Any reason not to pressure wash?

[Hulley]

So I have my car somewhat taken apart doing some cleaning and replacing the crappy front aftermarket spoiler with an original SC valance and removing the rest of the A/C components.

I am wanting to pressure wash the front and rear wheel wells to get them nice and clean, any reason that would be a bad idea? Should I just just a regular hose instead?

I've already removed the washer tank and tank above it.

Probably use Simple Green and a soft brush.

[AlistairWallace]

No issue - would do it outside though. Don't use the red pin point nozzle, I use the green ones without issue. Soak it down with water, then degreaser, let it sit for a bit, brush in and then pressure wash off.

[Hulley]

Originally Posted by AlistairWallace

No issue - would do it outside though. Don't use the red pin point nozzle, I use the green ones without issue. Soak it down with water, then degreaser, let it sit for a bit, brush in and then pressure wash off.

Yeah, it'll definitely get rolled out side, I've been taking my time with the inspections and removal of stuff as the parts I have ordered won't be in for another two weeks.

Thanks,

[proporsche]

just do not spray in the upper section of the rear fenders.There is a foam from factory(where the fender meet the body)and if it gets really socked you might have a problem in the future..

Ivan

[Ironman88]

Originally Posted by Hulley

So I have my car somewhat taken apart doing some cleaning and replacing the crappy front aftermarket spoiler with an original SC valance and removing the rest of the A/C components.

I am wanting to pressure wash the front and rear wheel wells to get them nice and clean, any reason that would be a bad idea? Should I just just a regular hose instead?

I've already removed the washer tank and tank above it.

Probably use Simple Green and a soft brush.

Rather than using Simple Green, you should use the following product. It's much more effective and will not harm any finishes.

https://www.amazon.com/P21S-13001B-Auto-Wash-Sprayer/dp/B0002LBKCE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=PTH2DOP9GPP4&keywords=P21S+total+auto+wash&qid=1650553196&sprefix=p21s+total+auto+wash%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-2

[Hulley]

Originally Posted by proporsche

just do not spray in the upper section of the rear fenders.There is a foam from factory(where the fender meet the body)and if it gets really socked you might have a problem in the future..

Ivan

Got it, thank you so much.

[Hulley]

Originally Posted by Ironman88

Rather than using Simple Green, you should use the following product. It's much more effective and will not harm any finishes.

https://www.amazon.com/P21S-13001B-Auto-Wash-Sprayer/dp/B0002LBKCE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=PTH2DOP9GPP4&keywords=P21S+total+auto+wash&qid=1650553196&sprefix=p21s+total+auto+wash%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-2

Thank you, I just ordered a bottle, should be here tomorrow which is perfect as I wanted to do this tomorrow or Saturday.

[Duc Hunter]

You might try a foaming first, if that stuff will work out of a foamer. They re cheap on bay. This is how I now wash all my cars exteriors, ;earned it from several good detailer.

Step 1 - I wet it first with the pressure washer to take off the heavy debris. Step 2 - I use my foamer to foam the whole car, and let this sit 1-3 minutes. Then I pressure wash that off. Step 3 - I foam a small area again and wash with a sponge, working my way around until the car is fully washed.

In your case for Step 3 maybe foam 1 wheel well, grab a nylon brush and work the area well, then pressure wash out. Rinse/repeat (pun intended) until the car is cleaned.

I cant wait to see your results.

[cabmandone]

While you're trying cleaners, go to Dollar General and buy LA's Totally Awesome cleaner. Stuff works great. I dilute it and use it as a brake dust remover. I also use it when I get some tar pick up from the road.

FWIW, when I did mine I used a product called black jack.

https://www.amazon.com/orange-sol-household-products-21943/dp/B004Q01O9G/ref=asc_df_B004Q01O9G/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198060922766&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7295610906259146662&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015981&hvtargid=pla-352172299615&psc=1

[Ironman88]

Originally Posted by Hulley

Thank you, I just ordered a bottle, should be here tomorrow which is perfect as I wanted to do this tomorrow or Saturday.

I have used this product for years.

