What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

[ErnestHouse]

I know all about pressure washers having had one for a mistress ever since moving to FL. Having successfully maintained my car finish with all Meguiar products for a year now, my neck and arthritic joints are telling me to do things differently and reduce the amount of work. Assuming an electric PW with low pressure injection and hose reel in the garage, I'm interested in advice on techniques for using it to reduce to overall effort to maintain my car's finish.

For example, I currently use Wash and Wax to leave some wax behind then blow dry. This keeps the finish beading and sheeting longer between ULW. I have a nice microfiber mitt on a stick for washing to save my back on the low panels and neck on the roof, but I'm spending far too much time/effort on bucket/soap management and rinsing all while racing against the sun. There's got to be a better way using a PW.

I'm inclined to go the injection route to keep the benefits of W&W and just follow up with mitt, rinse and blow dry. What are your wash steps when using a pressure washer?

[cfilly]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

I have a Greenworks electric PW that I got at Lowe's for around $200, and then I bought a MTM Foam Cannon. I put whichever soap I want in it, spray the car down, let it dwell, and then rinse. Then I foam it again, wash with my mitt, rinse it off and dry with my Sidekick. It's a pretty simple process, and it works for me.

[Jarhead0754]

I agree with you, my joints can't take it anymore. The right tools will save not only ur joints but a bucket load full of ur time as well. So spend ur money on the right tools as well!!

[wifpd4]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

I thought we had reverted to a true confession discussion forum when I read this, "...had one for a mistress ever since moving to FL...". Giving a mistress a high pressure washer seems like an unusual gift.

I use the same procedure as cfilly. My washer has injection, but never use it. Have a foam gun that most often is filled with Meguiar's Super Soap. I buy it in a five gallon jug. I have used Wash and Wax, but most often I'm going to machine polish and correct so using wax would be a waste.

The possible advantage to injection is the time changing the foam gun and regular spray head is reduced. My regular spray head rotates to change from soap to high pressure wash. Although since I've never used it, I don't know how well it works.

[ErnestHouse]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

...Giving a mistress a high pressure washer seems like an unusual gift....

Ahhh yes. Should have been "had one as" I suppose. Still better than that chain saw when I lived up north.

This is a useful discussion. I can see using quick disconnects to switch between lance and foam gun. Seems there's two coats of soap. One for soak/rinse and the second for mitt. it makes sense. Does the foam stay on long enough when you foam the whole car to be useable with the mitt by the time you make your way around the whole car or do you reapply?

[Blueline]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

I'm spending far too much time/effort on bucket/soap management and rinsing all while racing against the sun. There's got to be a better way using a PW.

I'm inclined to go the injection route to keep the benefits of W&W and just follow up with mitt, rinse and blow dry. What are your wash steps when using a pressure washer?

I would stay away from a foam gun if you worry about suds drying the sun. I have one I used once in the summer a few years ago and soap suds dried all over the car. It was a mess. I live up north and we don't get the summer sun like you do in FL. The kids now use it as a summer toy out by the pool. As for a pressure washer, I am not a fan of those either. You will still have to hand wash the car because it will not get your car clean, and they can be harmful to paint, etc. if it is a high pressure version and is used incorrectly.

[ErnestHouse]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

Thanks about the drying suds. I'm well aware of the risks of PWs and we don't need another thread on their merits. I think they are faster and easier at applying detergent, rinsing and removing the loose stuff. Hence the thread on usage techniques.

[Blueline]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

I'm well aware of the risks of PWs and we don't need another thread on their merits.

I am sorry, I was just try to help.
Here is my technique...I attach the hose and then gently plug in the unit. Slowly I approach the vehicle in order not to startle it, and slowly take aim, and squeeze the trigger. Suddenly water streams out of the nozzle, in the general direction of the vehicle. If I have completely surprised it, and the vehicle has not moved, the dirt where the water comes in contact with the car, is washed away. It took me years, and several college courses, to perfect that technique.

[wifpd4]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

Blueline, who knew you had a sense of humor !! Although your technique sounds like how you might sneak up on a Bambi or a Bullwinkle when hunting.

I usually work indoors, but I still try to keep the car wet to prevent water spotting. When using a foam gun, I foam the whole side of the car, let it dwell, wash off and then work walking backwards with my dominate hand (right hand) in a mitt and the foam gun in my other hand keeping lots of foam on a small section of the car where I'm gliding over the surface with a mitt. And keep it foamed as I walk away from that section until that side is finished, then rinse that side. I use a lot of water and soap when cleaning a car. Avoid unnecessary friction.

[ErnestHouse]

Re: What pressure washer usage best reduces effort?

How often do you rinse the mitt?