How To Properly Size Surface Cleaner Tips

[@JerryNelson-l7y]

best explanation yet, I gone through a lot of videos. most don't go into the details as this. no one shows the actual tip pressure at tip with the larger tip great job

[@pressurewashnerds]

Thank you! I was frustrated figuring out tips when I started so tried to make this video to help out others

[@photographcenter8456]

If you don’t mind helping I have a 8gpm 3500 psi machine with 18” surface cleaner and can figure out what tips to run. I’m told I need a variety, what do you recommend? Also I want another bigger surface cleaner what’s a good size to pair with my 18”?

[@photographcenter8456]

2 nozzle

[@mateot8428]

Thank you your videos helping me understand it a bit. On a 4.2 gpm predator pressure washer. How do I adjust the pressure without messing with the gpm. The black unloaded valve or the turtle to bunny bar I’ve received mixed information.

[@pressurewashnerds]

You adjust the black unloader valve for pressure. Shouldn’t see any noticeable drop in GPM

[@_AmanAalam]

Very informative, thanks!

[@pressurewashnerds]

Glad it was helpful! You’re welcome!

[@YuriPeriotto]

I live in the UK and here we clean a lot of block paving where its coveraged in weed and moss in between the blocks. I have a 30lpm 200bar machine. My surface cleaner is 700mm and has 3 nozzles. I wonder if i can upgrade my tips to create more pressure so it would remove the moss and weed easier. I currently have to go over 2-3 times then turbo for the bigger more stubborn weeds

[@pressurewashnerds]

You can try chemicals (pre-treat with 1-3% SH) to help kill the moss, then you might get lucky and go over the pavers once with your surface cleaner. That’s a trick we use if the flat work has a lot of organic build up.

[@YuriPeriotto]

@@pressurewashnerds I think the main issue is lack of pressure to remove so much moss and specially weeds. Is there a chance I can use smaller orifice fans, maybe 25 degree and 2 nozzles instead to increase that pressure or would it create too much back pressure?

[@samuelrivera2466]

I have a 5 gpm and 24 inch surface with 2503 tips and my last Job i etched the concrete. What is the best tips for me 40 degree?

[@pressurewashnerds]

Do you have a pressure gauge? I would check pressure first. Should be around 2000-2500 psi for general concrete

[@jonathanponsonby4286]

If I have a Simpson 4gpm/4000 psi, would I get 2 nozzles at 2.0 or 2.5? Should I get a 16” surface cleaner? Thanks for any help!

[@pressurewashnerds]

25020 nozzles paired with a 16” surface cleaner would be perfect for you

[@jonathanponsonby4286]

Thank you!

[@baklash1762]

I have a 3600 psi, 2.5 gpm pump. And a 15” surface cleaner with 2 nozzles. I looked at the chart you recommended, but couldn’t find the choice of number of nozzles listed . So for my specs and shooting for a 25* angle what nozzles do I need?

[@pressurewashnerds]

I haven’t found a chart that actually shows pressures for that low of flow. If I had to guess, I’d start with 1.5 orifice size, 25 degree and whatever thread size you have on the surface cleaner. You can find nozzle packs for around $10 on Amazon. Double check the threads because some in that range use a 1/8” thread instead of the standard 1/4”

[@vinceking7878]

@@pressurewashnerdsI’m in a similar place, mine is 3000psi, 2.3gpm. What tips would you recommend for a 15inch surface cleaner please? What is the advantage of 15degree over 25degree? I can’t always use that much bleach in awkward U.K. gardens, I don’t mind moving slowly, I just need the power. Useful video thanks

[@jamesl.3030]

Thank you !

[@pressurewashnerds]

You're welcome!

[@jobehayes8444]

On a 2.5 gallons per minute machine and a 20 inch surface cleaner. What would be the best tip to try to use trying to use what I got

[@pressurewashnerds]

Unfortunately this chart isn’t built for that low of GPM. I’m not sure if a 2.5 is enough to really drive a 20” even with correct tips

[@Vulcan5911]

I cant understand these charts at all. I have a 6gpm 3000psi unit with a 20inch surface cleaner. What size nozzles "2" would I need for that? Thanks.

[@pressurewashnerds]

For a 2 nozzle surface cleaner, I’d go with a 4.0 orifice size and 25 degree tips

[@tomdayton3399]

The diameter of the surface cleaner doesn’t factor into the nozzle size? I was looking at a 20” cleaner to go with my 4.0 gpm machine. I know the cleaner is a little oversized, but was wondering if the nozzle size should be adjusted because of that larger cleaner.

[@pressurewashnerds]

Great question. As a general rule, 4” per GPM but many people had used 20” with a 4GPM. It’s just a little less efficient than a 16 or 18, so you’d have to walk slower.

[@chuckclourd]

Doesn't it change though depending on the output pressure of the pressure washer? For instance you have a 8 GPM @ 3500 or a 4GPM @ 4200. This chart doesn't take into account the pressure of the pump only the GPM. I would think both matter because outputting the same amount of GPM at a different pressure will make a dramatic difference

[@pressurewashnerds]

The pump rating basically gives you the max pressure that the pump is capable of outputting. The pressure generated depends on how much backpressure exists in the system, such as tip sizing to adjust backpressure. Think in terms of your 0 degree red tip on the wand. That's outputting much higher pressure water than if you have a soap tip on. Same pump, but the tips make a huge difference in backpressure.

[@paulmorrow8372]

As mentioned, a pump creates flow not pressure. It is a resistance to that flow (in the case caused by the small orifice) that creates pressure. A pressure washer pump is a positive displacement pump. This means for a given RPM the pump will flow a fixed amount of water. As you make the nozzle opening smaller and smaller the flow stays the same, but the pressure increases until you put such a high load on the engine that the RPM’s begin to drop, which lowers the flow.

[@vinceking7878]

Orifice size vs fan degree for pressure please

[@pressurewashnerds]

The pressures listed in the chart are always in the line, not what’s hitting concrete. So cleaning power is really going to depend on distance from tip to concrete and fan pattern. Personally, I think 25 degree is best and if you don’t have enough cleaning power then drop down one orifice size for a little more pressure.

[@devinfitts261]

What about a 2.5 GPM pressure washer? I'm new to the business and I was wondering what size surface cleaner would benefit & would I still have to change the tips on the surface cleaner?

[@pressurewashnerds]

Devin, 2.5GPM is a common sized surface cleaner for residential users, so there's plenty of options out there that will work just fine off the shelf. I'll link one below that should work well for you. amzn.to/3LdEVAk Changing tips becomes really important once you grow into a 4GPM + sized machine, which I'm sure will happen rather quickly for you!

[@maquina.herrada]

Hello, could you help me? My machine has approximately 3600 PSI and 4 gallons per minute. My surface cleaner has 3 nozzles. I notice that the machine has no pressure. Can you tell me which are the 3 suitable nozzles? ideal angle 25 or 40 degrees? Can I contact you directly through an email address?

[@pressurewashnerds]

3 nozzles at 4 gpm is an odd size. I think I’d try 1.5 orifice size at 25 degree if I were you. dylan22runge at gmail if you need anything.

[@mr.skeptical3071]

U want 25040 for 8 gpm ...40x2 is 80 or 8 gpm total with a two tip system

[@pressurewashnerds]

2 nozzles at 8 GPM, I'd actually go with a #5 instead of #4 orifice size unless you're running a regulator or adjust your flow down at the unloader. 4000 psi (which most 8GPM pumps aren't capable of anyways) is just too much for concrete. But if that's what you use and it works well, awesome.