What PSI pressure washer do you use if you have ceramic coating?

[Lakersfreak]

I'm wondering if something like this is OK, or should I get one with lower PSI? I just got ceramic coating on my car.


Greenworks - 1900 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer Combo Kit

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/greenw...asher-combo-kit-green/6548487.p?skuId=6548487

What are you guys using?

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[DFB5.0]

I'm wondering if something like this is OK, or should I get one with lower PSI? I just got ceramic coating on my car.


Greenworks - 1900 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer Combo Kit

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/greenw...asher-combo-kit-green/6548487.p?skuId=6548487

What are you guys using?

1900 psi is on the higher side but will be fine. However............................

A couple of points to consider -

- For car washing, you want flow not necessarily pressure. It's the flow that does the work, helping to rinse quicker.

- Ideally, you want the pressure rating anywhere between 1000 to 1500 psi with the highest flow possible.

- Adjust pressure and flow, you swap out the nozzle for with a smaller or larger orifice. To increase flow and decrease pressure, you open up the orifice.

- Pressure ratings on pressure washers are always doctored to get the biggest number possible printed on the box. So, while it may say 1900 psi, it might not be doing that once it leaves the gun. Also, they trade off for seemingly high psi ratings is flow, so they feel very lean and take forever to get something done.

Staying close to the price point of the Greenworks, I would look at the Karcher Cube 1700 or 1800 instead. These two produce similar numbers but are far superior machines. You can get these in static or mobile forms. For the slightly higher price, you get a better machine all round.

K1800PS CUBE™ - Kärcher
K1800PS - Kärcher

Amazon.com : Kärcher K1700 Cube Max 2125 PSI Electric Pressure Washer with 3 Spray Nozzles - Great for cleaning Cars, Siding, Driveways, Fencing and more - 1.2 GPM : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com : Kärcher K1800PS Cube Max 2250 PSI Electric Pressure Washer - Power Washer with 3 Nozzles for Cleaning Cars, Siding, Driveways, Fencing, & More - 1.2 GPM : Patio, Lawn & Garden

If you are willing to spend a little more, I would 100% being going for the Active 2.0. This machine was specifically designed for car washing in mind, so it flows extremely well and has a tailored pressure rating. Put it this way, the Active produces almost twice the flow of the Karcher and Greenworks, and on par with a considerably more expensive Kranzle or AR Blue. It will also last longer than the Greenworks. This is the best entry level pressure washer on the market, it costs little more than the usual suspects, but it offers a better user experience.

Buy Active™ 2.0 Pressure Washer - Active Products Inc.
Active 2.0 Pressure Washer | Full OE Kit | 1800 PSI 2.0 GPM *Pre-Order* | The Clean Garage

There is a lot to consider when choosing pressure washer for car washing, however, picking the right one makes a huge difference to how it functions. Reach out if you need, happy to help.

 

[DFB5.0]

I know he is somewhat love or hate personality, but the below website is a great starting point when specing a pressure washer for car washing. Just remember the prices there are for high end accessories that take a basic pressure washer and tailor to the job at hand. If you are happy to piece it togther yourself, you can save some money by using this as a guide to ordering from separate suppliers. Otherwise, they will have you setup and good to go with no parts trawling or time wasting.

Pressure Washing – Obsessed Garage

End to End Solutions -
Solutions – Obsessed Garage

Accessory Packages -
Accessory Packages – Obsessed Garage

Pressure Washers (Any machine there is what's considered the best for car washing) -
Pressure Washers | Obsessed Garage

 

[MCS]

I'm using the Active 2.0* after a recommendation from @DFB5.0 and the results are awesome.

* = recommend you get just the pressure washer alone and not the full kit; spend the difference on a better gun, hose, foam cannons, 5.0 nozzle, blah blah blah.

My list of equipment went from 2 buckets, a wash mitt, 2 TRC pluffle drying towels and CarPro RESET to a fairly insane amount of stuff. Seriously, be warned it is a rabbit hole.

That being said, when I wash and detail the car now it doesn't just look clean, it now looks like it just came out of a detail shop.

 

[roadpilot]

I have an Active 2.0. Best value for the money for personal use, AFAIC. I did my homework, too, and @DFB5.0 was part of who/what influenced me as well.

 

[LoneRanger57]

What type of environment makes you have to use a pressure washer to get the car clean?
I use a garden hose to wash and a reverse osmosis system to rinse.
Takes me 10-15 minutes with no spot drying.

