Does a pressure washer allow you to clean a car without soap and water?

[MrCurry]

As per title really. I don’t own a pressure washer, but they seem to be trendy and I’ve seen people cleaning cars with them. What I don’t know is what’s the advantage compared to a bucket of soapy water, sponge and a hosepipe?

The only thing I can think of is maybe you can avoid the bucket of water and sponge and just blast away with the pressure washer and job’s done. Is that right, or have I got the wrong idea?

Hope this is the right board to post this question...

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Not in my experience.
When I tried it, the car looked all nice and clean but as soon as it dried, the dirt was still there.
But maybe I did it wrong. Who knows.

 

[joustmaster]

If you get one that is good enough you can even remove the paint, too

 

[Boudicca]

Yea, I heard that you shouldn't use it on a car because it will strip the paint. I tried it a couple of days ago and it didn't even remove the dirt...

 

[Spymaster]

As per title really. I don’t own a pressure washer, but they seem to be trendy and I’ve seen people cleaning cars with them. What I don’t know is what’s the advantage compared to a bucket of soapy water, sponge and a hosepipe?

The only thing I can think of is maybe you can avoid the bucket of water and sponge and just blast away with the pressure washer and job’s done. Is that right, or have I got the wrong idea?

Hope this is the right board to post this question...

The idea is that you can blast away the big dirt and grit without rubbing it on the paintwork with a sponge and it's easier to clear out nooks, crannies, wheelarches, etc ...

 

[Pickman's model]

Not in my experience.
When I tried it, the car looked all nice and clean but as soon as it dried, the dirt was still there.
But maybe I did it wrong. Who knows.

here's a handy tip: use a cloth dipped in kipper fat to remove that hard to shift dirt from a car

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

here's a handy tip: use a cloth dipped in kipper fat to remove that hard to shift dirt from a car

Render down Nigel Farage for a perfect shine on your Cortina

 

[MrCurry]

Awesome answers, thanks everyone. Seems clear there is some benefit, but it doesn’t avoid the need to start with soap and water. For me, I think I’ll stick with my hosepipe and avoid picking up another piece of clutter.

 

[Pickman's model]

Render down Nigel Farage for a perfect shine on your Cortina

he'd leave a greasy patina

 

[ricbake]

he'd leave a greasy patina

He manages to do that without being rendered down!

 

[Pickman's model]

He manages to do that without being rendered down!

yeh imagine how much worse it would be if he was rendered

 

[mauvais]

You can use 'snow foam' (with a lance) which is supposed to lift the dirt. How well it works really depends on what state the car was in before it got dirty. Waxed, polished, even better ceramic protection etc - probably works OK. Otherwise, not so much.

You can also get traffic film remover (TFR) that does a contactless job to some extent, but you shouldn't use it too often as it's quite aggressive and will dull the paint over time.

 

[Poi E]

You shouldn't need much more than two buckets, grit guards, micro fibre kits, clay bar, paint renovator, polish, wax, glaze and the pressure washer with snow foam lance.

 

[Poot]

Urban has changed.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

What the fuck is a snow foam lance?!

 

[MickiQ]

I clean ours with a pressure washer, blast all the muck off with the lance first, wash with warm water with car shampoo and a sponge, then a quick whiz over with the pressure washer again to get off the suds etc, Comes up great but make sure you don't miss a bit because it stands out like a flashing beacon especially my wife's car which is bright blue.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

I clean ours with a pressure washer, blast all the muck off with the lance first, wash with warm water with car shampoo and a sponge, then a quick whiz over with the pressure washer again to get off the suds etc, Comes up great but make sure you don't miss a bit because it stands out like a flashing beacon especially my wife's car which is bright blue.

I take mine down the Polish at the golf course. You bung 'em £12 and nip off the the club house for a bacon roll and/or a pint, come back and the motor's gleaming. Easier all round.

 

[Calamity1971]

What the fuck is a snow foam lance?!

Ive got one. It's creates amazing foam, only problem is, I'm a big child so end up washing the car 3 times whilst grinning like an idiot.

 

[Calamity1971]

I take mine down the polish at the golf course. You bung 'em £12 and nip off the the club house for a bacon roll and/or a pint, come back and the motor's gleaming. Easier all round.

Tut tut Mr Strasse.
Redirect Notice

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Tut tut Mr Strasse.
Redirect Notice

Yeah, but bacon roll and a pint...

 

[A380]

Bucket half full of petrol and a broom to get road dirt and tar off. Top tip: I wouldn’t smoke whilst doing it though.

 

[Baronage-Phase]

How do you get rid of moss around windows...?
Car was sat in the driveway when I was out of action for a few weeks..
Washing isn't shifting it.

 

[telbert]

My pressure washer has a small bore hose attached that you put into a bottle of detergent/ shampoo and that then sprays out at a lower pressure over your car. Don't know if others have this function.
Still easier to take it to the hand car wash for 6 quid though.

 

[keybored]

Tut tut Mr Strasse.
Redirect Notice

There really is an app for everything.
Safe Car Wash App — The Clewer Initiative

 

[Calamity1971]

How do you get rid of moss around windows...?

Get A380 round.

 

[bellaozzydog]

Are we allowed to use the Albanian guys by the train station anymore or is that unethical?

I can't think of a bigger waste of time than washing a car. Especially when 20 quid gets you a gleaming motor while you multitaks and get the shopping

In answer to the OP. Jet washes are best for super dirty offroad machines and Albanian hand washers who soap up before jet washing down. You are better off just soaping your car up and garden hosing it down

 

[gentlegreen]

Just how dirty are Urbanites getting their cars ?
I washed my 2CV once - after I'd done major work on it and it had oily handprints all over it.
I used (used) washing up water

 

[A380]

How do you get rid of moss around windows...?
Car was sat in the driveway when I was out of action for a few weeks..
Washing isn't shifting it.

Get A380 round.

If you ignore the advice about not smoking I guarantee it will get rid of the moss...

 

[gentlegreen]

Moss is lovely
I had mushrooms growing in the footwell carpet of my last car.

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Moss is lovely
I had mushrooms growing in the footwell carpet of my last car.

Edible?