Tips to Purchase Pressure Washers for Car Detailing

by Lauren Zwiebel

Although many people associate pressure washers with heavy duty industrial cleaning, these machines have a number of other uses as well. Take, for instance, auto detailing. There are specially made pressure washers with lower pressure levels and flow rates ideal for auto detailing applications. The following are a few tips on how to choose pressure levels and flow rates for exceptional cleaning results.

Pressure Level

Pressure washers can provide an output pressure up to 8000 psi. However, such high pressure levels are not required for auto detailing. In fact, the pressure level of these machines should not exceed 1500 psi. Pressure levels above 1500 psi can damage the vehicle, causing dents, scratches, and paint chipping.

Flow Rate

The flow rate indicates the quantity of water passed through the output of the machine in a minute. It is expressed in gallons per minute. Normally, flow rate goes up as the output power increases. For car detailing pressure washers with low flow rate are ideal. Such machines use minimal water for effective cleaning where water supply or drainage facilities are limited. This is particularly useful in the case of mobile auto detailing, where professionals do not detail within their facility.

What facilitates effective cleaning without harming vehicle surfaces is the inclusion of heat, alongside moderate pressure levels. Wet steam output is preferred for auto detailing, as it rapidly dissolves the most stubborn residues for quick and easy removal.

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A Guide to Cold Water Pressure Washers

by Lauren Zwiebel

There are three basic types of pressure washers available for purchase on the market today: cold water machines, hot water machines, and steam pressure cleaners. Choosing a machine based on temperature can help you complete job applications quickly and effectively.

Cold water pressure washers do not provide heated output. These machines are ideal for applications where heat is not needed, such as cleaning light dirt and stains from concrete or buildings. Hot water machines provide temperature levels up to 210°F. These machines are often used for applications that require heat to break down stains and dirt. In addition, there are also steam pressure cleaners that can reach temperatures up to 330°F. These machines are ideal for degreasing and heavy industrial cleaning tasks. For those requiring all three types of output, tri-mode machines are available.

Among these machines, cold water pressure washers are the least expensive, as these machines do not have a heating element. In many cases, the output pressure of these machines can compensate lack of temperature. Cleaning chemicals, such as Daimer®’s Eco-Green® line of green cleaners, can be used as well for additional cleaning power when using the machine. As a result, many cleaning companies consider cold water machines as the most cost effective. The following are some tips to select good quality cold water pressure washers.

Pressure Level

Output pressure of cold water machines can vary up to 8000 psi. For residential and light commercial uses, a pressure level of around 1000 psi to 1500 psi would suffice. For industrial applications, machines should offer an output pressure in the range of 3000 psi or above.

Another important specification is flow rate. It denotes the quantity of water passed on to the surface and is expressed in gallons per minute. Usually, flow rate increases with the increase in output pressure. However, in some cases, such as auto detailing, machines with low flow rates are preferred.

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Choosing the Right Power Method for You

by Lauren Zwiebel

Pressure washers are one of the most powerful types of cleaning equipment. There are certain types of cleaning work other types of cleaning devices, such as steam cleaners and carpet cleaners, are not suitable. For example, to remove stain marks and dirt from hard surfaces such as walkways, compound walls, and concrete benches, it is necessary to have a pressure washer with both a high temperature and pressure output, as steam cleaners and carpet cleaners do not offer sufficient power.

Pressure washers can be classified in many ways. One useful standard is based on the energy source. Normally, three types of power are used in these devices: electricity, propane, and gasoline. For outdoor cleaning applications, an elect rical source may not be readily available. Therefore, propane or gasoline is used as the energy source in a majority of mobile, exterior pressure washers. These gases can be stored in a cylinder and refilled when required.

Another advantage of gas-powered pressure washer equipment is that these devices can produce very high pressure and temperature levels. Some of the latest pressure washers supplied by Daimer®, one of the most popular distributors of cleaning equipment, can provide pressure levels up to 8000 psi and a flow rate of up to seven gallons per minute. Gasoline and propane are used as fuels in such high-powered cleaning devices.

In addition, gas-powered cleaning machines allow continuous working, as these are not affected by power cuts or electrical failure. 

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