[Bobble]

GPM means way more the PSI if you're concerned about foam quantity.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Bobble

GPM means way more the PSI if you're concerned about foam quantity.

Absolutely the case. My PW is gas powered, 3.4gpm/3200psi.
I know that some people get good results from electric PW's - but I don't see the point. My neighbor has one and truthfully my gas PW isn't any louder than his electric - plus I don't have to worry about a cord.

[MuttGrunt]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Absolutely the case. My PW is gas powered, 3.4gpm/3200psi.
I know that some people get good results from electric PW's - but I don't see the point. My neighbor has one and truthfully my gas PW isn't any louder than his electric - plus I don't have to worry about a cord.

Its not about noise, but rather price. The pressure washer I use was around $100 refurbished.
A gas powered unit isn't needed to get quality results, however gas units can be great because they can be used around the house effectively.

[Focus]

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

Its not about noise, but rather price. The pressure washer I use was around $100 refurbished.
A gas powered unit isn't needed to get quality results, however gas units can be great because they can be used around the house effectively.

What unit do you use?

[SteveH]

Understood - for me it was about the noise as well - as I typically like to wash the car early Sat morning.
The unit I have I picked up from craigslist. Looks kinda cobbled together - but its a CAT pump and does the trick nicely.

[CJ421]

Car looks unbelievable man ... just amazing. Thanks for the write-up. I have all of the products you used save for these:

Dodo Supernatural Wax
Dodo Tropical Mist
303 Aerospace Protectant
Klasse AIO

The wax I'm gonna have to pass on for now, wow, $200. I typically end with BFWD and OID.

My details seem to come out good, and I have no swirling. The paint doesn't develop the depth yours does however. Here's my overall process, I did a writeup about two months ago:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565040
Here's a pic of my trunk after BFWD:

--
I think I am going to bite the bullet and get a Porter Cable, at least to cut down on some of the manual work because my details simply take forever (100% by hand) and I split it up over several days. Also I want to try some polishing soon. Any advice on a good starter kit? I've been looking at something like this:
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Pack...rter-Kit-P457/

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by Bobble

GPM means way more the PSI if you're concerned about foam quantity.

Originally Posted by SteveH

Absolutely the case. My PW is gas powered, 3.4gpm/3200psi.
I know that some people get good results from electric PW's - but I don't see the point. My neighbor has one and truthfully my gas PW isn't any louder than his electric - plus I don't have to worry about a cord.

Ah, confused GPM for PSI. I was just hoping it'd be a washer <2GPM.

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

Its not about noise, but rather price. The pressure washer I use was around $100 refurbished.
A gas powered unit isn't needed to get quality results, however gas units can be great because they can be used around the house effectively.

Which electric power washer do you use? I might've asked you this on one of your blogs on Detailed Image, but you probably don't get notifications of all comments.

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by CJ421

Car looks unbelievable man ... just amazing. Thanks for the write-up. I have all of the products you used save for these:

The wax I'm gonna have to pass on for now, wow, $200. I typically end with BFWD and OID.

My details seem to come out good, and I have no swirling. The paint doesn't develop the depth yours does however. Here's my overall process, I did a writeup about two months ago:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565040
--
I think I am going to bite the bullet and get a Porter Cable, at least to cut down on some of the manual work because my details simply take forever (100% by hand) and I split it up over several days. Also I want to try some polishing soon. Any advice on a good starter kit? I've been looking at something like this:
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Pack...rter-Kit-P457/

Your thread was one of the first I came across in regards to detailing. Nice job, especially doing it all by hand.

[CJ421]

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

Your thread was one of the first I came across in regards to detailing. Nice job, especially doing it all by hand.

Thanks man, means a lot.

[SteveH]

As far as the Supernatural goes....I didn't drop $200...hehe. I just picked up one of the sample size ones (Still....$30). Truth be told, it really did bring out a lot of the metallic. I also like how you can easily apply it with your finger - quite handy around rubber trim work, etc.
Im sure the PC will help you out immensely. Its worth it.

