Your car gets dirty on a regular basis, but it costs a fortune to go back and forth to the car wash. Fortunately, there’s a way to wash your car at home, with your pressure washer. In addition to being easier and less expensive, this can also be fun! Here are five tips to help you get started.
1. Choose the Right Pressure Washer and Nozzle
First, gather your equipment. Your power washer should be clean and in good working order. For best results (and to avoid the risk of damaging the paint on your car), choose a pressure washer with a range of 1.4 to 1.6 gallons per minute. You’ll also need a suitable nozzle, such as a 40-degree fixture, to complete your preparation. Be advised that zero- and 15-degree fixtures are too intense for a car and may damage or strip the paint.
2. Choose an Appropriate Location
Position your vehicle in an area away from buildings, landscaping, and other vehicles. Once you’ve done this, begin spraying the car down from top to bottom, with your power washer held firmly in both hands.
3. Apply Soap From Top to Bottom
Next, you’ll need to apply soap to the wet car. There are dozens of options available, and you’ll simply need to choose an option you like. For the simplest application, fill the detergent tank of your power washer. As you apply the soap, start from the top of the car and work your way down to the wheels.
4. Rinse the Car Thoroughly
Next, make your water source the output method of the pressure washer. Holding the power washer at a 45-degree angle, wash the soap off of the car. Once you’ve done this, you can either dry the car with a soft cloth or rag or wax the vehicle.
5. Apply Wax to the Car
Once you’ve completed the car wash process, manually apply your favorite wax to the car’s body, working from top to bottom. This will protect the vehicle’s clear coat and keep the paint in good shape.
While it’s easy to go to the car wash to shine your vehicle up, it’s also easy to do it at home with your pressure washer, in the comfort of your driveway!