What Pressure Washer Nozzle Is Safe For Car

Pressure washers are a great device to clean various surfaces, and if you want to clean your car in the minimum time effectively, there is no better tool than the pressure washer. They are quick, convenient, and easy to use. Moreover, they provide a smooth and spotless finish and can make your car look just like new. But few things must be considered before using the pressure washer on the car. The pressure washers are high-powered machines and are often used to remove the layerings.

In the same way, pressure washers can cause irreparable damage to the painting of the car if they are used carelessly. Even if you are not detecting any visible damage to the vehicle, high pressure and improper cleaning may cause them to be prone to fade and oxidation.

In this article, we will discuss the safe use of a pressure washer on the car.

Safe Washing of Car With Pressure Washer

The pressure washer can go beyond 2500 to 3000 psi, but the optimum pressure to wash the car is about 1500 psi. These are some factors that must be considered before washing the car with a pressure washer.

Select the Right Pressure Nozzle

Selecting the appropriate pressure nozzle is essential in the pressure wash, especially in cars. Pressure nozzles are often detachable and can be easily replaced. Wide-angle pressure nozzles provide the cleaning effect to large areas but less efficiency. On the other hand, narrow-angle nozzles can provide concentrated cleaning. Surfaces like parking lots and pavement require high pressure, but for the cars, you should not use the pressure nozzle lower than 25 degrees spray pattern.

Right Pressure Selection

The best pressure range for your car is between 1500 to 2000 psi, and you should respect that boundary. Going high in terms of pressure would not significantly affect cleaning time but greatly increase the chances of damage. Using an adjustable unloader valve is better to reach the best pressure levels.

Too Close Is Too Dangerous

When talking about the pressure washer, the range is the central issue. Taking the pressure washer wand too close to the car’s surface may cause the paint and pigment to wear off. Similarly, using the rod too far from the surface will cause ineffective cleaning. It is better to keep the pressure in the 12 inches range of the car’s exterior.

Avoid Critical Areas

If you have damaged paintwork or rusty surfaces on the car, it is better not to use the pressure washer. Even the low-pressure cleaning car makes these worse. Similarly, do not use the pressure washer on the screen and the glasses of the vehicle. The high pressure can cause the glasses to shatter. Instead, it is better to use soap and detergent to clean those areas.

Choose The Detergents Carefully

You should not use any reactive detergents to use with the pressure washer. It is better to use only the rated detergent suitable for use with a pressure washer and has maximum cleaning effect without any damage to the cars. There are varieties of cleaning agents to choose from when it comes to cleaning the car with the pressure washer, but if you are still confused, try the detergent with the best customer reviews.

Be Consistent

In cleaning the patios and the pavement, using the highest pressure is not much of an issue, and you can directly go to the high-pressure low angle nozzle and have minor damage, but the car cleaning is a bit different. You should not just increase the pressure if you are not getting the desired cleaning effect but instead opt for a longer cleaning time. Increasing the pressure suddenly may cause the paint removal and the dents and shatter of glass.

Final Words

The safe approach for car cleaning is using a 40-degree nozzle with a pressure washer. It would help if you did not use the nozzle at less than 25 degrees angle in any circumstance. Similarly, the best pressure is 1500 psi, and the maximum pressure is 2000 psi and not more than that. Some cars are more sensitive to pressure and can not handle much, and you should be very careful in using the pressure washer on them.

Author
Recent Posts

Jose Kelly

Jose Kelly is a passionate part time blogger running multiple Pressure Washer for Rent stores and have a company providing cleaning services with pressure washers in her hometown. It was her father's business initially but later on Jose take over the business after his father's retirement. She's been in the field for 5 years now and that's how she decided to share the knowledge about Pressure Washer with other people. You can read more about her on the About Page.