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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 selecting a 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 to a high pressure washer in a car washing application, and it may be the most useful tool in your car wash setup. They remove dirt and grime from the car surfaces effortlessly without damaging the paint and trims, provided the right pressure washer is chosen — and we will guide you to 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 is an important point to consider. We always suggest an electrical high pressure cleaner in a car wash, as it minimises maintenance costs and upkeep. We supply machines with single and three phase power supplies, and if a three phase supply is readily available on site at your car wash we will always recommend that option.
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: the high pressure pump will cavitate or be badly damaged, and will usually need replacing more frequently. Water starvation is the leading cause of high pressure cleaner damage across all brands. Where there is an insufficient water supply to feed a machine, we will highly recommend that a water tank is installed, or that a machine using less water per minute is purchased.
How many cars per day will you be cleaning?
This will determine your selection of 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 find yourself replacing the motor more frequently or carrying higher maintenance costs, as these machines are not intended for several working hours at a time and have a higher r.p.m motor than 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 range and X10/140 TST
The Kränzle domestic range has a faster running motor of 2800 r.p.m and is not designed to run continuously. It is equipped with a single phase 230V power supply, an operating pressure of 130 bar and a water flow rate of 7.5 l/min. It has the added benefit of D10 quick coupling fittings, to attach accessories to the lance more effectively and efficiently.
The Kränzle X10/140 TST is the larger machine at this end of the range, at 30 to 140 bar and a water flow rate of 10 l/min on a 230V single phase supply. It is supplied with an integrated hose reel, a 15m high pressure hose and D12 quick couplings, and its upright design allows the machine to be operated standing up with the pressure gauge at eye level. It runs at 2800 r.p.m, so it belongs with the machines above rather than with the commercial range.
View the Kränzle X10/140 TST >
These machines suit a wash operating at the lower end of the volumes above, and a machine at 2800 r.p.m is not recommended for extended periods of continuous use. Where the wash is expected to run for several hours at a time, the machines from the next tier onwards are the ones specified for the application.
10 - 15 cars - Kränzle HD 7/122 TS and X8/150 TST
The Kränzle HD 7/122 TS is recommended for anyone just starting in the car washing business. It is also a good 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. It is equipped with a single phase 230V power supply, a 1400 r.p.m slow running motor which allows for use over longer periods, an operating pressure of 30 to 120 bar and a water flow rate of 7 l/min.
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 that the machine is out of the way.
View the Kränzle HD 7/122 TS >
The Kränzle X8/150 TST is equipped with a four-pole 1400 r.p.m motor for continuous operation, which reduces the starting current and results in less wear and lower noise. It operates at 30 to 150 bar and a water flow rate of 8 l/min on a 230V single phase supply, with a forged special brass pump head, an integrated hose reel, a 15m high pressure hose and D12 quick couplings.
It is worth noting that the X8/150 TST and the X10/140 TST are the same price, and the X10/140 TST carries the higher flow rate of the two. For a car wash the X8/150 TST is the one to choose, because it runs at 1400 r.p.m where the X10/140 TST runs at 2800 r.p.m. Two machines can be rated similarly and not be the same machine.
15 - 20 cars - Kränzle HD 11/130 TS and Kränzle K2160 TS
These are the entry level industrial machines for car washes. They are both 230V single phase machines with 1400 r.p.m slow running motors that allow for continuous cleaning.
The Kränzle HD 11/130 TS runs at an operating pressure of 30 to 130 bar and a water flow rate of 11 l/min. 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.
View the Kränzle HD 11/130 TS >
The Kränzle K2160 TS is different in that it is mobile and equipped with two wheels, which may be ideal for mobile detailers or anyone who needs to store their equipment in a store room after a day of work. It operates at 30 to 140 bar and a water flow rate of 11 l/min.
It has the added benefit of a direct chemical suction inlet, which allows the user to turn the vario-jet lance and foam a vehicle.
20 - 50 cars - Kränzle Carwash and Quadro 599/799
The Kränzle Carwash and Quadro versions use the same pump and motor with the same features. The Quadro is mobile, whereas the Carwash is a stainless steel wall mounted version for a stationary machine option.
The Kränzle Carwash 599 and 799 high pressure cleaners are our recommended machines of choice, and the most popular in all our car wash installations throughout South Africa. The machine is built in a stainless steel cabinet, which reduces corrosion and also saves space in the washing bay. It is supplied with a reservoir tank with a low level cut-out, dry run safety protection, a total stop system and a delayed motor cut-out, which together protect the machine from water starvation damage — the leading cause of damage in high pressure cleaners.
The most commonly added equipment with the wall mounted machines is the Kränzle single swivel boom, which stops the hose being dragged along the floor from the machine and around the vehicle while it is being cleaned. The Kränzle carwash foamer is usually bought together with the machine, so that a chemical injector is not necessary through the high pressure cleaner and foaming is run independently, which increases the efficiency of washing a vehicle.
Kränzle Carwash 599
The Kränzle Carwash 599 high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 30 to 150 bar and a water flow rate of 10 l/min. A 230V single phase power supply is required to run the machine.
View the Kränzle Carwash 599 >
Kränzle Carwash 799
The Kränzle Carwash 799 high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 30 to 180 bar and a water flow rate of 13 l/min. A 400V three phase power supply is required to run the machine.
Please note: we supply an 045 nozzle with the machine to bring the working pressure back to 150 bar. Pressure above that risks forcing water behind the vehicle's paint and trims.
View the Kränzle Carwash 799 >
Kränzle Quadro 599/799 TST
The Kränzle Quadro 599 and 799 TST is a reliable high pressure cleaner. It has the same functionality as the Kränzle Carwash machine, with its high quality brass pump, total stop system and delayed motor cut-off, and a safety shutdown switch in the water tank for a dry run safety feature to protect the machine, a pressure regulator and a stainless steel pressure gauge to monitor operating pressure. It is also equipped with a hose reel and a foldable crankshaft to hold the high pressure hose.
