The Ford Barn

MrTube · 07-30-2012, 11:39 AM

I recently bought a pressure washer and am curious if its safe to use on an "A", or any car for that matter.

Rated 2600PSI @ 3.0GPM. 6.5HP Honda GX200 engine.

I have I think 5 nozzles though I don't remember most of the angles but I think one is 0 degree, 30 deg, 40deg, 60deg and I think there is one with a large hole labeled "chemical".

mkmskm · 07-30-2012, 12:05 PM

Depends on what part. I've used them for getting the dirt/grease/mud junk off old cars undersides. I wouldn't hit the paint or topside with it.

Aerocraft · 07-30-2012, 01:12 PM

I use the pressure washers at a local "car wash" all the time without worry. Doubt that they have that much pressure and wonder what pressure is actually used? Anyone? Gar Williams

MrTube · 07-30-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerocraft

I use the pressure washers at a local "car wash" all the time without worry. Doubt that they have that much pressure and wonder what pressure is actually used? Anyone? Gar Williams

Thank you for the responses.

Aerocraft, I wonder the same thing?

What pressure is safe to use on paint?

Kurt in NJ · 07-30-2012, 01:35 PM

My friend bought a 42 Harley, the previous owner used a pressure washer on it to wash it, now we are finding every moving joint and bearing (shift linkage, wheel bearings, steering, forks,etc--- has water intrusion damage---never been in the rain though.

You will find how good your paint bond is

much depends on how you grease it and if you drive it enough to heat it all to operating temp to evaporate any water inside.

If it is something you are going to take apart that day----have at it

Louis · 07-30-2012, 01:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

To me that,s to much pressure, If your not carefull you could damage the top,
the running board covers, any weak paint area, just to many places that could leak on an "A".
[Pressure washers are for dirty bulldozers and tractors etc.]
Washing the old fashion way, "buy hand" is a part of owning a classic car. JMHO

.

FL&WVMIKE · 07-30-2012, 01:49 PM

A pressure washer is great for cleaning out the inside of a engine block, if you have it out of the car and hanging up.
MIKE

29ModelA · 07-30-2012, 02:20 PM

Depends on what tip you use, the lower pressure tips should be fine. I use a pressure washer on all my cars.

A friend used the 0* tip and stripped the Jeep decal off my Wrangler though.

Charlie Stephens · 07-30-2012, 05:22 PM

The pressure on my water hose is about 80 PSI and I usually turn it down when washing the paint on my car. The last time I used 2600 PSI I was removing flaking paint from a cement block wall. If I stayed in the same place too long it would erode the cement. 2600 might be good to degrease and remove mud from a chassis but I would sure disassemble everything afterwords.

Charlie Stephens

Dave in Boise · 07-30-2012, 05:27 PM

use the 60 degree nozzle, and stand back a bit to get used to it..

I use one just like yours all the time.. never had a problem if you stick with the larger bore nozzles.. The small nozzles will peel the paint off a battleship if you get too close.. Also, do not pressure wash cedar (lol) Don;t ask me how I know that one

- Dave

Bruce Adams · 07-30-2012, 08:57 PM

I have two pressure washers and, while I will use them on the boat the dock and the house deck, fences, and such, they will never get close to the Model A.
I can't imagine anything but parts that I would use a PW on. A hose, hot soapy water, and a regular nozzle will take off anything my A experiences, to include rides on muddy roads.

eagle · 07-31-2012, 08:44 AM

Most Carwashes run LESS than 1000psi. The reasons they work without doing too much damage is: high volume, soap injection, hot water. 2600 psi will peel paint if you get too close. However, to remove the old grease on the undercarriage, it will work. Make sure to grease it afterwords and spray WD40 into places that you want to get the water out of but aren't greasable.

Special Coupe Frank · 07-31-2012, 09:26 AM

Do you want to find out on the Boss's model A ?

I would be reluctant to try it on an assembled, nice antique.

I've peeled paint with car-wash stuff, especially under-hood and under chassis, where paint has been exposed to grease / oil.

I'd experiment on a beater first...

Just my thoughts... P-W a Caterpillar dozer is one thing; an antique car is quite another.

I won't even chance my rattle-can coupe at the car-wash; just do it at home with the garden hose and bucket.

Good luck !

