[Chrisk-K]

Instead of paying $12-$15 per wash, I could buy a pressure washer to clean my Bimmer. That would eventually save money. Plus, I could clean other stuff. An electric one with 2000 psi sells for $150 at Amazon. I'm not sure if I would want to use a detergent because 1) I wouldn't want it to potentially damage my lawn, and 2) I'm not sure if my neighbors would be thrilled to see soapy water running at the neighborhood. Does anyone use a pressure washer to clean cars (with or without a detergent)? Does it work reasonably well? I live at a place where rain or snow is rare, so I only occasionally need to wash my cars.

[garyfried]

I would never wash a car with a pressure washer. Most use too much pressure and/ or put the nozzle far too close to the surface being washed. Any imperfections in the paint including rock chips, scratches etc can allow water under the paint and then really bad thinks are going to happen. I think a better name for this appliance should be pressure blaster not pressure washer.

[Lady Jane]

I have been using a Honda powered 2800 psi washer for a number of years w/o any problem. Just make sure that the nozzle is set to fan. I have to option to use a variety of soap or foam cannon.


Attachment 2763342

[Drop the hammer]

Kranzle washer. Rebuildable, lifelong purchase. I’m putting one into my new garage if it ever gets finished.

[tranquility]

I have this exact one and it works great, especially useful w the water bucket since I live in a condo and don't have nearby water access. It comes w a detergent attachment too so another great feature.

Ofc, don't get one that is crazy powerful that can remove paint from metal lol, just use common sense, buy the right tool, and you'd never go back to hand wash again (ok, I lied, scrub w a sponge during the washing stage).

[TiMSport]

There's nothing wrong with using a pressure washer to wash your car. In particular the OP is talking about a 2000psi which is what I use. There are a number of available nozzles to use specifically for washing cars so it's not like you're sand blasting the car.

For me, I like to use a foam cannon attachment with the PW and it works great.

[Chrisk-K]

All the replies have come from Canadians. Is this a coincidence?

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

I have been using a Honda powered 2800 psi washer for a number of years w/o any problem. Just make sure that the nozzle is set to fan. I have to option to use a variety of soap or foam cannon.


Attachment 2763342

Did you use tire black on your pressure washer tires?

[RickFLM4]

If I could get a decent car wash for $12-$15 I wouldn’t think twice about it.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Did you use tire black on your pressure washer tires?

No. Just the pressure washer.

[Chrisk-K]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

If I could get a decent car wash for $12-$15 I wouldn’t think twice about it.

$12-$15 will get me a very basic car wash, and that's what I've been using for my two cars.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

I have been using a Honda powered 2800 psi washer for a number of years w/o any problem. Just make sure that the nozzle is set to fan. I have to option to use a variety of soap or foam cannon.


Attachment 2763342

Exactly. Foam cannon with pressure washer. Done😉

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

I have been using a Honda powered 2800 psi washer for a number of years w/o any problem. Just make sure that the nozzle is set to fan. I have to option to use a variety of soap or foam cannon.

The foam cannon changed my life!

[PYE46M3]

You don't need a pressure washer to wash your own car. You just need a garden hose and a water wand. All a pressure washer is good for is a foam cannon that does absolutely nothing to clean your car, and it takes a good pressure washer with high GPM flow to create a thick useless foam... which is not something 80% of the washers on the market provide anyway.

Spend that money on a two gallon bucket system and quality cleaning products.

[flybigjet]

I use a pressure washer, but I use a foam cannon for the soak (which steps down the pressure by itself). For rinsing, I have a pressure regulator that attaches mid-point of the wand. I also use the widest fan spray possible with my rotating tip when rinsing the car.

No problems at all and the results are consistently outstanding.

https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/46396024305

https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/46396018007

[Nachbar]

Yes, Foam Canon 👍

[iminhell1]

I would say it depends on the quality of wash you want, if you have a water bill or not and the frequency you wash.

I am on a well (rural). So I have no water bill other than the electric for the pump and my pressure washer.
For me it's an inconvenience to drive 11 miles into town to use a coin wash. On average I'd say I spent $12 to wash it.
I bought a Ryobi plug in washer and a walmart foam cannon (that I put a smaller orifice into, works much better). Cost me a total of $120'ish. Call it 15 washes and it's paid for itself.
But through Winter I'll still have to use a coin wash. I'm not about to make a giant ice lake in the yard.

[NorCalAthlete]

Around me you're gonna pay at least $30-$50 for a "decent" car wash, and by that I mean they run it through one of those conveyor belt washes with some guys swiping thoroughly-used wash rags over it and then hitting up your windows and maybe the interior with the familiar all-too-greasy-and-slippery detailing products. They'll likely miss several spots, expect a tip, and take about 30-45 minutes. Other places (looking at you, AJ's) charge 2x as much and do basically the same job or worse.

So I considered it well worth it to get the pressure washer ($150) and foam cannon ($25) along with some quality soap ($20) and a good mitt ($10? I think? Maybe less I forget) and some good microfiber drying cloths, along with some waffle weave cloths and quality window cleaner. I figure I can give it a good scrub every other month and a quick foam / bath spray down once a month or more, and it'll be far cheaper than constantly hitting up the car wash places. Should easily pay for itself within a few months. Oh and I got a $50 leaf blower from Home Depot for the initial blow dry too, then use the microfiber to get the rest.

[M5Rick]

Yes for short time span lease. No for one you are the owner of.

[vreihen16]

Many of the conveyor belt car washes in these parts offer monthly unlimited wash subscriptions for under $20/month. I would never subject any of my cars that I cared about to one of those places, but people do sign up for this.....

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

You don't need a pressure washer to wash your own car. You just need a garden hose and a water wand. All a pressure washer is good for is a foam cannon that does absolutely nothing to clean your car, and it takes a good pressure washer with high GPM flow to create a thick useless foam... which is not something 80% of the washers on the market provide anyway.

Spend that money on a two gallon bucket system and quality cleaning products.

It's just another way to help not scratch your car. 2 bucket is obviously they key. Definitely doesn't hurt to soak it down with the cannon first to remove any loose debris before you put the sponge to it. I also use it for the lubricator for when I clay bar. Works perfectly!!!

[Our03z4]

I use this guy from Harbor Freight. Works very well and goes to 2000psi. I like using a pressure washer since it uses less water. 1.3gpm for the pressure water compared to 6-8gpm.