Pressure washer and foam cannon recommendations

bob m

bob m

New member
I am thinking about getting a PW for use on my cars. I am looking for an electric unit - doesn`t need to be super powerful, but one that is moderately priced, user friendly and reliable.

The same question about foam cannons. Simple and reliable.

I have not had much luck in the past (15 or so years ago) with PW`s - one gas and one electric as they both leaked, but hoping that improvements have made certain models more reliable.

TIA
 
There are many threads like this, I say use the search function, but because I like to help, the SunJoe`s do well. Any of the models that put out ~1.76gpm and ~2,000psi. For foam cannon, either get the Griot`s Garage recently updated version or the MTM PF-22. Get the SGS-28 gun and wand kit off of Amazon, with the 50ft UBERFLEX hose and call it a day.
 
I entered PW ownership last summer. Picked up the frequently referenced baby Ryobi (1600 PSI 1.2gpm). I like the compact size, 3 year warranty (basically translates to $36 a year to have a pressure washer), and not having to feed/maintain it since it`s electric.

I`ve used it for cleaning siding (does need a longer hose), and for blasting paint off a wood deck (use care with turbo nozzles), and the obvious car washing. I don`t honestly mind it not being super high powered as it feels just a little safer in my head. Obviously I don`t get reckless with it with the cars...

My vote for Foam Cannon goes to the Griot`s BOSS cannon. If you wanted to try their foams, the 35oz bottles screw right into the cannon (which is awesome); if you wanted to use other soaps/products the provided bottle has a wide bottom to keep it from falling over all the time when you set it down (I fill it with water to flush between/after foams). Maybe a little pricier than other cannons, but if anything goes wrong with it you know you`ve got Griot`s customer support behind it.
 
TheMeanGreen said:
There are many threads like this, I say use the search function, but because I like to help, the SunJoe`s do well. Any of the models that put out ~1.76gpm and ~2,000psi. For foam cannon, either get the Griot`s Garage recently updated version or the MTM PF-22. Get the SGS-28 gun and wand kit off of Amazon, with the 50ft UBERFLEX hose and call it a day.
Click to expand...

Yes, I did take a look at some previous threads, but wanted something more recent.
 
Oneheadlite said:
I entered PW ownership last summer. Picked up the frequently referenced baby Ryobi (1600 PSI 1.2gpm). I like the compact size, 3 year warranty (basically translates to $36 a year to have a pressure washer), and not having to feed/maintain it since it`s electric.

I`ve used it for cleaning siding (does need a longer hose), and for blasting paint off a wood deck (use care with turbo nozzles), and the obvious car washing. I don`t honestly mind it not being super high powered as it feels just a little safer in my head. Obviously I don`t get reckless with it with the cars...

My vote for Foam Cannon goes to the Griot`s BOSS cannon. If you wanted to try their foams, the 35oz bottles screw right into the cannon (which is awesome); if you wanted to use other soaps/products the provided bottle has a wide bottom to keep it from falling over all the time when you set it down (I fill it with water to flush between/after foams). Maybe a little pricier than other cannons, but if anything goes wrong with it you know you`ve got Griot`s customer support behind it.
Click to expand...

I was reading reviews about GG`s foam cannon and it seems they worked out the bugs. But I have tons of shampoo (GG) so not really going to use the BOSS foams.
 
I got a suds magic cannon and works well no leaks although I think it goes through product fast. I will prolly upgrade to boss. I got a ryobi 2300 psi 1.2 gpm electric. Reason I chose this as is ryobi best electric pressure washer and has brushless motor which is more reliable. Got a 50 ft flexzilla with all the quick connects and am very happy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I stumbled across the Power Products USA 1.76 GPM, 2200 psi unit on Amazon. Warranty claims are handle by the company in the US, I think in Florida. They are easy to get a hold of with people speaking English you can understand. Three year warranty. Hose connections are METAL not plastic.The yellow colored unit is $127.99, Prime shipping.

 
[FONT=&quot]Trinova Foam Cannon on Amazon. Jar has large opening. Will not tip over when set down. $34.97. Prime shipping.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
 
I have a few of the Greenworks 1500 PSI 13 Amp 1.2 GPM Pressure Washer GPW1501. They work great for cars, don`t use a ton of water and they are a steal at $60 when they go on sale. They also use standard tip fittings. I`ve had a lot more expensive pressure washers and more money doesn`t mean more durability, in fact regardless of what I pay, they don`t seem to last more than a few years.
 
Lots and lots of threads on multiple forums about this subject. For the record, I have a SunJoe SPX3000 and like it. It`s rated at 2030 psi and 1.76 gpm, both of which are inflated specs. It does, however, have more than enough in each category to do cars. I have two foam cannons, a 20.00 one from Amazon, and an MTM PF22, both of which have the smaller (1.1) orifice in them. The cheap one works okay, but the PF22 is definitely better. I`ve gotten very good foam from the Griots Garage Surface Wash and Chemical guys Honeydew Snow Foam.

If you have the budget (over 800.00), nothing beats a Kranzle as far as electric power washers are concerned. AR Blue Clean does have some professional grade electric power washers, that come in around 600.00 or so...again...if your budget has that much room in it.
 
briarpatch said:
AR Blue Clean does have some professional grade electric power washers, that come in around 600.00 or so...again...if your budget has that much room in it.
Click to expand...

