How to Clean a Bus With a Pressure Washer
Whether you manage a school bus fleet or public transportation in your city, or even a private charter business, following a proper bus cleaning checklist is an essential part of maintaining comfortable, hygienic conditions for your travelers.
But it’s also about maintaining your fleet for the long haul and keeping it looking its best – you shouldn’t overlook the importance of your professional image, either.
Learning how to clean a bus with a pressure washer is the most efficient approach, saving you time and money while ensuring your buses look their best. We’ll show you how to get started implementing bus pressure washing into your process below along with tips on maintaining the interior of your fleet.
The first step is sourcing your equipment, which is where we come in. We’re the #1 choice for all things commercial pressure washer in San Antonio, from the pressure washers themselves to detergents, attachments, and more. Set yourself up for success by getting in touch today!
Why You Need to Follow a Bus Cleaning Checklist
Keeping conditions as clean as possible inside and outside your bus is crucial for safety, passenger comfort, and the longevity of the vehicle.
There are just so many sources of dirt, grime, and bacteria your busses encounter that a bus cleaning checklist is a must. Otherwise, these contaminants could cause damage to your vehicle’s exterior over time contributing to costly repairs and safety hazards.
For example, the exterior is constantly exposed to road grime, salt, oil, and other pollutants that can corrode the paint and metal surfaces. These could lead to rust or decay if not addressed.
Passengers expect a hygienic space inside the bus as well – it should be free from dirt, odors, and allergens. Regularly cleaning the seats, handrails, and floors prevents bacteria and viruses from building up.
There’s clearly a lot that goes into cleaning a bus, which is why having a well-organized and thought-out checklist is so powerful. It helps you streamline the process to save time and stress and ensure you don’t overlook any of the details.
As you’ll soon see on our bus cleaning checklist, a pressure washer is a must-have piece of equipment. But what makes pressure washing buses the best method?
What Makes Pressure Washing the Best Approach to Cleaning a Bus?
From pressure washing commercial buildings to pressure washing graffiti, these pieces of equipment are among the most versatile in all of the cleaning kingdom. They’re our recommendation for bus cleaning, and it comes down to efficiency, power, and conservation.
Efficiency in Cleaning Large Vehicles
Trying to manually scrub a bus – let alone a fleet of buses – is time-consuming and labor-intensive. It’s just impractical.
On the other hand, pressure washing empowers you to cover the same space in a fraction of the time so that the entire bus, from roof to undercarriage, is cleaned effectively.
The high-pressure water stream delivered by a pressure washer reaches all nooks and crannies, including hard-to-access areas like wheel wells and the underbody where dirt and grime tend to accumulate the most.
When paired with a detergent, you can boost productivity even further. We’ll talk about what soap to use in pressure washer in just a few moments.
Effective Removal of Tough Contaminants
You already know that your buses encounter a myriad of messes that are tough to remove – from road salt to traffic film, oil, mud, and more. These stubborn substances only become harder to clean the longer they fester, but trust us – they’re no match for a pressure washer.
The force of the water stream can dislodge even the most persistent grime from exterior surfaces, while specialized detergents can be applied via the pressure washer to tackle grease, oil, and other residues.
Water and Detergent Efficiency
You may assume that pressure washing, given its power, uses a lot of water. It’s actually more efficient than a traditional garden hose! This makes cleaning a bus with a pressure washer more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than traditional methods.
In addition to water efficiency, pressure washers can precisely mix and dispense cleaning detergents so that only the necessary amount of detergent is used.
Sourcing Pressure Washing Equipment for Bus Cleaning
With so many different types of pressure washers at your disposal and a variety of detergents to choose from, sourcing the right equipment can be overwhelming.
But whether you want to buy or rent your equipment, Hotsy Equipment Company in San Antonio is here to help. We’ll walk you through what you need for bus cleaning specifically and why we’re your trusted partner for all things pressure washing.
Ideal Pressure Washer for Buses
We suggest one of our commercial hot water pressure washers in San Antonio for cleaning a bus because it has enhanced cleaning power for removing stubborn contaminants like grease, oil, and road salt.
While our commercial cold water pressure washers in San Antonio have their place, they may fall short in cleaning your fleet of buses.
You should think about the pressure washer PSI (pounds per square inch) as well. This is how much cleaning power your unit actually delivers. We recommend a range between 1500 and 3000 PSI, as this is a powerful water blast yet it won’t damage the vehicle’s paint or sensitive components like windows and mirrors.
A flow rate of at least 4 GPM (gallons per minute) is optimal as this will allow you to work diligently without wasting water. You can learn more about pressure washer sizing in our blog.
Think about the durability of your pressure washer as well – for example, a high-quality triplex pump will offer the reliability needed for frequent, prolonged use. Determine whether you need mobility or not – some pressure washers can be mounted on a truck, while others have wheels.
Finally, consider whether you want a gas or electric unit. We suggest gas models if you plan to clean the bus outside so that you don’t have to stress about finding an outlet to plug in the unit. If you intend to clean your buses inside a warehouse, an electric unit will be better as it’s quieter and doesn’t generate fumes.
