Pressure washers

[cj247]

Tempted to but a pressure washer to reduce the amount of time I spend cleaning cars but am concerned about the impact on paintwork/polish/semi permanent paint protection finishes etc. Anyone got any pointers to research on this or can recommend a particular model?

 

Keeping wheels clear of brake dust is a full time occupation!

[ChrisC]

If you are a detailers, and care for your paint to an obsessive state, then you will always use a pressure washer with a snow foam to get the car clean enough to wash. Then you will wash with the two bucket method and a lambs wool mitt. So a pressure washer won't damage your paint, but the way you use it might. As a interesting fact, most paint damage occurs by poor washing techniques, buy the owner. It's fun watching people scrubbing away with a sponge on black paint, and wondering why the paint has loads of swirls or marring.

 

As for a recommendation nilfisk all the way. They only use metal pumps, unlike karcher who use plastic on the lesser models, and seem much less durable.

 

Hope this helps

[ChrisC]

If you want easy clean wheels, try a good coating of poor boys wheel sealant, then only a quick rinse with an APC (all purpose cleaner) like blit hamber surfed hd at 20%, and some wheel woollies will see them sparkle. If they are contaminated already there is plenty of information on detailing world.com. I occasionally use a clay and ironx and tar remover to get poorly maintained wheels back to perfection.

 

 

 

Edited by - ChrisC on 16 Mar 2014 23:27:26

[Guest]

Bilberry is the best for wheels.

[Guest]

Try this video for some pointers:

[Racingshoe]

Nilfisk They use Bosch fittings for hoses & accessories. Buy the snow-foam goodies and (2x) big buckets from Ultimate Finish here

 

I use their own snow-foam mix, but then Dodo-Juice 'born to be mild' shampoo. It helps if you've got a good wax on there first....... you can spend waaay too much time on detailing 😬

 

Edited by - Racingshoe on 17 Mar 2014 08:47:29

[Wrightpayne]

another for Nilfisk. Got mine on offer from Screwfix IIRC.

 

 

Ian

[ChrisC]

Quoting Racingshoe: 

you can spend waaay too much time on detailing 😬

 

Guilty 😬

[cj247]

Thanks all for the guidance. Looks like Nilfisk is the one to go for but I won't be clay detailing as I'm looking to save time not spend more time cleaning cars 😬

[Guest]

Clay barring a Caterham shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes and is a really good way of removing dried on flies, tar etc