I would suggest that spraying it directly on the areas to be cleaned (full strength) on the dry surface would be a good initial approach. (Wetting the surface with water first will only dilute the product and lessen the effectiveness.) Let it soak. Then reapply and use (if possible) a boar's hair detail brush and really go after it. Reapply and let it soak some more. Then try the pressure washer on it. You may have to repeat the process.

Best of luck with the process.

[Hulley]

Originally Posted by Duc Hunter

You might try a foaming first, if that stuff will work out of a foamer. They re cheap on bay. This is how I now wash all my cars exteriors, ;earned it from several good detailer.

Step 1 - I wet it first with the pressure washer to take off the heavy debris. Step 2 - I use my foamer to foam the whole car, and let this sit 1-3 minutes. Then I pressure wash that off. Step 3 - I foam a small area again and wash with a sponge, working my way around until the car is fully washed.

In your case for Step 3 maybe foam 1 wheel well, grab a nylon brush and work the area well, then pressure wash out. Rinse/repeat (pun intended) until the car is cleaned.

I cant wait to see your results.

Thanks Chris, I'm gonna take before and after pics for sure, I already removed a large pile of dirt and rocks! LOL

[Tinkerer]

How about dry ice? Results are amazing

[2.7RS]

You can get really fancy... But you are in your garage.

My upgrade is a power steamer I borrow from a friend in construction. Works better than any power wash.

All those chemicals are nice and work.... pick your flavor just like your cereal.

Dry ice is amazing in youtube. Expensive and again you are in your garage

[Mahler9th]

Simple Green does not get along well with anodized parts, so be aware of that.

I use it all the time when I clean under various cars-- about 20 + years...

I have tried the P21s. Works OK, but not really a good degreaser.

Been using P21s wheel cleaner since 1987.

For car shampoo I have used Sonax nearly continuously since 1987. Couldn't get it for about 5-10 years, but they slightly reformulated it for import.

For underneath the cars, best product I have used is Oil Flo Safety Solvent:

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Safety-Solvent-Cleaner-Ounce/dp/B0009KKSX0/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpImTBhCmARIsAKr58czU-IwDDPdhksU9rvZ2j9kbfn8Fv5zrZk8voliRUL6DtfG2y7q8TFQ aAhR0EALw_wcB&hvadid=409909607025&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9060284&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14352168090901165266&hvtargid=kwd-360276633994&hydadcr=7525_11322541&keywords=oil+flo+safety+solvent+cleaner&qid=1650649534&sr=8-3

So that is what I use for more challenging situations.

[Spetrow]

Power washed wells on my 84. Used 40deg tip (white) at GT 6" from surface. Simple green soak after quick rinse. Used a parts cleaner brush to free up the crud. In a few spots, i used gunk engine degreaser spray cleaner but be careful with Gunk as it will damage paint. I used a flip open dog pool as found on Amazon. I did this inside. Garden hose final rinse. Electric low pressure cheap power washer. Compressed air to dry and sprayed fluid film on a towel to wipe down surfaces. I had ton of crap fall down. The rocks on the bottom of the cooler was 1/4" thk. Dog pool worked well.

[cabmandone]

Great idea with the pool. Some cleaners will take the crud off of paint without hurting the paint but it will soften the sealer on concrete. I lifted concrete sealer with straight purple power.

[porsche930dude]

I pressure washed my car once because i was too lazy to hand wash it because it was quite muddy. Worst Idea ever. It blew off the clear coat in a bunch of places. Even in the wheel wells it was a bad idea it hurt the rubberized undercoating in some spots where the nozzle got too close.

[cabmandone]

^^^
Yer not supposed to use the turbo nozzle on paint.

[porsche930dude]

I was being careful. Its a florida car with old paint its just very weak at this point and any paint chips or whatever that it can catch an edge it will peel it up.

[rw229]

Spray the wells with a mild detergent, use a not so sharp tip, 25* or less and don't get too close. You can lightly scrub, but it's a rough surface and surprising easy to remove the paint.

Pay attention to the lower rear areas of the fronts and the lower front of the rears towards the doors, you will probably have piles of dirt and stones come out.

There will also be a ton of crap sitting on top of the rear tail lights. You can tape the rear bumper and remove them if you really want to get things clean.