[Themikanic]

Hi, Melbourne goes on to more strict water restrictions soon so I was wondering about buying a pressure sprayer.

I searched for pressure sprayers and found some people use them to do under their wheel arches only. I use a sponge there anyways, but a sprayer would probably do a better job.

Some use them all over their MINI's in various ways, but I'd like to get a more local perspective.

I'd like to find out if they would do a good job on the inside of my 'S' Spokes, which I clean, with a bit of difficulty with a sponge.

Any thoughts or experience of these devices would be welcome

Mike, in Ballan, Vic.

[n00b]

Blast then scrub with your favourite cleaner then blast away again.

[MiniFr34k]

i wouldnt mind a sprayer jus to help rinse the car b4 washing!

[MickyD]

I'm a little wary of these lifting the paint around stonechips. I don't mean taking huge swaths of paint off, but on my previous car (which was black), there are these funny little circular chip looking this that I think are from blasting it at carlovers too much.

[OzDave]

I have had a Ryobi blaster for maybe 7 years now. It comes in handy for quite a few jobs around the house. The spray can be set from a high pressure jet to a soft wide spray so you can set it to whatever you want to wash your car. There would be no danger of damage on the soft spray but I personally wouldn't go to the high pressure setting. I don't use the machine on my Mini as I prefer just to use elbow rease and a sponge to wash my car. The machine is great for getting moss/mould off things in the garden and cleaning the outside of the house down. Maybe you should borrow or rent one to see if you like it. There is also the cheap GMC option but I have no knowledge of how good they are. I do have some GMC stuff that seems fine for non professional use I think.

[doona]

I love mine, I never spray directly with much force on the paint, but it is good for rinsing, and it is compliant with water laws..... would never put it near any stone chips though.

-Dan

[Snapper>///">]

Quote: Originally Posted by Themikanic (original)

.

I'd like to find out if they would do a good job on the inside of my 'S' Spokes, which I clean, with a bit of difficulty with a sponge.

Any thoughts or experience of these devices would be welcome

Mike, in Ballan, Vic.

using a wide paint brush with soap and water is much easier than using the sponge on the rims

preferrably a clean unused paint brush

[stephen orford]

Try using a banister brush on your S spokes the one I purchased at Woolies fits between the spokes just nice. As to using a high pressure water blaster I would be very wary as any loose stones on your drive could be blasted onto your paint work if you miss direct the spray.

[Mr G]

Quote: Originally Posted by Themikanic (original)

Hi, Melbourne goes on to more strict water restrictions soon so I was wondering about buying a pressure sprayer.

Mike, in Ballan, Vic.

It depends where you live of course, but generally water restrictions only apply to the front yard. you can do whatever you like in the back yard.

[AndrewH]

Ever since I washed my mums Vectra with a high pressure spray and watched as the paint flaked off before my eyes, I have never been that keen on using them on my cars Fortunately, her white paint very closely matched quick dry white out so she never found out

[Themikanic]

Thanks all for your responses so far!

Mike, in Ballan.

[Themikanic]

Sadly we have moved on from being able to (legally) use pressure sprayers in our neck of the woods, and home car washing is as socially unacceptable as smoking indoors!

So my next option(glad I didn't buy a pressure sprayer) is to use the carlovers type do-it-yourself car wash.
Do you use these public facilities, and if so, how much do you pay, and if your'e a fanatic cleaner like me, how long do you spend at the car wash?
Do you still wax/polish your car after you get home?
Do you take into consideration the tiny dust specks that will get onto your paint before waxing & polishing your prized MINI, if you drive home & then polish?

So many questions, I hope you may be able to answer

Mike, in Ballan, Vic.

[Snapper>///">]

Hey Mike,

Looks like you like to keep a clean car too. Have you considered a water tank?
Going to those car washing places would be an option, but if you're like me, once you get the car home you go over it again to get rid of any road grime. Plus they are time consuming as well, as you have to wait your turn. Then there are those behind you pushing you to do a rush job. You cant win

-Pete

[Themikanic]

Quote: Originally Posted by Snapper>///"> (original)

Hey Mike,

Looks like you like to keep a clean car too. Have you considered a water tank?
Going to those car washing places would be an option, but if you're like me, once you get the car home you go over it again to get rid of any road grime. Plus they are time consuming as well, as you have to wait your turn. Then there are those behind you pushing you to do a rush job. You cant win

-Pete

Exactly Pete, yeah, I usually take about 3 hours to clean my MINI to a good standard Looks like I'll have to arrive at the Car Lovers about 6 on a Sunday Morning so I won't feel obliged to hurry up

Will be getting a water tank soon but what little rain we get will go on the garden.

BTW, my 'local' Car Lovers is a 35 K drive each way!

Mike in Ballan.