I just bought a Simoniz Wash n Vac thingy, and it has 1700 psi. So i'm not sure if thats too much for the paint and if so, how much is enough?

Thanks guys!

 

It should be ok. If it came with 2 nozzles, Personally, I would avoid using the 'pencil spray' type as and stick to the one with the 'fanning spray'
If you have any existing paint that is coming off or flaking I would keep it away from those areas for sure.
My Karcher is 2100psi and hasn't done any damage in the last year. I only use it if there is really heavy dirt or mud stuck to the lower panels and wheel wells.
Most of the time a little pressure from the garden hose should be all you need.

 

I use the car wash pressure washers all the time.. No issues here.

 

I never use my pressure washer when washing my car. Between blasting away dirt on your paint surface and the water pressure, I never thought it was a good idea to use it.

 

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hmmmm both side do make sense...and i was using a garden hose and a wash mitt and the result were still pretty good. But pressure washer also uses less water than a garden hose, i'll just take a few steps back from the car when using it. Plus i think its useful for other chores too.

It did came with 2 nozzle, one stream and one fan.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

I don't use it on the G other than a couple of times on the inner fender wells.

They don't do the same job as hand washing. Your vehicle may be left with a very small film unless you are using quite close which I'm not comfortable with.

 

I agree RBull. I'll still use the wash mitt and stuff, but the raising power of the pressure washer....hahaha plus this thing comes with a vacuum...

 

Never had any issues using one. I've gone through two of them in 15years and never harmed the paint on my vehicles. You just have to use common sense...not too close to the paint surface or you will have trouble.

Its great on the wheels and wheel wells!!!!

Still I will hand wash and rinse with a regular hose.

 

Pressure washer is really good if you know which head to use and how to spray it. (somehow that doesn't sound too good)

I've used it for at least 4 years and never wrecked anything. My 8 year old car still looks as good as when it was bought. You just need to remember to do complete detailing at least twice a year. I do it every season.

 

no issues here. i use them frequently in between hand washes to keep the car looking clean. nothing beats the hand wash, but wand washes are OK for light dust/dirt. sprayers won't remove all the brake dust though...only elbow grease.

 

I used to use just the garden hose to hose down my car. But as recommended by my detailer, I now have started using a pressure washer. The reason is because the garden hose to too weak to remove most of the loose sand/grit/residue off the car during the initial spray down. If the sand is still present on the surface of the car, by dragging the wet wash mitt or sponge over the surface, you could unknowingly increase/accumulate more scratches into your clearcoat, which you will later find when drying the car. Just make sure you set the pressure washer nozzle to a gentler spray (i.e. low to medium setting). Do not use the strong jet stream setting to avoid paint damage. The pressure washer also works well for cleaning under the wheel wells and the underside of the car.

 

Should only really use it on the lower body panels at a low PSI. If you have any weak spots in your paint, that water can get under the paint and chip off a lot of your paint.

 

They sell foam attachments for pressure washers which some people on Autopia swear by for touchless washing. I personally don't feel comfortable using anything at high pressure on any painted surface but it sure would be awseome for the underbody of the car.