Pressure Washer?

Peoples, I need your advice.

I have a brand new Panda which, obviously, I want to keep in the very best condition possible. I've never had a car less than 5 years old before and, due to already scruffy bodywork, I've only ever washed them with a sponge and bucket (please don't shoot me ).

This isn't really an option for the Panda as I don't want it covered in swirl marks. So, which is the better option:

- Pressure Washer with foam lance (no brush!), or
- Lambswool mit and two buckets, or
- both?

As it's only a week old, the paint is still relatively soft, would a pressure wash damage that? Or would the pressure generated by a small home pressure washer (90bar) be OK?

My thinking behind the PW is that there is nothing rubbing against the paint and so nothing to scratch, but unsure whether the water itself could cause the dirt to scratch if it's hitting hard enough.

I'm sure there must be a wealth of arguments from both sides.

Dont pressure wash until its a couple of months old, as you say the paint is soft and easily damaged.

Once its a couple of months old, use a good polish, then 2 coats of a high quality wax, after washing the car with microfibre sponge or mitt.

People say use 2 buckets but what I do is use a pressure washer bottle mixer to apply a foaming car wash all over the car, then use the wash mitt to clean the car, rinsing it in warm plain water occasionally from a bucket.

Rinse the car with the pressure washer turned right down, I never use full pressure, as apart from anything it removes waxes etc.

That way you get as little contact with the car as possible, and of course occasionally wax it to keep the lustre.

Hi auto_blanco, thanks for your reply.

So for the first few months I should only wash by hand? But after that then using the pressure washer (with the correct shampoo etc) would be preferable due to less contact with the paint?

On a related note, after getting rid of the old rust bucket I ceremoniously binned the sponge, so currently looking for a new cleaning kit for the new car. My shopping list is currently as follows:

Washing

- Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo
- Sonus Sheepskin Wash Mitt
- Huge 38" x 28" Microfibre Drying Towel

Waxing

- Collinite No. 476S - Super Doublecoat Auto Wax
- Foam Wax Applicator
- Ultimate Ultra-Plush Buffing Cloth 16" x 16"

All from www.cleanyourcar.com which after 5% FF discount () is only £40!

I'm guessing that as it's a new car then there is no need for polish etc...

As I said in my opening post I'm a bit new to all this careful cleaning lark and would really appreciate any comments or advice from those with more experience, before I order...

Your shopping list looks fine.

Until the paint is 100% hard, a month or so, just wash with a microfibre sponge or mitt with plenty of clean water to rinse, and just use a mild car wash product, Simoniz is good and cheap.

I wouldnt bother with polishing too much other than maybe the 1st time you give it a good wax to give it a nice base. Its slightly abrasive and fairly pointless if you keep it nice from the start.

In my experience with valeting etc you can go as far as your patience and wallet will allow, but generally my personal rules are:

No product thats too abrasive (wonder wheels, t-cut, some polishes etc)
Reduce contact with the car by applying a foaming wash with pressure washer
Use microfibre when touching the car, rinsing occasionally
Dry with a good quality synthetic chamois, I like AutoGlym
Wax with Meguirs or similar, I forget the name but they do a superb wet look gloss top coat, 2 coats 1st, then once every couple of months or when you fancy it.

Use turtle wax wheel cleaner, its the best.

I rinse with the pressure washer turned down, it beads the water better and makes it easier to dry, then turn it up for wheel, under arches etc.

Never direct pressure washers full power at window seals, tyre valves and anything that could be damaged, and if you are going at bird droppings etc, always better to wash them off with the pressure washer if you can, or soak a sponge (any type as you wont be rubbing the car) in warm water and a detergent, then place the sponge on the area for a few minutes DONT RUB IT, then rinse off.

Remember if a detergent is used to clean the car which can help the 1st time after winter for example, this probably will remove waxes etc so that will need to be done again too.

Once my GPS was a year old, I clayed the paint back too which helped no end, but as mines white it looks nice after just a basic wash.

I restored the paint of my 1986 BMW that had sat under a tree for 4 years with nothing more than elbow grease, no machine polishing for me, using just AutoGlym polish, a clay bar and Meguirs wax and it looks like new, granted that car is white too, but still im not 100% convinced super expensive products are they way to go, unless you are lazy lol