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Hi Pressure Cleaners Do Damage?

MP_R33

By MP_R33,
in Exterior & Interior Styling

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MP_R33 Mentor

MP_R33

Posted
Posted

Hi guys, just brought an EVO 8 MR.

There where some slight dents on the roof and I asked the previous owner if he knew how they got there, he said that when he washed the car with his hi pressure cleaner it dented the pannel.

Just wandering of this is actually possible or he was just talking...

Thanks

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/375568-hi-pressure-cleaners-do-damage/
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Jonno34 Mentor

Jonno34

Posted
Posted

I really dont think thats possible, definitely not with a pressure cleaner for home use, i work at a car detailer and we use a much more high powered unit and that never causes any dents or damage (although it can strip paint in the weak areas like door jambs if you put it too close apparently - but never seen it happen - was just warned not to go close to the jambs by the boss)

the only thing I would think could cause damage would be if little particles of dirt got in the flow of water - even a tiny piece of sand blasted at high impact against your paint may leave a mark ... but a dent no

wilorichie Experienced

wilorichie

Posted
Posted

I don't use them for the paint reason - but dents? Don't think so... We have a 400hp one - When the nozzle is turned for 'showering' no way it could do that. When its turned for strength, it wouldn't do it either. It would probably rip the paint but not dent the car.

How many dents are there?

1 dent - You might give him the benefit of the doubt

2 dents - As if he didn't learn his lesson after denting his car the first time

MP_R33 Mentor

MP_R33

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Doors, boot lids, bonnets are one thing but the roof is thinner isnt it. Wouldnt it be more likely to dent.

Hypothetically if you are standing over the roof pointing directly down on the centre of the roof. It would definitely leave a small dent wouldnt it?

wilorichie Experienced

wilorichie

Posted
Posted (edited)

nah man, it wouldn't... one of the main uses of a pressure cleaner is to clean cars... it would be very difficult to put dents into steel with it.

The 400hp one we have with full strength would be unlikely to dent the car.

Unless he's shooting hail stones out...

edit: forgot to mention, I think the very center of the roof is the hardest to put small dents on.. because it is the softest part of the car, thus has little movement. I imagine big dents would be easy, but small dents on a area which allows movements? Not sure there

Edited by wilorichie
Yo-Yo Grand Master

Yo-Yo

Posted
Posted
i work at a car detailer and we use a much more high powered unit and that never causes any dents or damage

We had those when I worked at a car dealership, would give a strong kick when you pulled the trigger. high pressure stuff.

Would always sneak my car into the garage on the weekend when the workshop boys weren't in, never dented my car

Jonno34 Mentor

Jonno34

Posted
Posted

We had those when I worked at a car dealership, would give a strong kick when you pulled the trigger. high pressure stuff.

Would always sneak my car into the garage on the weekend when the workshop boys weren't in, never dented my car

hahaha one of the best perks of working at a detailer is we get to detail our own cars whenever there isnt alot of work to be done!

the products arent up to my standards though so only the bunky will ever get detailed there ... the skyline gets pampered with Final Inspection goodies thumbsup.gif

OP i seriously doubt that there could be any dent from a high pressure spray of any sort, unless he had a pebble stuck in the nozzle when he first released any water ... highly doubt that though!

wlspn Proficient

wlspn

Posted
Posted

Only way you could get a dent from washing with pressure washer is if he physically hit the panel with the tip of the gun. They are strong but won't cause dents.

Have a heavy industrial unit at work & it gets used on all sorts of stuff, some quite soft & will not cause dents even with a pencil (very thin strong stream) jet. As mentioned can strip paint but definitely wont dent...

wlspn Proficient

wlspn

Posted
Posted

Only way you could get a dent from washing with pressure washer is if he physically hit the panel with the tip of the gun. They are strong but won't cause dents.

Have a heavy industrial unit at work & it gets used on all sorts of stuff, some quite soft & will not cause dents even with a pencil (very thin strong stream) jet. As mentioned can strip paint but definitely wont dent...

Daleo Grand Master

Daleo

Posted
Posted

1450 PSI is entry level power I guess If you put that within 2-3cm of the pannel it would have to do some sort of damage?

It's almost as if you're not actually listening to any of the people who use pressure washers here...:rolleyes:

I've been using them on my cars for years; no dents. NO DENTS! pinch.gif

Has it occurred to you that it might be a hail damaged car, that he's trying to pass off as clumsiness?

My daily was hail damaged a while ago; (for the 3rd time :angry: ) had LITERALLY hundreds of tiny dents you didn't really notice until you got up close. There was over $4000 worth of PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) required to repair it.

You could be in for some heartache. Maybe have a PDR specialist look at it if you're not sure.

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