C63newdude

Long history short, I took my car to the dragstrip a few weeks ago and I did a few burntouts (ocasionally).
A lot of dirtl/rubber got "glued" to the rear bumper (right behind the rear tire). I washed the car a couple of times but the burnt rubber from the tires was still sticking to the bumper.

I decided to have my car wash by a car wash company but before I got to the destination I decided to stop at one of the $1.5 car wash and just rinse the bumpers with water. The water pistol took my clear coat easily without me trying hard(obviously this wasn't the intent).

It is very clear to me that the small tiny rocks and/or rubber from the tires actually poke the clear coat deep enough to weaken it. The water pressure just did the rest. I am just saying, be cautious..

Pictures will soon follow.

Merc63

Hmmm, mine are all pitted to **** from running Hooiser R6 on the street. The rocks gave the paint a beating.. Never had my clear coat peal off from a pressure washer though...

C63newdude

^^ You are lucky then. You probably did a better job than me washing your car. I personally happen to own a Honda 2700 PSI 4 stroke power washer that I was planning on using(thanks god that I didn't use it). The power washer that I used was from a commercial car wash which I think they are rated at around 1100 psi or so.

Either way, I am telling everyone to take it easy on the car wash rinse pistol. A lot to blame on me for putting the water jet to close...

I am Jeff

Blue Painters tape is your best friend! It's a little late now, but it's good for future references.

Merc63

I got a little honda pressure one I use sometimes too. How close were you getting to the paint? Must have been right up on it.

grane

Many of the car washes use cheap and nasty and recycled solution PH incompatible with your finish Also

C63newdude

Sometimes you learn from mistakes... I started a few inches away(like 15" or so) but couldn't get rif of all the black melted tire rubber. Kept getting closer and closer until I was like 2" or so. Things were coming out.

I thought that just hot water would be sufficient but I guess not. I should had done it differently like with a soft brush or more soap and a cloth.

It was always a tough call because even with a cloth or spongy there was too much residual on the bumper from the beginning. Had I used the cloth or sponge and I would had probably scratch the paint anyways.

Someone suggested the painters tape and I totally agree. The 285's tires in the rear don't help much when it comes to leaving residual on the rear bumper.

C63newdude

Concur..

amdeutsch

Little trick for getting that rubber off; gasoline and elbow grease.

_AMG_

Yup, still got some rubber residue on my rear bumper from a year ago. lol
Really doesn't bother me.
Honestly there is no way anyone can see it unless they lay down and look at it directly.

So the pressure washer took off some of your clear coat??
Would you happen to have any pics?

AMGFTW

This is why I have $2000 worth of clear bra on my car haha

Merc63

Lol 2 inches, that will do it for sure.

Funny, I brought my car in for service once and I guess there was a build up of rubber spray all over the exhaust and stuff. They had to chip it off or something the work order said.. "Build up of rubber from aggressive driving" I had a good chuckle.

jvanbrecht

*Sigh*.... Never.. Never.. NEVER.. use a pressure washer on your car, hell just using a regular hose and a pressure nozzle is a bad idea....

Why.. because all you are doing is using the pressure from the washer/regular hose to grind any dirt and dust that is still on your car into the paint...

novae500

WD40, blue painters tape for future racing.

VaclavSV

I dont see a problem with using a pressure washer. Ive used one for years. You just have to be cautious of the nozzle you are using, and set the pressure appropriately. Also car wash bays are fine as long as you arent scrubbing very hard and have a good shammy to dry with afterwards. When Im at home I have my own pressure washer and use a microfiber cloth good soap etc. But when Im at school I have to use the car wash bays. I used a microfiber cloth at first but got in **** when I brought my own soap. Now I will just use the brush for around the wheels, and side skirts. And use the spray soap for majority of the car. Having a good (clean) shammy is important to getting everything off of you car. I usually end up going through 2 shammy's. Then Im forced to clean them. No swirls and the finish is fine because the soap isnt on there very long.