Power Washer And Solids

[Simonsen]

I was washing my car one day with a power/pressure washer and this guy comes over to me, and I quote: “You shouldn’t be washing your car with this kind of device… it`s pressing solids (Road salt etc.) in to you paint …” I said Ok, and took his word of advice seriously (at this point in my “Detailing Career” I didn`t know about the possibilities of using clay bars) and for many years now I have only been washing my cars with buckets of water and my garden hose..
But after years of thinking that only the ignorant and lazy

used the PW to clean their cars, I found out (By joining MOL ) that this is not true at all.. And please correct me if I’m wrong.. Almost everybody in this forum USE or WANT to use a PW to clean their cars… Confused?,Yes?No?
After all this writing, the question is.. Did the guy have a point..?
And one little handy piece of information, At the end of our little chat about my CarWashingHabits I asked him where he found the facts to back this up.. And he said: I work for a well known manufacturer of car detailing products..(AtoGlm)

IS HE RIGHT?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

Hi Simonsen,

The picture you tried to post was located on your hard drive, and it needs to be uploaded first in order for it to work.

Also, did you type your post in Word first? It added a lot of code that can create problems - if possible, type your post inside the web browser on the forum as it usually works better

Here is a link to show you how to UPLOAD A PICTURE.

[Simonsen]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

Sorry..I will keep to the MOL guidelines from now on..

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

Sorry..I will keep to the MOL guidelines from now on..

No worries! You didn't break any rules, I just wanted to help make things easier for you. A lot of times typing in Word will mess up the characters and make it hard for people to read what you wrote - that's all!

Welcome to MOL!

[Murr1525]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

As far as the question, many foks on here use one, and dont seem to report problems. I am sure they use a lower setting if it is variable. But they will use soap, and buckets, etc as well, then rinse again after with the washer.

Seems like a bit of overkill to me though, I can get most of the big stuff to wash off with just a hose, and then go wash by hand. Though I am sure some people have lower water pressure, etc as well.

You might like this video:

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

[Blueline]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

I only use my power washer to clean things like my pool deck or blistering paint on the shed. Never would even think of it for my car.

[AndrewR/T]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

I powerwashed mine today. The local car was has bays to wash them in and they have three different speeds. I use the medium pressure and it worked fine. Had a ton of salt and snow still on the whole truck too. Until I start to see more larger scratches, I'm not too worried about it. The small stuff can be buffed right out.

[CumminsCrazed]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

i just got a pressure washer for christmas, doesnt mean ill use it every wash, however, when i get an extremely dirty vehicle and risk getting dirt/mud etc. ni large amounts in the bucket and/or wash mitt, i will use the PW to blast off much of the big stuff so itll be MUCH more harmless to wash by hand!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

As with any power tool, there is a correct way to use a power washer. Depending on the PSI available one might be quite dangerous to use at very close range on paint, but once you step back a bit the impact (for lack of a better term) is greatly reduced and should be perfectly safe. The beauty of these tools is that when needed for things like caked on mud in the wheel wells of an off road vehicle you have the power at your fingertips. Move in close enough to knock off the heavy stuff on an as needed basis, but otherwise stand back a bit and don't worry about it.

[CharlesW]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

Don't stand so close.
Hold the wand at an angle so the force of the water isn't pointed directly at the paint. It helps sort of slice the crud off.

The downside to this is that it can also peel paint that isn't in good shape.
I have never had the problem, but I saw very nearly the entire clearcoat from a hood come of virtually intact.
Paint in that condition is going to be destroyed sooner or later anyway.

[Calais]

Re: Power Washer And Solids

As with any power tool, there is a correct way to use a power washer. Depending on the PSI available one might be quite dangerous to use at very close range on paint, but once you step back a bit the impact (for lack of a better term) is greatly reduced and should be perfectly safe. The beauty of these tools is that when needed for things like caked on mud in the wheel wells of an off road vehicle you have the power at your fingertips. Move in close enough to knock off the heavy stuff on an as needed basis, but otherwise stand back a bit and don't worry about it.

I absolutely love using my Karcher pressure washer on my clients' cars. It makes cleaning wheel wells, wheels, tires and underbodies so much easier. It gets the majority of the particulate off before you can marr your paint with it and I feel like it blows stuff out of crevices that I could never have gotten into otherwise. Don't get too close and it is a great option.

Also, give the car a good look-over before you start blasting it with water; intracite and fragile trim or chipping and cracking paint are things that I would observe and use to determine whether a car is approriate to PW. My Cutlass' trim is too extensive and I could really use some new weatherstripping so I don't use it on my car.