How to Pressure a Car for the Perfect Clean

It’s a beautiful day, and you’ve got your car all washed and ready to go. But there’s one last thing to do before you can hit the open road – the windows need to be cleaned. So you pull out the squeegee and get to work…only to find that the streaks just keep coming. What gives?

It turns out that you may be making a common mistake when pressure washing your car – using too much pressure. That’s right, those high-powered hoses can actually damage your car’s coat if you’re not careful.

If you use too much pressure when pressure washing your car, you can actually damage the paint job. The high-powered hoses can strip away the wax and polish, leaving the paint vulnerable to scratches and chips.

So how much pressure should you use?

It depends on the type of car you have and the finish of your paint job. If you have a newer car with a shiny finish, you’ll want to use less pressure. For an older car with a duller paint job, you can get away with using more pressure.

To be safe, start with the lowest setting on your pressure washer and work your way up until you find the perfect balance of power and pressure. You should also hold the nozzle at least six inches away from your car’s surface to avoid damaging the paint.

Best pressure washers for cars

If you’re in the market for a new pressure washer, here are a few of our favorites:

• The Karcher K5 Premium Electric Power Pressure Washer is perfect for those with newer cars. It has a low-pressure setting that is gentle on delicate surfaces.
• The Simpson Cleaning ALH3425 Aluminum Gas Pressure Washer is a great option for those with older cars. It has a high-pressure setting that can power through tough dirt and grime.
• The Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer is a good all-around option. It has two pressure settings (low and high) so you can customize the amount of pressure you use.

No matter which pressure washer you choose, make sure to use the lowest setting possible to avoid damaging your car’s paint job. And always hold the nozzle at least six inches away from the surface of your car. With a little care and attention, you can keep your car looking like new for years to come. With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to pressure wash your car like a pro in no time!