How to Pressure Wash Equipment

Pressure washing is a great way to clean your car, boat or barbecue grill thoroughly in minutes. The key to doing it right is to select the proper PSI (pounds of water per square inch) for the task at hand.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gloves
• Water Source
• Pressure Washer
• Power source (electric or gas)
• Pressure washer accessories
• Eye protection
• Pressure-washer approved chemicals (as needed)

1. Assess your project and develop a plan for cleaning that considers available drainage, access to the equipment and fragile objects that you need to avoid. Always work toward a drainage point to avoid a water build-up.
2. Select a nozzle, or tip, for the project which will also determine the PSI. The smallest angle, or opening, will deliver the most power. Most manufacturers suggest a lower PSI of 2000 or less for vehicles and equipment. Most pressure washers come with nozzles specifically for cleaning different types of surfaces; consult the owner's manual.
3. Attach any accessories when you connect the nozzle. A brush attachment is often helpful for cleaning vehicles and boats.
4. Put on protective eyewear and gloves before starting your pressure washer. Also, check that all connections are tight; a loose nozzle can become a projectile that can hurt people or damage property when you power up.
5. Start the pressure washer and test the spray. Begin by spraying away from the vehicle or equipment and then slowly point the wand toward it from 3 to 4 feet away. Be conservative; you can always increase the PSI or move closer but repairing damage from too much water pressure will be much tougher.
6. Make a few passes and then stop for a moment to see if the surface is clean. If not, move closer. Make slow, methodical passes to rinse the vehicle or equipment of all dirt and other debris using water only.
7. After turning the pressure washer off, add a chemical for treating the vehicle or equipment. Using a degreaser will make cleaning the grill easier and adding soap or wax will add luster to the finish or your vehicle; consult the owner's manual for help selecting the right chemical solution. If you won't be applying a chemical solution to the surface, ignore steps 8 to 11.
8. Add the chemical using the injector or special nozzle on the pressure washer.
9. Start the pressure washer and test the spray. Begin by spraying away from the vehicle or equipment and then slowly point the wand toward it from approximately the same distance as when you rinsed it. Make slow, methodical passes to coat the vehicle or equipment evenly with the chemical solution.
10. After waiting 5 to 10 minutes to let the solution work, pressure wash the vehicle or equipment again using water to rinse away the chemical.
11. If you're using more than one chemical to clean your vehicle or equipment, repeat steps 7 to 9, rinsing with water between each chemical application and to complete the project.

Tips & Warnings

• Work from the high point to the low point to avoid streaking surfaces you've already cleaned.
• Point the pressure-washing wand at a slight downward angle to avoid spraying the surface at a direct angle; this will mitigate the force of the pressure reducing the likelihood of damage. Although the recommended PSI for cleaning vehicles and equipment is lower than other applications, the water is still under extreme pressure.
• Use only pressure washer approved, biodegradable chemicals. Consult your owner's manual about what chemical to use on a particular surface. Non-approved chemicals can damage your pressure washer and non- biodegradable chemicals, such as bleach, will damage the environment.
• Pressure washers are powerful. Never point them at people or animals; they can cause serious injury.

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