Is a pressure washer really needed for a safe wash ?

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GTguy559

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Would like some input on whether or not a pressure washer is really need to detail your own vehicles. I prefer just to use a spray nozzle as its easier and less of a hassle to bring out my pressure washer. Yes i know i wont be able to snow foam or have good water pressure or blast dirt away ,but I still prefer not to use it. I use the 2 bucket method , pre rinse, etc. My question to you guys is, is a pressure washer REALLY needed to have a safe wash? I live in California by the way so I don't deal with a lot of road film.
 
In my experience no it is not necessary.
 
You could get a foamer, which could be used with a pressure washer but if you don't have one, I wouldn't purchase one just for a foamer as they do make foamers that work with standard hose pressure. These could be used as a pre-rinse but isn't necessary. If the vehicle is muddy, it might not be a bad idea though again, not necessary.
 
Depends on where you live. Lot of grime in the winter and it’s a definite yes. I live in NW and use it to get off alot of the road film that washes up on my car and absolutely need one.

If you live in dryer climate probably not necessary

I would at least get a foam gun. If your not that worry i would put 6-10 mitts in a bucket with soap.

Foam the car down and let dwell for a few minutes to break down crud. Rinse and then i would foam a panel and wash it.

If you don’t want to use multiple mitt just use one with a rinse bucket and grit gaurd to wash the mitt.


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Coatingsarecrack said:
Depends on where you live. Lot of grime in the winter and it’s a definite yes. I live in NW and use it to get off alot of the road film that washes up on my car and absolutely need one.

If you live in dryer climate probably not necessary

I would at least get a foam gun. If your not that worry i would put 6-10 mitts in a bucket with soap.

Foam the car down and let dwell for a few minutes to break down crud. Rinse and then i would foam a panel and wash it.

If you don’t want to use multiple mitt just use one with a rinse bucket and grit gaurd to wash the mitt.


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Agree with this. Not needed but nice to blast the heavy shat off. Never tried a foam gun but heard they work guite nice.

Crack sorry i didnt mean to thank your post just ment to like it lol

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If I was doing a lot off roading , then maybe… But for a daily driver on the street it is completely unnecessary, in fact with the wrong nozzle and bad technique they can be positively devastating on your paint. Stick with a rinseless or 2 Bucket wash, good towels, mitts, and products.
 
I'm confused by the question myself......I'm not sure where or why you would use "Safe" in the context of the question.

I would have worded it.....Is a power washer needed for a "Proper" wash.....perhaps that is what you meant.

anyway.....carry on....
 
I recommend to let the circumstances dictate your decision. If there’s only light dirt, I may do a rinseless wash. If my truck has been hauling a load of dirt or been in the woods, pressure wash comes out. If it’s been 3 hours since my last wash and my daughters want to see the foam cannon, who am I to say no?


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If you mean washing swirl free then no, a pressure washer isn’t needed if you wash on a regular schedule that is fairly often.

I don’t remember the last time I used a pressure washer to wash my vehicles. I just reserve it for jobs around the house.
 
NO. I won't use one, especially on other people's cars. Any loose paint, plasti-dip, etc. is at risk. It's what you DON'T know about other vehicles that's dangerous. I do air-dry but when using a blow gun for my compressor on certain areas, I am always super careful.
 
For my Jeep, yes. I live off of a dirt road and when it’s muddy, it’s MUDDY.
 
The gold standard is the adjustable one made by Gilmour that PBMG sells under its brands for around $70 but there are entry level ones for as little as $20. I just got a $20 HF one and will see how it performs compared to my Gilmour one. The HF one is supposed to be equivalent to the $40 one Griot’s sells.

Autogeek Quart Foamaster Foam Gun FREE BONUS!
 
Both work well but a pressure washer is more ideal for a really muddy vehicle that has seen off-road use or vehicle that has seen a lot of road salt.
 
TTQ B4U said:
NO. I won't use one, especially on other people's cars. Any loose paint, plasti-dip, etc. is at risk. It's what you DON'T know about other vehicles that's dangerous. I do air-dry but when using a blow gun for my compressor on certain areas, I am always super careful.
Click to expand...

Good point.
 
Bosko said:
I'm confused by the question myself......I'm not sure where or why you would use "Safe" in the context of the question.

I would have worded it.....Is a power washer needed for a "Proper" wash.....perhaps that is what you meant.

anyway.....carry on....
Click to expand...

I used “safe” because of past opinions on that using a pressure washer with a foam cannon for pre-rinsing and also blasting away dirty is the safest way to wash a car rather than using a spray nozzle on a hose because you can get the car cleaner before Contact therefore safer to wash.
 
Imo your fine when it comes to using pressure washers. I wouldn't advise cranking a gas powered one up to and above 3000psi. I only run that high when spraying my foam cannon...i crank it back down after i pop off the foam cannon

Most pw's(mainly electric ones) are 2000psi and under, which is not all that much especially when your using a 40 degree tip, or 25 degree. I wouldn't be grabbing a 0 degree tip lol.

It also depends on how close one is holding the wand to the paint surface.

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power washers are very safe when held at a distance, I have a 2800 PSI one and at 4 feet with a 40 degree nozzle I can spray it on my face.
It's all about distance to the paint along with a combination of a "Safe" tip choice
 
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