Pressure washers?

[MaTTy_P]

Thinking about investing in one of these for the impending arrival of my car, would it be wise? Concerned that it would rub off protective wax/coat, but would be ideal for the brake dust/alloy problem that most people tend to have.

Just wondering does any1 else use these, and to what effect?

[SteveM3]

Pressure washers have many uses but not cleaning a cherished car

[KenL]

I wouldn't use one regularly in case the high pressure affected the paint. Little stone chips could be made worse by high pressure water forcing in and making them bigger.

Also, it may take you longer to wash your car with one of these than by hand if you include the time it takes to get it out, set it up and put it away again after you're finished.

[Apial]

I have used one on my last MINI for 2 1/2 years. I can report that there was no damage to the paintwork . In fact the car was still mint. The power washer was used to remove dirt from the car prior to careful washing. I didn't want paint swirls by going at it without a good power rinse. I also had a vinyl chequered roof and door numbers that were also carefuly washed around. No damage there either.

A warning though. If you have any type of paint defects such as deep chipping, micro blistering, rust (!), you should get them fixed first. Remember ice will do the same sort of damage to faulty paintwork anyway.Also do not spray near the top bonnet air vents. Strong power washers are also capable of bending the fins on your radiator. I know because I also used one on my G-wagen and bent some of its fins that took ages to bend straight.

If you are still worried about using a pressure washer, don't forget to tell your dealer too. Many dealers use a power washer and all sorts of chemical cleaners on customers cars as part of customer service. You will need to ask them to not wash your car.

[stargate]

I used mine on our MCS this weekend, it is great for under the wheel arches and getting rid of the brake dust at the back of the wheels. It also loosens the dirt off of the bodywork much easier.

I used Halfords alloy wheel protector at the last wash, and using the pressure washer this time disposed of the brake dust in seconds.

Once I has loosened the dirt with the pressure washer, a good warm wash with Autoglym bodywork shampoo and then rinse off just using a normal hose.

I know that everyone has their own opinions on washing their cars, but why not check out Autoglyms website for a full valeting guide. www.autoglym.co.uk

Have fun when you get your new car.

Mark.

[scarymini]

We have a Karcher washer use it every wash ; absolutely brilliant but get one where you can regulate the pressure either on the machine or lance ! No problems with paint damage , great fort wheel cleaning and get a guzunder too!

[ALD0]

If you use them wisely they are great-Not sure about a heated diesel one though-The temps on them can get very hot!!

[Fizzle]

i've always used them on all my cars in the 3.5yrs i've been driving. never had any problems with the car but the washers always seem to break in one way or another. maybe it's because they are used by me and my dad, but never had one for more than a year without breaking. they've always been the karcher washers too. when they do work though they are great.

[dietcokeplease]

I use a Karcher pressure washer and have done for years. I've never had a problem with it causing paint to flake or strip. I think sometimes it's a bit of a fallacy, but then I don't hold the nozzle against the paintwork either. The biggest advantage of a pressure washer is saving water. I only turn the garden tap on 1/4 turn and this is sufficient. When cleaning the alloys the pressure washer allows a fine mist spray to keep the wheel cleaning fluid from drying. And it's goog for cleaning mildew from patios and pathways.

[UKC4]

Hi, i use a preasure washer everytime i wash my car (Every other week Normally), I have had no problems with the paint work. Just remeber you will get tempted to get closer to your mini to get stubern dirt of, this is a big no no...... keep the nozel 3, 4 foot away from the car (Depending on water presure). A presure washer is good because it gets most os the little grains of dirt, salt, and other rubbish, so when you do come to using a spunge it will not scratch you mini. Another good use is when washing the car (No soap though) jack ya mini up and spray under the wheel arches, and on the chassi to get winter and other general road crap off the car (Stop rusting).

[MaTTy_P]

thanks for the replys people. think i'll just buy the entry level washer, so its not too powerfull and will come in handy for the wheels/wheel arches. And so i can gently rinse. The karcher ones are the ones ive been looking at, sounds good .

[andyupnorth]

I got a cheap B&Q one for about £40 - it's great for cleaning off the brake dust and getting the road salt off underneath. I usually then give a quick blast over the body from a greater distance before washing and rinsing using a normal hose.

[MaTTy_P]

cheers andy m8. like i say, getting my mini end of this month. cant wait, just want to take extra care of it. by the way andy, do u know any where round ere that fits cd players...i might do it myself, but id rather pay for it than me damage somthing.

[andyupnorth]

Well I swopped my Wave unit for Boost one and fitted it myself. It really wasn't difficult and I'm by no means good at that sort of stuff. I bought the correct torx socket from Halfords (cost about £2.50) and followed the instructions here on MINI2 about how to remove the downtubes and cup holders to expose the unit, so that bit is not difficult. If you are fitting an aftermarket head unit you will need an adapter plate to allow for the fact that aftermarket head units are slightly smaller than MINI ones and a wiring harness to adapt the MINI wiring. Both these items are sold in Halfords. Halfords also fit CD units but I think I have read on here that some people are not keen on them. In the past I have always found Autosounds on Scotswood Rd (Railway St. entrance) pretty good and I know they have a MINI kitted out as a demo car - so they should have all the bits.

P.S. Mikeythemini also has all the bits for sale from his website.

[MarkW19]

Does anyone have any advice on these?

I've ready they can be so powerful they take paint off, and aren't too good for the car?

You can get them with a detergent section too can't you that you can put shampoo in...does this in effect mean you don't have to get the old sponge and shampoo out, you can do everything with the power washer?