Motoring Discussion > What strength pressure washer? Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Auntie Lockbrakes Replies: 7
View Threaded 

New Fri 27 Aug 10 04:55 
 What strength pressure washer? - Auntie Lockbrakes
Will a 1600psi pressure washer blast the paintwork off my car? Or do I need something even stronger? Stronger to remove all the dirt I mean, not the paint! SWMBO reckons any pressure washer is bad??
Reply to this message | Report message
       
New Fri 27 Aug 10 07:04 
 What strength pressure washer? - L'escargot
>> Will a 1600psi pressure washer blast the paintwork off my car?

There's only one way to find out, and that's to try it. Let us know how you get on!
Reply to this message | Report message
       
New Fri 27 Aug 10 07:37 
 What strength pressure washer? - Notdoctorchris
1600 psi should be sufficient to remove surface dirt. You still have to wash with a brush or sponge to get the car fully clean, so it cannot remove all the dirt but then no pressure washer can.
If the paint is in good condition it will not be harmed by the pressure washer but you can adjust the force on the paintwork by holding the outlet nearer to or further from the surface you are cleaning.
Using a pressure washer before soaping the car does much less damage than using a sponge or brush onto caked on muck, which scratches the surface.
The pressure washer is also invaluable for removing mud and salt from the underside of the car, to prevent corrosion.
Reply to this message | Report message
      1  
New Fri 27 Aug 10 08:16 
 What strength pressure washer? - Old Navy
I have a powerful pressure washer and it only removes rural debris from the car, it does not clean it. As above salt removal from under the car is useful but so is the garden sprinkler shoved under the car.

I use the washer to wet the car, and rinse it after washing (never closer than a couple of feet from the car), It is really a fancy hose for car washing. It't real use is cleaning the driveway, garden paths and steps.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Fri 27 Aug 10 at 08:18
Reply to this message | Report message
       
New Fri 27 Aug 10 08:32 
 What strength pressure washer? - Victorbox
>> It is really a fancy hose for
>> car washing. It't real use is cleaning the driveway, garden paths and steps.

Vital though when teenage daughter returns from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta with half of the Ashton Court Estate clay attached to the wheel arches and underside of her car!
Reply to this message | Report message
       
New Fri 27 Aug 10 08:38 
 What strength pressure washer? - Cliff Pope
I agree, the real use is for cleaning the underneath, especially if you drive on muddy rural roads. But the standard attachments don't point at the right angle - I made a special attachment with an upward-pointing nozzle.

I don't think they damage paint, but they will certainly remove trim, light fittings and underseal if you are careless.
Reply to this message | Report message
       
New Fri 27 Aug 10 09:14 
 What strength pressure washer? - Dog
I have ze Karcher 520M 2000w jobbie, I was using the HP lance and it removed the numbers on my number plate m8.

I can wash the whole car with it though - without laying a finger on it ...

(1) Saturate car from bottom upwards using the washer,

(2) Coat car with a good quality detergent/wax product using the washer minus the lance,

(3) Leave for a few mins then blast off from top downwards using HP lance from about 12" distance,

(4) Have a cup of tea :)
Reply to this message | Report message
       
New Fri 27 Aug 10 13:15 
 What strength pressure washer? - madf
When I had a company Montego, a pressure washer removed all the paint from the wheel trims...

Try 5,000 psi and you may need to reattach your wipers....
Reply to this message | Report message
       
Latest Forum Posts