When it comes to car washing, a washer is the favorite choice of many car owners. It helps clean your car quickly, smoothly, and effectively.
However, to use this equipment, it’s essential that you know what safe PSI for car washing is. In general, washers’ PSI between 1200 and 1900 is ideal for getting the dirt out of your car without causing any exterior damage.
Want to explore further about this feature? Keep scrolling, and you’ll find all you need to know to wash your car safely.
Table of Contents
What is PSI?
PSI (pounds per square inch) is a unit that measures the water pressure that the washer generates. It tells us if the pressure is high enough to wash the car effectively yet not to damage the car paints.
Therefore, PSI is an important factor to pay attention to when picking a suitable pressure washer.
Best PSI for Washing Cars
The best PSI for car wash is between 1200 and 1900. With this pressure limit, you can easily wash away all the dirt, oily spots, and debris from your car; and, thus, bring back its shiny look.
Plus, it’s perfect for use without moving or damaging any sensitive part of your vehicle, such as car paint or glass panels.
- In case you own a lower-powered washer, like 900 or 1000 PSI, you’re still able to clean your car with it but it’s just enough to clear loose dirt.
- On the other hand, the maximum PSI is 2200. Any pressure over this is not recommended for your car washing. It does not make a noticeable improvement compared to a 1900-PSI one, yet it might hurt your car’s paintwork.
Tips to Choose the Best Pressure Washer
There are two main types of washers available on the market: the gas-based motor washer and the electric-based one.
Understanding them thoroughly will help you pick a more suitable washer for your car detailing.
- Compared to the electric diversity, the gas pressure washers are more powerful, with the PSI ranging from 2000 to 4900. Thus, they’re commonly used for heavy-duty cleanings such as for storage tanks, decks, siding, and other large areas.
- Electric pressure washers are ideal if you’re searching for a washer to clean your car or any other household items like your chairs or barbeques. One with safe water pressure for car wash will be the best choice ever.
Tips to Choose the Appropriate Pressure Washer Nozzle for Car Wash
Besides noticing a good PSI for pressure washer, getting an appropriate nozzle for car wash is a must since it’ll help you control the water flow from the pump.
Two types of nozzles are suitable for your car detailing:
- The first one is a 25-degree spray nozzle (green-headed). This option is better used for hard surfaces like wheels or truck beds, not for the entire car.
- The other type, which is also the safest choice, is a 40-degree spray nozzle (white-headed). It’s perfect for all car surfaces with a wider area covered to get rid of all the mud and debris and rinse off all the detergents.
Tips to Use Pressure Washers on for Your Car Detailing
Once you’ve selected the right pressure washer PSI for car and nozzles, it’s time to get to know some tips to use them properly.
1. Test the water pressure before use
Remember to test the water pressure on another surface (a painted one, if possible) before applying it to your car. This step is for choosing the appropriate pressure for washing and so reducing any chance of car damage.
2. Don’t spray too close to the paint
It’s essential that you keep a safe distance when cleaning your car using a washer. The ideal distance is 10 – 12 inches from your car paint (if you own a washer with safe pressure for car wash).
In case you’re cleaning the trim, get a bit closer but not below 6 inches to ensure an undamaged washing.
3. Spray the water downwards
Never point the nozzle straight to your car surfaces if you don’t want any damage to the paintwork. Instead, a downward spray of about 20 to 40 degrees will help you wash your car safely.
Plus, pointing water at an angle is better for removing all the hidden mud on your car.
4. Switch the nozzles
As we’ve stated earlier, a white-headed nozzle is safe for use for the entire car. But when it comes to washing the wheels or tires, switching to a green one will bring a better result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3000 PSI safe for washing a vehicle?
No, absolutely not. Never use a washer with 3000 PSI or above for your vehicle cleaning. It’ll increase the risk of nicking the paint and then causing rust.
With 3100 PSI, 3200 PSI, or more, the washer is allowed to be used for larger areas like the sidewalks or decks and for heavy-duty tasks such as cleaning stubborn stains or stripping paints.
Can high PSI damage the car’s paint?
Lack of understanding and experience in car’s pressure washing will cause some damage to your car’s paint.
Using a washer with high PSI that exceeds the safe limit for car detailing might scratch the paintwork. The case is even worse if the paint is already cracked.
Once it’s stripped off, there increases the possibility that the rust will go into your car’s metal parts, thus decreasing the lifetime.
Is 2000 psi safe for washing a vehicle?
The washer with 2000 PSI is still acceptable, as it does not exceed the max PSI for car wash, which is about 2200 PSI.
However, make sure that you use it with an appropriate nozzle and remain at a safe distance when washing.
Conclusion
Knowing safe PSI for car washing is necessary if you’re purchasing a new electric pressure washer. With the suggested PSI range of 1200 to 1900, you can ensure risk-free car detailing in the future.
Remember to follow this guide and our helpful tips above to make your car look the best without destroying any parts.
