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Pressure washer tips....

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Ifti:
As sad as it may seem, I havent used a pressure washer before, but Ive just purchased my first ever Karcher pressure washer, and a foam lance from autoperfection.
I need to know how to us ethis stuff!

1. Are there any specific settings I should keep the pressure washer on for washing the car?
2. How far away should the nozzle of the pressure washer be from the car when cleaning?
3. Is it true that you should not get any of the high pressure water onto the tyres, as it could damage the tyre structure?
4. When using the snow foam, how long should I leave it on for?
5. After snow foaming and rinsing off, I intend to give the car a contact wash - should I switch the power to the pressure washer off during this time, as I hear you should not leave it unused but still running for long periods?
6. After using the pressure washer, is there a particular way to switch it all off? ie. should I turn the water tap off first, then switch it off from the mains, or the other way round?

I guess I should get the pressure washer instructions out of the box, but just thought you guys may be able to offer some tips etc....

Thanks in advance.

ollie288:

--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---As sad as it may seem, I havent used a pressure washer before, but Ive just purchased my first ever Karcher pressure washer, and a foam lance from autoperfection.
I need to know how to us ethis stuff!

1. Are there any specific settings I should keep the pressure washer on for washing the car?
Unsure of what settings you mean my Karcher just has 0 and 1. Obviously keep it on 1. If yours have different ones im unsure.
2. How far away should the nozzle of the pressure washer be from the car when cleaning?
You dont want to get close to the paint. Keep a distance.
3. Is it true that you should not get any of the high pressure water onto the tyres, as it could damage the tyre structure?
Never heard of this and I have never had a problem.
4. When using the snow foam, how long should I leave it on for?
Around 5 mins
5. After snow foaming and rinsing off, I intend to give the car a contact wash - should I switch the power to the pressure washer off during this time, as I hear you should not leave it unused but still running for long periods?
If it is a new one I would think it would have an auto cut off (mine does and it is 3 years old)
6. After using the pressure washer, is there a particular way to switch it all off? ie. should I turn the water tap off first, then switch it off from the mains, or the other way round?
I turn switch off on PW, turn tap off, squeeze trigger to release the pressure and excess water from the tap and put it away.
I guess I should get the pressure washer instructions out of the box, but just thought you guys may be able to offer some tips etc....

Thanks in advance.

--- End quote ---
:happy2:

gonegolfing:
One small tip-take great care to protect it from frost during cold weather!.

stealthwolf:

--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---1. Are there any specific settings I should keep the pressure washer on for washing the car?
--- End quote ---
I'd imagine the lowest pressure required to clean the car. It's what I use.


--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---2. How far away should the nozzle of the pressure washer be from the car when cleaning?
--- End quote ---
About 30-50cm at the very least. I also tend to aim at an angle rather than square on.


--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---3. Is it true that you should not get any of the high pressure water onto the tyres, as it could damage the tyre structure?
--- End quote ---
Don't know about this. You are bombarding the surface with water at a high pressure so it has the potential to cause damage but as said above, I use a lower pressure and aim at an angle rather than close up and dead-on - it reduces the amount of pressure exerted on the car.


--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---4. When using the snow foam, how long should I leave it on for?
--- End quote ---
5 mins or so should be enough. You can always refoam after rinsing if you need to.


--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---5. After snow foaming and rinsing off, I intend to give the car a contact wash - should I switch the power to the pressure washer off during this time, as I hear you should not leave it unused but still running for long periods?
--- End quote ---
What's a contact wash? I would just turn the thing off if I wasn't going use it in the next five minutes.


--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---6. After using the pressure washer, is there a particular way to switch it all off? ie. should I turn the water tap off first, then switch it off from the mains, or the other way round?
--- End quote ---
Your manual will tell you about this. It's why it's enclosed with the equipment!

ollie288:

--- Quote from: stealthwolf on February 17, 2010, 04:51:35 pm ---
--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---

--- Quote from: Ifti on February 16, 2010, 09:45:19 pm ---5. After snow foaming and rinsing off, I intend to give the car a contact wash - should I switch the power to the pressure washer off during this time, as I hear you should not leave it unused but still running for long periods?
--- End quote ---
What's a contact wash? I would just turn the thing off if I wasn't going use it in the next five minutes.


--- End quote ---

I assume using a mitt as opposed to just using the snow foam which has no contact on the paintwork.
--- End quote ---

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