[catch]

great job!!!

[MuttGrunt]

Originally Posted by Focus

What unit do you use?

Originally Posted by SteveH

Understood - for me it was about the noise as well - as I typically like to wash the car early Sat morning.
The unit I have I picked up from craigslist. Looks kinda cobbled together - but its a CAT pump and does the trick nicely.

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

Which electric power washer do you use? I might've asked you this on one of your blogs on Detailed Image, but you probably don't get notifications of all comments.

We use an electric Karcher unit. When debating on an electric unit that's truly high quality, we've realized for our uses it's not worth the price. At a full $1k+, we could get a different Karcher unit every year for 10 years. We've found it does the job fine.

Understandable Steve. Nothing wrong with going the gas powered route, as they're awesome around the house as well. The lightness and ease of an electric unit combined with the price makes it much better for us, especially when you take into account the times we need to take it on the road with us. If only working stationary, I'd prefer a gas unit as you'll get better overall performance.

[OrangeHooligan]

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

We use an electric Karcher unit. When debating on an electric unit that's truly high quality, we've realized for our uses it's not worth the price. At a full $1k+, we could get a different Karcher unit every year for 10 years. We've found it does the job fine.

Understandable Steve. Nothing wrong with going the gas powered route, as they're awesome around the house as well. The lightness and ease of an electric unit combined with the price makes it much better for us, especially when you take into account the times we need to take it on the road with us. If only working stationary, I'd prefer a gas unit as you'll get better overall performance.

What specific Karcher model do you use? And where can you get it refurbed for $100?

[Envious Eric]

I just picked up the karcher 1600 and used it for the first time today...works really well on tires, grooves, and those little yellow pollen spots (zip, gone!) Will it save me a bunch of time, not likely on the everyday car. Will it save me clean up time after compounding a car for 6 hours, absolutely!!!!

I'll be keeping it, and it was $110 at OSH

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

I just picked up the karcher 1600 and used it for the first time today...works really well on tires, grooves, and those little yellow pollen spots (zip, gone!) Will it save me a bunch of time, not likely on the everyday car. Will it save me clean up time after compounding a car for 6 hours, absolutely!!!!

I'll be keeping it, and it was $110 at OSH

Did you also use that model with a foam cannon?

[Envious Eric]

nope, dont even own one!

[MuttGrunt]

...and the shock comes over the crowd as people realize there are high-end quality detailers like Eric that have only recently purchased a pressure washer and ::gasp:: don't have a foam cannon.

Quality work is about quality work - the little things we all do to try to help or get an edge can make a difference, but at the end of the day: you either put the time in to achieve the right results, or you don't put the time in.

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

...and the shock comes over the crowd as people realize there are high-end quality detailers like Eric that have only recently purchased a pressure washer and ::gasp:: don't have a foam cannon.

Quality work is about quality work - the little things we all do to try to help or get an edge can make a difference, but at the end of the day: you either put the time in to achieve the right results, or you don't put the time in.

So shocked I didn't even know how to respond, but he definitely doesn't need the foam cannon from the work he's produced and shown over the years without it.

[MuttGrunt]

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

So shocked I didn't even know how to respond, but he definitely doesn't need the foam cannon from the work he's produced and shown over the years without it.

What's truly needed versus what is used and what can help are completely different. Somewhat like what car we NEED versus what car we'd much rather have.

[OrangeHooligan]

+1

I wanted a E36 M3

But got a 04 Jetta MK4 with 61k Miles instead

[Envious Eric]

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

...and the shock comes over the crowd as people realize there are high-end quality detailers like Eric that have only recently purchased a pressure washer and ::gasp:: don't have a foam cannon.

Quality work is about quality work - the little things we all do to try to help or get an edge can make a difference, but at the end of the day: you either put the time in to achieve the right results, or you don't put the time in.

HAHAHAHA, awesome!