Every driver knows that a clean car is pleasing to the eye. In order for the body to shine with cleanliness and for the windshield, along with other glasses, to be transparent, you need to regularly remove dust and other contaminants. However, simply brushing them off with a rag isn’t the best option because you can scratch the paintwork inadvertently. Looking at auction cars, everyone can notice the excellent cleaning that is pleasing to the eye. A car washer will help here; it’s the best way to return a sparkling look to your dusty vehicle in a few minutes. What kind of pressure washer is the best to choose? What to pay attention to when examining various offers from the manufacturers?
Working Principles and Main Advantages of Pressure Washers
As a rule, the main purpose of such appliances is to wash and clean cars. However, these tools can also be used for other household needs: cleaning walls and fences of dirt, cleaning the territory, and washing paths or carpets. The principle of their work is to supply water under pressure from the source to the right place.
A portable pressure washer contains an electric motor that drives the pump. Through a hose connected to a water tap, water enters the pump and is supplied through another hose under pressure. At the end of the second hose, there is a nozzle in the form of a splitter nozzle. Passing through, a powerful stream of water gently and quickly washes away dirt from the car’s body.
The advantages of a personal pressure washer are its compactness and mobility. The appliance doesn’t take up much space in the garage and easily fits in the trunk of the vehicle, which allows you to take it with you if necessary. To operate the device, you need to connect it to a power source and a water supply.
Types of Pressure Washers
Before you buy the appliance, you need to decide what tasks it will solve. If you plan to use it to work in a suburban area, then you should choose a more powerful model. All washing machines are conditionally divided into two types: professional and consumer.
By professional pressure washers, we mean powerful units, which are more suitable for the name “complex.” Structurally, they are a large box, the weight of which can exceed 220 pounds. Some models are equipped with wheels. They are distinguished by their high power and appropriate price, which can sometimes compete with the cost of a good car. The performance indicators of these units for machines reach 130 gallons per hour, with pressures of 2900 PSI or more. They require connection to a three-phase power supply and are able to work with hot water. Some models can independently heat cold water to the desired temperature. Washing machines of this type are usually purchased for use in service stations and car washes.
Consumer pressure washers are characterized by their compactness and mobility. As a rule, they are a small box equipped with wheels, to which two hoses are connected: one that supplies water to the pump from the water supply, and the other with a diffuser at the end. Their technical characteristics are more modest than those of professionals, but this doesn’t prevent them from doing their job efficiently.
When choosing a pressure car washer, you need to take into account several important parameters that affect its performance and price.
Key Pressure Washers Characteristics
To make the right choice when buying such a device, remember to consider the following parameters of the appliance:
Water Pressure
This feature, along with the performance of the unit, is decisive. The higher it is, the faster and better the washing. The maximum pressure refers to the pressure of the water flow coming out of the diffuser opening.
For fast and high-quality car washing, you should choose a unit with an indicator of 100 bars or more. Inexpensive models provide a pressure of 70-100 bars, and if we speak of more costly devices, they have 2175-2610 PSI of water pressure.
The main principle to remember here is that the more powerful the model, the stronger its nodes, which means that its service life will be long.
Performance
This parameter shows the amount of water consumption per unit of time. The greater the number identifying it, the greater the water pressure. Averages are considered to be 60–80 gallons per hour, but if necessary, you can buy a model with a capacity of 110 or more gallons per hour.
Hose Length
It can be decisive, because the longer the hose, the more convenient it is to work. A short hose (up to 10 feet) will force you to constantly move the unit behind you, which is quite tiring. The optimal length is from 16 to 23 feet. There are also models with a hose up to 40 feet long.
Final Word
A pressure washer is a handy thing not only for cleaning your car, but you can also use it for other purposes. After studying all sorts of parameters and characteristics, the only thing left is to decide which model to buy in the end. Consider your expectations and capabilities. Also, think about how often you will use a pressure washer, where you will get the water supply, and for what else you can utilize it. By keeping your car perfectly clean, you are also taking care that its serviceability and value will not be lost after years, as well as the attractive history of the car, which besides accidents somehow contains information about whether the owner took care of his car or not.
