Pressure Washing Ques

Mishikwest · 06-02-2014, 01:17 AM

Always been a low-tech soap and bucket guy, but thinking of getting a pressure washer. So they won't blow the paint right off the car? Are there other possibilities of damage to trim/finishes/etc? What should I be looking for; gas or electric?

thx

killerhurtalot · 06-02-2014, 02:14 AM

Well. As long as you're not putting the nozzle within like a foot of the car, it'll be fine...

The higher pressured washers (always gas) just lets you clean wider swath of the car because it'll be able to put down the same pressure at a longer distance away from the surface...

The pressure washer will also strip wax and other soft surface contaminants off so basically you'll want to wax it every time you pressure wash it just in case some of it got blown off so it doesn't get spotty...

cheshirecat79 · 06-03-2014, 09:43 AM

typically, you're looking at a 1500psi washer for detailing use. some people will move to a 2k or a bit more- the extra power helps especially if you're using foam cannons.

the washer will not strip the car as long as you're using it properly- that's typically more an action of a detergent you're spraying on rather than the physical act of applying water to the surface given that you aren't literally trying to clean the car via pressure alone.

pick333 · 06-04-2014, 02:15 PM

Works fine if you are careful. I used it on my fence, full force narrow stream and it took the wood off the fence, leaving a design. If it can do that to a fence, it could be a problem on your car. Just adjust spray so it's not narrow at full force, by turning the thing on the end of the spray gun.

cheshirecat79 · 06-05-2014, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pick333

Works fine if you are careful. I used it on my fence, full force narrow stream and it took the wood off the fence, leaving a design. If it can do that to a fence, it could be a problem on your car. Just adjust spray so it's not narrow at full force, by turning the thing on the end of the spray gun.

to be blunt, painted metal is not the same as a wood fence.

you are correct about adjusting the gun's spread. the pressure washer should be used to apply water or product to the vehicle, not to remove dirt or grime on painted surfaces. that's what your detailing products are for.

_Ryan_ · 06-09-2014, 02:00 AM

I use a 1450PSI Gerni. Yet to strip paint. Makes life a lot easier as I have low water pressure in my yard. It's electric, great value for money.
So far I've used it for the car: initial rinse, spray foam, rinse, [standard bucket wash], rinse. Big difference for someone who travels on dirt roads often. Great on the wheels too.
They're also great for cleaning the decking of the house, second story windows etc.

It's a $100 experiment...

06-02-2014, 01:17 AM	#1
Mishikwest Enlisted Member 4 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 09' 128i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Pressure Washing Ques Always been a low-tech soap and bucket guy, but thinking of getting a pressure washer. So they won't blow the paint right off the car? Are there other possibilities of damage to trim/finishes/etc? What should I be looking for; gas or electric? thx
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06-02-2014, 02:14 AM	#2
killerhurtalot First Lieutenant 20 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 135i DCT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Well. As long as you're not putting the nozzle within like a foot of the car, it'll be fine... The higher pressured washers (always gas) just lets you clean wider swath of the car because it'll be able to put down the same pressure at a longer distance away from the surface... The pressure washer will also strip wax and other soft surface contaminants off so basically you'll want to wax it every time you pressure wash it just in case some of it got blown off so it doesn't get spotty...
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06-03-2014, 09:43 AM	#3
cheshirecat79 Captain 32 Rep 919 Posts Drives: 370z & 135i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Port Saint Lucie, FL iTrader: (0)	typically, you're looking at a 1500psi washer for detailing use. some people will move to a 2k or a bit more- the extra power helps especially if you're using foam cannons. the washer will not strip the car as long as you're using it properly- that's typically more an action of a detergent you're spraying on rather than the physical act of applying water to the surface given that you aren't literally trying to clean the car via pressure alone.
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06-04-2014, 02:15 PM	#4
pick333 Private 42 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW series 1 135i Join Date: May 2013 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Works fine if you are careful. I used it on my fence, full force narrow stream and it took the wood off the fence, leaving a design. If it can do that to a fence, it could be a problem on your car. Just adjust spray so it's not narrow at full force, by turning the thing on the end of the spray gun.
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06-09-2014, 02:00 AM	#6
_Ryan_ Captain 59 Rep 741 Posts Drives: E87 130i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne, AU iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 BMW 130i [5.24]	I use a 1450PSI Gerni. Yet to strip paint. Makes life a lot easier as I have low water pressure in my yard. It's electric, great value for money. So far I've used it for the car: initial rinse, spray foam, rinse, [standard bucket wash], rinse. Big difference for someone who travels on dirt roads often. Great on the wheels too. They're also great for cleaning the decking of the house, second story windows etc. It's a $100 experiment...
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