pressure washer safety on car paint

[DjMig]

Hey everyone, are pressure washers safe to use on car or will they damage paint? Have a max psi of 2030 on my current power washer and would use 40 degree nozzle. Also have ceramic coating on my GT. thanks

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[coreystang]

Yes it's fine. Never head an issue. Just use common sense.

 

[m3incorp]

There are many different nozzles for pressure washers. I use the black one that is not very hard but more like a heavy rain fall.

 

[aleccolin]

Go on Amazon and get some 4.0 gpm nozzles, more flow and less tip pressure is what you need for washing cars.

 

[Bikeman315]

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

I use mine with the 40 degree nozzle, 3000 PSI pressure washer. No issues. It's exactly what a touchless wash system would use, and what a professional detailer would use.

JR

 

[DjMig]

Awesome! Thank you everyone. Just Being extra cautious!

 

[wynand32]

A related question... The manual is, as usual, just precise enough to be confusing and scary. In the section on washing the exterior, it has two sections, one for the Mach 1 and one, presumably, for the "standard" Mustang. In the Mach 1 section, it talks about NOT using a pressure washer on the front fascia to avoid damaging the heat exchangers.

I'm assuming that only applies to the Mach 1, right? Or should I be extra careful there in general?

 

[MAGS1]

A related question... The manual is, as usual, just precise enough to be confusing and scary. In the section on washing the exterior, it has two sections, one for the Mach 1 and one, presumably, for the "standard" Mustang. In the Mach 1 section, it talks about NOT using a pressure washer on the front fascia to avoid damaging the heat exchangers.

I'm assuming that only applies to the Mach 1, right? Or should I be extra careful there in general?

I only wash my cars with pressure washers and havent had any issues. I assume that’s specific to the Mach 1. With a 40 degree tip you should be just fine.

 

[wynand32]

I only wash my cars with pressure washers and havent had any issues. I assume that’s specific to the Mach 1. With a 40 degree tip you should be just fine.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Bikeman315]

A related question... The manual is, as usual, just precise enough to be confusing and scary. In the section on washing the exterior, it has two sections, one for the Mach 1 and one, presumably, for the "standard" Mustang. In the Mach 1 section, it talks about NOT using a pressure washer on the front fascia to avoid damaging the heat exchangers.

I'm assuming that only applies to the Mach 1, right? Or should I be extra careful there in general?

It really doesn't matter. You just need to be careful as to not push water directly into the vents. Use a moderate nozzle (25 degrees works best on even moderately dirty car) and keep your distance. Otherwise it is no different than driving your car in a rain storm (God forbid!! )

 

[Cory S]

Yes it's fine. Never head an issue. Just use common sense.

Problem is, 64.9% of the population doesn't have any these days.

 

[lizardrko]

I use the 25 degree nozzle on my 1900 psi 1.9gpm pressure washer. No issues. Just keep a common sense distance (~2.5 ft away)

 

[ay1820]

Pressure washers are fine, but you need to be a bit careful and there is a lot of confusion and miss-information out there. Some will say 1,500 psi or even 1,900 psi is safe, but to be conservative, I like to keep pressure under 1,000 psi for car washing. You also want the highest flow rate you can get.

The way you adjust pressure and increase flow is by selecting a nozzle with a larger orifice. I suggest a nozzle with a 3.0 or larger orifice. Without getting into too many details, for any given pressure washer, the larger the orifice size, the higher the flow rate and the lower the pressure. If you want to be safe, you can pick up a gauge like this one to install upstream of your wand to measure the pressure: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TPMW878?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

You also want a fairly wide fan pattern. A narrow fan pattern concentrates all the force in a very small area. I always use a 40 deg nozzle (the white one) for car washing. Some will use a 25 deg nozzle, but I like to keep it safe and stay with larger pattern. Don't get too close. Even a wide spray pattern will be too concentrated if you hold right close to the surface.

 

[MAGS1]

Pressure washers are fine, but you need to be a bit careful and there is a lot of confusion and miss-information out there. Some will say 1,500 psi or even 1,900 psi is safe, but to be conservative, I like to keep pressure under 1,000 psi for car washing. You also want the highest flow rate you can get.

The way you adjust pressure and increase flow is by selecting a nozzle with a larger orifice. I suggest a nozzle with a 3.0 or larger orifice. Without getting into too many details, for any given pressure washer, the larger the orifice size, the higher the flow rate and the lower the pressure. If you want to be safe, you can pick up a gauge like this one to install upstream of your wand to measure the pressure: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TPMW878?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

You also want a fairly wide fan pattern. A narrow fan pattern concentrates all the force in a very small area. I always use a 40 deg nozzle (the white one) for car washing. Some will use a 25 deg nozzle, but I like to keep it safe and stay with larger pattern. Don't get too close. Even a wide spray pattern will be too concentrated if you hold right close to the surface.

My power washer came with 2.0 orifice tips and I immediately upgraded to the 3.0. I might even upgrade those to 3.5 at some point

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