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Pressure Washer

Old Apr 21, 2004 | 02:09 PM
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Pressure Washer

Is it safe to use a pressure washer to wash the car? I know not to spray directly onto the car, perpendicular wise, but at an angle so that the sand/crud doesn't get driven into the paint?

thanks!
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Old Apr 21, 2004 | 05:56 PM
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Used one for years

Just as you described. I find it cuts the rinse time by quite a bit. I still use the two buckets method as well but the pressure washer just makes things go a bit faster than using a regular hose and nozzle.

JR
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Old Apr 21, 2004 | 11:33 PM
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Re: Used one for years

Originally posted by jnjrowland
Just as you described. I find it cuts the rinse time by quite a bit. I still use the two buckets method as well but the pressure washer just makes things go a bit faster than using a regular hose and nozzle.

JR
and you havent seen any abnormal paint conditions? If so good, cause I am interested in using the pressure washer if this is the case.
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 07:54 AM
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Nothing unusual

The other thing to remember is to not get too close and be very sure to use the appropriate nozzle. You need the one with more of a 'fan' pattern and in the setups I have seen this is the white nozzle. There are others, such as red, green and a black one for soap application but the white is for automotive surfaces. Also, I never use too much of a stream around areas with gaskets, like around the sunroof of the trunk.

One other benefit of the pressure washer, from my point of view, is that it can be used to 'blast' bugs off the front of the car using the washer at the appropriate angle to the surface. They come off very easily and I don't have to rub them with anything. I am sure the Zaino has something to do with this as well because they don't seem to 'stick' to it.

Anyway, I am sure that used properly you would be happy with the results.

JR
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Old Apr 29, 2004 | 10:21 PM
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pressure washer ...hmmmmm

One thing I have found out from painters is that a pressure washer can force water under trim and gaskets that normally would keep out water.....the result is corrosion, rust, or mineral deposits forming where they normally wouldn't be found. So beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old Apr 29, 2004 | 10:28 PM
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Excellent Point

When in those areas I move the wand further away from the surface so I don't force water into places it does not belong. I guess it's just a bit of common sense and practice, but I have always been happy with the results and now I find using a 'regular' hose just takes too much time for me.

JR
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Old May 1, 2004 | 12:27 PM
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I think a lot of stuff about not using pressure washers and high pressure rinse is mostly just paranoia. I agree with the certain angle idea and keeping a certain distance so as not to concentrate the blast on the paint, but I've used high pressure on all my cars and never had a problem with the paint or gaskets in trim and doors, etc.
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