Four Tips to Use Pressure Washers for Auto Detailing

Feb 28
07:20

2012

Lauren Zwiebel

Lauren Zwiebel

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Pressure washers are very useful machines for carry out difficult cleaning task on hard surfaces. These machines are used for indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs in industrial and commercial areas. Pressure washers are so flexible, they can be used for auto detailing, too.

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Pressure washers are known for their capability to carry out difficult cleaning tasks on hard surfaces. These machines are used for outdoor cleaning jobs,Four Tips to Use Pressure Washers for Auto Detailing Articles such as cleaning parks, pavement, stadiums, and more, as well as industrial cleaning, such as heavy-duty industrial degreasing. However, pressure washing machines are flexible. For example, they can be used for auto detailing, too.

Overview
Auto detailing is the process of cleaning various types of vehicles. It differs from normal outdoor cleaning tasks and industrial cleaning jobs on many counts. Primarily, it is a more delicate job. In addition, auto detailing involves cleaning different types of surfaces in limited spaces. For instance, the interior surfaces of automobiles contain soft surfaces that require carpet and upholstery cleaning systems.

The exterior parts of vehicles are hard surfaces that become dirty quickly. High-pressure, high-temperature output is required to blast away the tough deposits left on these surfaces. Dashboards, center consoles, and other interior hard surfaces face even more cleaning challenges – as high-pressure output may cause damage and drainage issues, while soft-surface cleaners are simply not efficient.

In short, the ideal detailing arsenal is composed of a pressure washer, a carpet cleaner, and a steam cleaner for interior hard surfaces. Let's examine several tips to help you choose the right pressure cleaning machine for your needs.

Tip 1: Output Pressure
For any pressure washing machine, output pressure is one of the most important specifications. The output pressure level varies from 750 to 8000 psi, depending upon the model. For cleaning automobiles, the pressure level should not exceed 1500 psi. This will eliminate risk of damaging the painted exterior.

Specialized car pressure washers are available for cleaning vehicles. These machines are specially designed for auto detailing and greatly increase the efficiency and speed of the cleaning job.

Tip 2: Output Temperature
This is the second important specification of a pressure washing machine for a mobile car wash. Normally, pressure washers provide three kinds of output temperature. Some machines provide cold water output alone. That means output is at room temperature, and the machine does not have a heating element.

Some types of machines provide hot water output. That means the output is at a temperature up to 210°F. Some other types of machines provide steam output or output with temperatures of up to 330°F.

Good-quality car pressure washers offer tri-mode output. That is, these machines can provide all three types of output: cold water, hot water, and steam. However, steam is the most popular option for detailing, as it readily dissolves tough brake dust, bird splatters, and other tough residues stuck to vehicles.

Tip 3: Flow Rate
Flow rate is a measure of the quantity of output of a pressure washer. For a mobile car wash, the flow rate of the machine should be low. Machines with high flow rates can pose problems, with the main issue of drainage. If the place does not have good drainage facilities, water runoff will remain a problem when high-flow systems are in use.

Tip 4: Technologies
Having advanced technologies is important for car wash equipment—be it pressure washers or carpet cleaning machines. But, the technologies present in pressure washers differ from that of carpet cleaning machines.

Automatic shut-off technology is the most useful technology for pressure washers to be used as car wash equipment. These systems shut down the pump and motor, two key components, after 30 seconds of inactivity. This eliminates any unneeded wear on these components to prolong the life of the machine. Low flow technology and the use of long hoses are useful in auto detailing too.

To find machines with all of these advanced technologies and more, it is recommended that you conduct extensive research to find the best, most reliable online supplier.