pressure washers

[stargirl96]

Do any of you use a pressure washer to clean your RV? Is it harsh on the finish and decals? Seems like it would be useful to wash an RV, especially when you don't want to climb a tall ladder. I noticed one of the Black Friday flyers has one advertised at a good price.

[JimK-NY]

If you are too close the pressure washer will definitely do damage. I think a full powered stream would cut right through a fiberglass panel. If you move far enough back to be safe, you might as well just use a garden hose with a good nozzle.

[way2roll]

I would never use a pressure washer on my RV. RV's are prone to leaks as it is. A decent pressure washer can do some serious damage if directed at the wrong place. I have an electric one with only 1500 psi and if I am not careful on the house it can remove small bits of the mortar between the brick. Imagine what that can do to the gel coat, paint, decals and caulk on an RV. And I don't see the advantage. What's a pressure washer with a cone of a few feet from distance going to do that a long handle brush won't? And the idea that the psi from a pressure washer is even close to being comparable to driving in the rain is ridiculous. If you don't believe me, spray yourself in the face with your pressure washer - seriously, don't do that. Of course it all depends on the distance your using it. 5 feet away it probably wouldn't matter. Within 2 feet I'd say you are asking for trouble. I use a long handle soft brush and a regular hose.

[Fizz]

I used the Simoniz floor washer kit to clean my deck. Works great on the TT roof.
Simoniz

[Dick_B]

We use an electric pressure washer but have never found out how to make the soap dispensers work which would be nice to have when washing an RV.
I have even used it on the roof which should be done first because the roof `crud' flows down the sides of the RV.

[ksg5000]

I have a pressure washer but have never used it on the rig - don't see why it's required and have always found the extendable RV washing brush sufficient.

[wopachop]

Grit dog wrote:

wopachop wrote:

stargirl96 wrote:
Do any of you use a pressure washer to clean your RV? Is it harsh on the finish and decals?

Driving in the rain at freeway speeds is much harsher than a pressure washer spray from 1 foot away.

I'll say not even close on this one.
That water is coming out at a lot more than 70 mph, lol.
Think about it, a 2500psi + pressure washer. Pretty much any model with a gas engine will peel your skin off with a narrow angle tip, instantly.
But you could drive with your head out the window in the rain and it'll just sting. (Wear glasses if yur gonna try this, lol)

Ive ridden motorcycles in the rain. Doing 30....40...50mph those droplets hurt!! I also have a gas pressure washer and use it all the time. From 1 foot away the blast is mostly air and mist. Very gentle and doesnt hurt.

I think it comes down to the mass of the water droplets.

[Grit_dog]

Unless using a high pressure Hotsy, pressure washers usually don't get all the residue off. Unless using a real good foam/soap, then maybe.
If you're good with getting it "80% clean" that's fine, but most of the time it takes a brush, sponge, something to get truly clean.
Household Pressure washer is good for getting the heavy dirt, mud, sand etc off to minimize scratching but usually not a 100% clean solution.

[Grit_dog]

wopachop wrote:

stargirl96 wrote:
Do any of you use a pressure washer to clean your RV? Is it harsh on the finish and decals?

Driving in the rain at freeway speeds is much harsher than a pressure washer spray from 1 foot away.

I'll say not even close on this one.
That water is coming out at a lot more than 70 mph, lol.
Think about it, a 2500psi + pressure washer. Pretty much any model with a gas engine will peel your skin off with a narrow angle tip, instantly.
But you could drive with your head out the window in the rain and it'll just sting. (Wear glasses if yur gonna try this, lol)

[wopachop]

stargirl96 wrote:
Do any of you use a pressure washer to clean your RV? Is it harsh on the finish and decals?

Driving in the rain at freeway speeds is much harsher than a pressure washer spray from 1 foot away.

[ford_truck_guy]

I only use a pressure washer on the underside of the fiver after I return from the beach. All that salt air from the sea breeze gets into everything.

I will do the frame, spare tire hanger, inside of the wheels, discs, Morryde IS, ...... basically anything under. i will not use it on the exterior

[pianotuna]

If using a pressure washer, it would be good to wax the RV afterwards.

My pressure washer was something I had to walk away from when I moved to full time--just not enough storage for it to come with me.

[wildtoad]

IMO pressure washer will do a decent job of getting into little areas that you might miss with just a hose and mitt but doesn’t get it really clean. I get the same almost clean when taking car through a no touch or DIY spray car wash. If I have to use a brush or mitt, bucket of soapy water and hose why bring out the power washer?

[JimK-NY]

I have never heard of anyone attempting to clean their car with a pressure washer. If no one using it on a car, why try with an RV?

Several years ago I put a ZEP finish on mine. I add an additional coat every year or so and the RV washes clean easily.

[craig7h]

I have always used a pressure washer on my units. I do however make sure of a couple things. Try and go with the graphics so as not to get under the edge. I always use the fan type spray never the full pressure one.

Over the years I have never seen a problem. I put a diluted turtle wax, wash and wax product in the soap reservoir. Wet down the a part of the rig spray the wash and was on. I then use a brush made for RVs to help remove the dirt. Rise off and go to next section, and so on

[Edd505]

Veebyes wrote:
I would not worry too much if it is only a 1500PSI, usually electric, washer however I would not waste money getting one that weak.

I have a 2500PSI gas washer used primarily for boat bottoms, house roof, concrete driveway. Effective but nowhere near a good as a 3000 or a 5000PSI. Get yourself a nice soft brush, a decent length adjustable painters staff from Lowes or somewhere, a bucket of of soapy water & go at it.

Much more effective & safer for the graphics than a pressure washer. The only time mine has seen a pressure washer is in TOK, Alaska at a fuel station there where you can wash your RV after you buy fuel. Feels like a 3000PSI but I keep my distance & use it to get the chunky bits off then rinse after brush & soap.

Used an electric 1500 on the roof this year, worked great. Added Oxiclean to the soap water, soft brush, pressure washer rinsed and it's like new. I'll keep the gas for the truck, shop & driveway.