What Is a High Pressure Car Wash and Do I Need One?

Car Wash Clean

Have you ever washed your car at home and realized the cleanliness just wasn’t the same? That’s because of the lead and other harmful pollutants come out of the water in your hose. These pollutants can cause your car to become stained with water and chemical spots leading to corrosion of paint on your vehicle. Not only do hoses spray harmful debris on your car’s exterior, but the water pressure doesn’t have enough strength to clean out those hard-to-reach areas. Because of this, high-pressure washes are preferred to get that showroom shine!

High-pressure spray is a detailing car wash’s tool of choice for a reason. Not only do high-pressure sprays usually include clean, recycled water (like here at Caliber Car Wash), but they also get into hard-to-reach areas, giving you a thorough wash in three minutes or less.

High-pressure spray’s ability to supply a high volume of pressurized water and ultra-sudsy car shampoo helps remove dirt, stuck-on debris, and other contaminants quickly and efficiently. Without this debris on the car, your paint is less likely to scratch when being brushed later in the tunnel.  

When paired with the high-pressure spray, Caliber’s tunnel technology ensures that you leave the lot with that showroom shine every time.

Check out some of these FAQs about what kind of water is best to use when washing your car.

Is it bad to wash my car with a hose? 

Washing your car with a water hose is never the best option. By doing this, you could potentially damage your vehicle’s paintwork. Water hoses can lead to a buildup of residue on your vehicle that won’t look good and could eventually erode the wax on your car, causing your paint to deteriorate over time. Washing your car in direct sunlight can also cause spots to be burned in the paint. Instead, consider using filtered water.

Is it bad to wash my car at home? 

Washing your car yourself can lead to damage. Some people make the mistake of using dishwashing detergent, which can leave residue and remove wax. Plus, if you wash your car in direct sunlight, you can burn spots in the paint. In the right conditions and with the right tools, you can successfully wash your vehicle at home, but just remember that damage will occur over time if you don’t use the proper cleaners and tools.

Should I use a pressure washer to wash my car? 

Some people use a pressure washer to clean their car, and it will get debris off your vehicle; however, it can do more harm than good. Using a pressure washer can damage or nick the paint, leading to rust. If you do use a pressure washer, consider using it on areas like tires where paint is less likely to chip off and because it focuses on the dirtiest area of the car.

What PSI should I use to wash my car with a pressure washer? 

If you do decide to wash your car with a pressure washer, the appropriate PSI setting that’s safe to use and won’t damage your car is generally 1200-1900 PSI. Another feature that’s necessary for a car cleaning pressure washer is the right GPM (gallons per minute), meaning the amount of water flow per minute, which is 1.4-1.6 GPM. Please note that using a pressure washer comes with the potential to damage paint, so it is recommended to consult your owner’s manual, consult a professional, and use proper tools and cleaners.