Pressure washers, how much is enough?

[Gord]

I picked up the Simoniz 3 in 1 on the weekend, brought it home and bolted it to the wall of my garage and tested it out. Unfortunately I was a little underwhelmed... It didn't take off much of the road dirt at all...

I'm not looking to take the paint off the truck but I'd like something that gets most of the dirt off before I start with the mitt.

What are you guys using? Did I buy one with too low a PSI rating? (Mine is 1700) or are all electric units weak.

[dntnvme]

When buying a pressure washer, you never want to buy the electric knid. The best ones are gas driven. I have a 5.5hp honda car pressure washer and depending on the tip you have, you can take the paint right off. But I never use that tip. I use the white with about 2700 psi. If you can go get a gas one. Much better, my 2 :m2:

[BLK60SS]

I agree with dntnvme. I have a gas one as well, but I only use it to clean the wheels and to just take the dirt/grim off the car before I go at it with the sponge. I rarely ever use it to do the whole wash. Plus it's portable so you can use it for a bunch of differant things other than washing your truck.

[tblazed]

A basic gasoline powered washer works fine for me. Just have to maintain the gas engine, use StaBil in the gas so it won't get gummed up, have to change the oil in both the engine and the pump occasionally. I bought a 2200 psi 3.5 HP Briggs & Stratton with a simple adjustable wand, no attachments, from Low's last year for less than $230 when my electric died. The "Delta" electric one I had was pretty good as far as an electric goes, had a very high quality wand with all brass couplings, was the top rated model from confuser reports, but the power switch quit, and there were no parts available, so Sam's bought it back after I used it two summers!

[Spong]

I've got a Karcher 2400 psi with a 5.5 Honda engine (only Honda you'll EVER see in my garage!). I love it. Works fantastic to blast the vehicle clean in the winter when it's too cold to handwash.

Mine came with a 35ft hose and a big long wand which sucked for under car cleaning. I went and bought a 50ft commercial Goodyear hose and a commercial wand that bends (like at the car wash) and then put the quick connector on the end so I could use the different spray attachments. The bendable end is fantastic for cleaning up under the wheel wells etc. I also added a roll up reel to it.

I'll take a picture of it tonight. I bought it in 2002 and I've only used it maybe 12 times total but I love it.

Here's one on Ebay like mine (same place I bought mine actually). You can see in the picture what I mean about the long wand that comes with it. Also, in the one picture they have a hose reel like I put on mine. Figure about another $100-150 on top the price of the unit to get the good hose, wand and reel like I have on mine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Karcher-K-2400-5-H-P-Honda-Pressure-Power-Washer_W0QQitemZ7605205588QQcategoryZ46536QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Steve

[Dacomputernerd]

I got a gas Karcher with a Briggs & Stratton engine (5hp i think). I donno the gpm or psi, but i can tell you that i used it to strip paint off of an old bike! Close range is deadly on that thing!

[03slt_soccal]

i don't know what my detail guy uses i just drop it off for a few hours and pick it up :rotfl:


no really the gas is the only way to go
although i do use and electric on e off qvc for my bike works great but it only gets dust and bugs on it

[Spong]

Here's my Karcher. I guess it's 5hp not 5.5! :duh:

http://images2.fotki.com/v292/photos/4/41590/90193/DSC01701-vi.jpg
http://images6.fotki.com/v99/photos/4/41590/90193/DSC01698-vi.jpg
http://images17.fotki.com/v293/photos/4/41590/90193/DSC01700-vi.jpg

Flexable Wand

http://images3.fotki.com/v31/photos/4/41590/90193/DSC01696-vi.jpg

[ScarabEpic22]

I have a Coleman from Sears with a 6.5hp Briggs and Straton 2200PSI. It definately does the job, it has done everything I have wanted it to do plus more.


The only thing it doesnt do is remove the algae off the bottom of my boats after they have sat in the lake for a month or so.:mad:

[Gord]

I have a Coleman from Sears with a 6.5hp Briggs and Straton 2200PSI. It definately does the job, it has done everything I have wanted it to do plus more.


The only thing it doesnt do is remove the algae off the bottom of my boats after they have sat in the lake for a month or so.:mad:

Now I just have to unbolt this thing from my wall and trade it in for a gas one... Or drive across town to Kelvyn's place every time I want to wash the truck... LOL

[jover]

i just bought a craftsman 6.5 hp briggs and straton (2500 psi) from sears not even open yet trying it out tomorrow. washing the car and house cant wait!!!

[Dacomputernerd]

Now I just have to unbolt this thing from my wall and trade it in for a gas one... Or drive across town to Kelvyn's place every time I want to wash the truck... LOL

LMAO! Only a 5 minute drive :laugh:

[rcnells]

just use the 36,000 psi one like the one i use at work. if you want to see dirt fly as well as paint oh hell even remove panels if need to be. he he

[ieatglue]

How about a video of you going wild on a civic with that thing!! :rotfl:

[BLK60SS]

just use the 36,000 psi one like the one i use at work. if you want to see dirt fly as well as paint oh hell even remove panels if need to be. he he

Bet it gets those bugs off