[Updated February 2024]Everyone likes a shiny car, and depending on where you live, getting a carwash regularly is a necessity to prevent important components from rusting. Going through a car wash is fun, but with a decent wash costing at least ten dollars, it can add up quickly. Instead of washing that money down the gas station drain, you can invest in a pressure washer to clean your car quickly and efficiently. There are plenty of pressure washers out there, so it is important to know a little about them before you make a decision.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Pressure Washer
A decent pressure washer will last you a long time so you want to make sure that you are buying one that will work for you in the long run. When choosing the perfect pressure washer, there are a few features and scenarios to consider.
Power
How your machine is powered is probably the most important feature of a pressure washer. Gas and electric have their pros and cons, depending on your needs.
Hose Style
Accessories are often interchangeable but if they aren’t you should make sure that the hose style is the one you want. Most hoses are fixed, so you should make sure the length is appropriate for your needs. Some hoses are telescoping so they change in length, which is the best possible option.
Nozzles
Again, accessories are often available to be purchased separately but they can cost quite a bit more as an add-on. Different degrees of nozzles are used for different tasks, and some machines come with one or two nozzles while others come with more than you will likely ever need.
Soap Reservoir
This is an often overlooked but important feature of pressure washers. Not all pressure washers have a separate soap reservoir but it makes life a lot easier when you are doing things like cleaning cars or washing down the siding.
What is the best PSI to Wash a Car
Pressure washing a car is a way to clean it quickly and easily but pressure washers aren’t toys and if you aren’t careful, you can damage your car with one. Even at the proper PSI, you can damage parts of your car if you aren’t careful, so use caution when washing around sensitive areas like your side-view mirrors and antenna. Having the pressure set too high can even strip the paint off of your car. Anything above 2000 PSI is sure to strip the paint off of your car while anything under 1200 won’t be strong enough to cut through the dirt. The best PSI is anywhere in that range but 1500 is a largely agreed-upon number.
Which is Better Gas or Electric?
They do the same thing in the same way, but gas and electric pressure washers are very different pieces of equipment. From an environmental standpoint, electric is much better than gas because it doesn’t give off emissions and there is no chance of gas spilling into the groundwater. From a convenience standpoint, gas is a better option because it can go anywhere as long as there is gas in the tank which makes big projects with a lot of moving like pressure washing the house an easier task.
When it comes to gas or electric for pressure washing your car, the best option is electric. Electric pressure washers are not as strong as gas options, which means that the risk of damaging your car is lesser.
What is the Best Technique for Pressure Washing a Car?
Pointing and shooting at a car will get it clean after a while but it won’t be the fastest or safest technique to pressure wash your car. The first step is to choose the right tip; the wrong angle of a tip can cause permanent damage to the car which is why you want a 40 or 45-degree angle tip. Scrub the car with detergent to pull up grease and dirt from the surface. Stand about three feet away from the car and start to spray from top to bottom, so the dirty water drips down.
What Is The Difference Between Light, Medium, and Heavy Duty Pressure Washers?
Pressure washers are a handy tool for several household projects but not everyone needs the biggest
and the most powerful machine out there. For a lot of weekend warriors, the lightest-duty pressure washer is probably fine.
Heavy Duty (2,900-3,300 PSI)
A heavy-duty pressure washer is not only wrong for the average household, but it is also seriously dangerous. These machines are strong and can easily cut through flesh making them dangerous to operate without proper gear and experience. Heavy-duty pressure washers are not for cleaning cars; in fact, they will strip the paint right off. These machines are best used by professionals who want to do things like strip paint off a house, clean siding and remove tough stains from driveways.
Medium Duty (2,000 – 2,800 PSI)
The medium-duty pressure washer is a jack of all trades. It isn’t as powerful as the heavy-duty option, but it can still be dangerous. These pressure washers are fantastic for doing work around the house like cleaning the driveway, patio, and fencing. While you can use medium-duty pressure washers to clean your car, it is not the best option as it can damage your car.
Light Duty (1,500 – 1,900) PSI
If you are only looking to do some light cleaning around the house, light-duty pressure washers are the way to go. Not only are the less expensive, but there is also less of a chance of damage to people and things. These are the best pressure washers for cars, patio furniture, and light sidewalk cleaning.
Other Important Questions
Do I Need Hot Water?
In most cases, your pressure washer will only use cold water as it is the pressure and not the heat that cleans surfaces. In some cases, like cleaning animal cages, you will want hot water, so you want to choose a pressure washer with a heating coil that heats the water while you use the machine.
Are All Accessories Interchangeable?
There is a misconception that all accessories will work with any washer on the market but it’s not true. Just like any other machine, there are patents and proprietary technology that companies want to use to separate themselves from the rest, so every machine has specific accessories.
Why Isn’t My Machine Working?
The first step is to make sure that it is getting power; if it is an electric washer, make sure that it is plugged in and if it is a gas washer, make sure it has enough gas. Check for blockages in the hose and tank, it is uncommon but there is always a possibility that a foreign object is in the tank stopping water flow. If the water pressure is low, check the hose and the tank for leaks, often these leaks are easily repairable.
What Soap Do I Use?
There is no one soap to use in your pressure washer, but there are two easy rules to follow. First and foremost, make sure that the soap you use is meant for a pressure washer, not all soaps are meant for your pressure washer and could cause damage. Second, make sure that the soap is meant for the job you are doing. Soap made for cleaning your siding will probably not be as effective when it comes to cutting grease on your driveway.
