Jet wash a TVR - yes or no?

[A900ss]

I'm thinking about getting a jet wash for the initial stage of cleaning my car. Something to remove the worst of the muck and grit before I get out the buckets and wooly mitten.

I'm not talking out going an inch from the paint, I'm talking about a reasonable distance from the paint so that you don't run the grit and dirt into the paint and scratch it.

I'd be interested in people thoughts if a jet wash is too aggressive or not.

[V8 Animal]

Best use the local car wash then if your worried than a jet wash will damage your paint.
Seriously don't use full force vario lances and keep away from air intakes etc and the car will be fine.
A good quality hose spray attachment would be good enough.
I use a jet wash on all my cars.

[zed4]

I always use a jet wash, but I use the water butt to supply it, so the pressure isn't quite the same as using mains water through it. Advantage is I get completely distilled and clean water from the water butt, whereas the water from the tap is so hard, it leaves lots of water marks. It's free too! I sometimes use my snow foam lance too.

[ShiDevil]

Snow Foam Lance with PH Neutral Foam
Distance Pressure Wash
2 Bucket Wash with PH Neutral Shampoo
Distilled or Filtered Water Rinse
Big Drying Cloth not a Chamoise Leather Too Finish

Your two times a year wax application is protected.

Light detail spray to enhance, with wheel and tyre shine job done!

[SMB]

A900ss said:

I'm thinking about getting a jet wash for the initial stage of cleaning my car. Something to remove the worst of the muck and grit before I get out the buckets and wooly mitten.

I'm not talking out going an inch from the paint, I'm talking about a reasonable distance from the paint so that you don't run the grit and dirt into the paint and scratch it.

I'd be interested in people thoughts if a jet wash is too aggressive or not.

There's no reason not to use a pressure washer on a tvr if you use is carefully. A rinse to get the worst off, followed by snow foam and another rinse should get you going. I don't hold the lance any closer than 3 feet at any time, and not directly at at window seals.

[Alexdaredevils]

A jet washer won't damage paint!

Not unless you're 2 inches from the car with a very powerful steam cleaner or hit the car with the end

And yes I'm qualified to comment on this

[RichB]

Isn't this just a case of common sense? Of course you can use a jet washer, get someone to turn one on and put your hand in the spray from a meter away and it's no problem. I suspect people who say "oh no don't do it." Must be the daft ones who would point it at the car from 2 inches away!

[grumbledoak]

It's common sense, really. Like not sticking the lance down your throat and getting a mate to pull the trigger...

[tvrtuscans]

I agree with all the comments...do it..use it sensibly. I have had a hot jet washer for years....arguably THE best car related investment I have ever made...I'm onto my second...they are brill. Just bought a steam cleaner...currently using on the interiors...this could well be the second best car related investment I have made....

[swisstoni]

If you regularly have agricultural amounts of mud hanging off your TVR then maybe, but otherwise absolutely no need.
They actually don't remove normal road dirt at all. They just wet the car like a simple hose spray would.

[RichB]

While a hose or even a bucket filled from a tap will do the job I find it 'actually' makes it easier

[tvrtuscans]

swisstoni said:

If you regularly have agricultural amounts of mud hanging off your TVR then maybe, but otherwise absolutely no need.
They actually don't remove normal road dirt at all. They just wet the car like a simple hose spray would.

With respect, not so with a hot jet washer.....takes road dirt off a treat....

[B17NNS]

Your owners handbook tells you not too.

Personally I'd be happy if I could just use mine in the rain. New hoop seal just fitted. Still a puddle in the footwell this morning

[bomb]

I use snow foam and a jet wash on my car all the time. CAreful use avoids any damage or ingress where its not wanted. Frequently have the hood down too. Regular polishing keeps the bodywork in good nick.



Wheel hub trims removed as I was working on the car !

[swisstoni]

tvrtuscans said:

swisstoni said:

If you regularly have agricultural amounts of mud hanging off your TVR then maybe, but otherwise absolutely no need.
They actually don't remove normal road dirt at all. They just wet the car like a simple hose spray would.

With respect, not so with a hot jet washer.....takes road dirt off a treat....

OP did not mention hot jet washer.

[zed4]

bomb said:

I use snow foam and a jet wash on my car all the time. CAreful use avoids any damage or ingress where its not wanted. Frequently have the hood down too. Regular polishing keeps the bodywork in good nick.



Wheel hub trims removed as I was working on the car !

Me too. I usually have the roof off mine when it's in the garage as I never drive it with the roof on. So I usually clean it with the roof off too, the jet was is a very direct jet of water, so I can aim it much easier than just a hose.

[MeThlAtEdSpiRIt]

If you've had a front end respray, then small bits of filler may have been used for the stone chips.




Guess what came off my car when jet washing!

[shorts!]

On a similar note, large stone chips can turn into much larger areas of missing paint. Some may remember the front my car with a two inch long black area in a sea of cascade copper. . . . . . .

[SMB]

shorts! said:

On a similar note, large stone chips can turn into much larger areas of missing paint. Some may remember the front my car with a two inch long black area in a sea of cascade copper. . . . . . .

If this happens then you are holding the lance too close , (stating the obvious I know). But people are happy enough to drive a car at motorway speeds with rain hitting those same stone chips, keep your distance and there is no issue with using a pw as part of the wash, just don't expect it to remove all the grime and don't try to achieve a cleaner finish by holding it closer.

[swisstoni]

As I said before, absolutely no need for one to wet a car.

Mine's a Kranzle