We recommend the Kränzle Quadro 599 / 799 TST to anyone who requires a mobile machine and needs to store the machine in a secure store room or something similar.
Kränzle Quadro 599 TST
The Kränzle Quadro 599 TST high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 30 to 150 bar and a water flow rate of 10 l/min. A 230V single phase power supply is required to run the machine.
View the Kränzle Quadro 599 TST >
Kränzle Quadro 799 TST
The Kränzle Quadro 799 TST high pressure cleaner has an operating pressure of 30 to 180 bar and a water flow rate of 13 l/min. A 400V three phase power supply is required to run the machine.
Please note: we supply an 045 nozzle with the machine to bring the working pressure back to 150 bar. Pressure above that risks forcing water behind the vehicle's paint and trims.
View the Kränzle Quadro 799 TST >
Installations
High pressure cleaner comparison table
| Model | Operating pressure | Flow rate | Motor speed | Hose length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kränzle 1050 P Compact and portable design for light duty cleaning. |
130 bar | 7.5 l/min | 2800 r.p.m | 8m | 21 kg |
| Kränzle 1050 TS Compact and portable design for light duty cleaning, mobile on two wheels. |
130 bar | 7.5 l/min | 2800 r.p.m | 8m | 23 kg |
| Kränzle 1050 TST Compact and portable design for light duty cleaning, mobile on two wheels with hose reel. |
130 bar | 7.5 l/min | 2800 r.p.m | 12m | 26 kg |
| Kränzle X10/140 TST Upright design, mobile on two wheels with integrated hose reel. |
30 - 140 bar | 10 l/min | 2800 r.p.m | 15m | 33 kg |
| Kränzle HD 7/122 TS Semi-commercial machine, compact design. |
30 - 120 bar | 7 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 10m | 23 kg |
| Kränzle X8/150 TST Upright design, mobile on two wheels with integrated hose reel. Suitable for continuous use. |
30 - 150 bar | 8 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 15m | 33 kg |
| Kränzle HD 11/130 TS Commercial and industrial use, compact design. |
30 - 130 bar | 11 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 10m | 31 kg |
| Kränzle K2160 TS Suitable for commercial and industrial use, mobile on two wheels. |
30 - 140 bar | 11 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 10m | 39 kg |
| Kränzle Carwash 599 Commercial application, suitable for continuous use. Wall mounted in a stainless steel cabinet. Bestseller in car washes. |
30 - 150 bar | 10 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 10m | — |
| Kränzle Carwash 799 Commercial application, suitable for continuous use. Wall mounted in a stainless steel cabinet. Bestseller in car washes. |
30 - 180 bar Supplied with an 045 nozzle at 150 bar | 13 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 10m | — |
| Kränzle Quadro 599 TST Commercial application, suitable for continuous use. Mobile, with hose reel and tank. |
30 - 150 bar | 10 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 20m | 63 kg |
| Kränzle Quadro 799 TST Commercial application, suitable for continuous use. Mobile, with hose reel and tank. |
30 - 180 bar Supplied with an 045 nozzle at 150 bar | 13 l/min | 1400 r.p.m | 20m | 63 kg |
What else should be considered?
When selecting your high pressure washer, ensure that any other pressure washer accessories you may require to run your car washing business are available. Consider a carwash foamer, an underbody cleaner to clean the chassis of the cars, and whether you will 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.
The full range of machines is set out under car wash equipment. If you are still working out whether the business is viable before choosing a machine, starting a successful carwash business in South Africa covers the water supply, electrical supply, chemicals and staffing a wash bay needs.
Frequently asked questions
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 tends to be higher compared to electrical machines. Petrol pressure washers also 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 to loosen dirt and grime, and only chemical detergents designed for washing cars should be used on vehicle surfaces. Others may harm the paint and surface of the 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 where 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 the car. We recommend not cleaning a vehicle at pressures of more than 150 bar. This is a safe benchmark for cleaning with pressure, and the nozzle should not be held too close to the vehicle's paint. Only use a standard lance with a flat jet nozzle, and not a Dirtkiller or Turbokiller lance, as these will damage the paint of the vehicle.
What water supply does a car wash high pressure cleaner need?
The water supply should be approximately one third more than the rated output of the pump, so a machine rated at 10 l/min wants roughly 13.5 l/min available at the wash point. It is measured by filling a container for one minute rather than judged by the size of the tap. Where the supply is short, a reservoir tank is installed between the supply and the machine.
What is the difference between a 1400 r.p.m and a 2800 r.p.m machine?
The motor speed determines how hard the pump works for the same output. At 1400 r.p.m the pump valves complete approximately 84,000 opening and closing cycles an hour, against approximately 168,000 at 2800 r.p.m — half the duty, with less wear, lower noise and a lower starting current. Machines running at 1400 r.p.m are suitable for continuous use, which is why they are the ones specified for a car wash. Two machines can be rated at the same bar and not be the same machine.
Which machine is supplied for a car wash washing 20 to 50 cars a day?
The Kränzle Carwash 599 and 799 are the machines most commonly supplied for car wash installations in South Africa. The 599 supplies 10 l/min at 30 to 150 bar on a 230V single phase supply, and the 799 supplies 13 l/min at 30 to 180 bar on a 400V three phase supply, with an 045 nozzle that brings the working pressure back to 150 bar for vehicle washing. The Kränzle Quadro 599 and 799 TST use the same pump and motor in a mobile format with a hose reel. The available electrical supply usually decides the choice before pressure does.