Select the Right Pressure Washer For Auto Detailing

Auto detailing is the process of cleaning the exterior and interior of vehicles.  Many types of cleaning machines are used for this process, including pressure washers, steam cleaners, and carpet cleaners.  Pressure washers, the most powerful of the aforementioned machines, are ideal for removing virtually all residues from vehicle exteriors.  However, there are distinct specifications for selecting the right system for auto detailing applications.


Need For Specially Designed Pressure Washers

A vehicle's contains exterior is comprised of a wide range of surfaces, including the metal body, hubcaps, wheels, windshield, windows, and engine components.  The hardness and durability of these surfaces varies.  For example, engine components are durable and sturdy. Windshields and glass are hard, but brittle.  The metal body of a vehicle is hard as well, but the paint can be damaged if exceedingly high pressure levels are used.

Therefore, an ideal machine for auto detailing must be able to clean all types and varieties of surfaces without causing damage.  Some of the latest models of pressure washers are suitable for this purpose.  The following are some tips on selecting suitable pressure washers for cleaning automobiles.

Check Specifications

There are three main specifications for a pressure washing cleaners: output temperature, output pressure, and flow rate.

Output Temperature

Pressure washer cleaner can provide three ranges of temperature.  Cold water output is water at room temperature.  Hot water output refers to water at a temperature of 210°F. Steam output means water at a temperature of up to 330°F.  For cleaning automobiles, a steam car wash is the best fit to increase the speed and efficiency of the cleaning process.

Output Pressure

The output pressure level of pressure washing ranges from 500 psi to 8000 psi, depending upon the model.  Any pressure washer with an output pressure rating at or below 1500 psi is suitable for cleaning vehicles.

Higher pressure means increased cleaning efficiency.  However, painted surfaces of automobiles can be damaged by pressure levels over 1500 psi.  Therefore, one should find a balance between efficiency of the machine and safety of the automotive surfaces.

Flow Rate

Flow rate indicates the quantity of water that flows through the output of the machine per minute.  It is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM).  Flow rate normally ranges from 0.5 GPM to 8 GPM.  For cleaning vehicles, a flow rate of 2 GPM or less is suitable.  Mobile car wash machines with flow rates of 0.5 GPM are available from top suppliers to reduce water wastage.  This is particularly beneficial for mobile auto detailers traveling to their customer's locations to clean automobiles where water or drainage may be limited.

Cleaning Solution

Most distributors recommend using a cleaning solution with pressure washers, regardless of the model, to provide additional cleaning power.  Green chemicals are best, as they enhance the power of pressure washers in an environmentally-safe, non-toxic manner.  Look for green car wash formulas, truck wash solutions, tire shines, windshield washes, and other formulas from the industry's top suppliers.