A cautionary tale on using Pressure Washer

OtoPA · 04-29-2023, 06:51 PM

My brand new M4 Comp had a light coat of road dust, so obviously, it needed to have a wash. I pulled out the pressure washer and foam cannon, and began to work. After a suitable amount of time under foam, it was ready for a rinse. After switching the nozzle, I thought I was ready. Imagine my horror as the snap-on nozzle flew off accompanied by a loud 'Thunk'.

The longest 2 minutes passed as I found a different nozzle, snapped it on and rinsed off the foam.

Only by the benevolence of a merciful God did I escape a dreaded dent . So, I violated many 'gun safety' rules...a gun is always loaded (poorly, in this case), keep your fingers of the trigger till you're ready to shoot (THINK!), most importantly, in this story, NEVER point your gun at something you are not willing to destroy, and know what's behind your target.

A couple of ounces of brass from a 2800psi washer is not a trivial thing. (I found it 30 feet away)

I dodged a 'bullet'. Likely hit the tire and bounced off. Lesson learned and shared for your enjoyment.

Alvinmark12 · 04-29-2023, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtoPA

My brand new M4 Comp had a light coat of road dust, so obviously, it needed to have a wash. I pulled out the pressure washer and foam cannon, and began to work. After a suitable amount of time under foam, it was ready for a rinse. After switching the nozzle, I thought I was ready. Imagine my horror as the snap-on nozzle flew off accompanied by a loud 'Thunk'.

The longest 2 minutes passed as I found a different nozzle, snapped it on and rinsed off the foam.

Only by the benevolence of a merciful God did I escape a dreaded dent . So, I violated many 'gun safety' rules...a gun is always loaded (poorly, in this case), keep your fingers of the trigger till you're ready to shoot (THINK!), most importantly, in this story, NEVER point your gun at something you are not willing to destroy, and know what's behind your target.

A couple of ounces of brass from a 2800psi washer is not a trivial thing. (I found it 30 feet away)

I dodged a 'bullet'. Likely hit the tire and bounced off. Lesson learned and shared for your enjoyment.

Yep done that before but thank god it was my work car. You are lucky.

SpinalTap · 04-29-2023, 07:25 PM

Good advice and I’m glad it wasn’t a bigger problem for you!

BryanCO · 04-29-2023, 07:44 PM

The first time I did the same thing, fortunately the wand was pointing towards the ground and the nozzle flew under the car. I now point the thing towards the yard for the first blast…

Juanero · 04-29-2023, 08:13 PM

good heads up! I've always double or triple pulled on my snap on nozzles fearful of the same thing!

Mark Kez · 04-29-2023, 08:25 PM

Good to know!

1209582 · 04-29-2023, 08:44 PM

i bought one of these for that exact reason, but its collecting dust. so much easier to use the cheaper plastic nozzles.

Limegrntaln · 04-29-2023, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1209582

i bought one of these for that exact reason, but its collecting dust. so much easier to use the cheaper plastic nozzles.

Same, I have a 15° 20° and a 40° in these. I didn’t have a nozzle problem, today, I actually pulled the trigger, and the damn PF22 foam cannon, shot off and hit the ground.

Luckily, it was already in my head to keep it pointed away from the car.

OtoPA · 04-29-2023, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Same, I have a 15° 20° and a 40° in these. I didn’t have a nozzle problem, today, I actually pulled the trigger, and the damn PF22 foam cannon, shot off and hit the ground.

Luckily, it was already in my head to keep it pointed away from the car.

It was the longest two minutes...couldn't examine the car till the foam was off.. I went through the first 3/5 stages of grief till I was able to get a good look..LOL. Lesson learned.

Psychos1s · 04-29-2023, 11:14 PM

I shot my nozzle across the street. Scared the crap out of me!! After that moment—thankfully not hurting my car or any human—I always test it out towards the lawn as BryanCO mentioned now. Lesson learned!!!!!!

Znomorph4theWin · 04-29-2023, 11:21 PM

Yup. Did the same thing on my RS5. The sound of that nozzle hitting the fender still resonates with me. Now, I always point the gun down first before I fire away.

Limegrntaln · 04-30-2023, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtoPA

It was the longest two minutes...couldn't examine the car till the foam was off.. I went through the first 3/5 stages of grief till I was able to get a good look..LOL. Lesson learned.

DO444 · 04-30-2023, 03:35 AM

Appreciate the warning
Did you hear the one about the group of guys who decided to pressure wash the inside of one of themselves by connecting it to one of their anus?

True story.
It didn’t go well.

For some reason, ever since hearing that story it’s kinda all I can think about when I see a pressure washer. At least, I think it was a pressure washer. Went to look for it and all I found was this…

https://nypost.com/video/worker-kill...e-up-his-butt/

Those things can certainly do some damage.

Also, it’s amazing what some people will stick up their/someone’s ass.

For something slightly more entertaining and far less depressing…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VkgfxIPG_5c

FISH22 · 04-30-2023, 08:44 AM

Great reminder, thank you.

