Pressure Washer for Cleaning

Good Evening! I was given a 1600psi electric pressure washer and foam cannon for Christmas. Anyone have any good tips on using to clean my 3rd gen? What color tip or degree angle is recommended to avoid damage to pain? Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

The foam cannon is certainly only for use with the low pressure tip provided with it, so no risk there.

Using the high pressure tip is where you need to be careful. I generally only use it to knock mud off the sliders, wheels, and out of the wheel wells. Keep a good distance when it hits the body. I’ve seen people just high pressure wash everything but I don’t want to risk the paint damage either.

 

I've used a pressure washer and foam cannon from day one on my taco. Only use the widest angle (white) tip and you should be fine. I spray it off, then foam it up. If it's got a fresh coat of wax/sealant, the dirt just sprays off without scrubbing.

 

I would for sure do a quick sweep every time before you use it to look for any chips. Other than that keep a reasonable distance and I believe my power washer tip says 30 degrees for the “car tip option”

 

This (I never remember the tips by color, just read the angle). I love the foam cannon for wheel wells and frame. Cleans up in there really nicely.

 

Gonna put mine to use tomorrow

 

I used to have a 2200 psi gas pressure washer and i washed vehicles with it. You need a 30-40 degree fan tip for paint and still don't get too close. You can probably get a little more agressive with wheel wells in and sliders or side steps.
I never had a foam cannon i just used a brush attachment or the low pressure to apply soaps. Cannon is the same.

 

I have a 2800 psi and depending on how covered it is, I've used the Soap tip (if yours came with it) or the widest angle. Adjust distance as needed. I never come as close as cleaning the house or patio. You want to use the gentlest tip possible and adjust distance as needed.

Foam cannons are definitely awesome. You'll have to play around with the ratios using different car wash soaps to figure out what gives you the best results. I have read Meguiers Gold makes great foam; I use the Ultimate which works very well.

 

i use a 2.5 gpm white tip (40 degree) with a 1700 psi, 1.2 gpm pressure washer. the slightly larger orifice in the 2.5 gpm tip brings the pressure down to about 900 psi. it's powerful enough to clean, but it won't damage the paint. it doesn't even hurt if you spray your hand/foot.

 

My pressure washer cleaning method: Rinse well with the pressure washer (I think it’s a 25 or 30 degree tip). I also have an underbody attachment that I use with my pressure washer that I do with this step. Then I soap it up with a foam cannon. I rinse again with the pressure washer. I follow that with a two bucket wash with a dirt trap in both buckets. For this, I use a garden hose with a shower nozzle to avoid overspray. Use an air compressor or leaf blower to blow off the excess water. Microfiber towel to dry the rest.

 

You won't damage the paint unless you crash your truck into your pressure washer. Hasn't happened to me but its happened before.

 

Exactly what I do to the T. Last step for me is a quick spray down with detailer and a scratchless border free towel.

 

Left out that part on purpose. Depending on the last time I cleaned the truck, sometimes it’s a quick detailer followed by a spray wax. Other times it’s another 6 hours of waxing and detailing. Haha

 

Ok you lost me there lol

 

Since no one remembers:

Red tip may remove paint when held up close.

The yellow tip will remove most dirt without damage to the paint. You may still require a soft brush or sponge to remove dried on dirt.

Just remember, yellow tip is very safe and the best to learn with.

You still will need to experiment with your pressure washer to find the sweet spot.

Good that you are learning about these useful tools.

 

Use the widest spray possible. You're getting off loose dirt and bigger stuff. You can't make the paint spotless with a pressure washer. That being said 1600psi is safe for car paint. You can use narrower tips for sliders/rhino lined stuff if there's caked on mud.

I'd be mindful around areas that have chipped paint already, but you'd almost have to try and pull up the surrounding paint with a straight stream or working 1in away from it. 1600psi is pretty low as pressure washers go. That's what mine is though, because all I use it on is my truck.

 

General rule of thumb, find the distance in front of your pressure washer that starts to hurt your hand and don't go closer than that when using it on your paint.

 

Wusses.

3500 psi with the 15 degree tip at a distance of 6 inches.

The only place the paint is coming off is where I rubbed against the stop sign....and the rocks.

 

This not good advice. Please do not put your hand in front of pressure washer nozzle.

 

I pressure wash the entire truck after trail days - no other way that much mud is coming off. I try to keep the fan about 6" or more wide where it contacts the truck and have had no issues. Start underneath as I want to keep as dry as possible! Usually have to remove the skids as they get filled up with mud, leaves, and rocks. Then a quick trip through the carwash to wash & wax it for finish. Good enough for a working truck that has more trail damaged areas than undamaged ones!