Is it ok to use a pressure washer?
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Miami
2005 CL55
Is it ok to use a pressure washer?
I have my car washed every 2 weeks and find that if I was able to rinse it off and go, considering i live in a warm climate the car would dry for the most part on its own. I can wash the windows later. In other words I do not have a ton of time to spend washing my car but don't wat to bring it in twice a week. I have no expirence washing my car 
so any advice would be helpful! If a pressure washer is the answer, which kind should I buy?
Thanks in advance.
Mark
so any advice would be helpful! If a pressure washer is the answer, which kind should I buy?Thanks in advance.
Mark
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From: Sugar Land, Texas
09' 335i coupe
You'd have a whole bunch of dry water marks I think. Just go to a local dealer or something, and see what they use. All dealers except the highend companies like Aston Martin, use pressure washers(Mercedes, Lexus, Bmw)
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From: Obama Land
K Car
My advice would be to stay away from pressure washers. If you're able to wash your car each week, all you need is a good finish (polish/wax), and a decent car wash soap, bucket, and car wash sponge/mitt. It will take you about the same time to wash your car is it would to set up your pressure washer. (It takes me about 5 minutes tops on Saturday)
If you don't want to dry your car, you can either buy a water blade and quickly squeegee most of the water off, or buy a Mr. Clean type attachment for your hose and let it air dry (this will reduce, but not eliminate water marks).
If you don't want to dry your car, you can either buy a water blade and quickly squeegee most of the water off, or buy a Mr. Clean type attachment for your hose and let it air dry (this will reduce, but not eliminate water marks).
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Miami
2005 CL55
Thanks for all the advice. I'll stay away from using a pressure washer and try the hose, bucket, special soap, and maybe dry it off with chamies? Any advice for a good on-line source to buy supplies, and which brands are best?
Thanks
Mark
Thanks
Mark
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From: Chicago
06 M3
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From: Ft Lauderdale Florida USA
1999 CL500; 1992 500E:1991 560SEC
Hey Mark:
If you have all the stuff.....soap, bucket,towels, etc......you should be able to wash and dry your car in less than an hour...
I can even do my tires and wheels in that time.
High quality terry towels make drying a snap....dont get the cheapies from some discount place.
If you have all the stuff.....soap, bucket,towels, etc......you should be able to wash and dry your car in less than an hour...
I can even do my tires and wheels in that time.
High quality terry towels make drying a snap....dont get the cheapies from some discount place.
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL/ Hampstead, London, England
'84 380 SL/ '02 XK8
Originally Posted by ano0oj
You'd have a whole bunch of dry water marks I think. Just go to a local dealer or something, and see what they use. All dealers except the highend companies like Aston Martin, use pressure washers(Mercedes, Lexus, Bmw)
Pressure Washer:
Electric powered high-pressure washer's can be used everywhere that a normal mains pressure hose would be used, but you should take a few precautions with there use. Beware of forcing water into areas were it can't drain, and don't hold the nozzle too close to paint surfaces for as well as impact damage an excess of water pressure could damage paint surface, it can also remove stripes and vinyl graphics. Be careful when working with the pressure hose nozzle close to the vehicle paintwork, or while working in confined places like engine compartments as it could recoil and cause impact damage, try to keep a three or four foot distance and use the wand at a 45 degree angle They are an ideal tool for the cleaning of fender wells and undercarriage, and for the removal of road salt from these areas.
JonM
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From: Ft Lauderdale Florida USA
1999 CL500; 1992 500E:1991 560SEC
I have seen where use of a pressure washer has caused rust or corrosion blisters around mouldings or fittings or hardware where they are attached to the paint. Water or moisture is forced under the paint and it turns to steam and bubbles up the paint.
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From: San Antonio, Texas
2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35i M Sport
I use the pressure washers at the regular do-it-yourself car washes, but as a previous poster stated, I stay at least four feet from the car when I do it and aim at an angle. I keep a good wax job on my cars and I've never had a problem with using high pressure hoses.
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Pressure washers - great for getting wax off...
Old detailing trick. You know all that wax that manages to get in all the crevices (or in flat black trim)? Use a high pressure washer to blast it out. Also an air compressor is relly great to blow off all the puddled water in places you can't see. That way when you drive off you don't get all those streaks of water when you drive off.
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From: Southern California
2007 Cooper S (I drive everything)
I've detailed high end cars professionally for 20 years in SoCal and have never had any problems with careful use of pressure washers. Don't get the nozzle too close to anything, and don't stay in one place for a long time trying to blow something like a bug off. Really aviod getting close to areas where the paint may have a chip in it, as you can pop off more paint by getting under it. It's really all just common sense. Rubber and plastic trim can also be damaged by too much pressure applied too closely or for too long. Keep the wand moving people.
On the plus side, your paint will stay nice looking far longer because when you do hit it with the soapy wash mit, you've already removed most of the abrasive dirt that causes so many spiderwebs and small scratches. I also use de-ionized water for all my car washing. This is not practical for most do it yourselfers, but you can purchase a Mr. Clean (no I'm not kidding) car wash system and just use the little de-ionizer for rinsing your car off. If you are plagued with hard water in your area this will make a huge difference for you.
Gar
On the plus side, your paint will stay nice looking far longer because when you do hit it with the soapy wash mit, you've already removed most of the abrasive dirt that causes so many spiderwebs and small scratches. I also use de-ionized water for all my car washing. This is not practical for most do it yourselfers, but you can purchase a Mr. Clean (no I'm not kidding) car wash system and just use the little de-ionizer for rinsing your car off. If you are plagued with hard water in your area this will make a huge difference for you.
Gar
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 70
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From: Southern California
2007 Cooper S (I drive everything)
Originally Posted by frankie439
I just use a leaf blower to dry the car. No swirls and no water streaks when driving.
Gar
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Posts: 70
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From: Southern California
2007 Cooper S (I drive everything)
The 73 used to be such a fun high speed road. Now you absolutely can not drive it without seeing at least one or two well hidden CHP's cherry pickin' the evil speeders. The road is near empty, and there's plenty of bumper to bumper traffic in other areas that are full of people doing seriously dangerous manuvers, but there they are writing tickets on an empty road. . .
I don't even bother taking it any more.
Gar
I don't even bother taking it any more.
Gar
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Posts: 70
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From: Southern California
2007 Cooper S (I drive everything)
I live down in Vista. I don't get up to the OC very often at that time of night. No 'Benzes in my stable, I just get to work on them and play with them occasionally too. I have a Chevy Duramax diesel pickup that I drive. It only goes about 101 at the limiter, so speed runs are limited to my 2 Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycles. S-22 Between Borrego and Salton Sea has a few nice spots for 180+ runs. There's also a nice place out east of Julian too.
Gar
Gar
