New Volvo car washing...pressure washer safe?

anotherv60 · Feb 24th, 2018, 19:40

Hi All,

I haven't found anything in the Volvo literature that says don't use a pressure washer on the paint, can anyone confirm this is safe? - Anyone done it?

I only ask as in the Sharan's manual it states to avoid pressure washing for the first 12 months after manufacturing date....

I have been hand washing the V90 but its a pain...

Driver Dave · Feb 24th, 2018, 20:56

Used a pressure washer on mine even time I wash it. Rinse of worst muck using a lowish pressure, snow foam wash, agitate with a long handled, soft fibre car wash brush then rinse using pressure washer.

Bernard F · Feb 24th, 2018, 21:01

The manual says not in the first few months. After that only sweeping movements not closer than 30cm and avoid spraying into the locks.

Ninja59 · Feb 24th, 2018, 22:54

It will be because of paint curing. Honestly though it is all bollocks as the paint will have cured and many pro detailers pressure wash cars prior to decontamination etc.

Furthermore many cars will be pressure washered by the dealership prior to handover

neon · Feb 25th, 2018, 07:52

I thought most cars had a clear coat coating now that will withstand pressure washing.

SuffolkBoy · Feb 25th, 2018, 08:48

Don't use a pressure washer on your tyre walls - ever. It will shorten the life of your tyres considerably as it damages and weakens the rubber.

Quacker · Feb 25th, 2018, 09:31

I always use a pressure washer, but at a distance of about two feet or more. Wet the cars from a distance first then take the worst mud and grime off with the washer, then use a soft long handle brush dipped often in either a tfr or wash/wax solution in a big bucket. Then rinse again.
Tyres again need washing and from as far away as possible that gets the job done. Never had tyres perish due to pressure washing although it might be possible.
Obviously avoid blasting hard on electrical components, but I’ve never had a problem with any car. The Toyota is coming up to 20 years old and was fitted with aftermarket reversing sensors when new and they still work perfectly today.

dghdgh · Feb 25th, 2018, 13:58

Just to put something in from my work perspective, although retired. Our fleet over the years of: Volvos, BMW's, Fords, VW's, Skoda's, Rovers and Vauxhalls over the years were jet washed at least twice a day with an industrial jet wash with chemicals without any issue.
What is more of a concern, as the majority have been white cars, is the differing sustainability of various colour paints. I have had recently had a couple of black cars which scratched when you looked at them. Hence I have gone to white paint which is, as I ve been informed harder paint.
May be a load of old rubbish but I believed it based on my experience of black metallic paint from AUDI and BMW.

Feb 24th, 2018, 19:40	#1
anotherv60 Master Member Last Online: Feb 28th, 2024 19:49 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Derbyshire	New Volvo car washing...pressure washer safe? Hi All, I haven't found anything in the Volvo literature that says don't use a pressure washer on the paint, can anyone confirm this is safe? - Anyone done it? I only ask as in the Sharan's manual it states to avoid pressure washing for the first 12 months after manufacturing date.... I have been hand washing the V90 but its a pain... __________________ MY20 XC40 T4 R-Design, Xenium, Intellisafe Pro, Winter, Tow bar, Thunder Grey Previous: MY18 V90, MY15 V60

Feb 24th, 2018, 20:56	#2
Driver Dave Member Last Online: Oct 7th, 2022 15:19 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands	Used a pressure washer on mine even time I wash it. Rinse of worst muck using a lowish pressure, snow foam wash, agitate with a long handled, soft fibre car wash brush then rinse using pressure washer. __________________ MY17 XC90 D5 Power-pulse Inscription, 5 Double Spoke alloys, Luminous Sand, Amber Leather, Linear Walnut Inlays, Winter Pack, Xenium Pack, BLIS, Dark Tinted Windows, Towbar, Mud flaps, PoleStar

Feb 24th, 2018, 21:01	#3
Bernard F Senior Member Last Online: Jul 14th, 2021 14:57 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Brentwood	The manual says not in the first few months. After that only sweeping movements not closer than 30cm and avoid spraying into the locks. __________________ XC60 T5 MY18 Inscription Pro, Intellisafe Pro, Xenium, Keyless, Silver, Dark windows, Tempa spare wheel.

Feb 25th, 2018, 07:52	#5
neon Premier Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2023 10:37 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Yorkshire	I thought most cars had a clear coat coating now that will withstand pressure washing. __________________ MY17 XC90 D5 Powerpulse Inscription, Polestar, Osmium Grey, Blond, Walnut, Xenium, Winter with HUD, Auxiliary Heater, Homelink, Heated Rear Seats, Subwoofer, Apple Car Play, Tinted Windows

Feb 25th, 2018, 08:48	#6
SuffolkBoy VOC Member Last Online: Today 20:14 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lowestoft	Don't use a pressure washer on your tyre walls - ever. It will shorten the life of your tyres considerably as it damages and weakens the rubber. __________________ MY23 XC40 Recharge Ultimate Single Motor - Fjord Blue with Fjord Blue interior (AAOS) Previous:-MY21 XC60 B5P;MY19 V90CC; MY18 XC60; MY17 XC60; MY15 XC60

Feb 24th, 2018, 22:54	#4
Ninja59 Probably Akita's Toyboy.. Last Online: Dec 27th, 2023 22:24 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: A House.	It will be because of paint curing. Honestly though it is all bollocks as the paint will have cured and many pro detailers pressure wash cars prior to decontamination etc. Furthermore many cars will be pressure washered by the dealership prior to handover

Feb 25th, 2018, 09:31	#7
Quacker Premier Member Last Online: Nov 22nd, 2021 00:53 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: West of Carmarthen	I always use a pressure washer, but at a distance of about two feet or more. Wet the cars from a distance first then take the worst mud and grime off with the washer, then use a soft long handle brush dipped often in either a tfr or wash/wax solution in a big bucket. Then rinse again. Tyres again need washing and from as far away as possible that gets the job done. Never had tyres perish due to pressure washing although it might be possible. Obviously avoid blasting hard on electrical components, but I’ve never had a problem with any car. The Toyota is coming up to 20 years old and was fitted with aftermarket reversing sensors when new and they still work perfectly today. __________________ XC90 D5, 2017 Inscription. Dark Grey. Xenium pack. Winter Plus with HUD. Black leather interior with alloy trim inserts. Ownership ended June 2020, Happy motoring times!

Feb 25th, 2018, 13:58	#8
dghdgh Junior Member Last Online: May 2nd, 2020 10:26 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Teesside	Just to put something in from my work perspective, although retired. Our fleet over the years of: Volvos, BMW's, Fords, VW's, Skoda's, Rovers and Vauxhalls over the years were jet washed at least twice a day with an industrial jet wash with chemicals without any issue. What is more of a concern, as the majority have been white cars, is the differing sustainability of various colour paints. I have had recently had a couple of black cars which scratched when you looked at them. Hence I have gone to white paint which is, as I ve been informed harder paint. May be a load of old rubbish but I believed it based on my experience of black metallic paint from AUDI and BMW.

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