Bought my first Pressure Washer - you need this!

[dubel]

I'm not affiliated with Ryobi but I just bought a pressure sprayer and it's awesome! Actually it's my first Ryobi tool purchase. It's their new Ryobi High Flow Automotive Pressure Washer RY14AM12. It's been in and out of stock at $150 this week since released but I managed to order from Home Depot.

I just tested it out today and it works really well... I had also bought a "better" Adam's foam cannon and tested against the included foam cannon. I didn't use a foaming soap, but I wanted to test how much foaming you get with regular car washing soap. It works just fine just doesn't make a standing foam with either cannon. I also had to dial the "soap" setting to max on both to see decent foam which might mean my 1:4 dilution may be too diluted... I'll have to do some more tests. The Adam's cannon does work better due to having an additional nozzle adjustment that helps dial in the foaming but I wouldn't say it's a must have at $50

I was a little concerned that the high pressure blast would push its way past the door/window seals... but that wasn't an issue. The pressure sprayer also saves a little water compared to using the regular sprayer attachment. My plan for next time when I use a bucket I won't add any soap to the bucket - it will just be to rinse/clean any dirt off the mitt. Note Ryobi makes a few different variants but this one is the lower 1200 PSI but slightly higher 1.8 GPM version specific to washing cars. They sell a 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM version that doesn't come with the car specific stuff. The RY14AM12 is the one you want.

Anyway... what soap are you using with the foam cannons? I just had Rain X Spot Free car wash though I'm wondering how well the Meguiar's Gold Class does or if anyone has an favorites. I don't need the IG foam look just something that is PH neutral, lubricates a mitt and rinses off as clean as possible.

Also, what's your cleaning system? Pressure rinse, foam, then hand wash and pressure rinse again? Or foam and let sit a few mins, pressure wash off?

 

[KND208]

Been waiting for this one to come in stock. I have the older one. I mostly use P&S products these days. Pearl or Frostbite for soap and bucket washes, and Absolute for rinseless. Brake Buster for wheels and tires and Paint Gloss as a drying aid/finish.

 

[ultane]

I bought one from Costco a couple of months ago (when it was still to cold outside to use it), an electric plug in one, and it came with the foam canon attachment. I had never even heard of a foam cannon. I bought the foam cannon soap that they had sitting right next to it. Both work well.

I usually pressure wash Miss Daisy to get as much of the dirt off as possible, and then use the foam cannon on half of her. Then I use a soft brush on a pole that I bought from Costco back in 2015 to help me reach the tall spots of my long WB, extended body, tall roof Transit 350. It all works great. I think this is better than the 'two bucket' method.

Now I just need to get the roof rack delete kit from Toyota so I can get the FE wind brake off of the roof so it can be washed adequately. I do think it looks cool, but I am only 6'1" and it is still too tall for me to use to tote anything up there.

 

[LCNorth]

That Ryobi hasn’t landed North of the border yet. And may never these days. My old pressure washer didn’t survive the winter.

For my fellow Canadians, check out this pressure washer from Canadian Tire:

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca

It’s a rebranded Active VE52 and she works great! For auto washing you want GPM, and the Ryobi and this Simoniz have it.

For product, I use a professional Foam and a Shampoo from my friend’s detailing shop.