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Carwash Guide
The Best Pressure Washer for a Car Wash
Are you looking to start a successful car wash business or are you already an experienced car wash business owner looking for the best pressure washer for your business? When it comes to the selecting stage of your pressure washer for your car wash, there are several factors to consider before making your purchase. In this guide, we will go over these factors to help you make an informed decision when selecting your car washing machine.
There are several advantages and benefits of a high pressure washer in a car washing application, and it may be the most useful tool in your car wash setup. They help remove dirt and grime from the car surfaces effortlessly without damaging the car paint and trims if the right pressure washer is chosen, but no need to stress about that we will guide you to make the correct decisions when it comes to specifications.
In this guide, we will also give suggestions on the car washing machine for the different types of car wash you intend to start, whether it is for mobile car washing or a commercial car wash business.
Questions Before Selecting Your Pressure Washer
The following questions are important to help you choose the correct machine for your business:
- What power source is available to you?
This will be an important point to consider, we always suggest an electrical high pressure cleaner in a car wash as it minimizes maintenance costs and upkeep. We provide machines with single and three-phase power supplies, if a three-phase power supply is readily available on-site at your car wash we will always recommend this option to you.
- Is there a sufficient water supply?
One of the main causes of damage in any high pressure cleaner, no matter the brand, is a lack of water supply to the pump,as the high pressure pump will cavitate or get damaged badly and usually will need replacing more frequently. If there is an insufficient water supply to feed a machine we will highly recommend a water tank to be installed or purchase a machine that uses less water per minute.
- How many cars per day will you be cleaning?
This will determine your selection of the high pressure cleaner, and ensure your machine lasts for years to come. If you select a domestic grade machine and you intend on washing 20 or more cars a day, you may tend to be replacing the motor more frequently or have higher maintenance costs, as these machines are not intended for several working hours and have a higher r.p.m motor then what industrial high pressure cleaners have. Choose a 1400 r.p.m motor if you intend on running a successful car washing business.
Our Recommended Car Washing Machines
The success of your car wash business depends on the strategic location and positioning of your facility. The more cars you can attract, the greater the viability of your business.
Choosing the right machine is crucial and should be influenced by your anticipated daily car washing volume. The machine you decide to purchase will directly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your operations.
5 - 10 Cars - Kränzle 1050 and X-Line Domestic Range
The Kränzle Domestic Range has a faster running motor of 2800 r.p.m and is not designed to run continuously. Equipped with a single phase 230V power supply, operating pressures up to 150 bar pressure and water flow rates up to 9 l/minute. They have the added benefit of D10 Quick coupling fittings to attach accessories to the lance more effectively and efficiently.
10 - 15 Cars - Kränzle HD 7/122 TS
The Kränzle HD 7/122 TS is recommended for anyone just starting in the car washing business, it is also a great choice for mobile car wash businesses or car detailing as it is more lightweight and flexible with a stainless steel carrying handle and is a compact machine. Equipped with a single phase 230V power supply, 1400 r.p.m slow running motor which allows for usage of longer periods, 120 bar operating pressure and 7 l/minute water flow rate.
It has the added benefit of D12 quick couplings to change accessories. It can also be mounted on a stainless steel shelf if you prefer the machine to be stationary and wall-mounted so the machine is out of the way.
15 - 20 Cars - Kränzle HD 11/130 TS / Kränzle K2160 TS
These are the entry-level industrial machines for car washes. With great features and specifications. They are both 230V single-phase machines and 1400 r.p.m slow-running motors that allow for continuous cleaning.
The Kränzle HD 11/130 runs at 130 bar of operating pressure and a water flow rate of 11 l/minute. This is an ideal pressure and water flow to remove stubborn dirt or tar that may be stuck to the car's surfaces. This machine can also be wall-mounted with a stainless steel shelf.
The Kränzle K2160 TS is different in that it is mobile and equipped with 2 wheels, this may be ideal for mobile detailers or anyone who needs to store their equipment in a store room after a day of work, which makes the task easier. It operates at 140 bar pressures and a water flow rate of 11 l/miniute.
It has an added benefit of a direct chemical suction inlet, this allows the user to turn the vario-jet lance and foam a vehicle.
20 - 50 Cars - Kränzle Carwash and Quadro 599/799
The Kranzle Carwash and Quadro versions use the same pump and motor with the same features, however, the Quadro can be mobile whereas the Carwash is a stainless steel wall-mounted version for a stationary machine option.
Kränzle Carwash 599 / 799
The Kranzle Carwash 599 and 799 pressure washers are our recommended machines of choice. and the most popular in all our car wash installations throughout South Africa. The added benefits and features of the machine make it an industry-leading machine, with a water tank with a low-level water cut-out, dry run safety protection, a total stop system and a delayed motor cut-out this protects the machine from water shortage damage, which is a leading cause of damage in high pressure cleaners. It is built in a stainless steel cabinet, which reduces corrosion and also saves space in the washing bay.
The most commonly added equipment with the wall-mounted machines is the Kranzle Single Swivel boom, which removes the hose from being dragged on the floor from the machine and around the vehicle when being cleaned. The Kranzle Carwash foamer is usually also bought together with the machine so that a chemical injector is not necessary through the high pressure cleaner but foaming is run independently which increases the efficiency of washing a vehicle.
