I recently bought a 2900psi pressure washer and wonder if I can use it to wash our vehicles. Is that high psi safe to wash a vehicle? My google search said the typical psi for car wash should be between 1200-1900 but I saw a few articles say up to 2800 psi is safe. My plan was to use the 45 degree nozzle and stand several feet back.

Wide and far away you'll be fine. And more effective

I use pressure wash tires, wheels, wheel wells... Then spray the rest of the car from far away.. Like 6 feet+

Your plan is sound on paper. But you'll eventually screw up by getting too close and take your paint off.

I'd recommend something that has multiple speed settings. Like the Generac OneWash.

Generac OneWash 3,100 PSI 70191 Pressure Washer, Black, Orange https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008TVTE40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_W959Y5VMRAWVYDR2CYMX

I hit mine with a foam cannon and then spray down with a 3500psi washer with a 40deg tip from a few feet away. Than gets enough of the big stuff that I can finish with diluted ONR in a spray bottle and a few towels.

You're asking the wrong questions.

First, with any pressure washer, for the most part, ignore PSI. It isn't TOTALLY irrelevant but when it comes to CLEANING, gallons per minute is what you should be looking at. Higher pressure means its so focused on a smaller area that it will take longer to actually clean than it would if it were lower pressure and more water. You can't clean without the water. You NEED higher pressure on embedded stuff on decks, concrete and fences (mold, etc.); not on cars. Let the soap and agitation of the mitt do that job. Plus, the tips that go on the end of the nozzle adjust the pressure sufficiently enough for most any good pressure washer to work on cars.

Second, and more importantly, a gas pressure washer is the wrong tool for car washing. While I will concede that a gas pressure washer, a foam cannon and the right oraface, along with a soap that will foam up nicely, can make your neighborhood look like the great white north in the middle of a blizzard, that's about its only redeeming quality when it comes to car washing. Putting aside the unneeded additional pressure (not to mention over-use of water), gas washers are made to be used continuously. If you set it down to wipe the car with the mitt, you have to turn the washer off. You can't leave it running for more than 30-45 seconds very often or you'll wear the pump out. Electric washers have pumps that cut off; gas ones put some continuous pressure on pumps.

Third, a good consumer electric pressure washer is more than sufficient (and much cheaper -- to buy and operate) to wash a car and provide more than enough to give you what you need in terms of a foam cannon. Any washer with around 1.2 GPM is fine. Pro models that are closer to 2 GPM are even better but aren't absolutely necessary. If you're going to get a pro model, and you have the plumbing for it, I'd recommend a hot water ready one.

Finally, if you insist on the gas, get a good one. Pros usually don't consider models under 4.0 GPM professional quality, but 3.5 and even 3.2 should be fine as "pro-sumer" type machines and, with proper maintenance should last a while. The retail consumer models have come a long way in the last 20 or so years where the pump would fail after a couple of years. Now, you can buy a replacement pump for much less than the cost of an entirely new unit. I sold 2 2.5-2.9 GPM models for the engine only years ago because the pump failed. I finally got the 3.5 model I have now and its worked fine -- though I need to finish rebuilding the carb!

I also have a list of pressure washer accessories I recommend if you are interested. They go beyond the "stock" stuff that come with the washers are make your life much easier.

I'd be interested in hearing about this accessory list...

same here on the list. In the market for one soon

AgTDub said:

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I'd be interested in hearing about this accessory list...

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Its hard to know exactly where to start, so forgive this if it seems like I'm rambling or going back and forth.

1. Spray Gun. This is the model I have:

Spray Gun: 6 in Lg, 4,500 psi Max. Pressure, 8 gpm Max. Flow, 3/8 in FNPT

Amazon used to have it a little cheaper. I don't know if they still do. I went to Northern Tool and got all the necessary fittings for it. I put a swivel on it so the handle could move in any direction and not kink up the hose. The fittings on the output will accept both a tip and an extension wand.

2. Hose. I got the Uberflex hose from Northern Tool. They are a little pricy. Other options include cheaper hoses online and at HD. Simpson hoses should work fine. The hose that came with my gas pressure washer absolutely sucked. It was way too stiff and made the experience frustrating. Now, I only wish I could have afforded a longer hose (never have enough!!).

3. Fittings. Northern Tool sells most of what you'll need. I have a bunch of brass fittings I bought and use, but from now on, I'm only going to buy Stainless. I recommend Stainless if you're starting out. They cost more but they'll last a lot longer and work better. Brass will corrode whereas stainless won't.

4. Converters: All of my hoses and guns are set up to take the quick release fittings common on the gas washers even though I use the electric washer way more (and am planning on getting another one). The electric washers pretty much all use M22. The problem with M22 is that there are 2 different kinds -- 14 and 15mm. You just need to find out which one your machine is. Amazon has the M22 to quick release converter. I put one on my electric washer and my hose connects right in. I've seen guys convert the hoses that come with electric washers to quick release. It will require more converters -- one for each end of the hose, plus another one for the washer itself -- but then you can use the hose more efficiently. Keep in mind that hoses that came with electric washers can't handle the pressure of gas washers but the opposite is not true.

5. Also consider putting a garden hose quick release (different from the pressure washer quick release) on all your machines. and garden hoses. Use teflon tape when installing. I've been using Blue Rhino tape with good results but the old white tape should work fine. Once again, use stainless fittings for everything.

Once you have everything set up, even if you have only one washer, you'll have a great setup. If you have an electric washer and the tools I mentioned here, but want to clean your driveway or fence, no problem. Rent or borrow a gas washer and use your own hose and gun.

Here's the gun:



The swivel is the part between the 2 pieces of blue tape.

Here is the hose. I don't recall if I put the fittings on it or it came with them. I think it came that way.