Pressure Washers... Good or Bad???

[rich]

Anyone got any opinions on using high pressure washers to clean a MINI? (I mean those lance-type things made by people like Karcher)

Cheers...

[Minty]

i do...occasionaly. and usually only to get heavy dirt off. you cant beat a good rub down with a wet chamois.

[erazo]

I might use them to loosen heavy grime in the wheel wells and undercarriage, but no place else. Totally unnecessary.

[Keith]

I prefer to use a pressure washer to get sandy dirt of the car than risk rubbing the sand in to the paint with a sponge or cloth. The pressure washer is also fantastic for getting dirt off the wheels.

[noahe]

The dealer uses them to wash all the cars before delivery, after service appointments, etc...

Automatic car washes rely on them.

I have even used one on our MCS. But I advise extreme caution. Use it to rinse off the car and debris. Do not use it to 'scrub' your car. Often they are VERY powerful. The silly toy-like looking one I used in a driveway was stupid-powerful. It was like a water laser. I think it would cut you if you got in the way of the beam. Luckily it was adjustable.

Certain things they do very well. The do a nice thourough job of rinsing the car on a very diffuse setting, using very little water, and leaving no soap.

It cleaned my wheels and white rims nicely.

It removed bugs, cleans underbody, great on glass.

But it would only take a second to blast off a weak section of paint, or enlarge a paint chip... So be weary of it.

Used properly, it can be a useful tool, but generally it is overkill compared to what you need.

I plan to use it infrequently, for spring cleaning, or before applying the big, long wax system.

[Dr. Bob]

In MAINTENANCE, check out the threads:

1) Started by rpenhale; Recommended Power Washers (ID # 7743)

2) Started by ricardo; Pressure Washers - Advice on Buying (ID # 3671)

[rich]

Thanks guys for the dispensed advice

You can buy basic ones that operate at about 1500psi / 5litres/min for about AUD210. I will probably buy one anyway to blast the algae off my patio bricks & use cautiously on the family cars... Planned approach with the cars is little & often to keep them free from major fouling

I think the pressure lance will come in especially handy with those fiddly X-Lite wheels which, no doubt, attract brake dust like bees to a honeypot

[GaryM]

Personnaly I have no problem using one. Like one of the other posters I use it from a distance to clean of a bulk of the dust and dirt. Then I soap the car. Then use a jet powered rotary brush. Finally a Chamios to dry off before the polish. Very happy with the results. Definatly better than a car wash.

In actual fact you might be supprised how ineffective a power washer is at getting the final layer of dirt. Wait unitil to windscreen is really dirty the jet wash it. It will clean off a bulk of the dirt but will leave a line where the wipers wipe and where they don't. I once used a brushless washer that was basically a big automated power washer. Got a bulk of the dirt off but still left a film. What a waste of money.

Basically use with care and from a distance. If you wash close you will damage stuff.

[flipper]

GaryM
I agree, I use them only to clean the wheelarches and brakes - usually after the winter to clear the salt.
I have heard its bad to direct them at the tyres though - drys the rubber out apparently.