Whether you’ve got a new motor or an old banger, nothing lifts the look of your car like giving it a good clean. Gleaming glass and paintwork turns heads, and helps you get a better price if you’re selling. Meanwhile, getting rid of bird mess, tree lime and road salt helps protect your paint, and save you from big bills further down the line.
But let’s face it; washing the car can be a pain, and not everyone cares enough to fuss over the details. That’s where your pressure washer can save you time, blasting off dirt and droppings, and returning your car to its best in next to no time.
Cleaning a car with a pressure washer can get you great results, and it certainly uses less water than a typical wash with a hose. But go in all guns blazing and you can do more harm than good. Too high a pressure can damage paint or seals, while there are areas you simply shouldn’t point your lance. In this guide, I’ll show you how to clean a car with a pressure washer, without causing any damage.
What you’ll need
- A pressure washer
- Car-washing detergent
- Soft car brush
- Soft car-cleaning sponge (optional)
- Chamois cloth (optional)
The short version
- Set up your pressure washer
- Prepare your car
- Give it a quick blast
- Using detergent
- A more involved clean
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Step 1.
Set up your pressure washer
Connect your pressure washer to water and power, ideally using an RCD-protected plug socket, and a non-return valve to prevent water backflow. Now make sure that you’ve fitted your flat jet nozzle, or selected a flat jet setting on your adjustable nozzle.
We’re not adding detergent yet – you’ll get the best results if you do a quick pre-rinse first to remove road dirt and dust. Before switching your machine on, follow the manufacturer recommendations to prime it with water. Wear suitable eye, foot, hand and ear protection, and keep pets and children away from your work area. If you’re on your driveway, make sure you won’t be splashing people passing by.
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Step 2.
Prepare your car
Take a quick look around your car, noting any particularly dirty bits, and any loose trim or damaged paint – you should avoid pressure-washing near any problem areas. Look out also for any bird droppings, road tar and other obstinate dirt, as you’ll probably need some elbow grease to help shift these later. This is also a good time to quickly check tyre pressures and look out for any cuts or bulges in the sidewalls.
Lift your wipers away from the front and rear screens, and use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe the road grime from the length of their blades. Leave the wipers up, and make sure you’ve closed your car’s doors and windows.
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Step 3.
Give it a quick blast
With this done, turn on your pressure washer and, if there’s a choice, select a low or medium power. Generally, around 100bar (1,450psi) is plenty for vehicle washing, while it’s best to avoid using more than 130bar (1,900psi).
Work your way around the vehicle, keeping the tip of the nozzle at least 20cm away from your paintwork. Angle the spray away from you, at about 45 degrees to the surface being cleaned. Methodically cover the whole car, working from the bottom upwards. While you work, use a soft car brush to help loosen more stubborn dirt or marks, but don’t scrub away at dirt as it could scratch your paint. Try to avoid blasting the spray directly into your car’s panel gaps, or through the grille into its engine bay.
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Step 4.
Using detergent
The previous step is all you need for a very quick spruce up, but you’ll need detergent to get your car properly clean. Following any dosing or dilution guidelines, add a suitable car cleaning detergent to your machine’s detergent dispenser or foam attachment. Alternatively, if you prefer to use a hand-wash shampoo, skip to the next step.
Switch to a foam nozzle or setting if you have one, then retrace your steps while you spray the vehicle with detergent. Again, work from the bottom up, and use a brush or sponge to remove dirt. Leave the car to soak for a few minutes, then gently wipe off any remaining stubborn marks with a sponge. Now disconnect your detergent bottle, and repeat step three to rinse the vehicle fully clean.
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Step 5.
A more involved clean
For excellent results, you might prefer to apply a car shampoo by hand. It’s critical to follow step three first to remove road grime and grit, as dust can otherwise cause fine scratching to your paintwork. Then follow the dosing instructions to add your preferred shampoo to a bucket of warm water, and clean your car with a soft, clean sponge.
Start with the windows and glassware, then work downwards from the top of the car, using only light pressure and consistent movements as you clean one panel at a time. Save the wheels until last, using either a sponge or a specialist brush as needed to get at dirt between the spokes. When you’ve finished, a thorough blast with the pressure washer should remove all the remaining foam and dirt. For the best possible results, use a chamois cloth to dry the windows, which will prevent streak marks. And if you’re planning to add polish, wait first until your paintwork is fully dry.
Use a wide spray nozzle or setting, rather than a concentrated jet nozzle, to pre-wash and do the final rinse. If you’ve got a foam attachment, use that for the shampoo stage.
Yes, if you use the wrong nozzle or too high a pressure. Never use a jet nozzle, and keep the lance at least 20-30cm from paintwork – further if your pressure washer can go above 130bar (1,900psi).
It’s a good idea to polish your car every three to six months, using car polish and a clean, soft cotton cloth. Do it immediately after a wash, but let the car dry first. Don’t do it in warm sunlight, as the polish will dry too fast and may leave streaks.
