Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing New Stainless wires

I'm guessing it might be a 'catch all' that really applies to any painted/ coated wire wheels as pressure washers are notoriously used too close to paint and could damage the coating especially around where rim meets the spoke -if it already has a chip in the coating, a jet wash could make it worse

I wouldn't be too worried if I knew the coating was sound and I kept a good distance

These hand wash businesses where they use a jet wash always use the lance far too close to paintwork in my opinion

On alloys a powerful yet washer can strip the clearcoat/paint.

On wire wheels very high pressure can damage the spoke seals.

There has been an investigation by DEKRA which shows that high pressure washers can damage the sidewalls.

I cannot find the report on the DEKRA site but the link below has some more information;

http://www.tyresafe.org/media-centre/lat...age-your-tyres/

I bought an electric power washer for the purpose of cleaning the wires. As I have said before I also clean My engine and anything I can squirt it at. Works a treat.

BTW: Before pressure washing I spray a Product called "Simple Green" an Industrial grade detergent.

I think you're absolutely right, Stewart. The pressure gradient in the water spray is very steep, in that the water stream rapidly loses its power once it has left the nozzle - for evidence, simply point your pressure washer jet vertically upwards, the water really doesn't very high at all.

But when used at close range, by which I mean less than a foot or so, the destructive ability of the water is immense, it's easily capable of damaging surface coatings, even those in good condition.

I think the reason why people advise against their use is that there's too much risk of damage if you get too close, but in reality if used sensibly they can be very effective.

I personally don't use a pressure washer on my Morgan, I clean my wheels in the garage by lifting the car up and putting a large greenhouse tray under the wheel to catch the run-off. I then give them a good spray with one of the many APCs that are available (I currently use Bilt-Hamber Surfex cleaner) and then poking a wire wheel brush into the gaps between the spokes. Rinse off with water from a small pump-up plant sprayer, a quick squirt of aqua wax, wipe off with a microfibre, and I'm done. Takes around 5 minutes per wheel.

This is what I was told too.... makes sense. Each spoke has it's own seal and forcing water at high pressure on them could cause them to fail.

I use a 5" paint brush - very quick/easy/effective.

I prespray with Muck Off

I read about the paint brush somewhere - on TM I think?

When clean I air dry off excess with my Supa Dupa Garden Air blower - always an enjoyable job!! Lots of noise - and a great result!

I used to use a spoke brush but find them quite tricky to use and the metal core can cause damage.

I use a pressure washer. It has 2 nizzles and the "rotary" high piwer one is far too piwerful. I rarely use it. By keeping the nozzles back the drop off in water power reduces the dangers. The nozzle also has a "choke" tip that can vary the pressure too. For "in between" washes I use anextended nozzle hosepipe attachment with swivel head and varying spray patters, mains water pressure only and easy to angle under the car.
I have never felt the need for highest pressure from the Karcher, but do soak the car/snow foam/ bug softener/tar remover before rinse/shampoo.. i won a handheld air blower in a Mogmag comp and that is great for blowing water off the car and out of crevices, a good tool.

A pressure washer is just the thing for occasionally cleaning the old grease off the kingpins, springs etc. You just need a place where getting the grease on the ground is not a problem, and to make sure the disks get sprayed clean too. Having got everything nice and clean it can then have a couple of shots of nice fresh grease.

How to avoid to put grease on the disks when using a pressure washer taking into account the proximity of the disk?

I have never tried.