Power washer?

[dolebludger]

What is the consensus of members on the use of a power washer to wash your cars? All I know is that I discontinued this practice in 1997 after I blew some paint off the front bumper of what was then my wife's '93 Miata. I discovered there was a TSB on 93 paint, so I got the bumper done for free. Still, this spooked me. And the old gas power washer wore out anyway. Don't remember the exact PSI --- I think it was rated at about 1500.

I recently bought a new electric power washer for non automotive needs, and noticed that it as a pressure adjustment to "dial down" the pressure from the rated 1750 psi. Would this power washer, under any circumstances, be a proper car washing tool?

Thanks,
Richard
:) :) :)

[SLlover]

Originally posted by dolebludger
What is the consensus of members on the use of a power washer to wash your cars? All I know is that I discontinued this practice in 1997 after I blew some paint off the front bumper of what was then my wife's '93 Miata. I discovered there was a TSB on 93 paint, so I got the bumper done for free. Still, this spooked me. And the old gas power washer wore out anyway. Don't remember the exact PSI --- I think it was rated at about 1500.

I recently bought a new electric power washer for non automotive needs, and noticed that it as a pressure adjustment to "dial down" the pressure from the rated 1750 psi. Would this power washer, under any circumstances, be a proper car washing tool?

Thanks,
Richard
:) :) :)

[SLlover]

I think it would be good around the wheel wells only.:cool:

[Matthew Claus]

Dole B,

I used to work at a detail shop some years ago that used one to wash cars. I learned later that they used it only for increasing production, it is fast. It does a great job getting the dirt off the paint - much the same way that sandpaper would do a good job removing dirt. I don't think anyone ever intended these things to be used on car paint. Like the previous posted said, its good for the wheels but the paint is another question entirely. Every time you use one you are wearing out the paint just a little bit and over a period of years it will add up. I stick to hand washes with cold water and a good auto soap.

Matt Claus

[dolebludger]

Matt and all:

As the wheels on our MB (and on our Honda S2000) are clear coated, it would seem to follow that the power washer should not be used on the wheels themselves, only the wheel wells. Could the power washer be used to clean the under carriage also?

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[SLlover]

Originally posted by dolebludger
Matt and all:

As the wheels on our MB (and on our Honda S2000) are clear coated, it would seem to follow that the power washer should not be used on the wheels themselves, only the wheel wells. Could the power washer be used to clean the under carriage also?

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)


Your right on that. Thats why I said wheel wells. Under carriage would be fine I think. In fact some use it in the motor bay, again not a good idea. By the way how is the S2000.

[dolebludger]

The S2000 is a really good-handling little roadster. Ours just turned 3 years old, with no problems except for premature tire wear. We THINK we've solved that by changing the allignment. The biggest downside is that most of the power is made between 6k rpm and 9k rpm --- where I almost never go!. The newer models have a larger engine with a bit more torque, but with redline lowered to 8250 rpm, I think.

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[SLlover]

We put 18" SSR on our Honda, so tire wear is not noticed yet We get to that range almost all the time, we put in a cold air intake and the sound is real nice They do handle nice. We are always going pretty fast in ours and the gas mileage is still around 28. Your right about the new ones but I will keep mine for some time.
later

[John Fair]

I have been using an electric 1750psi power washer for over a year and have had no problems washing the cars. I use the fan/pinpoint sprayer for the car. Never the rotating point. I use the fan spray on the body, the pinpoint for the tires and wheels only. It uses less water then the hose which comes in handy when washing the car in the garage in the winter. :D

[Grey Ghost]

I just started using an entry-level Karcher electric power washer on the Grey Ghost. At low pressure, it can deliver a gentle stream of water mixed with soapy water which is far preferable to getting my hands wet when it's 40F out. I use the fan setting on full power to rinse the soap off. I didn't realize that the rotating point is stronger. The washer doesn't have seem to have any affect on the paint and it's a heckofalot faster than hand washing. Before I start soaping up the car, I spray the wheels with brake dust cleaner. After soaping up the body, I use the gentle soapy stream to rinse away the loosened-up brake dust. I blast everything clean under high pressure. I do take pains not to blast the painted on-pinstripe too directly. I'm a little concerned about the blast getting under the window seals.

[MTI]

Even the home model electric Karchers run the risk of damage to any car or wheels, so avoid it. As for the undercarriage and wheel wheels, there's also the risk of blowing of the protective coatings, so not a good idea.

The same should apply to steam cleaners in the engine bay. Most home units, while gentle, don't generate enough steam to clean built up grease in the engine bay, while the larger units can be brutal on some exposed wiring and vaccum lines.

[D.L. SWINFORD]

I really like the way my Power Washer removes all of the grim without fearing damage to paint, rotating shaft seals, windshield seals, chassis seal etc.
I've never allowed my '85 123133 to get so dirty to require high pressure wash to clean him.
As to the pressure of my power washer, it varies between the right and left side.
I believe my right arm is stronger than my left arm.
I use the same fuzzy wash mit so there is no advantage that way.
One wash mit a reclaimed 5 gallon paint bucket and whatever car wash solution that was on sale.
I hope this helps in deciding what to use.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don:p :p :p

[dolebludger]

With the "old" preser washers" the pressure was rather constant. With some of the newer ones, you can "dial down" the pressure. Long ago, I learned the hard way not to use the "old" pressure washers" on a car. I was just wondering about the new ones. where the pressure can be reduced, and one can get a nice fine spray at a bit of pressure to wash off grime and such.

