What do you guys think of those high-powered hoses at the do-it-yourself car washes?

Too powerful and cause harm to the car?

Opinions?

 

if you use the foam brush, make sure to blast it off with the jet sprayer first. also, try to loosen up the dirt with a soft stream of water. when you live in an area of the country where the roads are salted and it snows alot, you really don't have much of an option.

 

Personally...I wouldn't use that brush on any kind of nice car. I use it on the tires of my truck and that is it! Never on my Accord.
I just go when it's not busy, fill up a bucket and use a sponge.
But I don't think the high-pressure water will hurt anything as long as you don't do anything weird with it.

 

"if your car is completely crapped over with dirt, dust, and salt ... the particles act as a sandpaper when the high-pressure water hits it. it's like your sandblasting your finish."

i've heard that one before ... sounds like it could be true, but i haven't tried it.

 

I definately agree, never use the brush......if there is a line at the carwash, take the time to look at the cars that are using it.........they are usually NASTY. I go (when I don't do it at home) late at night and bring a bucket and my wash mitt and go to town, but never ever use the brush, people use that s h i t on their wheels, engines, not to mention their crusty a s s cars. This is the whole reason I had my garage done up the way I wanted it, hot and cold water, a drain, as well as heated.........it's great, I can go out there in -10 and wash my cars in sandals and shorts, and the cars aren't cold in the morning.......it's definately the nicest feature in my house!!! It cost me quite a bit to get done, especially heating the SOB, but its definately worth it! My cars are ALWAYS spotless.

 

The high pressure can be bad if you go head on. You should spray your car at an angle. Whatever panel you are washing go at it at about 30 degrees. That way you are pushing the dirt off not blasting it in toward your paint. That's what I've heard and always done. I always spray off the brush, but maybe I should start using a spunge instead.

 

Oh okay I understand what you guys are saying.

Actually the one that I go to doesnt have a brush. Its just a high-powered sprayer that has a bunch of different options. Like rinse, body wash, tire wash, etc. Just good in the winter because I dont have to get on my hands and knees and actually wash the car myself.

 

That is awesome...I want the exact same thing when I get a house. In fact I was just thinking that yesterday when I saw all that Ohio salt all over my car.

 

yeah, it's really nice.........my garage is probably the nicest "room" in the house! Now I just need to work on the rest of the house.......lol

 

nice garage idea. i thought about it too because i wash late at night because that's the only time that i have time but i would probably overspray too much while washing the top of the car so water would get all over the walls and other things in there.

heh, now you just need a lift for your car in your garage