to use Karcher or not to use Karcher . . .

[Dee James]

Last year i purchased a Karcher jet washer and power lance to do my patio and it also came with the standard lance which i`m assuming will be fine to use on the car, should i and are there any tips on use i should be aware of?

I know this probably does n`t qualify as detailing but small steps . . .

 

[bob6600]

Using a jet wash sensibly/properly is fine, especially on an older car. Thing to be careful of is keep your distance, especially from areas where paint is flaking/bubbling.

 

[Red C220]

Standard lance = fine, power lance = not on the car.

As an aside, invest in a T Racer attachment for your patio, I keep 60m2 of decking clean with a T400 attachment, it takes about an hour to do the entire area, very efficient and very clean.

 

[chrisdean]

I always use a pressure washer but on my W204 I am careful around the headlights and grill area because I'm convinced that a bit of over enthusiastic use caused the temporary
failure of the "C" light. A nice wide fan is especially useful for the wheel arches.

 

[stumpy1]

My detailer doesn't use a power washer at all and the cars all look sparklingly clean, so I'd say not necessary with the right technique and products.

 

[daveenty]

Only going off what I've been told, but keep the jet away from wheels (in particular tyres) as it can cause damage. I never use my jet washer on the car, preferring a hosepipe to soak it, then wash, then hose again (without nozzle) to "sheet dry" it before towel drying.

 

[BTB 500]

Careful of parking sensors, too.

 

[Minz]

Don't see them much these days but keep away from pinstripes. I managed to blow 50% of them off my almost new 4wd some years ago by being over enthusiastic with a pressure washer.

 

[MicB]

I use a pressure washer to remove the majority of muck especially under the arches, cill covers, wheels and tyres......I like clean tyres but not very fond of dressed tyres.

Pressure adjusted by distance and/or angle of jet to the car.

I also pressure wash to rinse after washing using a mit.

No harm done yet.

Mic

 

[BTB 500]

I use a pressure washer to remove the majority of muck especially under the arches, cill covers, wheels and tyres......I like clean tyres but not very fond of dressed tyres.

Be careful ...

High-pressure washers 'can turn a tyre into a killer' | Daily Mail Online

 

[stumpy1]

My local hand car wash have the boost turned up so high that the car visibly shimmies when they attack it. Chunks of paint have lifted around stonechips hence I now use my detailer who treats the cars with kid gloves.

 

[MicB]

Be careful ...

High-pressure washers 'can turn a tyre into a killer' | Daily Mail Online

I wash the muck off, not the writing off the tyre walls........and we country boys get a lot of muck on the lower parts of our cars.

I appreciate the point but as in all things a little common sense works wonders.

it worries me that you read the Daily Mail though***!!!???

Mic

 

[Dee James]

thanks for the advice gents, normal lance and stand well back it is . . .

 

[BTB 500]

it worries me that you read the Daily Mail though***!!!???

Not me! I remembered this coming up a while back and Googled it ... the DM story was the first one that came up.

 

[MicB]

Not me! I remembered this coming up a while back and Googled it ... the DM story was the first one that came up.

I knew you wouldn't

Mic