Tips for Safe and Effective Pressure Washing Your EV
Safety First on the Path To a Speedy, Low-Cost Cleaning
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The electric car market is rapidly growing, and there are an increased number of drivers who switched from gas to electric models. Of course, that switch brings certain changes in operating and maintaining your vehicle. In terms of cleaning your car, a pressure washer is probably the best choice for keeping it clean at a low cost and in the fastest manner possible. However, as the pressure washer is a very robust tool used for cleaning various surfaces, there are some safety procedures you need to follow.
Is It Safe To Pressure Wash an Electric Car?
Pressure washing an electric car is completely safe as long as you are using a moderate-power pressure washer (up to 1500 PSI) and protecting all electric parts that may get damaged in the process.
Pressure washers have a wide range of pressure they can eject, which is measured in PSI (pressure per square inch). The pressure can range from 1000 to 3000 PSI, or even more in models suited for the most demanding jobs.
The electric models usually put out around 1200 to 1700 PSI, ideal for pressure washing a car. However, you should avoid using a pressure washer with more power, as its force can strip paint and damage the vehicle.
How To Safely Pressure Wash an Electric Car?
To safely pressure wash an electric car, do the following:
- Remove any external components (such as the charger);
- Place it in park (P) and turn off the ignition;
- Close and secure the charging port;
- Ensure that all windows and doors are closed.
Once you perform these simple preparations, your vehicle is ready to be pressure washed.
Of course, you should also apply the standard safety procedure when using a pressure washer by putting on safety goggles, earplugs and non-slip footwear.
Next, attach the proper nozzle to the pressure washer’s hose. When you’ve purchased the pressure washer, you most likely got a set of nozzles that go with it. Those are the 0°, 15°, 25°, 40°, 65° (soap) and turbo.
The lower-degree nozzles are used to clean sturdy surfaces like your driveway, patio, and the like. As such, they are not a good option for cleaning your vehicle, as they can easily strip paint and damage the surface. You should use a 40° nozzle to clean your car for the best results.
Should I Use Soap When Cleaning My Electric Car?
You can absolutely use soap when cleaning your electric car, as long as it is a designated soap for vehicles.
Using household cleaning products (like laundry detergent or liquid dish soap) can damage the paint, strip off the protective wax and ultimately cause oxidation and discoloration.
However, using a soap exclusively made for cleaning cars is safe and a great way to get a thorough clean and a shinier finish.
When applying the soap, remember to switch to a 65° nozzle and use it from bottom to top. When rinsing, switch back to the 40° nozzle and clean from top to bottom.
In Summary
Using a pressure washer to clean your electric car is a very effective method for getting excellent results with very little time and energy invested. Although it is possible to damage the vehicle with a pressure washer, it only happens when using a too-strong pressure washer with inappropriate nozzle selection.
But with these tips, you are ensured that your EV will be damage-free and spotless.