Kränzle Carwash 599
The Kranzle Carwash 599 high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 150 bar and water flow rate of 10 l/minute, you will require a 230V single-phase power supply to run the machine.
Kränzle Carwash 799
The Kränzle Carwash 799 high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 180 bar and water flow rate of 13 l/minute, you will require a 400V three-phase power supply to run the machine.
Please note: We supply a 055 nozzle with the machine to reduce the pressure to 150 bar, this prevents the high pressure from causing damage to the vehicle's paint and trims.
Kränzle Quadro 599/799 TST
The Kränzle Quadro 599 and 799 TST is a reliable high pressure cleaner. It has the same functionalities as the Kranlze Carwash machine with its high-quality brass pump, total stop system and delayed motor cut-off, and safety shutdown switch in the water tank for a dry run safety feature to protect the machine, a pressure regulator and stainless steel pressure gauge to monitor operating pressure. It is also equipped with a hose reel and foldable crankshaft to hold the high pressure hose.
We recommend the Kränzle Quadro 599 / 799 TST to people who require a mobile machine and need to store the machine in a safe store room or something similar.
Kränzle Quadro 599 TST
The Kranzle Quadro 599 TST high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 150 bar and a water flow rate of 10 l/minute, you will require a 230V single-phase power supply to run the machine.
Kränzle Quadro 799 TST
The Kränzle Quadro 799 TST high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 180 bar and a water flow rate of 13 l/minute, you will require a 400V three-phase power supply to run the machine.
Please note: We supply a 055 nozzle with the machine to reduce the pressure to 150 bar, this prevents the high pressure from causing damage to the vehicle's paint and trims.
Installations:
High Pressure Cleaner Comparison Table
| Model | Operating Pressure | Flow Rate | Motor Speed (R.P.M) | Hose Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Compact and portable design for light-duty cleaning. |
130 Bar | 7.5 l/min | 2800 | 8m | 21 kg |
|
Compact and portable design for light-duty cleaning, mobile on 2 wheels. |
130 Bar | 7.5 l/min | 2800 | 8m | 23 kg |
|
Compact and portable design for light-duty cleaning, mobile on 2 wheels with hose reel. |
130 Bar | 7.5 l/min | 2800 | 12m | 26 kg |
|
Compact and portable design for light-duty cleaning, mobile on 2 wheels with hose reel. |
130 Bar | 8 l/min | 1400 | 12m | 31 kg |
|
Compact and portable design for light-duty cleaning, mobile on 2 wheels with hose reel. |
150 Bar | 9 l/min | 2800 | 12m | 31 kg |
|
Semi-commercial machine, compact design. about 3-4 hours a day. |
120 Bar | 7 l/min | 1400 | 10m | 23 kg |
|
Commercial/Industrial usage machine, compact design. about 3-4 hours a day. |
130 Bar | 11 l/min | 1400 | 10m | 31 kg |
|
Ideal for commercial/industrial usage. |
140 Bar | 11 l/min | 1400 | 10m | 39 kg |
|
Heavy industrial cleaning applications, run for several hours at a time. |
150 Bar | 10 l/min | 1400 | 10m | |
|
Heavy industrial cleaning applications, run for several hours at a time. |
180 Bar (Reduced to 150 bar) | 13 l/min | 1400 | 10m | |
|
Heavy industrial cleaning application, run for several hours at a time. |
150 Bar | 10 l/min | 1400 | 20m | 63 kg |
|
Heavy industrial cleaning application, run for several hours at a time. |
180 Bar (Reduced to 150 bar) | 13 l/min | 1400 | 20m | 63 kg |
What Else Should be Considered?
When selecting your high pressure washer, ensure that any other pressure washer accessories you may require are available and to run your car washing business more effectively. Consider a Car wash foamer, underbody cleaner to clean the chassis of the cars, will you require a swivel boom for the most efficient cleaning in your wash bay. Visit our car wash equipment page to view all the necessary equipment to run your business.
FAQ
- Should I buy a petrol or electric pressure washer?
We always recommend electric high pressure washers for car wash businesses as the upkeep and maintenance on petrol machines tend to be higher compared to the electrical machines. Often petrol pressure washers tend to be bulkier and heavier compared to electrical pressure washers which are more compact and lighter.
- Should I still use detergent to clean my vehicle?
Yes, a detergent will help aid in loosening dirt and grime and you should only use chemical detergents designed for washing cars on vehicle surfaces. Others may harm the paint and surface of your car.
These detergents can be applied to a vehicle through the chemical injector in the pressure washer or a separate accessory can be connected to the high pressure washer if a machine does not offer a chemical injector option.
- Can a pressure washer damage the paint on my car?
If the high pressure washer is used incorrectly it can severely damage the paint of your car, we recommend not cleaning a vehicle with pressures of more than 150 bar. This is a safe benchmark for cleaning with pressure and make sure not to put the nozzle too close to the vehicle paint. Only use a Standard lance (Flat jet nozzle) and not a Dirtkiller or Tubokiller lance as these will damage the paint of your vehicle.