So does anyone ever use a pressure washer on there car on the lowest setting (as in lowest pressure) and rinse the car at first, and try to get as much dirt/grime off before doing a 2-bucket method regular wash?? or would this strip the paint/clear coat/ etc...?

 

i use a 1600 psi electric one on my black g and it seems to work fine. Anything under 2000 is safe.

 

Yeah I use one to remove really tough dirt. I know the pressure can remove the wax thats not durable but not a good sealant.

 

Kind of like P21s

 

I stay away from pressure washers. It may be a great idea and work really well, but I am too afraid of blowing paint off my car, or a customers car...

 

you need to stay below certain psi (i think 2200 or something...i have 1800 and it works fine)
i've got a foam cannon as well but i've yet to try how that works

 

This is true for unblemished paint, but even below 2200psi, hitting a paint chip can def cause some additional damage. I don't see a point to using a pressure washer really except in the wheel wells

 

i've had paint come off plastic parts on my previous cars when using a pressure washer, though there was already a bit of a chip, it lifts very quickly.

i tend to use mine more as a soap delivery system, and to boost the water pressure, (one of my folk's outdoor faucets uses 60 year old pipe and is probably 1/4" inside diameter).

be careful and don't crank up the pressure.

 

+1...
A friend blew a ~ 1' piece of paint off his door.
He said it blew off before he could react... he was some pissed off.
All it needs is the smallest chip & it can get right under the paint

 

The only place I use a pressure washer is under body/wheel wells. Why
would you let your car get "THAT" dirty so you'd need a pressure washer?
I don't feel they're needed on the body, since you're forcing water into areas
you shouldn't....

 

ya screw it I wash my car weekly and I keep it garages I dont need a pressure washer

 

Doesn't really matter about the PSI. It's more about the nozzles and how you wash it. You obviously don't use the same nozzle that you scrape dirt off of cement on your car. Generally, a 40 degree nozzle works well on the a car and is not abrasive. Some pressure washers only come with a fixed nozzle, so they are not made to be used on cars. You also should have the end of the nozzle 3' away at the min unless you are doing something like tires.