Pressure Washing a 75 - lazy but effective or potentially damaging? - Page 2

Keith O · 24th November 2006, 22:55

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 · 25th November 2006, 09:07

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 · 25th November 2006, 10:10

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 · 25th November 2006, 10:23

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 · 26th November 2006, 12:08

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 · 26th November 2006, 12:19

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 · 27th November 2006, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 27th November 2006, 13:25

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 · 6th February 2008, 19:11

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 · 6th February 2008, 20:00

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.

25th November 2006, 09:07	#12
Pete Owners Club Director Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherfield-on-Loddon Posts: 4,874 Thanks: 137 Thanked 996 Times in 444 Posts	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. __________________ Follow The Club On Twitter

25th November 2006, 10:10	#13
Oldun Regular poster rover 75 tourer con se Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Notts Posts: 96 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 2 Posts	Power wash 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.

25th November 2006, 10:23	#14
Roverron Gets stuck in Rover Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tarbert Posts: 980 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 9 Posts	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 __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Click to visit my website Ron on Twitter MyFacebook page

27th November 2006, 13:25	#18
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,960 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	Sponge?! 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........

6th February 2008, 20:00	#20
Tom Collins Posted a thing or two Mondeo 2.0 cdti Ghia Auto Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,731 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ In vino veritas [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?

24th November 2006, 22:55	#11
Keith O Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SOUTHAMPTON Posts: 150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	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.

26th November 2006, 12:08	#15
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	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.

26th November 2006, 12:19	#16
tourerfogey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	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.

6th February 2008, 19:11	#19
K 5ive Avid contributor Zafira SRi and Combo B Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cambrils, Tarragona Posts: 163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.