I had an AR Blue 610, it was a turd. Bit the dust after a few years. Worst part is it didn`t even have an auto off. I could have have Greenworks pressure washers for 30 years for what I paid for the 610.
 
My suggestion is whatever you get go ahead and get the extended warranty. On most products the extended warranty is unnecessary, but for PWs it’s a good buy. Keep the box too so you can ship it back. Finding a box to ship the thing back is a pain.
 
Dan said:
I have a few of the Greenworks 1500 PSI 13 Amp 1.2 GPM Pressure Washer GPW1501. They work great for cars, don`t use a ton of water and they are a steal at $60 when they go on sale. They also use standard tip fittings. I`ve had a lot more expensive pressure washers and more money doesn`t mean more durability, in fact regardless of what I pay, they don`t seem to last more than a few years.
Click to expand...
Noting that I don`t use a foamer with it....

Yeah, same sort of experience here. My ultra-cheap AR110 is still going strong after a few years. I`ve had to replace the hose, but other than that no problems at all despite zero maintenance (I just use it and walk away until the next time). That`s more than I can say about the more expensive ones I`ve had.
 
Sun joe has a commercial series I been looking at (weird that I want my ryobi to die?). 1300/2.0 gpm 1800 1.6 gpm. The seem to have nice features but have to figure out if instant on is a must ( doesn’t have). I thought it was big deal and thought my ryobi has it (it didn’t, bad discription. It has a brushless motor which nicer ones have but haven’t seen anything about their pumps. Priced between 3-400. Seems like a good deal if truly commercial grade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Coatings=crack said:
Sun joe has a commercial series I been looking at (weird that I want my ryobi to die?). 1300/2.0 gpm 1800 1.6 gpm. The seem to have nice features but have to figure out if instant on is a must ( doesn’t have). I thought it was big deal and thought my ryobi has it (it didn’t, bad discription. It has a brushless motor which nicer ones have but haven’t seen anything about their pumps. Priced between 3-400. Seems like a good deal if truly commercial grade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

and here`s Auto Fanatics review of one of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYfCScHEKdY
 
099601ae6893539742c2e2d1ce52a3df.jpg


1c1a737b2bd8e0f0584552e4ae440f23.jpg


Picked this up because it’s just going to be faster to use & more versatile than electric.

It’s pretty nice. Briggs engine: no choke, no prime, no oil change - just check & add. Idle drops when not squeezing the wand & its pretty quiet.
 
Swanicyouth said:
099601ae6893539742c2e2d1ce52a3df.jpg


1c1a737b2bd8e0f0584552e4ae440f23.jpg


Picked this up because it’s just going to be faster to use & more versatile than electric.

It’s pretty nice. Briggs engine: no choke, no prime, no oil change - just check & add. Idle drops when not squeezing the wand & its pretty quiet.
Click to expand...

Looks like a great gas PW. Like that it idle down when not used.

Do you know which size of the orifice is in the nozzle tip?
MTM has a great calculator for getting the size you want to have the psi on. For fun I put in the specs yours has and that would be a 3.0 nozzle tip orifice. If you put in your 2.5gpm and a psi of 2000psi you would use a 3.5 orifice in the nozzle tip. If want to go down to 1500psi you would get a 4.0 nozzle tip orifice.

The calculator.

https://www.mtmhydroparts.com/pages/nozzle-size-calculator

It`s a little confuseing when you come to the orifice in the foamcannon. It`s the same calculator but the orifice is measured in millimeter. And I don`t know what measure the nozzle tip orifices is in. I have a PW with 2.6gpm and it`s just on the edge of going with a step largersize which is 1.30mm orifice. If I`m correct it would be a 4.0/1.30mm orifice and you would get a psi from the PW on 1500psi. The standard 1.25mm orifice is a 3.5. And the smaller 1.1mm orifice in the foamcannon would be 3.0 orifice. On your PW with a 3.0/1.1 orifice you have a psi of 2800. Then to confuseing it even more it`s seems hard to get a hold of the 1.30mm orifice and the next orifice available is 5.0/1.50mm orifice. That would give your PW with the 1.50mm orifice a pressure of 1000psi. Which is a little low pressure IMO from a foamcannon. I would use the standard 1.25mm orifice in the foamcannon with your PW.

Hope it helps you or if you have already knowledge about it. Maybe it can help others to know a little more about sizes of orifices that is quite important to know what you have and what you can get to tune the PW you have. Your PW is a great specs one that you can do a lot with and not just washing the car. Cleaning stone bricks in the garden or your driveway is very effective. And getting a turbo nozzle tip is even more effective. Don`t use a turbo nozzle tip on a vehical though LOL. If you don`t aim for take of the paint to the metall LOL.

/ Tony
 
I dunno about the orifice nozzle on my MTM. It`s the old MTM - when detailers first started getting them - maybe 8-10 yrs ago or so.

I`ve used it with electric pressure washers mostly. Honestly - with this pressure washer I got crazy Chemical Guys video foam. Almost exactly like shaving cream. Not that I think foaming does much if anything, nor was that even a reason why I purchased this - but it is sort of satisfying to cover your car in a blanket of white foam.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top