How to properly wash your car with Karcher and shampoo yourself

Many motorists prefer to drive a clean car. Although this is not always visible to the driver while driving, the knowledge that the car has been washed warms the soul. A clean car looks aesthetically pleasing and attractive; this emphasizes the strengths of the body and allows you to fully enjoy the design solutions of the automaker. What can we say, looking at a washed car is much more pleasant than looking at a dirty and unkempt vehicle.

Some wash their car by going to a car wash. Others prefer the old-fashioned methods, which involve rags and buckets of water. But there is a more modern, easy-to-use and effective way to clean your car using your own touchless car wash. And the manufacturer Kercher succeeded better than others in this component.

Their car washes are in high demand among motorists. In this case, you need to understand what it is and how to use the equipment correctly. This will allow you to quickly and efficiently wash your car without much effort.

Announce the entire list, please!

Let’s immediately say that there are 2 options for washing a car with a “Kärcher” (by “Kärcher” we mean all high-pressure devices, or simply mini-washers, regardless of the brand and country of origin): rinsing (when the washer is used like a regular hose, with adjusted for higher pressure) and the actual “real” contactless car wash.

If you are too lazy to fool around with the second option (or don’t have enough time), remember the basic rules: the gun of the device must be moved horizontally, from left to right and back, and it is better to keep the nozzle itself close to the car - no further than 10 centimeters from the body, otherwise you will not benefit from high pressure you will feel it. A much better result can be achieved if you use a “full height” sink as it should be. We will tell you how it should be done below.

Advantages of the contactless method

One of the reasons why many people choose Karcher car washes is the benefits that car owners receive when cleaning their car. Although many, after purchase, try to figure out how to properly wash a car with a high-pressure washer. If we talk about the main positive aspects when using this equipment, we can highlight the following:

• to make the car clean, the owner can refuse to use sponges, brushes and rags;
• By using a Karcher mini-car wash, the owner has the opportunity to remove contaminants not only from the surface of the body, but also from under the hood, the bottom of the car, fender liners and other places that are difficult to access;
• Compared to manual washing, the motorist saves a lot of time;
• Removing dirt from the body using such equipment completely eliminates scratches on the paintwork, which quite often appear when washing a car using brushes and sponges.

Naturally, a motorist who decides to try washing his car with a Karcher for the first time will have certain problems. Not everyone is satisfied with the quality of washing after the first time. However, by practicing this option of cleaning his car, the motorist gains the necessary experience and very soon is satisfied with the result.

What kind of divorce?

The main problem that owners of mini washes complain about is dirty stains remaining on the car body after washing. They are most noticeable on black cars that are popular among our citizens - I know this first-hand, because I myself drive a car of this exact “color.” What's the matter?

Where do these “muddy stains” come from? That's right, we need to learn materiel! Most often, chemistry is to blame - the fact is that ordinary car shampoos are not suitable for contactless washing - there are special products for it. If we talk about the products of the same Karcher, these are means for contactless washing RM 555, RM 527 and similar. They are supplied both in standard 5-liter canisters (according to the principle of “bought and forgotten about the problem for a year”) and in liter bottles for the plug'n'clean system, when it is enough to remove one bottle and insert another.

Safety precautions

Before washing your car with Karcher, you need to study the safety rules . Water flies out of the nozzle under very high pressure, so if the device is used incorrectly, this can lead to dire consequences. Particular care should be taken when using nozzles that produce a pinpoint and narrow stream of water.

You cannot come closer than 15-30 cm; the surface begins to be processed from a distance of 60 cm. It is forbidden to use the sink while standing on a hill. When the trigger is pulled, there may be kickback, causing you to fall.

It is safer for the operator and the paintwork to spray with a wide spray pattern. It takes longer, but the risk of damage is much lower. Do not use a contactless car wash near a power line or point the nozzle with pressurized water at people or animals.

We will continue to act!

But it’s not enough to just buy the right mini-washer and liquid - you need to understand the whole (albeit simple!) technology. As a rule, this takes a couple of car washes, then the necessary actions are performed almost automatically. However, let's continue... So, you have a sink, and a special shampoo too. But how to apply it correctly? There aren't many options:

• Nozzle for contactless washing (also known as “foamer”, “foaming agent” or “foam nozzle”);
• Spray;
• A tank/hose for car chemicals in the car wash itself (to be honest, I don’t recommend this option, because the output is, at best, soapy water).

Preliminary preparation for washing

Before starting work, you should understand exactly how to properly wash your car with Karcher. Although the equipment seems extremely simple, because it is designed to supply water under pressure, there are some nuances here.