Thanks,
Richard:) :confused: :)

[D.L. SWINFORD]

dolebludger;
If you use minimum pressure then why not the right, left method?
Save the P.Washer for house chores.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don:p :p :p

[dolebludger]

I think we all agree that nothing is better than a good hand wash with one of those "wooly mits" and a good auto soap from a 5 gallon bucket. My problem is when we have a string of 40 degree or less days and my car is dirty. But I think I found a solution. Target in my area sells a "wooly mit on a stick" that adjusts for length, and the "head" swivels in a controlable manner. Keeps the hands out of cold water. After using this tool to wash, and after rinsing with a hose, I find that I can use a leaf blower to blow off most of the water on the car. Then I can drive it into my semi-heated garage for a towel dry.

The tool I bought at Target goes by the brand name "Baja Sol". The wooly mit can be washed, and the tool comes with a spare. I paid $10 for mine, and I recommend it highly for those who need to wash their cars when it is cold (but not freezing, of course). Just as fast and easy as a power washer for a cold weather wash, without the fear of stripping paint.

Hope this helps,
Richard:) :) :)

[Ferdman]

Richard, instead of the wooly mit try a Griot's Garage boar's hair brush for washing your car ... easy on the finish and covers a large area with each swipe.

[dolebludger]

Fred:

I got out my Griot's catalog and found two boar's hair brushes. One makes a wider swath, but really has no handle as such and must be gripped on the wood or plastic piece where the bristles are attached. The other makes a slightly narrower swath, but has longer bristles and a 40" handle. Moreover, on this latter brush, water can flow through the handle on to the brush for rinsing.

Which of these brushes are you recommending?

Thanks,
Richard:confused:

[Unregistered]

Richard, I recommend both brushes. The wider brush is for cleaning the car body while the handle brush is for the wheels. The wheel brush is ideal for cleaning the 8-hole wheels on our three 124 cars, but its effectiveness depends on your wheel configuration. I use Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash (1 gallon for $9.99 at Target) and a Griot's Garage yellow wash bucket.

[dolebludger]

Unregistered:

Here again is my problem. Where I live it gets cold in winter, but we have many cold, but above freezing, days when my cars need washing. My desire is not to touch cold water was the reason for my asking about power washer use in the first place. So, if I use a boar's hair brush, it really needs a handle on it. So Griot's brush No. 66073, which is 12" long but has no handle, wouldn't solve my problem.

But has anybody tried Griot's 10" long brush on a 40" handle with water flow, No. 10220? If this works better than my "wooly pad on a stick" I'd be interested.

Thanks,
Richard:confused:

[Ferdman]

Richard, I didn't realize that your goal was to avoid immersing your hands in water in the cold weather. How about the combination of a waterproof, insulated glove and the Griot's Garage boar hair brush? I wash our cars outside when the temperature is just above freezing and it's not too uncomfortable ... keeps you moving though. Occasionally both the car and driveway start to ice up.

[dolebludger]

Fred:

What about Griot's boar's head brush with the 40" handle (model number listed above) ??

Thanks,
Richard:) :) :)

[Ferdman]

Richard, I have no direct experience with the 10220 brush, but I expect that it will work as advertised. I'm extremely pleased with all the Griot's Garage products that I use ... while a bit pricey, they're top quality. When using the 10220 brush plan on using a second hose for rinsing off washed sections ... a splitter for the second hose should work well.

[jtripp]

I use a soft synthetic bristle brush with a rubber bumper fastened around the perimeter. I attached it to a 5 foot threaded wooden handle. I got the brush at a Marine supply store. It was threaded for a handle. I saw a good one at a Fuller Brush store at an outlet mall.

I find the 140 Mercedes to be the easiest cars to wash that I have ever owned. The flush windows and uncluttered side panels are what makes the job move along fast. The brush also works well on the wheels, leaving only a little dirt in the spoke holes and rim to do with a sponge.

'93 300SD 72,000 mi. '95 S350 124,000 mi. '99 S600 104,000 mi.

[dolebludger]

Fred and all:

I called Griot's and asked a few questions about brush # 10220. As this brush has a 40" tube handle that hooks to a hose and has an on/off valve, I was told it is used something like this. First turn the water on and brush off any "serious" dirt on the car, and wet it down. Then spray on the car detergent with a hand or pump-up sprayer. Then turn the water off on the brush and wash. Then turn the water on to the brush head and rinse. Then, of course, dry the car, which I can do in my semi-heated garage.

I ordered one, and will report on how it works when received.

Thanks for the advice from all,
Richard:) :) :)

[ALUEB]

but not the body.

[dolebludger]

To all:

If you like, you can read my review of the Griot's Garage boars hair washing brush, model #10220 in a separate thread on this page.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[ALUEB]

the wheel wells, only problem even with the curved handle on the C280 it is almost impossible to get it inside the well. You have to turn the wheel to get in. I have their boar's hair wheel brush and there car wash brush, love both of them.