p3u

I just spent some money getting my beast buffed and waxed, and it looks amazing at the moment, and I want to keep it that way.

Is it safe to use a high pressure wash ( not an automatic wash, the one you hold and rinse with,) or is this damaging to use?

What is the best way to rinse dirt and such off a car?

Thanks!

roadyTT

You're considering using a high pressure stream of water to move millions and millions of microscopic pieces particulate matter at a high rate of speed across your currently flawless finish. It's pretty much the same thing as sand blasting your paint.

If you MUST use a pressure washer, get yourself some kind of foam lance/cannon attachment. I'm recently in possession of a Karcher K 2.16 and their foam attachment which produces a solid coating of foam which can then be hand washed off.(neither of these are my pictures, just want you to get the idea)
<img src="http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2261DSCN0327.JPG"> <img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/ehuth1/100_1326.jpg">

schnellmb

shouldn't have problem...just keep the wand 2 ft away.

i've taken the tip a couple inches away to clean up stuff and the paint was fine at commercial pressure washer places.

schnellmb

does a good job though.

GDawgA4

vs perpendicular to the body.

RKA

And those millions of particles are being dragged across the paint with a little lubricant and a sponge/mitt/brush/whatever. What's worse? A pre-rinse with water or just dragging everything across the paint?

If we can stop being dramatic for a few minutes, a high pressure washer will rinse off the majority of the grit (that a standard pressure garden hose will not touch). The resulting effect to the paint depends on the spray pattern, distance and angle to which the spray was applied. Used properly, I don't see anything wrong with it, but yes, even an idiot can screw up their paint for a polisher...errr...pressure washer.