First you need to choose the right place before using Karcher. This equipment is directly dependent on electricity and a water source. Therefore, there must be an outlet and water nearby. Plus, do not forget about the rules of car washing, where the presence of a drain is required. Although this rule is often ignored by motorists.

It is not recommended to use mini-washes that connect to the car's cigarette lighter. They are not capable of creating really high pressure, and therefore will not be able to significantly help in cleaning the vehicle. It is better to take those that connect to a 220V outlet.

It is equally important to use the right detergent. It’s definitely not worth taking a container of dishwashing detergent from your wife’s kitchen. The use of such liquids can lead to ambiguous consequences.

For mini-washes with a foam generator, there are special washing liquids, mainly intended as a concentrate. They should be added in small quantities inside a special container with water, where the formation of the foam itself will occur. When purchasing car shampoo for Karcher, be sure to read the instructions for use from the manufacturer. Only this guide is considered the most correct. You should not use any universal advice that does not coincide with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Everyone has their own subtleties when diluting car shampoo before subsequent use in Karcher.

A complete wash is carried out in several stages:

• connection,
• applying foam,
• rinsing,
• fine-tuning

Each stage deserves separate attention and consideration.

Connection

The first thing you need to understand is how to properly connect your Karcher so that water flows to the hose and the connection does not suddenly break during the process of washing the car.

The best decision for the owner of Kercher car wash equipment will be to study the instructions that come with the mini-wash. After reading the manual, you can easily figure out what, where and how to connect. Do not forget that Karcher models are different, and therefore the connection process may be slightly different.

In fact, connecting equipment components looks extremely simple, despite the wide functionality of the device.

• mini-wash includes a stationary or mobile unit,
• this block is connected to the supply hose and to the supply hose, which discharges water and foam to the gun,
• First you need to connect the equipment to an accessible source of water,
• Karcher receives water from a water tap or container, depending on the washing model and circumstances,
• when the water hose is connected to the mini-wash, you can connect to a 220V power supply,
• The sink comes with a corresponding power cable,
• All you have to do is press the equipment activation button and get to work.

Once turned on, the pump begins to pump water and create high pressure before supplying it to the gun. Just do not forget that the power of the built-in pump is not enough to draw water from a deep well. The pump is capable of lifting water up to a maximum of 0.5 m. If you have a well, then it is better to first pump water into a large container, and then supply liquid from it to the mini-wash.

You can clearly see for yourself that there is nothing complicated about the connection. But it will be better if you read the manufacturer's instruction manual. Since Karcher is officially represented in Russia, all instructions are necessarily duplicated in Russian. Everything is written there simply and extremely clearly. It will not be difficult for a beginner to understand the nuances of connecting hoses and connecting to sources of water and electricity.

Once you understand how to properly connect your Karcher washer to the water supply and electrical network, you can proceed directly to cleaning your car.

Foam application

If you want to really thoroughly clean your car, then it's worth taking advantage of the foam generator capabilities on Karcher.

Let's figure out how to properly and independently wash your car with Karcher.

1. Shampoo. There should be no problems with how to pour shampoo into Karcher. For this purpose, a corresponding hole is provided in the foam generator. But when pouring shampoo there, maintain the correct proportions. Otherwise, the foam will be too strong or not active enough. Much depends on the shampoo itself. Use as much as the manufacturer recommends filling. The proportions established by the manufacturer must not be violated.
2. Turn on the foam generator. Foam forms instantly and begins to flow through the hose to the gun. The regulator sets the optimal mode, size and force of the jet. The foam should be evenly distributed over the entire surface.
3. In general, foam is used on top of a dry body, but some motorists recommend simply rinsing the surface with plain water first. This is true if it is very hot outside. Then it won’t hurt to really bring down the temperature of the body with clean water. In other situations, you can immediately start washing by supplying foam. It’s just that the foam will not immediately slide down on a dry surface. Therefore, it will more effectively dissolve all the dirt.
4. It is recommended to apply foam in a horizontal direction, moving from bottom to top. This will allow you to use shampoo more efficiently. Dirt accumulates in greater quantities in the lower part. Therefore, the main attention should be paid to the most contaminated areas of the car.
5. If you started washing as soon as you arrived home or stopped near the garage, start washing from the center of the car. Since the engine is still hot, it needs time to cool down.

Karchers are usually equipped with special attachments, but sometimes they come as additional elements for which you have to pay extra. If you don't have a nozzle, don't worry. You can take a regular spray bottle and apply foam with your own hands. This requires more time and effort. Therefore, it is better to immediately take a Karcher, which has a foam generator, and do not forget about the need to use a special nozzle.

