[rpenhale]

Hi All,

Any suggestions on pressure washers suitable for cleaning MINI Minstrel, particularly ones that won't wash the paint off with them!!! I was looking at Karchers, any particular model you folks might recommend?

[turnin]

I bought one in B+Q for £49.99. Its great for cleaning wheels and removing flies. Much better value than a Karcher and it still has an adjustable jet and 100 bar of pressure.

[dietcokeplease]

rpenhale,

Any pressure washer will do! It's all down to your mind and pocket - how much you want to spend and how deep your pocket is!

Try to get a washer with trigger-start/auto-on. That is the washer only "pumps" when you pull the trigger on the lance.

I've used pressure washers for years and most won't strip paint on newer cars if you get too close. I think that's a bit of an urban myth. OK cars with poor paintwork/recent resprays may be susceptible. Just simply hold the end of the lance no more than 6-12inches from the bodywork.

I think AutoExpress did a group test of pressure washers and you might be able to find details on their websites.

[clarus]

Quote:

Originally posted by rpenhale
Any suggestions on pressure washers suitable for cleaning MINI Minstrel, particularly ones that won't wash the paint off with them!!! I was looking at Karchers, any particular model you folks might recommend?

For what its worth, i've got a mid-range Karcher high pressure washer, which cost me about AU$500 last year (about 180 pounds), and its fine for the odd quick detail, but never washes as well as a good old fashioned bucket and sponge. Do yourself a favour, save your money for some quality sponges and car wash (like Meguiars).

Here are a few hints for those washing their car by hand:

(1) Use two sponges. The lower body work will always have more crap on it, and you don't want to wash the upper body work with a sponge full of lower body work crap. Lower body work I consider to be about half way up the doors and below. For lower body work, one of those bug and tar remover sponges works well. I like the version that is a sponge wrapped in a sort of soft plastic webbing.

(2) Start at the bottom. Wash the lower body work first, then rinse the car off completely, then wash the upper body work.

Sammy.

[dietcokeplease]

Quote:

Originally posted by clarus

(2) Start at the bottom. Wash the lower body work first, then rinse the car off completely, then wash the upper body work.

Sammy.

Sammy,

I "sort of" disagree with this point! Chauffeurs often advise you to wash the car from the bottom up, so that you can see which parts you have missed.

I advocate top-down as it allows the suds and water to soak into the dirt and wash some of it away. With the dirt enveloped in water it's less likely to scratch the paintwork. Sponges by their inherent cellular nature help trap pieces of grit which is bad for the bodywork. Therefore you need to rinse sponges often to help remove them. A far better bet for the lower bodywork is a car cleaning brush. I use one by Kent Car Care (available at Halfords I think). The brush ends are highly split to produce a firm brush with very soft ends. Sort of like a nice bathroom loofah!

DC

[erazo]

I have always washed my car from the bottom up, since my Navy days when we washed our aircraft from the belly up. The water/detergent flows freely over the clean areas.