Pressure Washer Power

[liquidred]

What is the ideal pressure washer power to wash a car? I have one I use that is 3100 psi 2.4 GPM. Is that too strong to wash a car? 

[BrianT]

You can use any pressure you want, just adjust the distance you are from the paint!  You should be fine with that setup, just don’t get too close!!  

[Islander]

Very true about keeping your distance. It's easy to forget sometimes and then you can seriously screw up your paint. Personally I like a low powered 1400psi machine in case I forget and get too close. I stay about 18" or so away and only use a 40 degree white tip for paint.

[07stanggt]

I use a Ryobi 1600 psi (electric) from Home Depot and it works awesome. I have a 3300 psi (gas) that takes paint off of things, to much psi unless you stand back

[TheWolf]

It is not worth the risk of potential damage by using a high pressure unit.  Stay in the 1500-2000 psi range.

[Chris@Adams]

On 7/11/2021 at 12:10 PM, liquidred said:

What is the ideal pressure washer power to wash a car? I have one I use that is 3100 psi 2.4 GPM. Is that too strong to wash a car? 

In my opinion that is too powerful, i would go for 1500 to 1800 psi.

[walkthewalk111]

If you happen to already own a 3100 psi unit, can't you get a white tip with a large diameter orifice, to lower the pressure to a safer psi? Say something like a 4.5 orifice, as opposed to the normal 1.5.