I have questions for the pros. I see that some use a pressure washer for detailing. Do you use it only with the foam gun or can it also be used to rinse? How much pressure is too much? Any negatives to using it? Any tips or tricks?

 

BB... I don't use one, but if I did, I'd only use it for the foam gun and to clean under the wheel wells.

 

Some power washer have enough pressure to strip the paint right off the car.

Also low pressure from a hose is best because you dont want to grind the dirt into the paint when you wash.

 

So how much pressure is too much?

 

I wouldn't use more than ~1200PSI around a car. You will have a hard time stripping the paint off of a car unless its already loose or peeling. A cheap electric one should do the job but I really don't see the point in using one except maybe to get the bugs off.

 

I have crazy bug issues and they tend to stuck to my clear bra, very difficult to scrub off. I could also use it on my house, driveway, etc.

 

BB, if you have bug issues, use something like Poorboys Bug Squash......not a pressure washer. Having OCD when it comes to keeping my car clean, I would never use a pressure washer on my car......even on the wheels or wheel wells. A pressure washer can lift paint from any small paint chip, and IMO, I've just never seen the benefit of using one.

 

Just don't hold the pressure nozzle like 3 inches from the car..
Stand back.. give it some room and I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work.

If these things really "stripped" the paint off a car.. you think they'd still be around? Seriously...

 

dunno about detailing but i do try to keep my car clean. i love my electric pressure washer jsut fine, cost about 130$ at sam's dunno the psi off the top of my head but i know it's not one of the beasts out there

it's great for the juicy bugs when they are fresh or even a week old. and far as my paint, it's fine, even if it's like 5 inches from it, flame away but that's how i roll

 

Use bug and tar remover, a pressure washer will remove the bugs along with the clear bra.

 

So I was searching around for information on using a pressure washer on my car and I found this thread. I must say though that there do not seem to be any good conclusions.

I have a 3000PSI PW and I can tell you that using the high pressure nozzle and getting relatively close (6-12 inches) you can peel paint off of something. I have done it on my tractor. The light and medium nozzles have never done so.

I see some say it is good for foaming, which I was considering since I have a foaming nozzle. Would it be good for a pre-rinse and rinsing too? The light pressure nozzle is more like a fine mist spraying than a strong stream of water.

 

I only use a pressure washer on the wheels and wheel wells. Other than that I use a regular hose with a high pressure shut off valve to rinse the car with my foam gun attached to it.

 

I worked at a car wash in H.S. we used the pressure washers on every vehicle 1200 psi and 150* water. Only once did I strip the entire clear coat off a Cadillac hood. It was a bad day but only one car in 4 years.

 

I think someone on Autopia actually did a test. You need like 5,000psi to hurt paint and most power washers dont even reach that.

I almost always use a power washes just to rince the car and then I just do the 2 bucket method with sheep skin. I use microfiber sponges for wheels and plastics.

 

I have a Husky 2100 PSI gas PW. If you want real foam, get a lance to use with a PW. I have detailed over 120 cars in the last 3-4 years with it and never had an issue.