Best Pressure Washers
These pressure washers are handpicked as some of the best pressure washers for car washing. They are all different in their own ways, but you are sure to find one that best suits what you are looking for in a reliable pressure washer.
Sun Joe SPX3001
This slightly updated version of the Sun Joe SPX3000 is one of the best overall medium-duty pressure washers you can find. It’s powered by a 14.5 amp motor which makes it gentle enough to tackle car cleaning but generates up to 2,030 PSI to do harder jobs like driveways and patios.
This model is lightweight thanks in part to the single 40-gallon detergent tank and the electric power source. With a 35-foot power cord and 20-foot hose extension, you have over fifty feet of range out of the box. A few features that make this model stand out are the center hose reel for easy leading and the quick connect nozzle heads positioned on the handle.
On top of being more environmentally friendly because of its power source, this machine also has something called a “total stop system,” which immediately shuts off the pump when the handle isn’t engaged to conserve energy. All of these fantastic features are backed by a sound warranty, so it’s easy to see why this is a popular model.
Greenworks 1500 PSI
Greenworks is the most budget-friendly model of the bunch and while it has budget-friendly pitfalls, it is still a good machine. Maxing out at 1,500 PSI means that it is great for most light and some medium-duty work, but that makes it the perfect pressure washer for cars.
This pressure washer works vertically or horizontally for more versatility and flexibility in use. Its super lightweight and when you consider the 35-foot power cord and 20-foot hose, you can imagine how easy it is to carry around the car or just about anywhere doing any job around the house. As a budget model, it doesn’t have a ton of standout features but it does come with two tips and a small soap reservoir to add detergent for a deeper clean.
Greenworks is a less expensive brand but it is not a “cheap” brand. It may lack features and functions that other machines and they are not commercial products, but they will last a while for the average Joe.
Briggs & Stratton 20545
If you feel like gas-powered is the best fit for you, then this is the machine to choose. With a maximum PSI of 2,200, it can tackle heavier projects than your car, but it also means you need to be more careful about the PSI you are using to clean your car.
It’s not the lightest machine but wheels and no cord make it easily maneuverable. A 25-foot hose makes reaching even the hardest areas more attainable and lets you walk around your car without needing to adjust the machine. This washer has three quick-connect tips for different jobs and easy start technology for stress-free ignition.
Briggs & Stratton is well reputed for making long-lasting, durable products. With proper care, this machine will last a lifetime, but in case faith isn’t enough, Briggs & Stratton offer a two-year warranty on this pressure washer.
AR Blue Clean AR383
Annovi Reverberi is not a household name in the U.S., but they make one of the best pressure washers for car detailing. It maxes out at 1,900 PSI, which means it’s great for washing your car but can tackle a few tougher jobs as well.
One of the reasons people love this machine so much is that it only weighs 27 pounds which makes it easily maneuverable. A 30-foot power cord and 20-foot hose mean you can wash around the car without ever stopping to adjust your washer. It comes with four quick-change nozzles for different jobs and a detergent reservoir to add soap to any job. Another excellent feature of this machine is the center hose reel that makes cleanup and storage a breeze.
This may be an Italian company, but they have a highly touted customer service line right in the U.S. They also stand behind this product with a one year warranty.
Karcher K5
The Karcher K5 is probably the best pressure washer for car washing. It reaches a top PSI of 2,000, which is too much for a car, but that means that this pressure washer can do more around the house. A water-cooled induction motor means that this machine can maintain constant PSI for longer periods.
As you would expect from a premium machine, the K5 has a solid and durable body but still only weighs 32 pounds. With 25 feet of hose and another 25 feet of power cord, this machine can get around the biggest truck with no issue. One of the best features of the K5 is that it skips the need for multiple nozzles and instead has two adjustable wands so you can get more done without having to switch out tips. It has an onboard detergent tank for soap to tackle the extra dirty jobs. A center-mounted hose reel makes clean up and storage hassle-free.
For a home model, you will not find a more durable product than this one. The induction cooled motor more than doubles the lifetime of this device versus similar products. In case there are any problems Karcher backs the K5 with an unprecedented two-year warranty.
Care and Consideration
When you have invested in a pressure washer, you want to make sure that you take care of your investment. If you live in an area where you won’t be using your pressure washer year-round, follow these steps to store your machine properly.
Protect the Engine
This is only if you are using a gas-powered pressure washer. Gas goes bad after about 30 days and can wreak havoc on the mechanical parts. Ethanol blended gas is even worse and can lead to rust and corrosion in the gas tank. To protect the engine either drain the gas before storage or use an additive that stabilizes the fuel and prevents it from breaking down in storage.
Flush the Water
This is especially important if you are storing your pressure washer somewhere where it has the potential to freeze. Before storing the machine; turn it on and run it without a water source pulling the trigger to ensure all the water has left the hose. Use a dry towel to wipe down the nozzle and any other parts that may be wet before storing it away.
Pretreat and Store
Use a funnel to add a specialized pump saver oil into the pump of your pressure washer to further protect from rust, freeze damage, and corrosion. Store the washer in a cool, dry place, away from excess dirt and dust. Before using it for the new season, give it a good wipe down to remove any excess dirt and dust.
If you follow these steps and take general care of your device; it will treat you right for years to come and have your car and the rest of your exterior looking immaculate.
