Pressure Washers

[Bazile]

I think i might take the car to those lovely Eastern europeans to get it washed - instead of doing it myself , this weekend

In the cars handbook it warns not to use pressure washers less than a certain distance ( cant remember the minimum distance stated , at the moment ) from the area of the bumper , where the reversing sensors are located
The same for the petrol flap area .

Is that just being overcautious - do you have reversing sensors on your car - have you had a problem with your sensors from using pressure washers ?

[woofgang]

nope...never had any kind of problem....of course this may be because I have never washed my car......

[gingejbee]

I never let anyone else wash my car. I have a Nilfisk pressure washer and use it with the special "car" nozzle, which has a fan-shaped jet. A pressure washer jet should never be directed close to/at 90 degrees to your car surface and with care at any "openings" or "sensitive" areas....like parking-sensors. And, no, I've had no problems with the sensors ...because I'm careful....it's MY car, after all!

[TWR]

The only time you need a pressure washer is for the Underside of the car Bazile, do not waste your money, just use car shampoo, I use Fairy & have done for the last 30+ years, before you wash your car dampen it all down first by doing this you are not damaging your paint work with the dirt already on you car, 30+ years car valeting Exp.

[heathfield]

I once has a hire Land Rover on which the wheels had been repainted. It got filthy through having to work off-road, so I decided to give it a clean. Used a pressure washer, and ended up removing quite a bit of that second layer of paint!

[Bazile]

i was just feeling lazy and did not want to wash the car myself .

You know the drill - bucket , sponge ....

[Zacs-Master]

Whilst they're washing your car, leave it in reverse and use a hand held recorder to tape the beeps. If it stops whilst they're working on it, jump out and confront them.

[Bazile]

So all these people you see at the car wash having their vehicles washed by those nice people , are risking damaging their paintwork ?

[paddywak]

I've used the local branch of East European car wah for years and I've never had any problems.

[TWR]

I never said the Bazile,

[Bazile]

TWR - I didn't meant it to sound like that is what you said - i was thinking whether or the car wash guys dampen down the cars before washing

[Bazile]

interesting your advice about using fairy - because the handbook also says not to use washing up liquid - but obviously you have had no problem using it ?

[Bazile]

The thought of cleaning all that brake dust muck off the wheels - i'm not looking forward to

[heathfield]

Washing up liquid contains pretty strong alkalis that can damage car paintwork. If you start washing your car with it from the roof down, you may see that as you wash lower down, that a slight discolouration has occurred where the runs have trickled down the bodywork.

[gingejbee]

Bazile: if you want to know how to wash your car properly, read this from the professionals:

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/safe-washing-and-drying.html

As you can see, TWR's ideas are rather old-hat!

[TWR]

30+ never ever had probs with the paintwork Ginge! Bazile, no probs

[TWR]

Ginge, just read that, do they leave the car full of salt in winter? & yes, I do wash my car in the Winter months.

[gingejbee]

TWR: Things have changed and moved on ...different methods, different materials, different ideas. For example, paintwork used to be solvent-based...now it is all water-based, even the clear top-coat. So, methods and materials used for car-cleaning have evolved.
Proper professional valeters (not those at the local supermarket!) never use washing-up liquid, sponges, brushes, chamois leathers etc. Better things are now available...if people want to get the best results.