Hey there, Jenny here. Didn’t expect a woman to be talking about pressure washing a car. Well, get used to it, because I am an expert pressure washer of everything, and have many times done hard core pressure washing jobs for friends and family.
My colleague from the electricpressurewashersite Roger thinks that I am the boss of pressure washing, so yes, I can do a mean bit of pressure washing.
However, for me safety is one of the most important things when it comes to pressure washing. I follow every safety guideline, tip and procedure that there is, and that has held me I good stead for all these years. I grab my safety goggles before anything else, and you should too.
Another important piece of safety advice is to get rid of your zero degree angle nozzles. These are typically red nozzles that pin point the jet of water making it extremely dangerous, as it can cause serious and even fatal injuries. The reason I am strongly recommending this is because these zero degree nozzle sprays can actually cut right through most surfaces and pointed in the wrong direction even for an instant can grievously injure the user or a bystander. Here is a short video that shows you what that zero degree nozzle can do.
Another very vital safety tip is to keep kids away and in fact totally out of sight when you use a pressure washer. For more guidelines and safety tips, you can read our guide on how to use electric pressure washers.
Pressure washers for cleaning your car – the Top 5 best by performance, quality and durability
As you already know, pressure washers are used for a variety of cleaning needs, and one of the most common ones is cleaning your vehicle. Whether it is mud and dirt from your last camping trip or grime accumulated over some time, a good pressure washer can get your car looking brand new in very little time.
If you want to know how to best use a pressure washer to clean your car, just head out to the how to pressure wash a car article.
On the power scale, cars do not need a heavy duty pressure washer and because of that an electric pressure washer will do just fine, and you don’t necessarily need to go in for a gas pressure washer. If you are really set on a gas powered pressure washer then go for it, but for cleaning your car you just need a good electric pressure washer that can deliver over 1300 psi pressure.
We have to be careful of one thing here when it comes to the pressure in psi, it should not be so high that it will damage the car body. It is generally accepted that pressure washers within the pressure range of 1300 to 2200 psi are safe for cars. Of course we have to be careful not to use the pressure washer from too close. The general thumb rule is to start the water jet from a distance of two feet and get closer as per the cleaning requirement. Also we have to be careful not to use the water jet with the narrowest nozzle too close to the car body. We should use the narrowest nozzle which send out the most forceful jet of water only for the toughest of places to clean, like the tires and stubborn dirt towards the lower part of the car.
Thanks to the low-medium range pressure requirement, you get to choose from the most affordable yet top performing pressure washers. In fact the top bestsellers on Amazon and other online stores are within this pressure range and their cost is anywhere between 120 to 300 dollars.
What I have done here is picked a few good pressure washers that are ideal for using to clean your car. They have been rated on their performance and quality as a car pressure washer. The number one ranked pressure washer here may not be the cheapest one, as is the case in bestseller rankings, and the lowest rank may not be the most expensive. I have looked at several factors, ranging from reliability, brand trust, performance and components quality to reviews and buyer ratings, to rank them.
What you should do is go from the No. 1 to the No. 5 and see which one is best for you in terms of budget and capabilities. You may want a pressure washer that has extra features or a straight forward one that will help you get the job done well.
No. 1 Best Pressure Washer for your car
AR Blue Clean AR383SS
The AR Blue 383 has been a market leader for several years now, and their updated model the AR Blue 383SS is even better. There has been excellent feedback on this pressure washer for all kinds of home cleaning. It is perfect for car pressure washing.
On all accounts, performance, reliability, overall build quality and durability we found it to be the best. Have a look at its details here.
No. 2 Best Pressure Washer for your car
Karcher K3 Follow Me
Karcher has been one of the most powerful brands in pressure washers for a long time. It has such a wide range and such width and depth of products and accessories that you cannot find a more versatile pressure washer in the market today.
This is a fantastic choice for a car pressure washer because of its four wheel design, which allows you to pull it along as you clean the car from all sides. The problem of the standing pressure washer toppling over or restricting your movement is no longer there.
One of our top choices that you can check it out here.
No. 3 Best Pressure Washer for your car
Sun Joe SPX3000
The Sun Joe shot into prominence a few years back because of its extremely low price and robust performance, and after several years of being the top seller, it still stays right up there. Obviously it has some tremendous qualities to be there for so long. For its price which is considerably lower than the others, it is packed with everything you need in a home pressure washer.
As a car pressure washer it is fully stacked and is all that you will need. You can check out the Sun Joe SPX 3000 here.
No. 4 Best Pressure Washer for your car
Karcher K5 Premium
The Karcher name is synonymous with pressure washers, and it has been for many years now. Without a doubt their quality is good and their pressure washers deliver everything that you need. The Karcher K5 Premium is a high quality pressure washer that can do all the home cleaning jobs effortlessly, and is great for car pressure washing.
You can check it out here.
No. 5 Best Pressure Washer for your car
Briggs & Stratton Gas Pressure Washer 2200 PSI
Briggs & Stratton is a true blue American company that has been making tough and relentlessly good quality pressure washers for many years. It is one of the most trusted brands in the USA, and has been a steady performer for years. The 2200 PSI pressure washer from Briggs & Stratton is ideal for all home cleaning purposes. It is excellent as a car pressure washer too.
You can have a look at it here.
Catch you soon with more on pressure washers
Hey, I will be getting back to all of you with more pressure washers soon. Keep pressure washing and remember to stay safe and keep others safe when you pressure wash.
I used a foam cannon and found it very good. This is a good article and helpful.
Hi Arthur, thanks for your comment. We are constantly trying to update the posts. We will be adding new pressure washers and accessories including foam canons here soon.