Pressure Washer?

[b2bomber]

Re: Pressure Washer?

mostly for the undercarriage or wheel wells

[jmitch8011]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I wouldn't advise that unless your pressure washer has very little pressure because I believe just about any pressure washer can cut your skin if not careful. I know mine can but that said, i would never use it to take a shower either. I believe it's just like a buffer or any kind of equipment you use on your paint. You have to respect it at all times and use good judgement. LIke they said abover, i'm going 4 years with no problems.

[Rip]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I use a Pressure washer on the tires and wheels but back up 10 feet and spray down the paint Love the great bead job

[jfelbab]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I've use a PW for wheels, wheel wells and tires but only if they are really dirty. You do need to use a lower power unit on the tires or you could damage the sidewall. I recently ordered a PowerWasher model PW1800U and it arrived DOA. The manufacturer sent out a replacement GFI (took two weeks) so I had to repair my "NEW" PW before I could use it. Next, the tolerances were so poor that the pressure hose cross threads when you try to remove it for storage. The manufacturer said that's not a problem. As long as the hose isn't blowing off the unit it's fine. I just sent it back under under the 30 day return limit. I've read a lot of reviews and find most of the electrics are a mixed lot. Some users have good results but a large number of people have major problems with all of the consumer grade electric models. As mentioned previously, it's probably a good idea if you buy an electric consumer grade model, to buy it at a place where you can also purchase an extended warranty like Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, etc. You are more likely than not to be using that warranty as these are seeming all cheaply designed and constructed units made in China.

I have a 10 year old "Black Cat" model that still works well but the power nozzle developed a leak. I believe that company is out of business now and had a major safety recall on some of their models.

For me, I like the concept of an electric PW as I don't have to maintain another gas engine for as seldom as I use the pw. I use a PW mostly for cleaning my three deck surfaces (trex), house, and my pond, waterfall and fountains. I seldom use it on a vehicle and then only on the wheels, wells, tires and undercarriage if needed.

[barry]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I have always used a pressure washer to wash cars and wouldn't have it any other way,I just don't believe that a low psi pressure washer will scratch the paint.I always wet down the whole car first for a pre-soak,then go back wet down so much of the vehicle soap it down then rinse it off.I believe the rinse before soap will remove anything that could scratch the paint as your soaping the car.I use a 2050psi B&S I bought 3 years ago and I bet it has at least 150 or more hours on it.never found a electric pressure washer that would last more than 7 or 8 months.To me a low psi gas model will last alot longer in my experience

[hoopdewagon]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I have two types. I have a commercial grade washer that I use for big and really dirty projects, also use a Mytee low pressure washer. I love it. Its very compact. You might want to think about investing in one. Have a great day.

[redhotchevy2000]

Re: Pressure Washer?

i use the karcher, its great, not to worried about high pressure against the paint i dont stay right on it (probably 18-24") and i have put my hand in front of it at that distance and felt "normal pressure" as if from a garden hose.
on that note, its great on wheels, tires, fender wells, stainless steel, chrome, and grills after i spray them with APC and turn the pressure down to 1/2

[Tuck91]

Re: Pressure Washer?

i use it for the wheel wells but never on the paint

[3Fitty]

Re: Pressure Washer?

What do you all mean by you turn the pressure down. Do you all use electric ones or something? I have a troy built and I cannot do that. Its pure 2,450 psi of paint ripping power. I have different ends I can use but thats about it.

Yeah, I have a 1700psi Karcher (electric) but it only gets that with a specific nozzle. When you put the soap dispensing nozzle on it, the psi drops and is safe for paint.

The rub is that while it is safe for your car it really can't do anywhere NEAR what your machine can do. However, even on my model it tells you not to use it on your car with the high powered nozzle.

[Marc Hufnagel]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I will use one if the vehicle is really dirty in the winter especially. Mine is 2600psi karcher gas unit. I mainly use it more in the winter when I can't get a hand wash in because of temps. Hook up to a faucet inside the garage and brave the temps long enough to spray off. Better than leaving the **** on there.

Wheels, wheel wells, etc all year long though.

[allencarey]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I have been useing a pw for 15 years on boats , motorhomes,autos and everykind of trailer .Like polishing ur car it takes useing it to figure it out . Except one time of tripping and blowing out a window ops no other problems . If u throw up concrete its to much pressure by the way i would not recommed trying the presure on ur hand even a small unit, can put out enough to damage ur skin ! Theres defferent wand ends ,u can turn down the pressure . Use ur kids bike to ajust the unit you have . It does save a lot of water .

[rgcurtis]

Re: Pressure Washer?

You haven't seen pressure washing until you see the Italians do it. They opened all of my doors and did the door jams. Oh, and there was no water inside the car....still can't figure out how they did it and I watched it more than once. I only use one every now and then. Good luck.

[allencarey]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I have US filter tanks on mine so i have soft water but i have to shut it down to do the door jams and so forth .I would like to see it as will

[thescreensavers]

Re: Pressure Washer?

I have a gas pressure washer that was used once lol, but I dont think I will use it on my car.

[jfelbab]

Re: Pressure Washer?

After having a lot of bad luck with electric PW's I finally struck on an 1800 psi Husky that came with a three year warranty from Home Depot. I didn't want another gasoline engine to maintain so I tried another electric.

This unit has two on-board tanks for soaps/APCs and a low, medium and high pressure mode wand. I like the fact that I can use the medium pressure to clean my wheels and fender wells with no worry of damage. The unit does a great job of foaming the vehicles using my Shampoo Plus in one tank and cleaning the tires with APC in the other.

I also like the turbo-wand for cleaning concrete and my TREK decking. So far, I really like this unit.