pressure washer
- Thread starter Glenn_Law
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westwind77
New member
You might want to look at this thread about damage done by a pressure washer.....
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/73332-ugh-look-what-dealer-did-am.html
sandcrawler
Senior Member
do you mean an actual pressure washer or the "DIY wand" at the car wash? i'ved use the wand at the car wash and have never had any problems.
gm350reratliff
New member
Don't use that pressure washer on anything that is painted or chromed plastic. Also be careful around any rock or bug chips in the paint. Spraying in and around the wheel wells should be ok. Just try to keep away from any wiring. Stickers and emblems should also be sprayed with caution. Thats some serious pressure to work with.
I would also advise on safty goggles and checking to make sure that the hose and sprayer attachment is free of any holes and/or cracks. At that pressure a pin-hole could slice through your skin.
I would also advise on safty goggles and checking to make sure that the hose and sprayer attachment is free of any holes and/or cracks. At that pressure a pin-hole could slice through your skin.
I bet the dealership you bought your car from used a pressure washer on it. It's just fine, as long as you set things right.
Most "real" pressure washers have both a regulator and interchangable tips. I use a 5.5hp unit with a small fan tip set on 80% pressure (I don't recall right now what psi that is) and have had no problems what so ever with damage to the paint/painted plastic. The key here is the fan tip, regulated flow, and never hold the nozzle less than 12" from the surface.
Pressure washers can damage things if improperly used. I know that if I put the single stream tip on and open the regulator fully I can cut concrete. So some common sense should be used here.
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What happens if I " hold the nozzle more than 12" from the surface"?
Fixed. Thanks. :hello:
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Uneek
Super Moderator
I have an electric pressure washer rated at 1650 or 1700 psi. Never had a problem with it damaging the paint. I had the nozzle as close a few inches away as well. Always use a fan pattern spray wand and you'll be ok.
K.C. tried using a needle point spray wand before on an '07 Camry wrecked fender. Only where the paint cracked and peeled did extra pieces of paint came off. On parts where the paint was good, there was no damage to the surface. His electric pressure washer is about the same rating as mine, for sure under 2000 psi.
I checked with the detailer at my dealership before I got my pressure washer and they use a 3700 psi gas. He said, they keep it about 8-10" away from the paint.
The best part of having a pressure washer is using a foam cannon with it.
K.C. tried using a needle point spray wand before on an '07 Camry wrecked fender. Only where the paint cracked and peeled did extra pieces of paint came off. On parts where the paint was good, there was no damage to the surface. His electric pressure washer is about the same rating as mine, for sure under 2000 psi.
I checked with the detailer at my dealership before I got my pressure washer and they use a 3700 psi gas. He said, they keep it about 8-10" away from the paint.
The best part of having a pressure washer is using a foam cannon with it.
harper7
Senior Member
I personally would NOT use a pressure washer of any kind on these 5ths or any new vehicle. New 2010 earth friendly VOC paint laws imposed on ALL automobile manufacturers makes the paint not nearly as chip resistant and tough as previous Gen's of 4runners. They are water based paints and primers.Toyota completes water-based car paint rollout — Autoblog
I already have as many paint chips on my hood/front of my 5th Gen then I had in 5 years ,100k+ miles on my old 2006 Runner. The paint is definitely different!Just using a high pressure car wash wand in Arizona to get mud off opened a couple of nicks on the hood as has been reported by others .
If your using it on the side or someplace where no rock nicks/chips in the paint are, you might be alright. Just make sure you don't hit any rubber sealed parts as most are made to hold grease and oil in and not high pressure water out.
Just my 2 cents and I wash mine by hand but I'm lazy so not that often! Need to do that today!
I already have as many paint chips on my hood/front of my 5th Gen then I had in 5 years ,100k+ miles on my old 2006 Runner. The paint is definitely different!Just using a high pressure car wash wand in Arizona to get mud off opened a couple of nicks on the hood as has been reported by others .
If your using it on the side or someplace where no rock nicks/chips in the paint are, you might be alright. Just make sure you don't hit any rubber sealed parts as most are made to hold grease and oil in and not high pressure water out.
Just my 2 cents and I wash mine by hand but I'm lazy so not that often! Need to do that today!
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