Just wondering what is a decent sort of stuff to use. I got a cheapish Bosch pressure washer thing, and while it gets a fair bit of muck off with just water I'm wondering if using the detergent bottle with something appropriate in it would help. If it makes a difference, I regard car washing as just an exercise in muck removal - I don't much care if it's super-shiny afterwards, just relatively clean would do.

Pure clean water. If you use aggressive detergents it will strip any wax off.

Just power wash the car with clean water and then shampoo with a wash mitt.

I use Meguires NXT car wash. Then rinse off with the power washer again. Works for me AND no swirls

I don't know if they do something similar, but there is a foam bottle for the karcher ones.

You put your favourite detergent in there (say NXT) and then it covers the car in thick soapy suds aplenty. Then you just wash mit it off and give it a good clean off afterwards.

Have a nosey over at detailing world as i think they something on it on there.

Ta. I'm only after something that'll help lift a bit more grime, and I certainly don't want anything that'll damage the protective finish thing. I'll have to have a look at these wash mitt things - I presume Halfords will have such an item.

Wash mitt is just a glove that scratches less than a sponge.

Halfords do sell them and they also sell the foamer attachments ( i saw one for a normal hose pipe too )

Starting using wash mitt several weeks ago - great. Brill for getting in tiny crevices - find I no longer need wheel brush to clean the tricky places on the alloys.

Pressure washer - presume you know not to aim at the tyres for too long or to get too close with the gun (or any combination of the two) ?

Pressure washer - presume you know not to aim at the tyres for too long or to get too close with the gun (or any combination of the two) ?

why's that then

Some survey says it damages the tyre side wall.

Whether true or not i would rather not chance it.

AutoExpress reported that damage could be caused to the tyres - pinholes developing, stripping of anti-kerbing sidewall 'strengthener' (did a search but can't find it now).