, we live in such a time where time is precious and wasting half an hour to hour cleaning our car is something which we cannot afford. Instead, we would rather spend 10 minutes at the local automated car wash and that is about it. But every car enthusiast knows that this is very wrong and all you need to achieve astonishing results is a pressure washer.
Yes, today you are going to learn everything that you need about these wonderful machines and what is the best way to use them. Nothing can clean the exterior of your car better than a pressure washer.
But rush nowhere hence there is so much to learn about them before you actually go to your local shop and buy one. There are different types of pressure washers, different nozzles, as well as different pressure levels. Thus being said, the first step is obviously choosing the right pressure washer and the appropriate nozzle.
Namely, there are two measurement that you need to keep in mind; GPM (gallons per minute) and PSI (pounds per square inch). Once you multiply these two measurements together you get the simple equation for Cleaning Units, which is the information you need when washing a car with a pressure washer.
For best results, you should never exceed more than 2,800 cleaning units or go below 1,900 cleaning units. This is very important because if you go over, the risk of damaging the paint on your car is fairly big, whereas if you go below, you might not get the final product you expected.
Why a pressure washer is so important and much better than a regular garden hose can be seen in the cleaning units that each of them produce. If a pressure washer produces around 2,250 CU, a garden hose produces no more than 280 CU.
Also, keep in mind that with the garden hose you are going to waste so much more water than with a pressure washer. Even though there are both gas-powered and electric power washers, it is better to go for the electric one since gas-powered pressure washers are simply way too powerful for everyday tasks, like washing your car or truck.
Choosing the nozzle on your pressure washer is also something that will make a huge difference. The distinction is made between two features, the nozzle size and the pressure level. The PSI on your pressure washer should not be higher than 1,900, hence you might damage the paint if they are higher.
As above mentioned, the nozzle size makes a big difference. Namely, the narrower nozzle tips use more pressure but the area they cover is much less. Consequently, using a wider tip produces less power but you cover more area. Keeping this in mind, you can switch through the nozzle tips while you are washing your car in order to get the best results.
For example, if you are trying to the dirt out from a very tight area, use a narrower nozzle tip and if you are simply to wash the roof or the hood, go for a wider nozzle tip. This would be more of a trial and error for you.
Now we move on to the second step. Yes, all of the above mentioned covered just the first step but do not worry hence the first step was the most important one. Namely, once you have finally chosen your pressure washer, the second step is choosing a good spot to park your car.
Stay away from cars and most important of all, stay away from trees. Trees are your biggest enemy when it comes to perfectly cleaning your car. Since you will probably choose an electric pressure washer, you should also keep in mind that some power outlet is going to be required. Do not forget to check if your pressure washer can be used with extension cords.
Finally, after all the preparation has been done, it is time to move on to the actual process of washing. The third step is rinsing your car. Yes, take your pressure washer and when you use it for the first time, stay about 5 meters away from your car because you can never know what will happen.
Rinse your car without using any soap or detergent since the first thing you need to do is to get the dirt and debris off your car. Also, make sure that all of your windows, as well as the trunk, are completely closed. Besides having access to power outlet, you are also going to need access to water outlet.
After you have fully rinsed your car with your new pressure washer, it is time to apply some detergent to it. Most of them have a special compartment which is used to pour cleaning solutions. The choice of the product is totally up to you.
However, try to stay away from the ones which have some very heavy chemicals in them since they might do some damage to the car`s paint. Simply pour the detergent inside the compartment and use it the same way you did before. Cover the whole surface of the car and leave it to soak up for couple of minutes.
Finally, step five requires from you to rinse the detergent off the car, but before you do so, you need to remove the detergent compartment from the pressure washer. Go around the whole car hence you want to rinse away every drop of the cleaning solution left on your car.
You will visually see how the car has changed from a dirty piece of metal to a shiny artwork. The next step is optional but it is highly recommended. Namely, it is a good idea to take a clean towel and dry the whole surface on your car or you can let the sun do all the work. It is totally up to you.
In no time you are going to become a pressure washer expert and you are also going to enjoy washing your car every single weekend!
