Mobile Car Wash Equipment - Pressure Washing Hoses Discussed

It hardly matters what profession you are in, you need the tools of the trade, and you must make sure you get the right tools to ensure efficiency, and safety as you work. For years, before retirement, I was involved in the operations of mobile car wash rigs which would go out and cleaning fleets of vehicles, and cars at auto auctions, mega-car dealerships, and acres and acres of cars parked at the ports after they had been unloaded off the ships.

Not long ago, I was talking with another mobile car wash operator, who wanted to break into the business of cleaning new cars and very large car dealerships. His biggest concern was one of what type of equipment was needed.

What type of pressure washer, or hot-water pressure washer, reclaim systems, storage tanks, and even the hoses that he should be using. In fact, the hoses which are used in your pressure washer business are very important, not only for efficiency, and ease-of-use, but also for safety reasons. Below is the question he asked, and one I'm sure will be interested in hearing the answer to if you also own a mobile car washing business;

"What size hose diameter should I use for my pressure washing rig when I go out and clean car lots at car dealerships in my mobile car washing service?"

Now then, I use a 3/8 hose, it's lighter and easier to maneuver. Also remember, because these hoses break a lot, because you are bending them all the time, I recommend that you can pin-prick them, this allows any heat and pressure to absorb better into the rubber, I recommend Goodyear Hose, not cheapo Chinese Brands.

Also you should use a blue hose that won't leave marks on the ground, or on your hands, or on equipment, or vehicles if you accidentally brush up alongside one. I recommend double steel braided, and 50-safety factor in working pressure and double the burst pressure that you might think you need. So if you will be working with 3000 PSI, get a 4000 or 4500 working pressure and a 6,000 PSI burst pressure rated hose.

If you are working with 1500-2500 then get a 3500-4000 working pressure and a 4500 to 5,000 burst rated hose. Also don't go too overboard, because you will wear out these hose dragging them on the ground a lot over time, and then the steel inside will cut up your hands, that kind of sucks, but you get used to it. I'd wear bicycle gloves with open fingers when working with the hose and guns