OP
OP
TheWolf
Full Access Member
After washing this black Raptor more times in the last three months than I washed my old truck in 11 years, I found that I needed better equipment and to be more efficient. The Adam's products are great but I just didn't have time to spend a few hours each weekend on a full wash and Detail Spray dry. I also found I was spending more time drying than washing.
Solution? A pressure washer and de-ionizing filter system. Most of the time, this daily driver was just dusty, or spotted from a rain storm. Using DI water in the pressure washer allows for a touch-less wash that takes about 15 minutes, then just let it air-dry. It gets it about 95-99% clean and saves a lot of time. Also, not touching it with wash pads or drying towels means no chances for any swirls or micro-scratching. For this method to work, you first have to have a good layer of sealant or wax to make the dust and minor dirt come right off.
When the Raptor gets too dirty for just a rinse, I run hot water through the pressure washer, then use a foam cannon with washing mitt for a more traditional wash, followed by a cold water DI rinse. Again, drying is optional, but I did find that some of the shampoo ends up under the trim and then drips out later, leaving residue. Forced-air drying with the Metro Sidekick helps with this.
For efficiency in setting up and putting things away, I mounted the electric pressure washer and DI filters on a cart, along with some hose reels. I even added an extension cord reel for use with the Sidekick dryer.
The other nice benefit to the DI water is you can wash in direct sunlight and no water spots.
Note that this model of electric pressure washer is designed to run hot water, most pressure washers, whether electric or gas, are water-cooled and cannot run hot water without being damaged.
Solution? A pressure washer and de-ionizing filter system. Most of the time, this daily driver was just dusty, or spotted from a rain storm. Using DI water in the pressure washer allows for a touch-less wash that takes about 15 minutes, then just let it air-dry. It gets it about 95-99% clean and saves a lot of time. Also, not touching it with wash pads or drying towels means no chances for any swirls or micro-scratching. For this method to work, you first have to have a good layer of sealant or wax to make the dust and minor dirt come right off.
When the Raptor gets too dirty for just a rinse, I run hot water through the pressure washer, then use a foam cannon with washing mitt for a more traditional wash, followed by a cold water DI rinse. Again, drying is optional, but I did find that some of the shampoo ends up under the trim and then drips out later, leaving residue. Forced-air drying with the Metro Sidekick helps with this.
For efficiency in setting up and putting things away, I mounted the electric pressure washer and DI filters on a cart, along with some hose reels. I even added an extension cord reel for use with the Sidekick dryer.
The other nice benefit to the DI water is you can wash in direct sunlight and no water spots.
Note that this model of electric pressure washer is designed to run hot water, most pressure washers, whether electric or gas, are water-cooled and cannot run hot water without being damaged.
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