Does using a pressure washer harm your paint?

Rewted · 04-20-2007, 02:01 PM

Does washing your car with a pressure washer have an negative effects on the paint, wax, shine, etc?

and after you do pressure wash... what should be done to keep your paint looking like new?

Brunotheboxer · 04-20-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrewt

Does washing your car with a pressure washer have an negative effects on the paint, wax, shine, etc?

and after you do pressure wash... what should be done to keep your paint looking like new?

read this sticky and you will find the answer to most of your detailling questions.http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

Mr. M · 04-20-2007, 02:45 PM

you paint should NEVER be allowed to get so filthy that it would require a pressure washer.

Rewted · 04-20-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. M

you paint should NEVER be allowed to get so filthy that it would require a pressure washer.

In the winter I've used a coin-op pressure washer to clean the car off, quick and easy.

scottwww · 04-20-2007, 02:56 PM

I used one on my lunch hour today. It seems to be better than leaving it filthy dirty. If the pressure isn't enough to make the paint flake off, maybe you are OK. It's probably not good for your wax.

Can't wait to see what detailers have to say.

lkraven · 04-20-2007, 03:57 PM

Paul Dalton of Miracle Detail washes off Lambos and Ferraris and Veyrons with a pressure washer-- according to him, if you use it correctly, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Jaws · 04-20-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. M

you paint should NEVER be allowed to get so filthy that it would require a pressure washer.

Really? How might one accomplish this in the winter?

bartman32 · 04-20-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws

Really? How might one accomplish this in the winter?

Live somewhere warm...

533ogetnom · 04-20-2007, 05:40 PM

1. dont stand ontop of your car when using it, if the water is hitting your car and then flying off your too close

2. dont point it straight at your car, thats dumb, and not going to clean anything, always point it at a heavy angle to the panel your washing

3. do not use the "pressure" of the washer to clean the dirt off, First: it will not clean all the dirt off and you will be left with a light film of dirt, Second: to do this you would have to violate rule #1 and get too close, Third: you will likely push dirt into your clear coat, especially if you ignore rule #2, dirt should be washed off with a good MF towel or sponge and some high quality soap

4: if you violate any of these rules the paint protectant on your car will likely strip quickly and you will end up with a messed up clearcoat

that said if you dont have a hose wherever you live or you just want to rince of some DUST or POLLEN they work great (as long as you follow these rules) however, if your trying to wash dirt off that has either been on your car after it rained, or you have driven in the rain, or a sprinkler has hit your car ECT where the dirt is not just laying on your paint but has been wet and dried to your paint, you need to use something else like a sponge or else it wont come off with the washer, and if it does its because half of it came off (along with your paint protectant) and the other half got pushed into your clearcoat

good luck

OC Guy · 04-21-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws

Really? How might one accomplish this in the winter?

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

Closed garage with a heater perhaps?

Ninjaneer · 04-21-2007, 01:15 PM

Ummm... I assume a pressure washer is much more powerful than the DIY spray washers right? Cos I've been using the latter and I believe many others here do too, but this concern about it being too powerful has never been mentioned AFAIK so just making sure they're different in strength...

Jaws · 04-21-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC 335i

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

Closed garage with a heater perhaps?

Umm, I meant ensuring that the car doesn't get so filthy. If you ever driven in dirty, melting snow you'd know what I mean. Your car can go from squeaky clean to filthy in about 5 min.

picus · 04-22-2007, 08:16 AM

I use a pressure washer on my car in the winter.

Yvette · 04-23-2007, 03:15 AM

I luv pressure washer

TiAg335i · 04-23-2007, 08:14 AM

No..an electric PW on a low pressure setting didn't een put out enough pressure to hurt my hand. But it still did a good job of cleaning.

401FlaGATOR · 04-23-2007, 03:29 PM

the most obvious thing is to use as pressure washer with low pressure..

I use a Karcher that is only about 800 psi so it has absolutely no chance of causing damage.

Don't even think of using a powerful washer like a 2600 psi unless you plan to strip your clearcoat and base coat down to the bare metal.

