I have seen some stupid accidents used by overzealous pressure washing .Usethe power wisely Luke
Pressure washing?
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 18
From: Tulsa OK
I don't agree with all the finger-waggers. Look, just exercise some common sense. 1200 PSI at 3-5 feet away versus 1200 PSI an inch or two from the paint are two different things.
Just keep it out of the engine bay with all the sensitive electronics and you're golden.
I pressure wash my vert all the time, including the top, but just not at close range.
Doesn't hurt anything. Does it look like my 5-year-old paint is washing off? Puh-leez.
Just keep it out of the engine bay with all the sensitive electronics and you're golden.
I pressure wash my vert all the time, including the top, but just not at close range.
Doesn't hurt anything. Does it look like my 5-year-old paint is washing off? Puh-leez.
Couldn't agree more. Sure, if you put the nozzle one inch from the paint it may do some damage. But, who is dumb enough to do that? Stay at least 3 feet away and you will be fine. I have pressure washed all my vehicles for years and have never had any problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye Country OH
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
It will not hurt the paint, period!!
Quarter car washes typically use from 1300 to maybe 1400-1500 lbs. Doubt many are at 1500 or over. Stay away from seals and the top(a couple feet is fine) You can get 1500 lbs an inch away from the paint with zero issues
Quarter car washes typically use from 1300 to maybe 1400-1500 lbs. Doubt many are at 1500 or over. Stay away from seals and the top(a couple feet is fine) You can get 1500 lbs an inch away from the paint with zero issues
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 961
From: Communist Colorado
I have a 2600 psi Honda pressure washer. I use it on all my cars & all of my past Vettes as well. Nothing cleans tires, wheels & brake calipers like high pressure water. Its totally safe if you just use some common sense. If youre a dumbass and want to hold the wand an inch away from the paint, then youre gonna get what you deserve.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Troy Alabama
I don't agree with all the finger-waggers. Look, just exercise some common sense. 1200 PSI at 3-5 feet away versus 1200 PSI an inch or two from the paint are two different things.
Just keep it out of the engine bay with all the sensitive electronics and you're golden.
I pressure wash my vert all the time, including the top, but just not at close range.
Doesn't hurt anything. Does it look like my 5-year-old paint is washing off? Puh-leez.
Just keep it out of the engine bay with all the sensitive electronics and you're golden.
I pressure wash my vert all the time, including the top, but just not at close range.
Doesn't hurt anything. Does it look like my 5-year-old paint is washing off? Puh-leez.
Last edited by joshscalf; Dec 13, 2006 at 08:34 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
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From: Saint Louis MO
I agree about washing decks, I had a cedar deck built this year. It will never see a pressure washer. Both or our C5's have clear bra's on them, a pressure washer will destroy them. Besides I can use the exercise washing them by hand. David
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
1200 psi is nothing. Most coin operated washes are at least 1400-1500 psi, and sometimes more. I use the Hotsy at work to wash mine on occasion, and it's 2100 psi. No issues. Use some common sense, and you'll be fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
From: Richardson Texas
Unless you do something stupid, a pressure washer is fine on a vette. It wont hurt clear bras, I'm a professional detailer and use pressure washers all the time. Keep it around 1200PSI and a 45deg nozzle and your fine. I pressure wash my vette all the time, and power wash the engine bay.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I do. Guilty as charged. No apologies, either.
You know, the self-serve kind, not the touchless drive-through -- and that's only because my vert would leak.
My local self-serve car wash is terrific. Sure, I could do it all in my driveway, and sometimes I do, but the self-serve place with hot-pre-soak solution, wheel cleaner, soft, soapy foam brush for gently scrubbing the brake dust off the wheels, high pressure warm wash, rinse and spot-free rinse for $4 and twenty minutes kinda does it for me.
I understand the whole bonding concept by washing your car with a bucket in your driveway while you've got a little soft jazz on the stereo, but this isn't a woman that I'm softly caressing and gently rubbing down with scented oils by candle light.
It's a mass-produced car with hard paint, that can take a good washing with a little common sense and care.
You know, the self-serve kind, not the touchless drive-through -- and that's only because my vert would leak.
My local self-serve car wash is terrific. Sure, I could do it all in my driveway, and sometimes I do, but the self-serve place with hot-pre-soak solution, wheel cleaner, soft, soapy foam brush for gently scrubbing the brake dust off the wheels, high pressure warm wash, rinse and spot-free rinse for $4 and twenty minutes kinda does it for me.
I understand the whole bonding concept by washing your car with a bucket in your driveway while you've got a little soft jazz on the stereo, but this isn't a woman that I'm softly caressing and gently rubbing down with scented oils by candle light.
It's a mass-produced car with hard paint, that can take a good washing with a little common sense and care.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Oh, and your automobile exterior is made of hard surfaces, not oil-saturated wood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Naw it wouldn't ruin it. It would strip it. With a tight stream at 1200 psi, I can write my name in cement. As for the vert top, the hole will be the size of the stream. For the engine, it will easily penetrate electrical connectors. That's a seriously bad idea.
Never use a pressure washer at high level. Most drop to a safer level if you pull the nozzle forward. This is the position most use when siphoning liquid soap or cleaner.
Charlie
Charlie
Never use a pressure washer at high level. Most drop to a safer level if you pull the nozzle forward. This is the position most use when siphoning liquid soap or cleaner.
Charlie
Charlie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye Country OH
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
I'd like to add to my earlier reply.
For 10 years I was a Manager of a vehicle pressure washing business. Over 60 full time employees 24/7. We earned well over 3 million/yr. in revenue, only pressure washing vehicles. A service, no products. Pressure washing will not harm your car or strip chit off it unless your paint is damaged already. That is fact.
What # tip, designed for vehicle washing, is cutting into concrete at 1200psi?
For 10 years I was a Manager of a vehicle pressure washing business. Over 60 full time employees 24/7. We earned well over 3 million/yr. in revenue, only pressure washing vehicles. A service, no products. Pressure washing will not harm your car or strip chit off it unless your paint is damaged already. That is fact.
What # tip, designed for vehicle washing, is cutting into concrete at 1200psi?