For many of us, there will be a lot of emotions and expectations involved when buying a car. Even after considerable usage and riding miles, we all want the appearance of the car to remain as new as possible—shiny and twinkling as we ride along. Three things to be noted for that: first is to drive the car carefully adhering to traffic rules (all the time), second is to do periodic maintenance, and third is to clean the car regularly.

Many of us don't show much interest in cleaning the car as much as we love to drive it—maybe because it takes more time and effort, and most of us may get exhausted during the cleaning process itself. Pressure washers can help us a lot in this. A pressure washer is an effective and efficient tool for cleaning the exterior of the car, and it gets the job done pretty quickly too.

Using a pressure washer is easier than you think. If used as per the guidelines with due care, car cleaning will be more enjoyable than we expect. Pressure washers can also be used for cleaning tasks other than car cleaning—like floor washing, surface washing, garden tile washing, etc. (more on that in another blog).

1. Setting up the Pressure Washer:

Different types of cleaning tasks require different levels of pressure and water flow/usage settings.

Pressure setting of 1200 PSI to 1900 PSI with 1.4 GPM to 1.6 GPM is optimal for cleaning cars and prevents paint damage.

Note: PSI - Pounds per Square Inch; GPM - Gallons Per Minute.
High PSI = High pressure; High GPM = More water released.

2. Nozzle:

Always use the nozzle with a wide-angle spray tip (40°) for car cleaning. This helps in evenly spreading water over the car surface. Right pressure and nozzle size selection help prevent paint damage.

Note: Narrow tip – covers less area with high pressure; Wider tip – covers more area with lower pressure.

3. Let's Start:

Park the car on a concrete or cemented surface—washing over gravel can make tiny stones fly up and hit the paint. Make sure all windows are closed properly. Wash the entire car with plain water using a pressure washer to remove dirt, mud, and debris stuck on the surface.

Note: Point the nozzle at the ground for the first spray to adjust the pressure.

4. Applying Detergent:

You can start applying detergent after the plain water wash. Ensure that the detergent is approved for use with a pressure washer. Use the pressure washer to apply detergent over the car surface. Don’t use domestic detergents, soaps, or shampoos as they may remove the wax finish and dull the paint. Let the detergent stay on the car for 5–10 minutes, but don’t let it dry.

Note: Dilute detergent as per product label instructions.

5. Shiny & Glossy:

Now, rinse off the detergent using the pressure washer, working from top to bottom. You can also use a clean, soft cloth to dry the car. See how the pressure washer boosts your car’s visual appeal!

Some famous and reliable pressure washer brands include Karcher, Makita, Black & Decker, and Cumi.

Always Remember These Things:

• Check the interior of your car after the clean-up to confirm no leakage occurred.
• Don't use high spray settings on old tyres—they may explode.
• Don't spray on the engine bay—or you might need to buy a new car!
• Don't spray directly at panel gaps for too long—it could cause leaks.
• Always keep an eye on fragile parts like mirrors, lights, etc.
• To prevent stickers from peeling off, spray on their front side at a 90° angle.
• Don't use pressure washers on your hands or legs—it can damage your skin.
• Never forget: Pressure washer is a power tool, not a toy.

Ready for a spotless shine? Shop high-performance pressure washers at Bestomart and make car cleaning effortless.