One question we often get asked a lot is whether electric pressure washers are good for washing cars. Considering that going just a little over the top with the pressure setting when using a pressure washer on a vehicle can damage the paint finish, your worries aren’t baseless.
So, are electric pressure washers good for washing cars? Yes, they are. Electric-powered washers usually have lower pressure than gas-pressure washers, making them best-suited for cleaning delicate surfaces, including vehicles, without fear of pressure damage.
However, using an electric pressure washer doesn’t totally eliminate the possibility of pressure damage when washing a vehicle. Read on as we examine the electric pressure washers, tips on preventing pressure damage when washing your vehicle and how to wash your vehicle with a pressure washer.
Electric Pressure Washers
Electric pressure washers are designed for home use or other light-duty cleaning purposes. Unlike gas-powered washers, electric pressure washers operate with very little noise and are eco-friendly. They also require less maintenance, but their functionality is often limited by the availability of wall outlets.
The capacity or cleaning power of pressure washers, whether gas or electric, is measured in PSI and GPM. And the capacity of the pressure washer determines whether the device is too much or suitable for your vehicle.
PSI stands for Pound Per Square Inch, and it expresses the stripping force produced by the washer. On the other hand, GPM stands for Gallon Per Minute and is the water volume released by the machine every minute. While the pressure provides the stripping force, the flow rate determines how fast the washer rinses off substances when washing.
However, most electric-powered washers usually pack about 1,000 to 2,000 PSI with a flow rate of about one to two GPM, which is the recommended cleaning power for washing vehicles.
Tips on Preventing Pressure Damage When Using an Electric Pressure Washer on Cars
Although electric pressure washers are the best for washing cars because of their moderate cleaning power, they still don’t eliminate the possibility of scratching the paint finish.
The pressure from the washer is only one of the factors that could damage the paint when washing your vehicle. Several other factors could also cause paint damage when using a pressure washer, and below are some tips on preventing such damage.
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Always start with low pressure and only increase the pressure when necessary.
You always want to ensure that you start out with low pressure to prevent damaging the paint job when using a pressure washer to wash your vehicle. While the recommended PSI for washing vehicles is between 1,200 to 1,800, 1,500 PSI is enough to get the job done.
When firing up the pressure washer, point the nozzle at the ground to pressure test the initial burst of water to avoid causing unwanted damage.
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Use the right nozzle type.
The choice of nozzle tip is another factor that plays a crucial role in the overall outcome when pressure washing your vehicle. All the nozzle tips included in an electric pressure washer have their specific purposes. The 40-degree and 15-degree nozzles are the designated tips for pressure washing vehicles.
The 40-degree nozzle was designated for cleaning large surface areas like washing and rinsing off detergent from the vehicle exterior. But the 15-degree nozzle is best for removing dirt from hard surfaces like the wheels.
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Keep your distance
Whenever you are using any pressure washer on your vehicle, you should always keep your distance. The force from the water pressure can damage the paint finish or, worse off, cause dents on the vehicle body. So, you always want to stay at a safe distance from the vehicle, preferably 3-5 feet away, when using a pressure washer.
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Pre-rinse the vehicle before washing to remove all stones or dirt
You should always pre-rinse the vehicle before washing to eliminate all the mud or other contaminants that could scratch the paint finish. Removing as much dirt as possible reduces the chances of scratches or scuffs on the paint finish after washing the vehicle.
How to Wash a Car Using an Electric Pressure Washer
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Pre-rinse the vehicle
Start by pre-rinsing your vehicle to get rid of all the dirt and caked-up soil on the vehicle. This eliminates the dirt and debris that can scratch the paint when washing the vehicle.
Using the 40-degree nozzle, pre-rinse the vehicle from the roof and work your way down to the windshield, windows, and body. For the tires and wheel assembly, use the 25-degree nozzle.
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Apply your detergent
After pre-rinsing your vehicle, it’s time to apply your detergent. Most electric pressure washers come with an onboard or removable detergent tank, but you can also use a soap cannon if your washer doesn’t have one. And if you don’t have a soap tank or foam cannon, applying the detergent manually is also an option.
You should never use any household cleaning agent like dish soap, hand soap or glass cleaner to wash your vehicle. They contain solvents that could ruin your paint protective wax. Instead, use a dedicated car wash soap, which is milder and formulated for washing vehicles.
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Rinse off the detergent
After applying the detergent and scrubbing the vehicle, you can rinse the foam and dirt off the vehicle. The 40-degree nozzle is best for rinsing as they spray at a wide angle and will easily cover large surface areas.
Remember to stay at a safe distance from the vehicle when rinsing. Once you’ve rinsed off all the soap residue, you can dry the vehicle using a microfiber towel and proceed to wax the vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Electric pressure washers are the best for washing vehicles as they make the whole process seamless, and their decent pressure levels also reduce the risk of pressure damage. Still, things can easily go south if the washer is not used correctly.
Always start with low pressure and only increase the pressure when needed to avoid unwanted damage to your vehicle’s paint finish when using an electric pressure washer. You also want to hold the nozzle a few feet away from your vehicle and use the right nozzle tip.
Pre-rinsing the vehicle before washing is also very important as it helps to eliminate all the mud and dirt that could end up scratching the paint finish during the washing process. If you follow all these tips, you won’t have difficulty when using an electric pressure washer to clean your vehicle.