Pressure Washers?

[Calais]

I just ordered a Karcher from woot.com for $85. I usually just use a regular hose during my details but with such a good one day only deal, I just couldn't pass it up.

How many of you guys use a pressure washer? What do you think of the Karcher model? Any tips for a guy new to using a pressure washer? Any attachments I should look into?

[3Fitty]

Re: Pressure Washers?

I use a Karcher (3.79 I think???), with a foaming attachment and I love it. One of my favorite weapons in my detailing arsenal.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: Pressure Washers?

I use a karcher K2.19/ 1400 psi/1.3 gpm, still alot of pressure on paint but I stay back from the surface and never stay on any spot, I always keep the wand in motion.

Makes cleaning wheel wells,tires,engine bay and under the car easy and simple.

Just be careful and always,always go over and inspect the whole car and paint for any chips or anything that could cause you to peel/remove any paint or decales from the surface.

I stay back from the surface at least a couple feet or so, same goes for the insulation under the hood stay back around 3 to 4 feet and always use the spray effect.

Just my 2 cents

[tcope1]

Re: Pressure Washers?

As it's electric it should not have as much power as gas, which is good if using it to spray down a vehicle. I have a pressure washer but seldom us it to clean my vehicles. It's a pain to get out, connect, and then put away. Pressure washers are no substitute for a bucket and mitt. The bucket methods gets off so much more dirt that the pressure washer will not. If your vehicle is caked in dirt, the pressure washer is the way to go... followed by a bucket wash.

[Brad777]

Re: Pressure Washers?

I always use a pressure washer. I feel it takes off most of the grit before I ever touch it with a bucket and mitt...which I always do also. Any precaution to mitigate scratches is worth hours of hand work. BTW, my pressure washer (Craftsman/Honda 4000psi) is overkill for washing cars, however I use a special tip I found at home depot that is awesome.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Pressure Washers?

What's the max PSI you can use on paint without damaging it? I always figured that getting dirt off with the hose is best if possible as it's not rubbing the paint so there's 0 chance of causing swirls.

[tcope1]

Re: Pressure Washers?

It's not so much the pressure as how close you get the wand to the paint. Of course this changes with the PSI as well as the nozzle used. A pressure washer mixes water with air. I'd say with a 20 degree nozzle as long as you maintain a distance of 2' the paint will be fine. I'd not want to get any closer then this against paint.