Rinse mode

Since you already know how the Karcher car wash works, and you have dealt with the most difficult stage of applying foam, all that remains is to get rid of the detergent and bring the car surfaces to optimal condition.

And for this you need to turn on the rinsing mode. Most car shampoos that are designed to create cleaning foam will dissolve dirt in a few minutes. Immediately after applying the foam, you should not knock it down with water. Also avoid exposing the surface to direct sunlight. Because of them, detergents will dry out quickly, resulting in streaks on the body.

When the foam has had time to perform its functions, the foam generator can be turned off and proceed to the rinsing procedure. To do this, switch to the water supply mode, adjust the pressure and flow. It is recommended to start processing from the bottom, moving upward. This will allow you to more thoroughly remove any remaining contaminants. This was said even on the official Kercher website. But in reality this advice has no logical explanation. By rinsing from bottom to top, you only waste extra time.

When the remaining foam has been removed, repeat rinsing again. This will allow you to completely get rid of automotive chemicals. It is quite aggressive and effective, so it is not recommended to leave even small marks.

Finishing

Karcher cannot be called a completely contactless car wash, since this equipment cannot polish the surface. And it is recommended to do this. In addition, many car shampoos contain special protective components that settle in a thin layer on the surface and create a pleasant visual effect, while simultaneously protecting the paint layer from external influences.

To polish the body, it is better to use rubberized rags or microfiber. You need to collect excess moisture, dry the surface completely, and then apply a protective polish if you have one.

Practice clearly shows that the work done is often enough to achieve an excellent result. The car is clean and tidy.

But experienced motorists recommend not stopping there, and treating the car with special wax at least once every 2-3 weeks. Here you will have to use grinding machines with the softest wheel. You can polish a car manually, but it is more difficult and takes longer. This treatment makes the surface more resistant to the adhesion of new dirt. Therefore, the car will remain clean longer.

But in winter, at sub-zero temperatures, it is better to avoid using Karcher and regular washing with rags. The water will freeze, remaining in the locks, forming an ice crust in those areas where it can harm electronics, electrics and other car components. The best solution here would be to visit a heated car wash, where the car will be thoroughly dried and purged.

Foam Tricks

In order for the “foam party” to be a success, you need to take into account a few small rules: firstly, most car shampoos are concentrates, i.e. they must be diluted in the proportions indicated on the package), and secondly, the detergent must be applied TO A DRY, DIRTY CAR! I mean, there is NO NEED to wet the car first!

Why? The reason is simple: foam simply drains from a wet car without having time to “deal” with the dirt. Yes, yes, in this case your money just drains onto the floor! In addition, intuition tells you to apply shampoo from top to bottom, from the roof to the thresholds.

And this is also completely wrong! You need to do exactly the opposite. The fact is that with this application (from the bottom up), the dirt mixes with auto chemicals and creates a kind of “barrier” that does not allow the detergent to drain from the car.

Common mistakes

Drivers often wash their cars under very high pressure . As a result, the surface protective layer vibrates, the paint becomes covered with small cracks, which after a few years become dull. If the car is old and there are traces of corrosion on the body, then this pressure can break off the necessary pieces of metal and putty.

Experts advise buying cleaning products that do not form a lot of foam. A very aggressive one can ruin the top layer of paint.

Cheap products are also not worth purchasing, as they are difficult to bring the car into proper shape. You need to work with a high-pressure washer carefully, slowly, and apply the foam composition evenly. Direct the jet carefully onto doorways and other gaps in the body. We must try not to get on the radiator grille. It does not matter how to direct the water flow, from top to bottom or vice versa. In the first case, it will be possible to wash off the foam faster.

Everything is in order

Where to start? It's a good idea to start from the doors and rear fenders, working your way around the car. Then comes the turn of the roof and only at the very end - the hood. If you have a question why this and not otherwise, let us explain: the fact is that the hood (and the entire engine area), as a rule, is hotter than the rest of the car, and your goal is to prevent the shampoo from drying quickly without corroding the coating of the car dirt.

And there will be fewer divorces. One more thing - it’s better not to wash the car in the bright sun - this way the chemical dries faster. If you really want to wash your “iron horse” during the day, it’s better to do it in the shade, where it’s cooler.

How to properly wash a car under the hood

Before you start washing the engine, you need to remove decorative and protective screens, plastic elements, and disconnect the wiring . Cover the tanks and body parts with inscriptions and plates; waterproof material is suitable for this.

Close with polyethylene and tape:

• electrical equipment parts;
• terminals;
• connectors;
• air intakes.

