Let’s face it — there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a freshly washed car. The gloss. The shine. The compliments from mates. But if you’re still using a garden hose and sponge, you might be doing more harm than good. Pressure washing your car the right way is faster, safer, and gives you pro-level results without the pro price tag.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to pressure wash your car like a seasoned detailer — using the right tools, techniques, and a bit of the bigboi advantage.
Why Pressure Wash Your Car?
Pressure washing isn’t just about blasting mud off your tyres. It’s a smarter way to clean that helps prevent swirl marks and micro-scratches. The high-pressure rinse knocks off loose grit before you touch the paint, and when paired with a foam cannon and a solid technique, you’ll be left with a mirror finish that actually lasts.
Best of all? It saves you water, time, and backache. Plus - It is a lot more fun - Exhibit A Below!
What You’ll Need
Before you hit the trigger, let’s talk prep. You’ll want the right detailing gear to get that showroom finish. At bigboi, we recommend:
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A Detailing Pressure Washer – Something purpose-built like the WashR PRO, DUO, QUAD, or FLO depending on your budget and setup. Each model is dialed in with the right PSI and flow rate for safe and effective car cleaning.
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Foam Cannon – Attach this to your WashR and create that thick snow-foam layer that gently lifts dirt without scratching.
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Two Buckets + Grit Guards – One for washing, one for rinsing. Grit guards help trap the dirt at the bottom and stop it from going back onto your mitt.
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Wash Mitts – Microfibre or wool mitts are your best mates. Use one for the top half of the car, and a separate one for the lower panels.
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Wheel Bucket & Tools – Keep your wheels separate! Use a third bucket and dedicated mitts or brushes for rims and tyres.
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Drying Towel or Blower – A large microfibre towel works great, but if you want scratch-free drying, go touchless with a BlowR MINI or PRO+ MKII.
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Ceramic Detail Spray – Once the car is dry, finish with a product like Quikki or Ceramic DetailR. These sprays enhance gloss, add a layer of hydrophobic protection, and help lock in that just-detailed look.
Step 1: Start With the Wheels
Your wheels are usually the dirtiest part of the car — full of brake dust, grime, and road sludge. Tackle them first so you’re not splashing dirt back onto clean panels later.
Spray on a wheel cleaner like Reactive CleanR, let it dwell for a few minutes, and scrub with a dedicated mitt or wheel brush. Rinse thoroughly with your pressure washer.
Step 2: Foam It Up (Pre-Wash)
Now for the satisfying part — the foam bath. Fill your foam cannon with a pre-wash like FoamR, and cover the car from top to bottom.
Let it dwell for 2–5 minutes to loosen up dirt, then rinse with your WashR. This is your “touchless” clean — it removes most of the grime before you ever lay a mitt on the paint.
This step is critical to reducing swirl marks and ensuring you're not dragging dirt into your hand wash.
Step 3: Foam Again for the Contact Wash
Here’s a trick the pros use: foam the car again before your contact wash. This second foam layer acts as a lubricating barrier that allows your mitt to glide safely over the surface, minimising the chance of micro-scratches and swirls.
While it may seem like overkill, this step makes a noticeable difference in both safety and results — especially on dark or soft paintwork.
Step 4: The Two-Bucket Wash
Now that your car is coated in a slick layer of foam, grab your wash mitt and get to work. Dip it into your soapy wash bucket, wash a single panel using straight-line motions, then rinse it in the clean water bucket before moving on.
Work from the top down — the upper panels are usually the cleanest, so you’ll avoid dragging grit across the paint. And always use straight-line motions instead of circles to minimise the risk of swirl marks.
Step 5: Final Rinse & Dry
After you’ve worked your way around the car, rinse thoroughly with your pressure washer. Then, dry quickly using a soft towel or better yet, one of our touchless car dryers like the BlowR MINI+ or PRO+.
Once dry, finish with Quikki Ceramic Detailing Spray or Ceramic DetailR. These detail sprays add hydrophobic protection, deepen the gloss, and give your car that slick, just-polished feel.
Final Tips
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Always wash in the shade or on a cool surface
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Use clean tools — dirty mitts or towels = scratches
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Rinse your gear after use and let it dry properly
Your Detailing Setup Matters
Pressure washing is just one part of the bigboi experience. Whether you’re detailing once a month or building a full-blown studio, we’ve got a WashR, SuckR, BlowR, and D-IonizR setup for every type of garage.
Ready to Upgrade Your Setup?
Explore our Ultimate Garage Kits and take your detailing to the next level — faster, safer, and seriously more satisfying.
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