Pressure Washer Questions

[Lexus Guy04]

I know I just made a thread discussing the best swirl finder/defect light, but I am trying to get my ducks in a row and was wondering how many of you use a pressure washer to rinse your cars off? If so, what make/model do you use? Also, what are the advantages/disadvantages of using one? I do not want a gas powered pressure washer as it seems they are too high of a psi, let alone way too loud. Thanks in advance.

[BlueZero]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

I don't have one. I keep thinking I should get one but now I think I'll wait till spring. Here is two good threads on the subject.

Decent Electric Pressure Washer?

Pressure Washer?

[Lexus Guy04]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

I don't have one. I keep thinking I should get one but now I think I'll wait till spring. Here is two good threads on the subject.

Decent Electric Pressure Washer?

Pressure Washer?

I have already read the "Pressure Washer?" thread, and just finished reading the thread you started titled "Decent Electric Pressure Washer?". But it seems no one has commented on that one in quite some time. Hopefully we can get some current input.

[BlueZero]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

Cool! Those where two pretty good threads.

For what it's worth. Big Lots had a Karcher refurb 1800 psi one on sale for $100. I missed the sale but if I see it again I'll probably pick it up. I don't remember the model number.

[Black Bart]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

I bought a EXCELL electric pressure Washer about 20 years ago I'm still using it.
I use it to wash the siding on the house clean the sidewalk and garage floor and to clean the sand and salt off in the winter before washing with a mitt.

The washer alone will not get the car clean enough you still need to do a regular wash but it is good for removing the heavy stuff before washing.

They are not a must have but If it ever gives out I will buy another one I just can't Imagine not having one.

[Jeepster04]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

Personally I use a 2,550psi Troy built Gas Pressure washer. Got it from Lowes.

I also have a 2450psi troy built but the pump is going bad on it and it was cheaper to just buy a new pressure washer than it would of been to repair this one. Someone left it in a freezing building(pops) which popped out a freeze plug. Someone(me) left a shim out on a bearing which destroyed the cam. After fixing that the seals started leaking water into the oil since I had taken it apart and they were coated in calcium.... You get the idea..

I do not usually use them unless my Jeep is really dirty or covered in mud. Just no use if its just a routine washing.

[yalerd]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

If you are setting up a mobile-unit I would get a gas powered but if you are going to have it for personal use and things like that I would get a electric pressure washer

Most of the time a small machine could do a basic detailing job. The ideal thing is to have a system that can deliver 1000-1750 p.s.i and deliver 1.0-1.75 GPM.

What type of jobs do you want to focus into?

Personally I use a 2,550psi Troy built Gas Pressure washer. Got it from Lowes.

I also have a 2450psi troy built but the pump is going bad on it and it was cheaper to just buy a new pressure washer than it would of been to repair this one. Someone left it in a freezing building(pops) which popped out a freeze plug. Someone(me) left a shim out on a bearing which destroyed the cam. After fixing that the seals started leaking water into the oil since I had taken it apart and they were coated in calcium.... You get the idea..

I do not usually use them unless my Jeep is really dirty or covered in mud. Just no use if its just a routine washing.

If you need to do jobs like undercarriage, your car or other cars with lots of Dirt (mud, clumps, and other things like it) gallons per minute is more important than p.s.i.,


***Kevin Brown did I learn something!?!?

[Lexus Guy04]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

If you are setting up a mobile-unit I would get a gas powered but if you are going to have it for personal use and things like that I would get a electric pressure washer

Most of the time a small machine could do a basic detailing job. The ideal thing is to have a system that can deliver 1000-1750 p.s.i and deliver 1.0-1.75 GPM.

What type of jobs do you want to focus into?


If you need to do jobs like undercarriage, your car or other cars with lots of Dirt (mud, clumps, and other things like it) gallons per minute is more important than p.s.i.,


***Kevin Brown did I learn something!?!?

I am basically just wanting one for the jobs I get as a detailer where the wash part of it has so much dirt, mud, leaves, etc., as well as the under carriage and wheel wells. Just something to help make that part of the process easier. What do you think? Is an electric model enough?

[Black Bart]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

[QUOTE=yalerd

Most of the time a small machine could do a basic detailing job. The ideal thing is to have a system that can deliver 1000-1750 p.s.i and deliver 1.0-1.75 GPM.

What type of jobs do you want to focus into?


If you need to do jobs like undercarriage, your car or other cars with lots of Dirt (mud, clumps, and other things like it) gallons per minute is more important than p.s.i.,


***Kevin Brown did I learn something!?!?

[/QUOTE]I agree most people get hung up on how much pressure that they have but for washing a car water is what you need.

Anything over 1500 psi is pretty much a waste and in some cases it can be bad if you strip a trim decal or get it in a paint chip and rip off a strip of paint.

If you are going to use it at home go electric don't need to fuel it or change oil or spark plug.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

I have a 2400 psi Honda. I rarely use it because my vehicles don't get dirty enough to justify it, and when I detail (mobile) I have to pack everything into my hatchback Focus...no pressure washer in there lol.

The key advantage from a pressure washer is increasing the amount of stuff that can be removed from the paint without having to make contact, possible scratching or marring the surface.

[yalerd]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

I am basically just wanting one for the jobs I get as a detailer where the wash part of it has so much dirt, mud, leaves, etc., as well as the under carriage and wheel wells. Just something to help make that part of the process easier. What do you think? Is an electric model enough?

Are you mobile? Do you have a generator?

[Tom Weed]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

figured I would chime in here...

I have a CR spotless filter system that requires you regulate the flow output, a pressure washer does the trick perfectly. I've had three Karcher Electric models and they have all lasted me about a year with low to moderate use before they started cycling and weren't worth getting repaired.

The last go around I went to pressurewashersdirect.com and got a rebuilt Campbell-Hausfeld 1800 psi electric model and I've used it during the summer mostly every weekend and it's still going strong, I've had it now over a year.

My personal experience tells me to stay away from Karcher electric models.\

I detail on the weekends and use it on every wash job, can't imagine not doing the wheel wells and underside of the car without one. You can turn the pressure down too to nice soft rinse.

[Lexus Guy04]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

figured I would chime in here...

I have a CR spotless filter system that requires you regulate the flow output, a pressure washer does the trick perfectly. I've had three Karcher Electric models and they have all lasted me about a year with low to moderate use before they started cycling and weren't worth getting repaired.

The last go around I went to pressurewashersdirect.com and got a rebuilt Campbell-Hausfeld 1800 psi electric model and I've used it during the summer mostly every weekend and it's still going strong, I've had it now over a year.

My personal experience tells me to stay away from Karcher electric models.\

I detail on the weekends and use it on every wash job, can't imagine not doing the wheel wells and underside of the car without one. You can turn the pressure down too to nice soft rinse.

Is this the model that you are talking about? http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com...810/p1226.html It looks like a decent price. If it is, do you even use the dual tanks?

[Tom Weed]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

Is this the model that you are talking about? http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com...810/p1226.html It looks like a decent price. If it is, do you even use the dual tanks?

That is the exact model I have, it's held up good so far and has more than enough power. On the dual tanks, I put about a 3rd APC in one tank, and car wash soap in the other tank, so depending on what I am working on, I can do a pre-soak, although I did like the foamer attachment better I had with the Karcher model, it really made a lot of foam, where on this unit, not so much. Those tanks are pretty much up to you if you want to use them. They do drain down the solution fast.

[HemiMopar]

Re: Pressure Washer Questions

I have heard a lot of bad things about pressure washers. I have heard they can inflict swirls onto the paint. Is this the case? If so why would you want one?