tegwin
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 10:49 AM |
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Is it safe to pressurewash a car?
Might seem a silly question...
But... If you use a pressure washer to remove the sh1te off your tintop, is it likley to damage the paint/laquer polish?...
Its getting to the point now where the cack is building up faster than I can carefully sponge it off...
And using a sponge just seems to rub the dirt into the paintwork :p
Anyone care to recomend a decent pressurewasher that wont remove my paintwork? :p Any specs/models I should be looking out for?
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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flak monkey
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 10:59 AM |
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On the lowest pressure its fine as long as you dont have any chips or peeling laquer.
The ones in the car wash are special low pressure hoses. You can buy attachments for most pressure washers to make them car safe though.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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hobbsy
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 10:59 AM |
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None of the small home use ones are that aggressive and to be honest to get it properly clean you've got to go in there with a soapy sponge as
before.
They are good for an initial rinse to get the worst of the muck off and then for a final rinse once you've done the job properly with a sponge
and bucket.
Can also clean block paving / patios but you'll soon realise the small cheap (<£100 and now often <£30) home washers don't pack that
much of a punch as you have to hold it about an inch away from the surface to really shift the heavy stuff.
Thats when you realise you're cleaning it in one inch wide stripes and wish you hadn't started.
Then optionally write something like "I wish my wife was this dirty" on your drive and give up and change into some dry clothes that
aren't covered in algae splatter.
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bassett
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 11:00 AM |
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Never used a pressure washer and never would on a car having heard stories of lacquer peel etc. A decent shampoo makes a difference to how easily the
stuff comes off i like to use the Meguirs Gold Class or Auto Glym bodywork conditioner with a wash mit as they dont let grit sit on the surface like a
sponge and then use two buckets a clean and a dirty/rinse one, yes thats just being anal but i love my cupra r  ts also worth using a durable wax
like collinite 476s(6m-12m durability) makes everything come off much easier.
Adam
[Edited on 14/11/08 by bassett]
My MNR Blog Updated Jan 2010 - Track Day Prep Begins!
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 11:05 AM |
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I use to use a pressure washer all the time but managed to blast the core completely out a radiator without realizing it till the car overheated, oops
Definitely still use it underneath but now use a sponge and tones of shampoo doing the paintwork. For window seals I use the plastic bristle brushes
for doing the dishes as that removes algae. Best thing you can do though is keep them in the garage. I actually bought a sealed zipup bag with
absorbent granules for the good Bluebird, where it’s hibernating now actually over the winter as that’s not allowed on the wet roads  mad yes I
know…
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DarrenW
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 11:06 AM |
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Std domestic power washer will be fine, as said as long as finish is in good nick and pressure not too high. i start further away at first if i dont
know the washer.
i usually use hose and bucket of warm water. Start at top and work down. Decent car wash - plenty of water, keep sponge clean.
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mr henderson
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 11:39 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by hobbsy
None of the small home use ones are that aggressive and to be honest to get it properly clean you've got to go in there with a soapy sponge as
before.
They are good for an initial rinse to get the worst of the muck off and then for a final rinse once you've done the job properly with a sponge
and bucket.
Can also clean block paving / patios but you'll soon realise the small cheap (<£100 and now often <£30) home washers don't pack that
much of a punch as you have to hold it about an inch away from the surface to really shift the heavy stuff.
Thats when you realise you're cleaning it in one inch wide stripes and wish you hadn't started.
Then optionally write something like "I wish my wife was this dirty" on your drive and give up and change into some dry clothes that
aren't covered in algae splatter.
Sometimes one comes across a post that offers advice, and you can just tell that the poster really knows what they are talking about! (particularly
liked the bit about the algae splatter)
John
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flak monkey
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 12:20 PM |
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As others have said something like a good shampoo (personal preference is Meguiars NXT and wash mitt) and a decent wax does stop the dirt sticking in
the first place.
Wax preference is Jetseal, which is one of the nanotech sealers. Very shiney and very hard, unlike most waxes. Did my mini with it 2 months ago, and
its still very clean and shiney!
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 12:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mr henderson
quote:
Originally posted by hobbsy
None of the small home use ones are that aggressive and to be honest to get it properly clean you've got to go in there with a soapy sponge as
before.
They are good for an initial rinse to get the worst of the muck off and then for a final rinse once you've done the job properly with a sponge
and bucket.
Can also clean block paving / patios but you'll soon realise the small cheap (<£100 and now often <£30) home washers don't pack that
much of a punch as you have to hold it about an inch away from the surface to really shift the heavy stuff.
Thats when you realise you're cleaning it in one inch wide stripes and wish you hadn't started.
Then optionally write something like "I wish my wife was this dirty" on your drive and give up and change into some dry clothes that
aren't covered in algae splatter.
Sometimes one comes across a post that offers advice, and you can just tell that the poster really knows what they are talking about! (particularly
liked the bit about the algae splatter)
John
someone who knows, also knows where not to stand to get covered in algae...
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DarrenW
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 12:26 PM |
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For speed id be tempted to say use the pressure washer from a distance to clean the thick off then get the bucket out for proper wash down. If the car
is really dirty the pressure washer wont lift all the dirt - especially at this time of year (at least thats my experience - hence why i just set to
with hose and decent sponge for a quick wash off).
I dont know about anyone else but i find it more hassle than its worth getting the power washer out for a small job. And the post about cleaning
drives is bring back bad memories of looking like a dripping wet swamp monster after several hours
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ReMan
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 01:19 PM |
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Why not! I use it on the MK!
Just need to make sure you have holes in the floor to let the water out 
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 01:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ReMan
Why not! I use it on the MK!
Just need to make sure you have holes in the floor to let the water out
how to wreak the car, I wouldn't even use one on the beachbuggy and that’s just a bathtub on wheels
[Edited on 14/11/08 by Mr Whippy]
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pewe
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 03:31 PM |
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Gave up using it on my tin-top ages ago.
After a rel. short time there is a build up of traffic dirt which forms a film which the washer doesn't shift. You then need to use a sponge or
brush for a proper clean but that defeats the object, so you are better off with a bucket of foam and a hosepipe.
Cheers, Pewe 
PS How's the TVR progressing?
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richardR1
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 08:20 PM |
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If you want proper advice pop over to Detailing World and you won't go wrong. As for pressure
washers, get one of these
Foam Lance and you will wash safely and
easily.
MK Owners Club Member 1015
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locogeoff
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 09:18 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by richardR1
If you want proper advice pop over to Detailing World and you won't go wrong. As for pressure
washers, get one of these
Foam Lance and you will wash safely and
easily.
Glad someone posted about detailing world all ths talk of sponges and one bucket will proably have locostbuilders featured in a "check out these
muppets using pressure washers on cars, one bucket ha ha ha, but wait for it, sponges ROFLMAO" thread.
I became a bit anal recently about washing my car, lasted about 2 months, never washed it in the last 3 months but that's another story.
[Edited on 14/11/08 by locogeoff]
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stevebubs
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| posted on 14/11/08 at 09:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by richardR1
get one of these
Foam Lance and you will wash safely and
easily.
£55 !!?? That's more than I spend on washing a car in a year...
[Edited on 14/11/08 by stevebubs]
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