Pressure Washer

A

AeroCleanse

New member
I might finally be breaking down and buying a pressure washer. Hookup is going to be harder in my case, as I have to hook it up to the laundry room sink. I have to do it that way because I'm on well water and only the inside water is filtered and softened. Getting a plumber to run a new outside line thats filtered and softened is out of the question.



So on to my question. I found a $100 pressure washer thats getting good reviews (unlike most I have seen). It's the Greenworks 1500 PSI 1.3 GPM Electric Pressure Washer from Lowes. Is this unit a good unit for the price? I'm not looking to "wash" with it, i.e. dispense soap.
 
Aerocleanse- I'll be interested to hear what people say, I often toy with the idea of getting a decent electric pressure washer but I'm afraid I'll just buy more junk like the Karchers I used to have. I read about some that people really like, but they're never anything I can get locally and I wonder about service (shipping such stuff is such a PIA, I do enough of that with my steamer).



You shouldn't have any problems hooking it up to the sink, just get the right adapter. Pressure washers don't really use all that much water so it oughta work fine.
 
A pressure washer is a must have, but at 1.3GPM it won't be doing much washing. I would recommend to find something around 2.5GPM for detail work. PSI is not too important, just don't want it too high.
 
Those cheepies are basically throw aways IMHO. But, because you mostly use ONR, it might work for wheels if that's what you're main intension is. I also suggest going with a quick connect system to save time. You might want to check out Craig's List too for a better used machine.
 
David Fermani said:
Those cheepies are basically throw aways IMHO. But, because you mostly use ONR, it might work for wheels if that's what you're main intension is. I also suggest going with a quick connect system to save time. You might want to check out Craig's List too for a better used machine.
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I got the unit and used it for the first time today. Worked great for me. I didn't use it to soap the car, just for rinsing. I used CG Citrus Wash for the wash stage. Results were great. Might be a throw away unit, but if it lasts a year or two I'll be happy. Still, if it lasts 2 years and say a good unit is $800, it would still be 16 years before I would reach the same price as the $800 unit. I did get a quick disconnect.



Anyway, its a place to start. Can always buy a better unit when I need it.
 
I have one of those Karcher one and it last maybe for 10 uses if that. I am in the hunt for a new one, I would like an electric for indoor use but none of the cheaper ones seem to take the abuse. I know most of the shops I worked at had electric ones and they were awesome but I can't for the life of me remember what they were.
 
JohnKleven said:
A pressure washer is a must have, but at 1.3GPM it won't be doing much washing. I would recommend to find something around 2.5GPM for detail work. PSI is not too important, just don't want it too high.
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How though are we defining too high a PSI?



For example, my old washer (Which just gave up the ghost) is 2200psi and 2.3gpm. I think that's good, but they don't make it anymore, so I'm being forced to look at 2600psi, 2.3gpm. Is 2600 too high using a 45* nozzel?
 
efnfast said:
How though are we defining too high a PSI?



For example, my old washer (Which just gave up the ghost) is 2200psi and 2.3gpm. I think that's good, but they don't make it anymore, so I'm being forced to look at 2600psi, 2.3gpm. Is 2600 too high using a 45* nozzel?
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2600 psi is pretty high, especially if used on an older car, or repainted car. GPM is what's important when cleaning though.
 
JohnKleven said:
2600 psi is pretty high, especially if used on an older car, or repainted car. GPM is what's important when cleaning though.
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I know GPM is the most important, but I'm between a rock and a hard place at the moment.



My old pressure washer is 2200psi and 2.3gpm. I found it perfect (unfortunately I stupidly let the waterpump crack in the winter). So, a new pump is $200.



I look around at machines in the 200-400 range (on sale), and anything that's 2.2-2.3gpm is around 2500 to 3000psi. Anything that's around 2000psi is < 1.8gpm.



So you can see my problem. I know using the 45* nozzel and standing back from the car cuts the psi down so it's not like I'm blasting 2600psi at the car, I just don't know if it is still going to be too much or not? Would 400psi (2200 vs 2600) really make any difference (not in cleaning ability, but ability to damage trim or paint)?



edit: any thoughts about 2500psi, 2.3gpm, and a 45* nozzel?
 
JohnKleven said:
2600 psi is pretty high, especially if used on an older car, or repainted car. GPM is what's important when cleaning though.
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Not if you use common sense. It's perfectly fine if you're not putting the spray tip an inch from the paint. It all depends on what tip you're using, and how close you're using it. Heck a 4000PSI washer would be ok to use... with a little common sense. Unfortunately though, in todays world, common sense isn't all that common.



My 2600PSI Troy Bilt I bought from Lowes has been excellent. 4 1/2 years strong now with zero problems. I knew full well it was a throw away machine at $250 when I bought it and would have been pleased getting around 2-3 years out of it... well it has surpassed that and continues to chug along. Love the Honda engine on it!
 
I've changed the tips of my PW to get more gallons/min. I have a green 25 degree with 4gallons/min, lets much more water though. I can also idle down the PW or I can change the pressure on the Regulator too.



Cheers,

GREG
 
NorthStar Electric Cold Water Pressure Washer &#151; 1700 PSI, 1.5 GPM, 120 Volt | Electric-Cold Water | Northern Tool + Equipment



I bought one of these used on ebay. It has held up very well to daily use and abuse by myself and my employees. It isn't the strongest thing out there but rarely do I find I need more flow. Every once in a while it'd be nice but we're doing fine w/o. I would recommend buying a nice hose/wand/fitting combo as we had problems with a cheap assembly leaking and affecting the pump.
 
AeroCleanse said:
I might finally be breaking down and buying a pressure washer. Hookup is going to be harder in my case, as I have to hook it up to the laundry room sink. I have to do it that way because I'm on well water and only the inside water is filtered and softened. Getting a plumber to run a new outside line thats filtered and softened is out of the question.



So on to my question. I found a $100 pressure washer thats getting good reviews (unlike most I have seen). It's the Greenworks 1500 PSI 1.3 GPM Electric Pressure Washer from Lowes. Is this unit a good unit for the price? I'm not looking to "wash" with it, i.e. dispense soap.
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Save your money a unit like that is designed for home use. Assuming the homeowner will use it a few times a year.



I had one that I bought at a show as a sample, for under $100, such a deal.



Used it when we opened our second detail centre for only one week, everyday for 3 or 4cars a day and it burned out in a week, that is 6 days.



If you are going to buy cheap, buy from COSTCO or SAM'S CLUB, they have units for $379.95 which is still cheap, but at least with COSTCO or SAM'S CLUB they take them back if they burn out.



I can get one one for less than $379.95 with a one year warranty.



Or just pay somewhere around $700 to $900 and get a good one, with a CAT or General or Hypro motor on them not a cheapy Italian or Chinese motor, these are what go out on your.



Regards

Bud Abraham
 
Greg, can that be done with any PW? Do you know?



Greg Nichols said:
I've changed the tips of my PW to get more gallons/min. I have a green 25 degree with 4gallons/min, lets much more water though. I can also idle down the PW or I can change the pressure on the Regulator too.



Cheers,

GREG
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tdekany said:
Greg, can that be done with any PW? Do you know?
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Thomas,



If you can change the nozzle (quick connect) you can get different size orifaces. If you have a fixed nozzle then no. You might be able to change wands to one that allows for quick connect nozzles?



Cheers,

GREG
 
I can tell you that Greenworks is likely the worst pressure washer ever made. I went through 3 over 2 months, the first two broke almost immediately and the last one lasted about a month and a week before the motor blew up. Lowe's is stopping returns on the Greenworks since they break down so often.
 
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