Detailing Discuss keeping your bike looking brand new here.

Pressure Washer?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 5, 2021 | 03:41 PM
  #1  
Parrothead1809's Avatar
Parrothead1809
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 294
Likes: 92
From: USA
Default Pressure Washer?

I'm just starting to look at the various YouTubers that use Foam Cannons (like https://amzn.to/38E9mcl) and I guess they mostly attach to pressure washers. Is that what most of you detailers use for the initial cleaning of the bike? Is the pressure from the pressure washers too much for the paint and components of the bike? Sorry if this is a real nube question, but I've just always used a bucket of soapy water and another bucket to rinse the mitt/sponge. Then I use a garden hose to wash it all down.
Thanks,
-PH
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2021 | 03:52 PM
  #2  
gonemad's Avatar
gonemad
Seasoned HDF Member
5 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 9,504
From: central NC
Default

Too much electro-gizmo-jimcrackery on my Street Glide with all them LED lights I installed, plus all the factory gauges, dials, speakers, etc,
so on and so forth to blast it with a pressure washer.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2021 | 03:55 PM
  #3  
Ingramite's Avatar
Ingramite
Road Master
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 1,283
From: Texas Hill Country
Default

Is this a trick question or yo momma gettin a check for you?
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2021 | 04:01 PM
  #4  
CaffeineBuzz's Avatar
CaffeineBuzz
Seasoned HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,035
Likes: 10,766
From: SE Michigan
Default

I don't see any need for power washer on a bike of any sort, i would just take your time and carefully and properly do it gently by hand
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2021 | 04:13 PM
  #5  
Uncle Larry's Avatar
Uncle Larry
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,326
Likes: 56,888
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Default

Are there places where a pressure washer could be used and cause no harm? Sure ... Could a pressure washer cause harm to your scooter if used indiscriminately? Absolutely ... If you're not sure ( comfortable with making a judgement ) don't use one ... As Buzz has stated "do it gently by hand" as I'm sure you've used your hand gently for other purposes before ... Hope this helps ;>)
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2021 | 04:21 PM
  #6  
TriGeezer's Avatar
TriGeezer
Seasoned HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,027
From: Carlsbad, CA
Default

I use a foam cannon connected to my pressure washer. Gives it an initial soaking of foam, to really loosen up the gook. I pressure wash gently all the nooks & crannies.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Scudda
General Harley Davidson Chat
45
Nov 22, 2022 06:14 AM
Big Dave
EVO
30
Feb 17, 2015 02:59 PM
cruzomatic
General Harley Davidson Chat
41
Mar 10, 2013 01:24 PM
ORSalesRep
General Harley Davidson Chat
21
Oct 31, 2010 06:08 PM
BEAST
Touring Models
21
Jun 6, 2008 04:34 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:18 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE