Can you use an Air Compressor as a Pressure Washer – Helpful Advice

A lot of people have asked, “Can you use an Air Compressor as a Pressure Washer?” Um, yes you can. Also, the answer can be “sort of.” Isn’t it a happiness to have a compressor that you can use as a pressure washer? Of course, it is!

Having a multiple-purpose device like an air compressor device is such a blessing for us as we can use it according to our needs. If you have an air compressor device, you might notice that pressure from compressor appears to help with pressure washing. 

If you take help of a pressure washer attachment, like a spray jet gun, which attaches to water hose, you can use compressor like a pressure washer. Now, let’s take a look at the entire article to get complete knowledge about how you can use a compressor as like pressure washer.

Can you use an Air Compressor as a Pressure Washer: How-To Steps

How you can use Air Compressor as a Pressure Washer

Almost all of us have cleaning demands on our homes but we don’t like to see a lot of tools around the house. In those circumstances, we prefer a versatile tool that we can use for various cleaning tasks. The lovely fact is you can magically turn your air compressor into a pressure washer. Let’s see how we can make a pressure washer.

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Use Air Compressor with a Pressure Washer Attachment

Basically, air compressors are used to remove debris and mud from any surface of material. And we utilize this by using pressurized air and air compressor attachment. On the other hand, pressure washers are developed to clean surfaces by using water and applying pressure with a strong jet stream. 

Therefore, pressure washer is generally a stand-alone device that is hooked up to a water supply through a garden hose. Yet, you can connect an air hose to a pressure washer by attaching the pressure washer attachment to make air compressor into a converted pressure washer. You can also use a washer nozzle to make it work as a power washer.

After the attachment, use your pressure washer to clean your household materials and other accessories without using soap or water. Attachments can also be powerful enough to cut through difficult dirt and other surfaces.

Air Compressor Pressure Washer Attachment

You can attach spray cannon, which is also called an extension. This attachment connects your hose and air compressor to make it useful like a pressure washer. Unfortunately, they will not perfectly work as an original pressure washer. 

Actually, questions arise from knowing that air compressor can be utilized for different purposes. While the fact of using air compressor like a pressure washer, it can only be used like a pressure washer for a short period of time. 

Because the pressure you apply while using compressor like a pressure washer should always be strictly controlled. If you put too much pressure on it, it won’t run well. So, a pressure washer extension like a spray gun can be the idea that you can generate on your air compressor. You can also build your own pressure washer with a few tools and equipment.

Things to Consider Before Converting Pressure Washer

Pressure Washer

There are a few factors to consider when we think about turning this pneumatic tool into a power washer or pressure washer. In that situation, you will need a power source, pressure water output, and entire length of your cleaning activity.

Some solution givers directly said “No” when consumers asked questions about whether they could use air compressor as pressure washer or not. To make a pressure washer, use an adaptor that lets you use pressure washer gun with compressor and garden hose. 

It’s actually all about narrowing net stream and applying pressure to make it work. Also, try to cover section of garden hose opening with your hand to generate a water jet. Not a good idea! We suggest buying a good pressure washer.

PSI Level of the Pressure Washer

Anyway, we should have knowledge about air compressor and pressure washer capacity. PSI is considered as the pound per square inch of pressure that you apply to surface. Where measurement reveals how powerful the pressure is! The higher the PSI, the less likely it will spray off.

The average PSI range for a garden hose is 40–70. Most pressure washers start at 1300 PSI and can develop from there. 

Whatever attachment or modifications you use with your air compressor, you will not get more than 100-200 PSI. Using pressure washer is great instead of turning an air compressor tool into power washer.

You can also control specific location stream by taking it near the surface. Or you can also use various nozzles to limit the stream. 

Therefore, if you go for air compressor/garden hose route, then you should know that you have limited options. But if you expect a great result, you can check out a gas pressure washer or an electric pressure washer.

