Pressure Wash Useless?

[pcmaczone]

Just wondering if it's something I am not doing right or if pressure washers really are crap? I have a Nilfisk 1400W by the way.

This happens every time but, yesterday, pressure washed the car first using the detergent bottle, then used the power nozzle, then I hand washed it...sort of defeats the object but hey...then I pressure washed it again and....looks like I hadn't cleaned it at all! Ok it took off the surface dirt but it still feels like there is no point using the pressure washer at all. I could achieve the same result with a standard garden hose.

Maybe there is some method of using a pressure washer that I am missing? Maybe it needs a brush and not just the nozzle? Could it be I need to use some sort of special detergent? Any advice much appreciated.

[lfcrule1972]

I always used to use mine to wash off the worst of the dirt and soak the car before careful hand washing and then use the pressure washer to rinse it all down again. IMHO they don't replace washing itself, will be interested to try snowfoams etc when I get a replacement pressure washer to see if they make any difference....

[Bigfeet]

If you are comparing your washer to one of those at a professional jet wash then you will be disappointed, those washers use very high powered pumps.

Make sure that your hose has no kinks in it and that the line is not too long, also make sure that you are getting a descent flow from your water source as well.

Other thing to bear in mind is that you may need to adjust the flow of the jet by twisting the nozzle, mine goes from a garden sprinkler to a power jet after twisting the end.

[pcmaczone]

That made me think. Perhaps the length of the hose is too long and maybe too small a diameter? I think the length is about 15mtrs. The hose is fully unwound and no kinks. I know I have to wait about 15-30 seconds after switching the motor on before the pressure builds up. Does that sound right? Didn't think to check the nozzle but I think the nilfisk ones are single purpose and you change them depending on your requirements.

[Bryn]

...Other thing to bear in mind is that you may need to adjust the flow of the jet by twisting the nozzle, mine goes from a garden sprinkler to a power jet after twisting the end.

...and what about your pressure washer, Bigfeet?

[Bigfeet]

...and what about your pressure washer, Bigfeet?

Works in the same way!

[Bensds3]

It gets most of the surface stuff off but doesnt clean the car. I use snow foam and that doesn't clean the car either.

What it will do is loosen the dirt and make using the sponge as easy as possible as well as completely minimising the risk of damaging the paint by rubbing a mitt covered in dirt or grit from the dirty paint work.

My thought is that if the car is really dirty then foam as it will soak all that dirt loose. Many people say using foam for a semi dirty car negates the need for a mitt or sponge over.

It certainly gets rid of the dust but anything thicker than that and it wont shift it using the jet wash.

I have a cheap refurb base spec karcher so my experience may be altered if i ever got a pro washer. Looking at a karcher k7.


I normally: Jet rinse (make sure i pay attention to the wheels), foam (100% solution, no diluting) leave 10 mins, Jet down, Double bucket method with car shampoo with wax, Jet rinse down, dry with microfibres.

[Rickzayne]

I jet wash/rinse my car, wash with sponge while jet washing the foamy/dirt water off.

Never tried cleaning it purely with a jet wash though.

[pcmaczone]

Problem we have is we are out in the countryside. Lanes around here are always muddy when it's wet and dusty when dry so the car is constantly dirty. Being completely black in colour doesn't help either and the winter was a nightmare. Really want to find some way to keep the car clean but that doesn't take all day to do.

Is there any detergent/car wash that is better than others?

[Angel-Eyes]

I snowfoam with a lance attached to a karcher jet wash, leave it about 10 mins and jet wash off - use purple rain on the wheels and leave them for about 10/15 minutes then jet was off - then i shampoo with high gloss banana shampoo using a lambswool mitt - jet wash off, then dry down - looks like a minter - i dont wash the wheels after using the purple rain cos when they are hosed off there nowt left on them to wash lol - BTW this is not being done on a DS3 (am still waiting for it to arrive) Grrr

[pcmaczone]

Thanks for that Angel-Eyes. Sounds like a plan however I think you may be slightly alarmed at the finish on the DS3. It does not stand up to a British Winter very well at all! Paint is quite thin and scratches easily. Wheels corrode way too quickly. If you have a garage so you can wash it and put it away it may be fine but ours lives on the drive and there's just not enough time in the day to keep it looking like new

[Bensds3]

Thanks for that Angel-Eyes. Sounds like a plan however I think you may be slightly alarmed at the finish on the DS3. It does not stand up to a British Winter very well at all! Paint is quite thin and scratches easily. Wheels corrode way too quickly. If you have a garage so you can wash it and put it away it may be fine but ours lives on the drive and there's just not enough time in the day to keep it looking like new

Drive hard, put away wet lol. Its nice to spend a good few hours cleaning it up though. I find it doesn't look too road warn after a decent wash. I do so much motorway driving all i have is stone chips everywhere.

[Bensds3]

I snowfoam with a lance attached to a karcher jet wash, leave it about 10 mins and jet wash off - use purple rain on the wheels and leave them for about 10/15 minutes then jet was off - then i shampoo with high gloss banana shampoo using a lambswool mitt - jet wash off, then dry down - looks like a minter - i dont wash the wheels after using the purple rain cos when they are hosed off there nowt left on them to wash lol - BTW this is not being done on a DS3 (am still waiting for it to arrive) Grrr

Where do you buy your purple rain? I always struggle to clean the wheels well. Seen some of the reviews and videos, looks amazing and so easy!

[cyclone]

Mines been sitting outside for the last 2 years, still looks fine, not as nice as some on here but still good. All comes down to taking care of it and proper washing. The dirt being on the car isn't scratching it. It is when you wash the car that that dirt scratches the paint. Hence the pressure washer / snow foam to get as much off before you ever touch the car.

[Angel-Eyes]

Purple Rain from here http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8kE-YdxS4o