pressure washer??

[booklady]

Hi, it seems that I am going to be washing my new 'baby' quite a lot and I thought about getting a pressure washer so I can just hose the dirt of quickly and wash it at the weekend.

My husband seems the think that a PW would actually force the dirt and grit against the paint, cause small scratches and ruin the paint, does anyone have any information or thoughts about this - Detail Doctor, this could be one for you!!!

 

[Ffoxy]

Hi, it seems that I am going to be washing my new 'baby' quite a lot and I thought about getting a pressure washer so I can just hose the dirt of quickly and wash it at the weekend.

My husband seems the think that a PW would actually force the dirt and grit against the paint, cause small scratches and ruin the paint, does anyone have any information or thoughts about this - Detail Doctor, this could be one for you!!!

It seems PW use is ok as long as its not used up close and at 90 degrees to the bodywork, 45 degrees should be ok at a distance but not certain what distance the Detailers would suggest.

 

[Venters]

You can use any equipment wrongly and cause damage with it. Used properly a power washer will cause no damage.

 

[DraigFlag87]

Water hitting the paint at high pressure/speed will not scratch it, the less contact between synthetic materials e.g. sponges, chamois etc and the paint, the better. I usually pressure wash whole car thoroughly very closely to remove large dirt deposits and the majority of the dirt film. Them shampoo with sponge (or whatever you feel happy with, avoid strong sunlight too) section at a time, plenty of rinsing the sponge, then pressure wash again to rinse.

That's the way i do it, down to personal experience, no scratches so far but it really is a matter of opinion which is the best way to do it.

 

[thepottleflump]

It won't damage the paintwork but hold the spray nozle a fair distance from the paintwork. My father in law lost some paint on his car after it had a crap paintjob but decent paint will be fine. One point worth making is they're a bit of a hassle to get out, use and put away again. Washing with a bucket is often quicker. Also don't store it in a shed over the winter otherwise the water may freeze and wreck it.

 

[Andy Monty]

They can also find rust spots and highlight them quiet well

 

[Tourandot]

I know nothing about pressure washing cars, but I did watch a kid's programme a while back with Junior T, and never realised that wooden jigsaws were cut with a high pressure water jet.

Relevance?

High pressure water when not used properly could damage your car.

I'll fetch my coat...

 

[Jonnio]

Also don't store it in a shed over the winter otherwise the water may freeze and wreck it.

Learnt this the other day! Luckily had bought it from Argos and paid for the £10 extra for replacement cover, had a shiney new one after a trip there

 

[Lloyd71]

You should be fine as long as you're careful not to blast it at any fragile areas, but as most said if you're just doing a basic wash then it's often quicker to just use 2 buckets (one clean one dirty)and a wash mitt (sponges trap dirt on their surface and scratch the paint causing swirls)

 

[Ninja59]

just use it on the bottom of the car and then use a bucket for the top , even if it takes longer, + invest in a foam pre wash if you want to use it on all of the car http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/foam-lance-various-fittings/prod_371.html there is a group buy for these on the forum somewhere as well