04-20-2007, 02:01 PM	#1
Rewted Captain 313 Rep 909 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Does using a pressure washer harm your paint? Does washing your car with a pressure washer have an negative effects on the paint, wax, shine, etc? and after you do pressure wash... what should be done to keep your paint looking like new?
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04-20-2007, 02:45 PM	#3
Mr. M TouGe Monsta 7 Rep 234 Posts Drives: On Order - its Topless! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	you paint should NEVER be allowed to get so filthy that it would require a pressure washer.
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04-20-2007, 02:56 PM	#5
scottwww Brigadier General 536 Rep 4,760 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i, 15 Infiniti Q60S Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I used one on my lunch hour today. It seems to be better than leaving it filthy dirty. If the pressure isn't enough to make the paint flake off, maybe you are OK. It's probably not good for your wax. Can't wait to see what detailers have to say. __________________ 2007 BMW 335i E92, Montego Blue on Cream Beige, MT, ZSP, ZPP, CA, PDC, CWP and Style 188 for winter
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04-20-2007, 03:57 PM	#6
lkraven Lieutenant 13 Rep 429 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Paul Dalton of Miracle Detail washes off Lambos and Ferraris and Veyrons with a pressure washer-- according to him, if you use it correctly, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
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04-20-2007, 05:40 PM	#9
533ogetnom Banned 95 Rep 1,760 Posts Drives: 335coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	1. dont stand ontop of your car when using it, if the water is hitting your car and then flying off your too close 2. dont point it straight at your car, thats dumb, and not going to clean anything, always point it at a heavy angle to the panel your washing 3. do not use the "pressure" of the washer to clean the dirt off, First: it will not clean all the dirt off and you will be left with a light film of dirt, Second: to do this you would have to violate rule #1 and get too close, Third: you will likely push dirt into your clear coat, especially if you ignore rule #2, dirt should be washed off with a good MF towel or sponge and some high quality soap 4: if you violate any of these rules the paint protectant on your car will likely strip quickly and you will end up with a messed up clearcoat that said if you dont have a hose wherever you live or you just want to rince of some DUST or POLLEN they work great (as long as you follow these rules) however, if your trying to wash dirt off that has either been on your car after it rained, or you have driven in the rain, or a sprinkler has hit your car ECT where the dirt is not just laying on your paint but has been wet and dried to your paint, you need to use something else like a sponge or else it wont come off with the washer, and if it does its because half of it came off (along with your paint protectant) and the other half got pushed into your clearcoat good luck
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04-21-2007, 01:15 PM	#11
Ninjaneer Shadow Warrior 139 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Ummm... I assume a pressure washer is much more powerful than the DIY spray washers right? Cos I've been using the latter and I believe many others here do too, but this concern about it being too powerful has never been mentioned AFAIK so just making sure they're different in strength... __________________ 335i E90 / Arctic / Gray / Burl Walnut / Steptronic / ZPP / ZSP / Paddles / CA / Nav / PDC / OEM Spoiler Mods: PIAA Angel Eyes, Rear Fog Switch, Escort X50 Blue hardwire, 30% Charcoal Llumar Installing soon: Rear Power Outlets (Happy Robot mod!)
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04-22-2007, 08:16 AM	#13
picus Brigadier General 124 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	I use a pressure washer on my car in the winter.
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04-23-2007, 03:15 AM	#14
Yvette Major General 760 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	I luv pressure washer
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04-23-2007, 08:14 AM	#15
TiAg335i Trance Life 315 Rep 4,706 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (4)	No..an electric PW on a low pressure setting didn't een put out enough pressure to hurt my hand. But it still did a good job of cleaning.
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04-23-2007, 03:29 PM	#16
401FlaGATOR First Lieutenant 70 Rep 328 Posts Drives: E90 325i ZSP, F30 320i ZSP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL iTrader: (0)	the most obvious thing is to use as pressure washer with low pressure.. I use a Karcher that is only about 800 psi so it has absolutely no chance of causing damage. Don't even think of using a powerful washer like a 2600 psi unless you plan to strip your clearcoat and base coat down to the bare metal.
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