I was actually instructing my son on proper wash techniques last weekend. We spent some time discussing the importance of safely handling a pressure washer (treating it like a firearm).

One good technique I learned was always aiming the first shot away from anything or anyone. Especially after continually switching between nozzle and foam cannon.

04-29-2023, 06:51 PM	#1
OtoPA Private First Class 384 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 22 F150, 23 M4, JD3038E Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: OKC(ish) iTrader: (0)	A cautionary tale on using Pressure Washer My brand new M4 Comp had a light coat of road dust, so obviously, it needed to have a wash. I pulled out the pressure washer and foam cannon, and began to work. After a suitable amount of time under foam, it was ready for a rinse. After switching the nozzle, I thought I was ready. Imagine my horror as the snap-on nozzle flew off accompanied by a loud 'Thunk'. The longest 2 minutes passed as I found a different nozzle, snapped it on and rinsed off the foam. Only by the benevolence of a merciful God did I escape a dreaded dent . So, I violated many 'gun safety' rules...a gun is always loaded (poorly, in this case), keep your fingers of the trigger till you're ready to shoot (THINK!), most importantly, in this story, NEVER point your gun at something you are not willing to destroy, and know what's behind your target. A couple of ounces of brass from a 2800psi washer is not a trivial thing. (I found it 30 feet away) I dodged a 'bullet'. Likely hit the tire and bounced off. Lesson learned and shared for your enjoyment.
	Appreciate 7 Alvinmark12666.50 2011ninja3399.00 CSH195928.00 DO4441410.50 FISH225404.50 chicagofan0019153.50 NorCalAthlete3191.00 Tweet

04-29-2023, 07:25 PM	#3
SpinalTap Private 110 Rep 61 Posts Drives: G80 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Good advice and I’m glad it wasn’t a bigger problem for you!
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04-29-2023, 07:44 PM	#4
BryanCO Captain 896 Rep 755 Posts Drives: E92 M3 997.1 GT3 G80 Manuals Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	The first time I did the same thing, fortunately the wand was pointing towards the ground and the nozzle flew under the car. I now point the thing towards the yard for the first blast…
	Appreciate 2 OtoPA383.50 Psychos1s523.50

04-29-2023, 08:13 PM	#5
Juanero Second Lieutenant 214 Rep 226 Posts Drives: Pcars, TOYcars, M3Cx Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	good heads up! I've always double or triple pulled on my snap on nozzles fearful of the same thing!
	Appreciate 2 OtoPA383.50 DO4441410.50

04-29-2023, 08:25 PM	#6
Mark Kez Lieutenant Colonel 2202 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Convertible Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Syracuse NY iTrader: (0)	Good to know!
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04-29-2023, 08:44 PM	#7
1209582 First Lieutenant 793 Rep 309 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	i bought one of these for that exact reason, but its collecting dust. so much easier to use the cheaper plastic nozzles. Attached Images
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04-29-2023, 11:14 PM	#10
Psychos1s Private First Class 524 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M3 50 Jahre Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: NW iTrader: (0)	I shot my nozzle across the street. Scared the crap out of me!! After that moment—thankfully not hurting my car or any human—I always test it out towards the lawn as BryanCO mentioned now. Lesson learned!!!!!! __________________ 2023 G80 ///M3 Competition xDrive 50 Jahre Edition • Ordered 5/4/22 • Delivered 9/23/22 Previous • 2017 F80///M3 zCP • Instagram: MRated.M3 • 2023 ///M3 50 Jahre Edition \| The Journey to Ownership
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04-29-2023, 11:21 PM	#11
Znomorph4theWin Second Lieutenant 441 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M3 Comp M xDrive Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Yup. Did the same thing on my RS5. The sound of that nozzle hitting the fender still resonates with me. Now, I always point the gun down first before I fire away.
	Appreciate 2 OtoPA383.50 DO4441410.50

04-30-2023, 03:35 AM	#13
DO444 Banned 1411 Rep 1,174 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: May 2022 Location: Idaho iTrader: (0)	Appreciate the warning Did you hear the one about the group of guys who decided to pressure wash the inside of one of themselves by connecting it to one of their anus? True story. It didn’t go well. For some reason, ever since hearing that story it’s kinda all I can think about when I see a pressure washer. At least, I think it was a pressure washer. Went to look for it and all I found was this… https://nypost.com/video/worker-kill...e-up-his-butt/ Those things can certainly do some damage. Also, it’s amazing what some people will stick up their/someone’s ass. For something slightly more entertaining and far less depressing… https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VkgfxIPG_5c
	Appreciate 2 blackbeard3149.50 FISH225404.50

04-30-2023, 08:44 AM	#14
FISH22 Colonel 5405 Rep 2,030 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Competition Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW M3C [10.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Great reminder, thank you. I was actually instructing my son on proper wash techniques last weekend. We spent some time discussing the importance of safely handling a pressure washer (treating it like a firearm). One good technique I learned was always aiming the first shot away from anything or anyone. Especially after continually switching between nozzle and foam cannon.
	Appreciate 1 OtoPA383.50