Pressure Washer Maintenance for Car Wash Owners

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Using Maintaining Pressure Washers For Car
Wash Facilities
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Pressure washers provide an efficient and helpful
service for car wash businesses. Shooting streams
of pressurized water, these devices can safely
remove dirt and grime from a vehicle. Unlike
car washes that use brushes, pressure washers
will not leave scratches on vehicles that result
in poor customer experiences. Proper settings
and maintenance are vital to getting the most out
of a pressure washer for car wash facilities.
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Car wash owners provide a valuable service to
automobile owners. Regular car washes can remove
dirt and debris that can damage the vehicles
paint, reducing its resale value. Cleaning
windows and mirrors also helps drivers better see
the road and traffic, enhancing safety.
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Proper Pressure Washer Use

• Because pressure washers direct high pressure
  streams of water, they can cause damage to
  vehicles and injury to people if used improperly.
  Car wash owners can mitigate risk by having
  proper settings on their pressure washers. Good
  settings for car wash pressure washers are
• 1200 PSI
• 1 GPM
• Pressures over 2000 PSI can easily chip paint and
  cause injury, so be sure your pressure is not too
  high.

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Pressure Washer Safety
Employees or customers using a pressure washer at
your car wash should be aware of the following
safety tips

• Keep the pressure wand at least a foot from the
  surface being cleaned.
• Start with a low setting on the pressure washer
  and adjust upward as needed.
• Pre-rinsing with soap and light brushing will
  help loosen up dirt and debris, keeping employees
  from having to use the high settings.

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Maintaining Your Pressure Washer
Like any piece of machinery, your pressure washer
will require regular maintenance to continue
optimal function. Car wash pressure washers are
subject to quite a bit of wear and tear, so
purchasing durable products and keeping them
maintained is a must.
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Checking The Pump Inlet Output
If your pump is losing pressure, checking the
pumps inlet and output is probably the first bit
of troubleshooting you should do.

• Clean the pump inlet.
• Ensure the line has a clean filter.
• Make sure the flow control valve is installed and
  working properly.
• Ensure the temperature valve is installed and
  working properly.
• Replace spray nozzles, if necessary.

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Drives Belts
Problems with the pump drive can contribute to
pressure loss.

• Check your pump drives RPMs.
• If theyve decreased, you may need to repair or
  replace your drive.
• Also, check belts on the pressure washer to see
  if they are worn or slipping. Belt problems can
  result in loss of pressure.

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Regular Service Tasks

• Regularly inspect, repair and replace pump
  packings or seals.
• Install a pressure gauge for better monitoring.
• Perform maintenance right away if pressure
  fluctuates.
• Regularly service the valve.

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About Kleen-Rite
Kleen Rite supplies quality commercial car wash
products and equipment. In business for 50 years,
Kleen Rite has developed a solid reputation for
selling pressure washers, cleaning supplies and
other car wash equipment at highly competitive
prices. Learn more by calling 1-800-233-3873
or visiting www.kleen-ritecorp.com.