Pressure Washer Questions

volunteer1816

volunteer1816

New member
I just got an Excel 2,750 PSI Pressure Washer today for cleaning around the house. I know many pros use them while detailing and I have a few questions:



-What tip do you use? (This is my biggest question!)



-Do you have to be extra careful when using it on the paint?



-Is there any precautions to take when doing the wheels?



-Will it remove too much of the undercoat when doing wheel wells?



-Do I have to worry about removing wax?



I have used pressure washers for years on concrete and siding, just never on a car. Since I have been doing details almost every weekend here lately, I am wondering if this can make my work either more efficient or better quality. Let me know what you guys think.



Thanks!
 
Doesnt do that good and still can damage paint. My friend does this to his truck and even after he is done I can run my finger across is and you can tell there is alot of dirt on the paint still. Works great on wheel wells though
 
Beason said:
Doesnt do that good and still can damage paint. My friend does this to his truck and even after he is done I can run my finger across is and you can tell there is alot of dirt on the paint still. Works great on wheel wells though
Click to expand...



I would still be using a wash, just using the pressure washer for the rinse.
 
I don't use one to rinse (prefer sheeting water over car without nozzle), but P/Ws do do a primo job on rims/tires/wheel wells. Particularly when combined with an acid-based wheel cleaner, a good pressure washer will just blast off some pretty tough grime. One caveat - you can just put a tight nozzle on and blast away at most rims, but watch out for clearcoated rims with a chipping clear. You will catch the edge, and you will make it worse. Don't ask me how I know (on a semi-related note, mid-90's subaru rims SUCK).



Another use that you may not have though of is floormats. On all rubber mats and some carpeted ones (durable ones), you can put a moderate-pressure nozzle on and blast away. Just spray em down with diluted APC first, spot treat with folex, and let it rip.





*Disclaimer* I've never had any problems with these methods, but believe me, you can go wrong fast with a pressure washer. Don't sue me if you blow your rims off your car ;).
 
As long as you keep the wand at a distance, I would think pressure washing would be a better alternative to get VERY soiled vehicles prepped for a mit wash.
 
I've not had the need for one yet, but I do know my brother managed to blast THROUGH the paint on his 93 prelude.... Of course, that didn't matter much because it wasn't long before it ended up like this:

front.jpg




he was fine. :)
 
They are great for the underbody (especially after you were stuck in the mud), rims, cold engine blocks, and giving your friends the bends. Don't let em near the paint.
 
We have water restrictions here in Melbourne and the only options for home washing vehicles is buckets and hoses connected to Pressure Washers. I have been using my PW for over 2 years now with no adverse effects. I keep the jet broad and use it to wet down the whole car, then I hand wash with a mit and rinse off with the PW.



Works fine, no damage to report and does save a lot of water.
 
If you keep the pressure very low or stand some distance from the car, they are ok. For a very dirty car it can be a useful way of removing the worst of the dirt.



Rinsing on very very low pressure can be effective
 
Since getting the CR Spotless system, I have been using my pressure washer more. I only use it for rinsing.



As usual common sense should be your guide. (Although, present company excluded...that seems to be dying off more and more these days.)



Don't get really close, and don't use the special "twirly" higher pressue wands.



IMO, if when using a PW correctly and paint comes off....if was going to come off anyway.
 
Thanks for the input everyone! I will give it a whirl this weekend. I will try rinsing the car with it to see if I see any pros or cons. I am also going to remove each wheel and clean the inside this time with the pressure washer. I also plan on blasting the inder carriage, wheel wells, & engine. Wish me luck!!!
 
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