Pressure washers

JaredPointer

JaredPointer

COME AT ME BRO
I've never owned a pressure washer (always borrowed someones), but have tossed the idea around in my head about getting one.

First, I don't know how much I want to spend. I'd most likely use it for a variety of things (auto washing, undercarriage, boat washing, 4 wheeler washing, house cleaning, washing the driveway, etc). What kind of output should I be looking at for something like this? Gas or electric?

I have done a little reading via the search button at a few places, but since I am not familiar with them and don't plan to use it as a mobile rig set up a lot of the discussion seems "above" me.

I'd like some suggestions, tips, opinions and experiences from some of you guys who know a little about them if you feel like sharing.
 
we wanted something to assist our very poor water pressure here and went with a Husky electric from HD.. I think it was $200 and it has been worth every penny ... cleans fast and easier ... not too over powering where I would lose paint by mistake and also did quick work of the mildew in the concrete sidewalk ... Coastal Eddie would be your pro here, but when I told him of mine, he said it was perfect for my use ... now if you did commercial pwing then I'm sure a bigger more powerful machine would be needed ...
 
JaredPointer said:
Haha - You got some Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket too?!? :D
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Unfortunately no, but I do have some small tasks (including some you mentioned) where I think one might come in handy. But it seems everytime this comes up we wind up talking about units which will run @ $500 and up.

Poorboy said:
we wanted something to assist our very poor water pressure here and went with a Husky electric from HD.. I think it was $200 and it has been worth every penny ... cleans fast and easier ... not too over powering where I would lose paint by mistake and also did quick work of the mildew in the concrete sidewalk ... Coastal Eddie would be your pro here, but when I told him of mine, he said it was perfect for my use ... now if you did commercial pwing then I'm sure a bigger more powerful machine would be needed ...
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Is that the unit Pockets was using in one of the recent threads? The wand was red which I think is one of Husky's colors.
 
I have had a gas powered 6.5 HP, 2200 psi, 2 gpm for about 4 or 5 years.
It is a Campbell Hausfeld commercial unit. I think it was on sale for about $300 at the time I bought it. I don't even know if CH is still in the business.
I pressure washed two houses, one garage, a very large deck and a pontoon boat with it. Did a great job.

Since then, I have never used it. Probably hasn't been started in 2 or 3 years.
It might be a good investment for you, but I probably should have just rented one.
I have never used it on the vehicles. If I feel I need to pressure wash them, (rarely happens), I go to the DIY spray wash. The only thing I ever pressure wash on the vehicles would be wheel wells or under carriage.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement. :)
 
I've owned a Craftsman gas powered one for years. 6hp, 2200 psi if I remember correctly. Haven't used it lately, but I did a lot when I lived in Va. It was great at removing that mildewy stuff from vinyl siding & fences. Good for cleaning the driveway too.
 
I have a presure washer but don't use it much on the cars but the deck and the fence look good - lol. Also the generator is nice when the power goes out. Two purchases I wouldn't have made early on if I knew now how much I wouldn't use them.
 
I've had one for a number of years and would not want to be without it. I seldom detail for money anymore but when I need a pressure washer I need one! Sidewalks, the eaves of the house, wheel wells, cleaning throw rugs, car mats, etc.
My preference was a gas powered one, when I do the street sidewalk along the front of the house I don't want to fiddle with keeping both a hose and and an extension cord from getting tangled up. 2200 psi and 2.5 gpm works for most everything I need it to. If I had it to do over I would get a larger one with 3500 psi and more gpm with a number of wands for different spray patterns.
 
I have a electric that I have had for I think 16 years now it is a 1600 psi I like electric because I don't need to put gas in it or change the oil or spark plug.

I rarely use it on the cars but it is priceless for cleaning the garage floor cleaning side walk drive way and for getting that green algae that grows on my out buildings that are in the shade and every year I have to wash them.
If my washer breaks I would have a new one before the week was over.

It is not necessary to buy a high pressure one 1600 to 2200 psi no bigger you don't want to strip the paint just clean it.
 
I have a hotsy electric pump diesel fired steam washer that I couldn't live without. I used to use gas powered washers and got sick of pull starting and the noise. It was also 3000 psi..a little overkill for cars. A small electric washer would be my choice.
 
I recently bought a used gas powered unit that has a 5.5 HP honda engine and 4 different tips for alternate spray patterns, for $150 I just couldn't pass on it. Though I have no Idea what the pressure is. If I had it here I might hook the hot water up to it and try to melt the snow instead of shoveling it.
 
Do you have a Costco near you?

They had a Snap On electric pressure washer last month and the price at my local (Los Angeles) store was $89.95
This was your typical electric pressure washer, nothing special except for one thing. Costco warranty is good forever. I have had three pressure washers over the years (all Karcher) and they always fail at the same point. The high pressure seals in the pump housing. The repair cost exceeds the price of a new washer. Since no matter when it fails I can just take it back to Costco and get another it is a great deal.
 
I have seen mostly negative reports on the low price ($200) electric washers from Home Depot and other places. People claim they leak, couplings break etc, and not covered under the warranty that seems to primarily cover the motor.
 
id have to agree with most gas pressure washers being overkill for a car.. owning a pressure washing business, we have an assortment of washers at our disposal, but for detailing we've relied heavily on a little task force 1600 psi 1.8 gpm machine. useful since our generators going to be running anyways.. its handy and we aren't afraid to get a little closer to a vehicle to remove stubborn stains than we would with a gas powered washer. remember that all psi's are measured at the tip, so the closer you get the higher the probability of damaging a finish. that being said, if you're detailing and scrubbing is going to be done strictly by hand and your pressure washer is going to be used from a distance only, then it really doesn't matter.. to me i guess its not worth it to wear and tear a more expensive machine just to rinse a car.. in the end a hose works just as well, and pressure washing saves minimal time. If youre running a generator id say electric for sure just due to simplicity and ease of manueverability. just my two cents though.
 
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