Pressure Washing a 75 - lazy but effective or potentially damaging?

[tourerfogey]

Discuss :)

[Ken]

I have one but only use if I have to. A few years ago I was using one in a garage and the pressure dropped for a millisecond. I was holding the washer about a foot from the boot, when the pressure dropped the nozzle hit the boot resulting in a two inch scratch on the boot lid (not the 75) I was lucky it was a decent garage and they paid for the repair.

So I am now wary of them even though I bought one

Ken

[tourerfogey]

I have to say that is certainly one eventuality that I hadn't thought of, Ken!

[baxlin]

I'm assuming you mean the garage forecourt jetwash, rather than the less powerful domestic version.

On that basis, a policeman friend of mine said they had to stop using a jetwash as it was lifting the decals off the cars, but at least you can give the brush a good checking for foreign matter before you start.

I still maintain washing the car in the rain is best - it's certainly easy!!

[Mike]

Convenient but many people use them wrong - too close and holding on one area. OK if you know enough not to damage the paintwork etc. Things to watch particularly are never point straight on at front of car, always at a shallow angle- otherwise your radiator and condenser life can be shortened significantly. Chrome trim etc. again be careful as the pressure jet can get under and lift them!

Used properly are a great help. I use them regularly on the underbody and wheel arch areas to keep the crud and salt off.

[tourerfogey]

'I'm assuming you mean the garage forecourt jetwash, rather than the less powerful domestic version.'

Actually I meant the less powerful domestic version.

[Jamie]

Home jetwash is great for cleaning under the arches and blasting the back of the rims to remove brake dust...... good at removing that green slimey goo that sometimes forms in the felt around electric windows.......and for blasting away dead flies....just be carefull around those badges and any adhesive decals.

Forecourt version is definately a no no for me.....went to our local Garage a couple of years ago and complained about a builder who has just washed out his trailer with the brush and powerwash...Imagine all those bits of stone, grit and sand stuck in the brush scouring the life out of your paintwork!! ouch:twonk:

[BMC123]

I always found them great for taking polish off. At least any time I used one back in the 80's that's what happened. :o

[JP53]

Discuss :)

I prefer the good old fashioned way of sponge and chamois. Your own so that you know where it's been.
I never use car washes and I've seen the damage jet washes can do. :eek:

[Simon]

I've got a jet washer too. Only use it occasionally for really in-grained dirt such as wheel arches or on the wheels (but you got to take the wheels off first else you will risk damaging the disc brakes).

Don't like using it on the paint work as it can be a bit too harsh, I much prefer using a washing mitt followed by a regular hose pipe on a gentle spray.

[Keith O]

I've seen a diesel powered pressure washer lift off paint lacquer ( new premium brand German car! ) when used too closely to the vehicle so be careful with these.

With regard to the low powered domestic cold water versions, I have been the owner of one of these for a few years and find it very useful. I can't think of anything better for blasting away bird p**, just remember the shallow angle to avoid driving dirt into the paint surface. They are a little noisy though, quite easy to annoy the neighbours. I may be mistaken but I understand that they use less water than a hosepipe and that makes me feel a bit better about using the thing.

Keith.

[Pete]

I use mine for the wheels and arches to shift mud and any other stuff that will hold moisture. I used to use it on the bodywork but I restrict it now to the shutline gaps and then only sparingly.

[Oldun]

I would never never use a pressure washer with the detergent on. with just fresh water yes, but then only underneath and wheel arches. With the detergent on you are forcing a wetting agent into every seam. this means that water, perhaps with winter salt then has easy access to these seams. I worked for a short time with an ambulance service where all the vehicles were washed with a pressure washer and detergent. It was the only way to keep such a large fleet clean, but the penalty was rust and tons of it.

[Roverron]

I too just use it on the wheel arches and not for general washing.

I wet the car with a hose first or wash it when its raining, using a soft brush* and bucket of wash/wax. (*actually the one that came with the power washer) I prefer this to a sponge, which tends to hold onto grit and can scratch the paint.

Ron

[JohnDotCom]

Most of the "Hand Washes" round here use big industrial Pressure washers first Before using hand mits with Cleaner then they Rinse with Pressure Washer then leather off. They always have queues of people wiating to be done, (literally I think), even brand new vehicles going through, but I'm wary of them. Use the one at Home for under wheel arches and Alloy wheels as seems the easiest way to get off the Crud. Also I do every now and then wash under the car with pressure washer as it spends a lot of time on the beach so like to remove the Salt (sea) deposits.

[tourerfogey]

Lots of interesting replies - thank you

Seems that most are happy to use a pressure washer for cleaning wheels and under the arches but not keen on washing the paintwork.

Personally, I do use mine to rinse off the paintwork after first washing with bucket and sponge. However I have the nozzle set to a wide fan so as not to concentrate too much pressure in any one spot.

I also use the pressure washer to do the wheels and under the arches and it is this that presents my main concern - that is water ingress into the brakes and also the possible ingress of water into any of the inner cavities of the bodywork through seam sealer, bolt holes, rubber grommets and the like.

[crofts]

Lots of interesting replies - thank you

Seems that most are happy to use a pressure washer for cleaning wheels and under the arches but not keen on washing the paintwork.

Personally, I do use mine to rinse off the paintwork after first washing with bucket and sponge. However I have the nozzle set to a wide fan so as not to concentrate too much pressure in any one spot.

I also use the pressure washer to do the wheels and under the arches and it is this that presents my main concern - that is water ingress into the brakes and also the possible ingress of water into any of the inner cavities of the bodywork through seam sealer, bolt holes, rubber grommets and the like.

Hi fogey. Have never had a problem with the brakes. In what way are you concerned as they are fairly bullet proof.
I also use under wheel arches but best of all is the extended upturned nozzle
attachment that is great for underbody washing during/after winter to remove dirt and salt (and washing outer sides of wheel arches that you cannot do with a straight nozzle);)

[baxlin]

Hi Tourerfogey,

Elsewhere on here, or the .org forum, is a very detailed "how to" on washing/polishing the car, and "sponge and a bucket" are not recommended!

Lambswool mitt and TWO buckets is correct.

I may sound as if I am taking the mick out of the advice here, far from it, I have bought myself a mitt, and use the second bucket for washing it out, it's amazing how dirty the water in the second bucket gets, and how clean the first one stays. Sponge has gone in the bin, as it seems it may do more damage than even a pressure washer........

[K 5ive]

I use a Kranzle on mine, that i have just bought. You can vary the pressure on it so no worries. It is awesome at cleaning all the crud off the wheels.
I think i will use this 2 bucket system from now on. I wondered what it was.

[Tom Collins]

I remember about 20 years ago, working as a car cleaner and using a very high pressure washer. Once I got a bit too close, and took a large area of paint off a brand new unregistered car. :o

[Simondi]

Spent a very enjoyable afternoon washing the 75.
Lambswool washmit and two buckets for me thanks!:D

I would never take a car to a car wash after having an uncomfortable expierence in an old Escort ( Gents, I will say no more about this so please don't ask !!! :twonk:).

[ragitty]

I spent a very enjoyable 15 minutes watching 3 croations clean my car on my way to work, they do use a mit as mentioned above but they also use the steam cleaner before washing and afterwards to clear away all the soap.

Having said that I am very happy with the results my car looks gleaming;)

I just don't have the time to wash my own car.

[trebor]

I prefer the good old fashioned way of sponge and chamois. Your own so that you know where it's been.
I never use car washes and I've seen the damage jet washes can do. :eek:

John ( welcome back ! ) wash your mouth out ! You shouldnt be using a sponge on that lovely white gold motor of yours get a wash mitt