Pressure Washer?

[George Wax]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I do not believe a pressure washer can scratch a paint surface on a microscopic level...please post your reference or research material to support your statement.....

[doctorfro]

Re: Pressure Washer?

Tidy Car University. It's really not scratching the paint as much as it is the finish surface.

If you want to know about residential PWs go to Pressurewashersdirect.com

I'm still using the same PW that I bought from Northern 16 years ago. It's more industrial but it's the bomb!

[MTBPATH]

Re: Pressure Washer?

for those of you that purchased the unit from Biglots. is that a good price?
$99

[JoesSHO]

Re: Pressure Washer?

Guess I don't see what the benefit is of all that hooking up, worrying about blowing paint off, etc, etc...

I've always used a garden hose- and a lot of people seem to be using a hose to wash 'afterwards' anyway- why not just use a hose in the first place?

When I'm done, in order to get my wash product to sheet off correctly, I need to use an open flow from the hose anyway...

Am I just naive?

[oldmodman]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I had to vote "YES", but I must say that it is used only in wheel wells and on very greasy underbody areas. NEVER on tires, paint, or under the hood.

However they are very useful on horse trailers to remove the "droppings".

[alfa_164s]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I always use pressure washer and it is very usefull like previously said, to clean carpet ful of salt but also engine bay without getting it too wet.

[MWAUTOPRO]

Re: Pressure Washer?

We always use a pressure washer for washing cars, but we never turn ours up anywhere near its full pressure. It’s a lot easier to control water out of a pressure washer then it is out of a hose.

I think the debate on your car's safety is debatable either way, if you pre-soak and pressure wash a car rather then rinse your car with a hose, wouldn’t you reduce the amount of loose contaminants that have the potential to scratch your car during your washing?

[Silverado12]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I've used to use it to clean out the fender wells, but after experiencing the insane cleaning power of APC+ scrubbed in with a fender well brush, it isn't even worth the time to hook it up. Plus, APC+ seems to get it cleaner. With that said, a pressure washer is still a great tool to have for cleaning floor mats, cleaning the underbody of the car, etc.

As far as using it on the paint, I would never take the chance on any color but white. I've used it before on white truck's and it worked fine, but I believe the wax protection was sacrificed and I wouldn't be surprised to see some fine scratching had it been done on a dark car.

I think the debate on your car's safety is debatable either way, if you pre-soak and pressure wash a car rather then rinse your car with a hose, wouldn’t you reduce the amount of loose contaminants that have the potential to scratch your car during your washing?

Rinsing the car down thoroughly with a solid jet of water coming from a pressurized nozzle removes most if not all loose contaminents from the finish without the trouble (or potential risk) of pulling out the pressure washer. Using a quality car wash soap and mitt during washing eliminates any other risk of scratching. I'm still too leary about using a pressure washer on a clear coat; the machines are simply too powerful, even on a low RPM setting. Even if they don't truly damage the finish, a soft coat of wax could easily be removed under such pressure. Just my opinion.

[Nappers]

Re: Pressure Washer?

older thread, but considered buying one, not just for cars but for our walkways and other machinery around the house or blasting the ick off of our house.

Aaron

[Tom Weed]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I just used up my third electric Karcher pressure washer in 4 years, needless to say, I don't have anything good to say about them! Has anyone had good luck with any electric models other than Karcher?

tom

[AutoNova]

Re: Pressure Washer?

Always used about 2500 PSI, never a problem, actually I can't imagine going a car w/o a pressure washer!

[Tom Weed]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I got a reconditioned Campbell Hausfield 1800 PSI electric from Pressure washers direct, so far, so good!

[RaskyR1]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I've been using pressure washers to wash cars for over 18 years and I have never had any problems with paint other than some clear that peel off a newly painted panel...and that was a result of poor prep work by the Mickey Mouse body shop.

I see a lot of people that say it scratches the paint or strips the wax off, is there any evidence/proof of this? I've never noticed anything like this before but I would difinitely think twice about using one if I can see proof.

Thanks,
Rasky

[TimG]

Re: Pressure Washer?

Been using PW for 10 yrs or so. I find it faster to clean my cars and also it helps to clean molds off the patio, drains, etc. Good stuff.

Tim

[PuDeN]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I think it is good to test the pressure on our hands first. . . if you feel it's ok then use it on the body paint. But if its to harsh on your hand so it will be on your car. Just my 2 cents