Okay, here we go! Here’s my rundown on finding the best PSI for car washing. Buckle up, it's a real-world kinda story, not some fancy textbook stuff.

My Car Wash PSI Journey

So, I’ve always been a bit of a clean freak when it comes to my car. I mean, who isn’t, right? But for ages, I was just winging it with the pressure washer. Blast away the dirt, hope for the best. Turns out, "hoping" isn't a great strategy.

The Beginning: Overkill and Underwhelm

• First off, I tried going full-throttle. I figured, the higher the PSI, the cleaner the car, duh! Wrong. It was like using a firehose on a dandelion. I was probably doing more damage than good.
• Then I got scared and went the other way – super low pressure. It barely tickled the dirt. I might as well have been spitting on the car. Seriously, it was useless.

Research Time (aka, Googling Like Crazy)

I finally admitted I had no clue what I was doing and hit the internet. I started reading about different PSI levels and what they're good for. Turns out, there's a sweet spot.

The Experiment: Finding the Sweet Spot

This is where the fun (and a bit of frustration) began. I decided to actually test different PSI settings. I used my pressure washer that has adjustable pressure, thankfully.

1. The Setup: I grabbed a few different nozzles (a 40-degree and a 25-degree), filled my soap cannon with my usual car wash soap, and had a bucket of clean water ready.
2. Testing, Testing:
   • 1200 PSI: Started low. Not bad for a quick rinse, but it didn’t really lift the grime. Good for applying soap gently.
   • 1600 PSI: Getting warmer. This was actually pretty decent for getting rid of loose dirt and mud. I used the 40-degree nozzle here to avoid any paint damage.
   • 2000 PSI: Okay, now we’re talking! This seemed to be the magic number for my car. It blasted away the stubborn stuff without feeling like it was going to peel off the clear coat. I tried the 25-degree nozzle briefly, but quickly switched back to the 40 just to be safe.
   • Above 2000 PSI: Nope. Just nope. I tried a higher setting just to see, and it felt way too aggressive. I wouldn't recommend going above 2000 PSI on your car unless you're trying to remove something seriously stuck on there (and even then, be careful!).

The Takeaway: What I Learned

• Around 2000 PSI is my sweet spot. But honestly, it probably depends on your car, the type of dirt, and your pressure washer.
• Nozzle angle matters. The wider the angle (like the 40-degree), the gentler the spray. Use a wider angle for washing and a narrower one (like 25-degree) only for really tough spots, and with caution.
• Don't just blast away! Use the right technique. Keep the nozzle moving, don’t get too close to the paint, and always rinse from top to bottom.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best PSI for car washing isn't rocket science, but it’s worth taking the time to experiment and find what works best for you. Now my car looks awesome, and I don't have to worry about accidentally stripping the paint off! Happy washing!