You’ve probably heard of Turbo Jet Power Wash, which offers to alter the hose into a power washer for a strong jet stream. Usually, jet-setting on adaptable hose nozzle does not work better than an individual pressure washer. So, we recommend not turning an air compressor into a pressure washer.

PSI Level of the Pressure Washer

Wondering if you can use an air compressor to clean a computer? Yes, you can! Read user guide here.

Which Attachment you can Utilize

So, if you want to turn your air compressor into a pressure washer, yes, you can do this! For example, if you have a 300 psi 6-gallon air compressor, you can save money just by attaching a power gun. 

We recommend using Water Jet Cleaning Gun, Turbo Jet Power Washer, Guardair 79WG Syphon Water Jet Cleaning Gun, and Jewboer Sandblaster Air Siphon Feed Blast Gun Nozzle to convert air compressor. Now let’s share how you can convert an air compressor into a pressure washer.

Process of Using Air Compressor as like Pressure Washer

We have shared a lot of information about converting an air compressor into a power washer. The process of using air compressor as a pressure or power washer is an easy-going process.

Now let us share what you will need to make your air compressor a pressure washer, and after that, we will get back to talking elaborately about how you can make air compressor work as a power washer. 

  • Air Compressor
  • A Garden Hose
  • Spray gun with air action
  • external faucet.

Install Air Compressor

First thing you should do is to configure air compressor by switching it on and enabling it to develop compressed air. Then, you should raise air pressure to proper level. Also, you should check the maximum allowable pressures of spray gun and air compressor and do not overdo them.

Connect Spray Gun to Garden Hose (Water Supply)

Now, it’s time to attach garden hose or water supply to pneumatic spray tool before attaching other end to an outside faucet. Remember, it’s essential!

Attach Pneumatic Spray Gun to Compressor

After attaching gun to water supply, it’s now time to attach air hose from your air compressor to your pneumatic spray gun. And you have to check that you have enough air pressure set.

Fasten everything perfectly

Install air hose from the air compressor attachment to airline attachment. Confirm that it settles at the end of the air hose. Most probably, you will hear a sound when it’s completely attached.

Activate Air Compressor Pressure Washer

Put everything in right position and turn the faucet on to allow water to flow to your spray gun. After that, pull the trigger to run it! So you are done with this process! The water will squirt from gun. If required, you can change the water pressure by adjusting regulator gauge and spray gun’s trigger.

Air Compressor Pressure Washer

FAQs

1. Can we use Air Compressor to Pressure Wash?

Ans. Actually, you can use pressure wash with an air or gas compressor, but the performance will not be satisfactory. You cannot achieve the same pressure output level as like a pressure washer, but you can use it for simple cleaning. In that case, you will need attachment.

2. What is the alternative idea to pressure washing?

Ans. When you don’t prefer to invest money in a pressure washer, the best alternative idea is to convert the air compressor into a pressure washer. 

3. How much pressure can a garden hose endure?

Ans. You will get the pressure rate by checking the PSI level on hoses. The lower-quality garden hoses are rated at PSI level 200, where the high-quality hoses are rated at 600 PSI.

4. How to increase the water pressure?

Ans. Improve your pressure of water by checking the conical valve with a bolt sticking out of the cone on the central supply line that exists near the water meter. Twist the bolt clockwise after loosening the locknut to increase pressure.

Looking for the best pipe for air compressor lines? Read complete guide in the related article.

Conclusion

So, it’s time to wrap up this article. In this article, we have discovered Can you use an Air Compressor as Pressure Washer or not! Now, you have your solution! We have provided detailed information about utilizing your air compressor like a pressure washer.

Every single step should be followed to convert the air compressor into a pressure washer. Install the air compressor, connect the jet gun to the garden hose and compressor, and turn on the air compressor as like pressure washer! If you discover the process tricky, let us know. Without any doubt, we will give you an easier solution if needed.

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