SC Frank

07-30-2012, 11:39 AM	#1
MrTube Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,471	Pressure washer on an "A" I recently bought a pressure washer and am curious if its safe to use on an "A", or any car for that matter. Rated 2600PSI @ 3.0GPM. 6.5HP Honda GX200 engine. I have I think 5 nozzles though I don't remember most of the angles but I think one is 0 degree, 30 deg, 40deg, 60deg and I think there is one with a large hole labeled "chemical".

07-30-2012, 12:05 PM	#2
mkmskm Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 202	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" Depends on what part. I've used them for getting the dirt/grease/mud junk off old cars undersides. I wouldn't hit the paint or topside with it.

07-30-2012, 01:12 PM	#3
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" I use the pressure washers at a local "car wash" all the time without worry. Doubt that they have that much pressure and wonder what pressure is actually used? Anyone? Gar Williams

07-30-2012, 01:35 PM	#5
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" My friend bought a 42 Harley, the previous owner used a pressure washer on it to wash it, now we are finding every moving joint and bearing (shift linkage, wheel bearings, steering, forks,etc--- has water intrusion damage---never been in the rain though. You will find how good your paint bond is much depends on how you grease it and if you drive it enough to heat it all to operating temp to evaporate any water inside. If it is something you are going to take apart that day----have at it

07-30-2012, 01:36 PM	#6
Louis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marietta GA. Posts: 647	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To me that,s to much pressure, If your not carefull you could damage the top, the running board covers, any weak paint area, just to many places that could leak on an "A". [Pressure washers are for dirty bulldozers and tractors etc.] Washing the old fashion way, "buy hand" is a part of owning a classic car. JMHO. __________________ I've suffered a great many Catastrophe's in my life.....most of them never Happened.

07-30-2012, 01:49 PM	#7
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" A pressure washer is great for cleaning out the inside of a engine block, if you have it out of the car and hanging up. MIKE

07-30-2012, 02:20 PM	#8
29ModelA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Owosso, MI Posts: 673	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" Depends on what tip you use, the lower pressure tips should be fine. I use a pressure washer on all my cars. A friend used the 0* tip and stripped the Jeep decal off my Wrangler though. __________________ 1929 Model A Barn find. California car, just a few more parts to find. Interior, steering box (rebuild), and I am sure much more!

07-30-2012, 05:22 PM	#9
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" The pressure on my water hose is about 80 PSI and I usually turn it down when washing the paint on my car. The last time I used 2600 PSI I was removing flaking paint from a cement block wall. If I stayed in the same place too long it would erode the cement. 2600 might be good to degrease and remove mud from a chassis but I would sure disassemble everything afterwords. Charlie Stephens

07-30-2012, 05:27 PM	#10
Dave in Boise Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 330	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" use the 60 degree nozzle, and stand back a bit to get used to it.. I use one just like yours all the time.. never had a problem if you stick with the larger bore nozzles.. The small nozzles will peel the paint off a battleship if you get too close.. Also, do not pressure wash cedar (lol) Don;t ask me how I know that one - Dave

07-30-2012, 08:57 PM	#11
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" I have two pressure washers and, while I will use them on the boat the dock and the house deck, fences, and such, they will never get close to the Model A. I can't imagine anything but parts that I would use a PW on. A hose, hot soapy water, and a regular nozzle will take off anything my A experiences, to include rides on muddy roads.

07-31-2012, 08:44 AM	#12
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" Most Carwashes run LESS than 1000psi. The reasons they work without doing too much damage is: high volume, soap injection, hot water. 2600 psi will peel paint if you get too close. However, to remove the old grease on the undercarriage, it will work. Make sure to grease it afterwords and spray WD40 into places that you want to get the water out of but aren't greasable.

07-31-2012, 09:26 AM	#13
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Pressure washer on an "A" Do you want to find out on the Boss's model A ? I would be reluctant to try it on an assembled, nice antique. I've peeled paint with car-wash stuff, especially under-hood and under chassis, where paint has been exposed to grease / oil. I'd experiment on a beater first... Just my thoughts... P-W a Caterpillar dozer is one thing; an antique car is quite another. I won't even chance my rattle-can coupe at the car-wash; just do it at home with the garden hose and bucket. Good luck ! SC Frank