A pressure washer may sound like just the thing to handle all of those cleaning chores but there are certain pressure washing techniques that need to be adhered to in order to do a great job without ruining your subject. Because there is a tremendous amount of pressure that is capable of passing through your nozzle, learning the basic methods of operating your machine is critical.
Vehicle washing is done differently with a pressure washer than washing by hand. You do not want to use dishwashing liquid when using a strong powered machine. The force of the water, mixed with regular soap will dull a finish or strip off your vehicle’s wax coat. There is special soap on the market designed strictly for use with power washers that will keep your finish bright and beautiful.
Pressure Washing A Car
The water that comes from a forced pressure source is not the same as when a garden hose is used. We have all been to the car wash where a hand held sprayer lets us wash down our cars or trucks. The carwash owners have likely turned down the water pressure to avoid any damage to your vehicle, unlike the machine that you are using now. Never spray the vehicle directly but hold your wand at a 25-degree angle to prevent cutting into the paint job. Stay 3-4 feet away from the vehicle and work in sections instead of trying to wash and rinse the entire car at once.
Pressure Washing Your Home
The pressure washing techniques for washing a house is different than those used for washing a car. There are some surfaces that cannot accept the force of water that comes from a pressure washer no matter how low you set the pressure. Masonite or any type of hardboard siding will receive damage but brick, aluminum, wood and vinyl are good candidates. If your painted house has signs of chipping paint, beware that your unit will further remove the paint.
When cleaning an outside wood deck, never use hot water but cool water with a 25″ tip. Using the full force of the pressure directly pointed at the wood surface will damage your deck. Use cleaning solution made for wood instead to do the work for you but don’t allow the soap to dry on the wood. Small section cleaning is the best method. Practice on an old piece of wood to get the feel of the amount of pressure that you are using before embarking on your beautiful deck.
Using a rented pressure washer or one that you own can be a terrific time saver but respect your machine and the strength that it has. When adjusting your nozzle for the certain spray, never point your gun at your project or a person. The impact of the pressurized water could be devastating. Also wear safety glasses to prevent soap or debris from kicking back in your face. Remember that the smaller the tip, the higher the pressure. You can save time and money with a unit but practice the pressure washing techniques to be used for each object you wish to clean before turning on your unit.
