Can You Strain-Wash Your BMW?

Retaining your Bimmer clear is extra than simply taking delight in your automobile. It’s additionally an vital a part of making it final so long as potential, so that you need to do it proper. Strain washing looks as if a handy manner to try this, however is that this a secure solution to clear your BMW?

Usually, sure, you may safely pressure-wash your BMW — or any automobile, for that matter. That stated, it poses some dangers you don’t have to fret about with different washing strategies.

Considerations With Strain Washing

The most important concern with strain washing your BMW is, properly, the strain. Some energy washers can ship upwards of 4,000 kilos per sq. inch (psi) of pressure. That’s greater than sufficient to take your paint off or harm delicate components. 

Nevertheless, most washers additionally let you use a lot decrease strain, particularly in case you’re utilizing an electrical one. Most surfaces in your BMW ought to face up to something beneath 2,000 psi.

The opposite huge concern with strain washers is that they might ship unfastened particles flying in case you hit it on the proper angle. These tiny projectiles, in flip, may hit and harm your Bimmer — particularly the home windows. Whereas auto glass is 4 instances stronger than regular window glass, a tiny, fast-moving pebble can nonetheless crack it by placing a variety of pressure in a small space.

Nonetheless, you may keep away from that in case you method energy washing fastidiously. None of those dangers make strain washing too harmful to be price it if you understand what you’re doing.

The right way to Safely Strain-Wash Your BMW

Given these dangers, you’ll need to take just a few precautions when strain washing your BMW. Right here’s how you are able to do it with out damaging your automobile.

1. Discover the Proper Strain Washer for the Job

First, you must use the proper of energy washer. You’ll need an electrical one as a substitute of a gas-powered different, as these are a lot much less highly effective. Search for a washer with adjustable strain settings and, ideally, wheels to make it simpler to make use of.

Take note of the nozzles that include your strain washer, too. A 40-degree nozzle is greatest for many automobile surfaces as a result of it creates a much less concentrated stream, resulting in much less strain in your BMW’s paint. A 25-degree nozzle is ok for wheels or different robust however dirty components, however you’ll need to keep away from 0-degree nozzles altogether.

2. Thoughts Your Surroundings

You’ll additionally need to watch out about what’s round you when strain washing your BMW. Park it on a tough, flat floor earlier than beginning. Gravel or dust driveways gained’t work as a result of you might by chance ship particles from these surfaces flying in case you hit it with the ability washer.

It could assist to clear the world of any small objects like rocks and twigs earlier than getting began. You possibly can do that together with your energy washer on a low-pressure setting earlier than transferring your BMW there or sweep it away with a brush. Guarantee your automobile is prepared for laundry, too, together with rolling up the home windows and shutting the sunroof, when you’ve got one.

3. Rinse, Wash and Rinse Once more

Now you’re prepared for laundry. Begin by rinsing off unfastened dust and particles by placing your washer on a water-only setting and spraying your BMW from the highest down. Use a wider nozzle and set the strain to round 2,000 psi. Take just a few steps again when spraying home windows or different delicate surfaces.

Subsequent, it’s time so as to add some cleaning soap. Your strain washer ought to have a setting for detergent, so set it to that and switch the strain as little as potential. Keep in mind to dilute your cleansing fluid based on the producer’s instructions. Since you’re utilizing low strain, you might must take a sponge and scrub some areas by hand to take away harder stains.

Let the cleaning soap sit for just a few seconds, then swap your washer again to a water-only setting and rinse it off from prime to backside. Dry your BMW instantly after rinsing, as leftover water can depart mineral deposits in your paint.

4. Keep away from Delicate Areas

You’ll need to be additional cautious round sure components of your Bimmer as you’re employed. Most significantly, by no means energy wash the engine bay. Whereas some authorities say you may hose your engine, there are a variety of delicate and digital components in there. It’s greatest to keep away from getting them moist or making use of an excessive amount of strain.

Equally, you’ll need to keep away from energy washing any spots the place your paint is chipping. These areas are susceptible to flaking underneath strain, so that you’ll make them worse in case you don’t go round them.

You Can Strain-Wash Your BMW if You’re Cautious

Strain washing your BMW is an effective way to get it clear shortly. It may be dangerous in case you don’t be careful for just a few areas of concern, however you’ll be OK by following these steps. As soon as you understand the do’s and don’ts of energy washing, it’s completely secure.

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