How to pressure wash a car

Between dust, pollution and the elements, cars are exposed to all kinds of dirt which, over time, can end up damaging your bodywork. With this in mind, it is recommended to wash your car about once a month.

That said, you might get away with less cleaning if your car is kept under cover. On the other hand, you may find yourself needing to do it more if you live in an area with harsher conditions such as by the sea or in the mountains.

Either way, pressure washers offer the ideal solution for washing the car which is why they are often found at car washes! These devices work by sending pressurised water through a nozzle or brush. The use of pressure works to clean out every nook and cranny in a car without too much effort from you. Lightweight and easy to handle, a pressure washer lance can be used for easy and precise cleaning.

All you need to do is choose the right model for the job. In this case, this means picking a low power electric pressure washer to prevent any damage to your vehicle. From there, you can choose all kinds of accessories and products such as brushes, foam canons and special car shampoo and put them to use using the right techniques.

Pressure washers for cars

An electric pressure washer is recommended for cleaning a car. Compact and easy to use, these pressure washers are less expensive and make less noise than petrol pressure washers. When cleaning a car, pressure should be limited to about 120 to 150 bar. Any higher and you risk damaging the bodywork and windows of your car.

In terms of power, a 1600W pressure washer with a flow rate of about 400 litres per hour (l/h) should suffice. If you already have a petrol pressure washer, you won't need to invest in another model but be sure to adjust the pressure accordingly.

What pressure washer accessories do I need to clean a car?

In terms of accessories, things like straight nozzles, turbo nozzles and brushes are ideal. Another option is to use a foam canon, also known as a snow foam, to spray a mixture of water and car shampoo through a filtered nozzle. Here is a list of the best types of accessories to use when pressure washing a car:

• Washing the bodywork: fit a foam canon to the trigger of your pressure washer. Fill it with a 3-in-1 shampoo for the best results. Next, you can use a rotating brush with soft bristles to spray out a water jet. The same rotating brush – ideally with a diameter of about 150mm – can be used to clean the windscreen, rear window, the front lights and the brake lights.

• Cleaning the wheel rims: choose a cone-shaped brush covered entirely with bristles to access every corner of the wheel rim. Water is sprayed out evenly all around this type of brush making ideal for cleaning off built-up dirt from wheel rims.

• Cleaning side trim: use a pressure washer lance with a rotating or straight jet depending on how dirty the area is. Pay special attention to the area surrounding the front and back wheels.

• Rinsing the foam: use a rotating lance to rinse the car working from the roof down to the wheels.

3-in-1 car shampoo: cleanliness and shine guaranteed

The best way to clean your car is to use a special car shampoo designed for this purpose. Bear in mind that a classic detergent may damage your paintwork. While a range of car shampoos is available, a 3-in-1 shampoo is often the best option – not only will it clean the car, it will also make it shine and protect your bodywork. It is also possible to find eco-friendly, biodegradable car shampoos.

1. It's important to pre-wash your car to get rid of the worst of the dirt. Be careful not to place the lance too close to the car. Maintain a distance of about 50cm to 1 metre at all times. It's a good idea to protect your eyes with safety goggles. Clean your car from top to bottom taking care not to spend too much time on any bumps or cracks at the risk of damaging the paint. Similarly, don't go over joints too much to prevent any risk of paint peeling.

2. Next, apply shampoo over the entire vehicle using a sponge adding on water using your pressure washer. Alternatively, use a foam canon. Finish off around the wheel rims.

3. Clean the bodywork using the correct accessories (i.e. rotating brushes for the main panels and cone-shaped brushes for the wheel rims).

4. Rinse the whole car using a turbo nozzle working from the roof towards the wheels. Ensure you get all the foam out around the doors, boot and hood.

Finish off by storing your pressure washer alongside your freshly cleaned brushes.