Exposure to dust, pollution or even bad weather are all constraints that the vehicle undergoes by getting dirty and which can ultimately damage its bodywork . Washing is therefore recommended approximately once a month .
The frequency is revised downwards if the car is parked under cover, and upwards if you live in a particularly exposed environment, by the sea or in the mountains for example.
A pressure washer is the perfect way to clean your vehicle. It is also used in washing stations. Indeed, this device propels water at high pressure through its nozzle or brush . This high pressure makes it possible to clean the car in every nook and cranny , without having to exert too much effort. Lightweight and easy to handle, the high pressure washer lance allows easy and precise cleaning .
It remains to choose the most suitable model, preferably electric and low power so as not to risk damaging the vehicle. There are also accessories and products such as a brush , a foam gun and a specific shampoo , all to be used methodically.
Which pressure washer and which accessories to choose to clean a car?
o clean your car, it is recommended to use best pressure washer under 300 , compact and easy to use , but also cheaper and less noisy than a thermal high pressure washer . The pressure must be between 120 and 150 bars , too high a pressure being liable to damage the bodywork and the glass surfaces of the vehicle.
In terms of power, a 1600 Watt model is sufficient for a flow rate of around 400 l / h (liters per hour). If you are already equipped with a thermal high pressure washer , there is no need to invest in another model, but be careful to adjust the pressure correctly.
Which accessory for which washing step
On the accessory side , a straight jet nozzle , rotating or a brush attachment is preferable. Another possibility is the foam gun , also called snow foam , to be used when washing to project a mixture of water and shampoo through a nozzle fitted with a fine filter. Here is the list of accessories to choose to properly clean your car with a karcher :
1. Wash the car body : install a foam gun on the high pressure washer gun. Filled with 3 in 1 shampoo, the product will reveal all its effectiveness. Then you can install and use a rotating brush with soft bristles driven by a jet of water . The same rotating brush , with a diameter of approximately 150 mm, can be used to clean the windshield and rear window, the front headlight optics and the taillights.
2. Clean the rims : use a conical brush covered with bristles over its entire surface to access all corners of the rim, the water distributed evenly around the brush helps remove dirt from car rims .
3. Clean the sills : use the high pressure lance , straight jet or rotary jet depending on the degree of soiling. Remember to clean well under the front and rear fenders.
4. Rinse the foam : use a rotary nozzle to rinse the car from the roof to the rims.
3 in 1 shampoo: guaranteed cleaning and shine
To clean your car as well as possible, it is advisable to use a shampoo specifically adapted for this use , a "classic" detergent being liable to damage the paint. If there are a multitude of shampoos, the 3 in 1 not only wash, but also shine and protect the body . There are also ecological, biodegradable shampoos.
How to clean your car with a high-pressure jet in four steps
1.A pre-wash is necessary to rid the car of the heaviest dirt . Be careful not to approach the lance of your pressure washer too close to the vehicle . Stay at a distance of 50 cm to 1 m and do not hesitate to protect your eyes with protective glasses . Clean your car from top to bottom , taking care not to insist on any impacts or cracks (risk of damaging the paint), but also on the joints (detachment).
Then apply the shampoo to the entire vehicle , using a sponge, adding it to the water from the pressure washer or via the foam gun . Finish with the sill and the rims.
Clean the body and the rims with the appropriate accessories, circular brush for the body, conical brush for the rims .
Then rinse the car with a rotary nozzle from the roof to the wheels. Bring out the foam on the doors, trunk and above the hood.