pressure washers?

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:06 pm

anyone in the know regarding pressure washers? i've wanted one for quite a while, but it seems everyone says only go with upper-end ones, otherwise the dependability is crap...and not to consider electric at all.

seems the "triaxial" pumps are where it's at, but those are fricking $$$$$$$$$.

i would basically use it a fair amount at first (vinyl siding on my house, deck/driveway cleanup)...then only occasionally for car washing, etc.

thoughts?

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:00 pm

I started a similar thread about a year ago - I was trying to stay cheap but everyone said spend the extra $$ for the ones with the small honda motor. Can't remember off hand what brand I got, no issues after ~20 uses . Think I paid about $300

it was this one http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:49 pm

I have a Karcher 1750 PSI washer & I have been able to do my siding (green mold, ick) just fine. It has a spinning tip thing that gets pretty much anything off (zero point I believe they called it). I use it almost every week to wash my cars. I like having an electric one because they are quiet & only have pressure when being used. I know a number of people who's washer died from the engine keeping the pump running while the washer wasn't being used (they use the water to cool the pump). Not to say that a top end one isn't nice, but for siding & washing cars, I'm fine. Heck, it even cleans my cement & deck fine.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:19 pm

I have a Honda myself, but I don't remember the model.. I've had it for about a year and it has worked great. I know it wasn't more than $350... I'll look for the model# next time I'm at the lake (Tuesday) and post back.

eGo

nitro237 · Post by **nitro237** » Fri May 22, 2009 5:29 pm

I have a Honda also, this one

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:11 pm

I bought a cheapo electric one from Harbor Freight a few years back to blow off pealing paint on my patio so I could repaint it.

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:36 pm

nitro237 wrote:I have a Honda also, this one

i was looking at that exact one...and the 3000 psi model from the same company. those are the only two sams club sells...how long have you had it? opinion?

i would be happy if it lasts at least 3-4 years before falling apart.

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:53 pm

what ever brand or type you buy .always hook up the hose and turn it on before you start it up. and gas units are stronger then electric. i always liked Honda's over Briggs for motors but you also pay a steeper price.
i personal have a electric unit for around the house .wife and daughter bought it for me a couple of years back (husky by home depot ) . before that i owned a gas with a Honda 5 hp. had a Coleman pump and was a pain trying to find repair parts for. so i took it to a pawn shop and never returned to pick it up

also would peel the wood on wood decking if i was not careful. also found if homes were using wells to supply there water i found it would use up more water then some well pumps could supply. never a problem if the home had city water supply's. so keep that in mind if your on a private well and not city water. and if you really want to spend the money you can buy a hot water power washer. they have a propane water heater built into the unit. talk about getting a great car wash. also they sell attachments that will fit most power washer units like spinning soft brushs and extra hoses ,and heads designed just for cleaning driveways.

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:49 pm

thanks...good info. i am on city water, so tap pressure is good. i would like to keep the budget for this under $400. besides house siding and other stuff, i want to get a foaming attachment for it (aka foam cannon)...to satisfy the auto detailer in me.

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:24 pm

I think that nitro and I have the same basic one. Laughting dragon factory 9. I used mine off a well and it was not problem. I also bought one of those wands on wheels to clean the driveway and pool deck. I really never used the highest pressure nozzle that much. I also swapped in another 25 hose and used the wand thingy to clean my swimming pool.

nitro237 · Post by **nitro237** » Sat May 23, 2009 1:06 am

b-man1 wrote:i was looking at that exact one...and the 3000 psi model from the same company. those are the only two sams club sells...how long have you had it? opinion?

i would be happy if it lasts at least 3-4 years before falling apart.

I've only had mine about 10 months. I used it to get over paint overspray off of the brick on my house. It worked great, even took overspray off that had been there for years. I also cleaned the driveway with it. So for, it's been fine.

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:49 am

i want to get a foaming attachment for it

i have this unit. mine came with the unit . it ok but seems to go though a lot more soap then what the video showed and never foamed up as good .maybe its the wrong cleaner im using but never got those results . in suds or volume seems to empty out very fast of soap. but i only had a 2 inch well before at the house now i have a new 5 inch well it may improve .i let you know later today after i wash the cars in one or two hours

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Sat May 23, 2009 10:40 am

renovation wrote:i have this unit. mine came with the unit . it ok but seems to go though a lot more soap then what the video showed and never foamed up as good .maybe its the wrong cleaner im using but never got those results . in suds or volume seems to empty out very fast of soap. but i only had a 2 inch well before at the house now i have a new 5 inch well it may improve .i let you know later today after i wash the cars in one or two hours

It could be that you have hard water.. Hard water makes it very hard for suds to form.

eGo

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Sat May 23, 2009 10:50 am

the amount of foam is like an entire science in itself. there are numerous threads on the autopia forums regarding different equipment (different lance attachments, etc), the type and ratio of soap, etc.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sat May 23, 2009 11:45 am

eGoCeNTRoNiX wrote:It could be that you have hard water.. Hard water makes it very hard for suds to form.

eGo

Ditto! You have hard water. I wash my car by hand, but with my soft water unit from Culligan, I use very little soap and I have lots of suds.