 

[Lakersfreak]

1900 psi is on the higher side but will be fine. However............................

A couple of points to consider -

- For car washing, you want flow not necessarily pressure. It's the flow that does the work, helping to rinse quicker.

- Ideally, you want the pressure rating anywhere between 1000 to 1500 psi with the highest flow possible.

- Adjust pressure and flow, you swap out the nozzle for with a smaller or larger orifice. To increase flow and decrease pressure, you open up the orifice.

- Pressure ratings on pressure washers are always doctored to get the biggest number possible printed on the box. So, while it may say 1900 psi, it might not be doing that once it leaves the gun. Also, they trade off for seemingly high psi ratings is flow, so they feel very lean and take forever to get something done.

Staying close to the price point of the Greenworks, I would look at the Karcher Cube 1700 or 1800 instead. These two produce similar numbers but are far superior machines. You can get these in static or mobile forms. For the slightly higher price, you get a better machine all round.

K1800PS CUBE™ - Kärcher
K1800PS - Kärcher

Amazon.com : Kärcher K1700 Cube Max 2125 PSI Electric Pressure Washer with 3 Spray Nozzles - Great for cleaning Cars, Siding, Driveways, Fencing and more - 1.2 GPM : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com : Kärcher K1800PS Cube Max 2250 PSI Electric Pressure Washer - Power Washer with 3 Nozzles for Cleaning Cars, Siding, Driveways, Fencing, & More - 1.2 GPM : Patio, Lawn & Garden

If you are willing to spend a little more, I would 100% being going for the Active 2.0. This machine was specifically designed for car washing in mind, so it flows extremely well and has a tailored pressure rating. Put it this way, the Active produces almost twice the flow of the Karcher and Greenworks, and on par with a considerably more expensive Kranzle or AR Blue. It will also last longer than the Greenworks. This is the best entry level pressure washer on the market, it costs little more than the usual suspects, but it offers a better user experience.

Buy Active™ 2.0 Pressure Washer - Active Products Inc.
Active 2.0 Pressure Washer | Full OE Kit | 1800 PSI 2.0 GPM *Pre-Order* | The Clean Garage

There is a lot to consider when choosing pressure washer for car washing, however, picking the right one makes a huge difference to how it functions. Reach out if you need, happy to help.

You said 1900 psi is on the high side but the two Kaercher ones are more than 1900 psi? The active one looks great but honestly I want to stay under $200. What do you recommend under that price point?

 

[roadpilot]

You said 1900 psi is on the high side but the two Kaercher ones are more than 1900 psi? The active one looks great but honestly I want to stay under $200. What do you recommend under that price point?

He already answered you on that:

Staying close to the price point of the Greenworks, I would look at the Karcher Cube 1700 or 1800 instead.

 

[Lakersfreak]

He already answered you on that.

Yeah he said to get one of the Kaercher ones, but he also said the 1900 psi is too high and both Kaechers he recommended ar over 1900 psi.

 

[roadpilot]

Yeah he said to get one of the Kaercher ones, but he also said the 1900 psi is too high and both Kaechers he recommended ar over 1900 psi.

You're not getting something under $200 that is like an Active 2.0. Use bigger orifice nozzles for less PSI and more GPM.

 

[MCS]

You said 1900 psi is on the high side but the two Kaercher ones are more than 1900 psi? The active one looks great

Yeah, if you want to get into the pressure washer game, even at the entry level, you are going to have to pony up. I was once like you "I want the best, and I want it as cheap as possible" however I can now honestly say "If you wanna play you gotta pay. Especially at this level".

I was at a car cruise today, after doing a full detail including drying aid last evening, and the comments were enough that I realized fully that the proof is in the pudding!

but honestly I want to stay under $200. What do you recommend under that price point?

If price is of major concern to you; stick with the garden hose.

 

[DFB5.0]

Yeah he said to get one of the Kaercher ones, but he also said the 1900 psi is too high and both Kaechers he recommended ar over 1900 psi.

Looking at the specs, the Karcher Cube 1700 produces 1700psi, so probably closer to 1600 out of the nozzle.

 

[mustangwilly]

I dont normally use a pressure washer unless it would be with a foam cannon. What has helped the most is using an in-line filter to remove minerals/chemicals from the water. I have no spotting issues with the filter and it rinses and dries alot better.

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