Is Power washing a car safe?
- Thread starter zman
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I have been using one for rinsing and doing the wheels for a few years now on different cars. I have had no problems whatsoever. I do not use the concentrated higher pressures at all, just the adjustible pressure wide angle wand. The power washer with the wide angle makes cleaning the wheels a very quick and easy job especially with the 18 inchers on my ZHP.
I go to a car wash that uses them as a pre-wash step to clear
off most of the grime.
I know washing at home is best, but these guys really do a great
job.
They even power wash the wheels and it removes brake dust from
the rims and even the brake calipers shine like new.
I think it takes about an hour to clean the rims manually.
off most of the grime.
I know washing at home is best, but these guys really do a great
job.
They even power wash the wheels and it removes brake dust from
the rims and even the brake calipers shine like new.
I think it takes about an hour to clean the rims manually.
I've tried to use the power wash for the rim this weekend. It didn't really clean the break dust even after I srayed on one of those tire/rim cleaners. I still had to go down there and hand scrubed them.
With that, I don't think the power wash will clean bugs/tars that stuck on the bumpers and area behind the tires.
The only thing that power wash would be good is to wash hard to reach places under the car.
I guess only hand washing is the only easy and safe method to wash the car. I was hoping there is another easy and quick way without paying someone.
With that, I don't think the power wash will clean bugs/tars that stuck on the bumpers and area behind the tires.
The only thing that power wash would be good is to wash hard to reach places under the car.
I guess only hand washing is the only easy and safe method to wash the car. I was hoping there is another easy and quick way without paying someone.
I have no problem cleaning the rims with the adjustible power washer wand and I do not even use soap or a wheel cleaner but I do the wheels once a week. I have wheel wax on the rims and that might make a difference in ease of cleaning. I wash the car normally and I rinse it with the power washer wide angle setting at a little lower pressure. I do not apply soap thru the power washer. I have been doing it for years and it has not kept me from taking first in class at concours events when I had my 1985 and 1989 E30s. My red '89 325i was also a Bavarian Autosport photo contest winner in 2003. My 2004 is a year and a half old with no problems encountered from using a power washer. Just be careful around any seals/weather stripping. The dealer uses one whenever my car goes in for service and is subsequently washed before being returned to me.
A lot depends on how often you wash the car and rims as to the effectiveness. Even the dirtiest should be easier with the power washer. It gets into the tighter spaces that are otherwise a pain to clean. My small Karcher electric one develops as much as 1650 psi which means be careful and don't use the concentrated high pressure wand on the car. I just did my wheels this morning and it took less than a minute per wheel. About every 3-4 months I take the wheels off and apply wheel wax to them. My '04 gets plenty of use too as it has 23K+ miles and will be coming up for the 30K maintenance at 26.5K or less according to the countdown on the dash.
BMW CCA Chapter VP and member since 1985
BMW CCA Chapter VP and member since 1985