Choosing a Detergent and Accessories
The detergent is just as important as the pressure washer itself.
We have a variety of options that are perfect for buses, such as Ripper I. This soap is non-caustic and designed specifically for cleaning heavy equipment, machinery, and trucks – effortlessly removing hard-to-remove road film and grease.
We also have Hotsy Transport, which as the name suggests, is excellent for fleets. It works fast to restore stainless steel, aluminum, glass, and painted surfaces to their original condition.
You can follow up with Power-Shine to bring back your bus to its original glory. This detergent will quickly eliminate road film and oxidized paint, leaving behind a stunning gloss.
Beyond the soaps you might want some accessories and attachments to speed things up even further. Surface cleaners, for instance, are invaluable for cleaning large, flat areas of the bus efficiently and evenly.
Meanwhile, extension wands help you reach higher areas like the roof or more intricate parts like the undercarriage. Don’t forget the PPE, either. Gloves, safety goggles, and non-slip boots are essential. Pressure washer safety cannot be overlooked.
Source Your Cleaning Equipment at Hotsy in San Antonio Today!
Whether you want to invest in your own equipment or are curious about the cost to rent a pressure washer, look no further than Hotsy Equipment Company in San Antonio.
We have more than 40 years of experience providing our commercial clients with the top-tier cleaning solutions they need to maintain high standards and impressive productivity.
From commercial pressure washer rental in San Antonio to pressure washer parts in San Antonio TX, and even a commercial pressure washer trailer in San Antonio, we’ve got it all. Get in touch today and we’ll talk over your needs and come up with the best solution together.
How to Clean a Bus With a Pressure Washer
Ready to learn how to clean a bus now that you have all your equipment and supplies on hand? Our bus cleaning checklist will help you get this tedious task done in as little time as possible.
Initial Rinse
Set your pressure washer to a lower PSI, around 1500-2000, to gently wash away the initial layer of contaminants. Begin at the top of the bus and work your way down covering all areas, including the roof, windows, and body panels.
Applying Detergent
Now it’s time to put your detergent to work on the exterior of your bus. Apply the detergent evenly across the entire exterior surface of the bus, starting from the bottom and working your way up. This technique helps prevent streaks and gives the detergent enough time to work on the more stubborn areas.
Let it dwell for a bit – generally 5-10 minutes – so the active ingredients can break loose the bonds that tougher grime and muck have taken on your paint. Just make sure the soap doesn’t dry.
Scrubbing Tough Areas
Once the detergent has sat for a period of time, you have two options – you can pressure wash the suds away to reveal a stunning exterior surface, or you can manually scrub if necessary.
Certain areas of the bus, such as the wheels, undercarriage, and around the engine compartment, might need a bit of extra love. Use a soft-bristle brush or a scrub pad to manually clean these areas, especially where grease and road tar accumulate.
Pressure Washing the Exterior
Set your pressure washer to a slightly higher PSI, around 2000-2500, to effectively rinse off the detergent and any remaining dirt.
Start at the top of the bus and work your way down using smooth, overlapping strokes so no area is missed. Pay extra attention to areas that were scrubbed manually so all residues are removed.
It’s important to maintain a consistent distance between the pressure washer nozzle and the surface of the bus while you work. We typically suggest around 12-18 inches to avoid damaging the paint or bodywork.
Further to that point, make sure you use a wide-angle nozzle (25° or 40°) for a more even and gentle clean, especially on windows and other delicate areas.
Drying the Bus
At this point, it’s time to start drying the exterior so that you can prevent water spots and streaks. A towel will get the job done, but this is not efficient for a larger bus. Instead, we suggest a blower or air compressor to speed things up.
Always start with the windows and mirrors before moving to the body panels. Make sure all water is removed from crevices and seals to prevent corrosion and water damage over time.
Interior Cleaning Guidelines
That does it for how to clean a bus on the exterior – now it’s time to move inside where your passengers will reside. This is perhaps more important from a hygiene perspective.
Begin by vacuuming the seats, floors, and other fabric surfaces to remove dirt, dust, and debris. For hard surfaces, use a mild detergent and a microfiber cloth to wipe down all areas, including the dashboard, handrails, and armrests.
Every so often you might want to invest in a more intensive cleaning process, such as steam cleaning the seats and carpets to remove stains and sanitize the surfaces.
It’s also important that you make sure all windows and air vents are cleaned to improve air quality and visibility. Regularly check for and remove any trash or leftover items from under the seats and in storage compartments.
Final Thoughts on How to Clean a Bus With a Pressure Washer
There you have it – our comprehensive bus cleaning checklist. Follow these steps to maintain impeccable conditions inside and outside your bus fleet and give your riders the experience they deserve.
Our blog has more resources on pressure washer rust removal or how to service a pressure washer. But at this point, it’s time to put what you’ve learned in this guide on how to clean a bus into practice. Start by sourcing your equipment from Hotsy in San Antonio if you haven’t already.
Equip your fleet with the best tools for the job and keep your buses in prime condition. Get in touch with us today or visit us in person to streamline your cleaning processes!