It is advisable to remove the battery . You cannot start washing the engine while it is still hot, the chemical composition will evaporate quickly and the result will not be visible. The engine temperature should be 40-50 degrees.

Before the procedure, be sure to remove dry leaves so that they do not fall into the drainage holes. Coat the motor with a special compound and wait the prescribed time. There is no need to apply foam liquid liberally; it will take a long time to rinse off, which poses a danger to electrical wiring. The engine must be flushed gently so as not to damage plastic and rubber parts and wiring. It is better to wash the engine in warm weather. In cold weather, water may remain on the moving parts, this will negatively affect the condition and operation of the engine. Drying is necessary after washing .

A high pressure washer is also used to wash the engine.

Let's wash away!

It would seem that it’s so difficult to wash all this stuff off the car? But no, here, too, “not everything is so simple”: you also need to wash off chemicals from the car from the bottom up, so that the detergent stays in contact with the surface longer. And in this case, it becomes much more difficult to miss some place on the body. After this, the car needs to be “rinsed” with clean water and wiped thoroughly with a cloth (dry so that there are no streaks left) or a piece of artificial suede - it doesn’t matter, the main thing is to dry it.

How to choose a high pressure washer for your car. Accessories

What additional accessories do I need to purchase for my high pressure washer? Many sinks are already equipped with all the necessary accessories. These can be replaceable nozzles or the entire barrel with nozzle, brushes and containers for detergent. Also, if the kit does not include the necessary accessories, you can purchase them separately. They help you perform certain specific tasks faster and easier.

Car wash brush. It is an attachment to a spray gun and helps remove thin road film, as well as stubborn dirt on the body and wheels.

Additional nozzles or lances (barrel with nozzle). You can purchase an additional barrel with a nozzle that allows you to change the spray direction for washing the bottom and arches. There are also attachments that allow you to effectively wash other surfaces in addition to your car. For example, the Dirtblaster nozzle sprays water with a stream of small diameter, while rotating at high speed to increase the surface of impact.

• There are a wide range of specialty chemicals that can be used with a pressure washer to improve cleaning performance. Pressure washers use one or two ways to add detergent. Basic budget sinks usually have a detergent bottle (foam nozzle) that can be attached to the gun. The venturi effect is used to force the product out of the bottle as the water passes through the gun. Other models have an integrated reservoir. You can read more about applying foam to a car in the article “how to wash with a high pressure washer.”
• Hose with filter for connecting to a tank filled with water. Allows you to use rainwater from a barrel.
• In addition to the sink, you can purchase a good extension cord that can withstand the load of a working sink. When using an extension cord, the cable must be completely unwound.

The end is the crown of the matter!

If you follow all these simple rules, the final result should be no worse than professional car washes “for money” - the main thing is to do everything carefully and in the right sequence and not save too much on auto chemicals - if you use cheap chemicals, no one can vouch for the safety of the paint and rubber seals.

PS Didn't you understand something? Do you still have questions about how to properly wash a Karcher car? Want to share tricks or tips? Write in the comments!

Pros and cons of self-service car wash

Types of specialized car washes

Before washing your car at a professional car wash, you should decide for yourself what type of service you prefer. All sinks can be divided into two types. Some will be able to provide you with high-quality equipment, highly effective chemicals and an experienced cleaner. Others provide the same thing, only without a washer.

Usually, if a car enthusiast has a limited budget or great confidence in his abilities, then he chooses the second type of car wash. Here you can, for little money, clean your car of dirt yourself and put it in order exactly the way the owner likes it.

The disadvantage of such a car wash is obvious - inexperience and lack of knowledge cannot guarantee the same quality that is possible at a car wash with staff.

How to properly wash a car at home - Digital Plus equipment store

There are several ways to wash your car yourself. We will tell you about the most effective of them in this article. Of course, you love your car, which means you wash your car correctly. To keep your pet in perfect condition, you need to know some secrets that we will tell you about.

Summary of the article:

How often should you wash your car at a car wash?

Another question that misleads many, despite its simplicity. There are only two answers to this. Is the car dirty? You need to wash, and not pay attention to how many hours or days have passed since the last wash.

If you delve deeper into this issue, you can come across opinions that if you wash your car too often, its paintwork will quickly come to an end. In part, there is some truth here. However, this truth most likely refers to outdated concepts about car washing. Nowadays, modern equipment is used for washing cars, which does not particularly affect the paint of the car.

The same applies to body care chemicals. Modern chemical formulas are much different from those that existed before. The chemical carefully removes dirt and other deposits from the car. But she doesn’t touch the paint. Naturally, all this applies only to those car washes where they choose the right chemicals and use the equipment correctly. More about this.