On Gas Pressure Washers. . .

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M3Cosmos

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I'm looking to ad a pressure washer to my mobile detailing arsenal. Obviously I don't need 5000psi concrete breaking power, so I've been looking around in the gas powered entry level washers.

These two are the ones in mind as of now (in the range of $199 to 299):

HUSKY 2600 PSI
Powered By Honda® GCV 160 Engine


NorthStar 2000 PSI 2GPM
Briggs & Stratton Engine

I'm thinking the Husky mostly because of the Honda engine but the $100 I would save on the NorthStar would be nice as well.

Now on to attachments. I've heard things about certain brands not being compatible with 'universal' attachments. I know I will want a foam cannon and a quality adjustable spray gun. In terms of spray guns, I don't really know what to look for. I know about the spray angle and such (0° is bad), but what else should I be looking for in a good car-wash-worthy sprayer?

I have read a whole lot about electric PWs here after searching but didn't really find a definitive guide to buying a gas powered one + accessories.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

-Josh
 
I wouldn't spend $200 on the northstar when you can get a 1800 psi husky electric pressure washer for $100.
 
jesselyons2002 said:
I wouldn't spend $200 on the northstar when you can get a 1800 psi husky electric pressure washer for $100.
Click to expand...

I need a gas powered washer for mobility.
Unless I could find a good generator for under $100 and then use an electric PW, I need to stick with gas.
 
I have a 2750 PSI Honda powered washer. If the washer is going to see a fair amount of use, spend the extra $100 to get the Honda engine. The guys at the local farm/home/garden supply store tell me they are going exclusively to Honda engines on all their power equipment because of problems with Briggs powered equipment. I personally have never had an issue with a Briggs engine though. The extra PSI will come in handy if you ever want to clean anything other than a vehicle.

As long as the washer has a quick connect system similiar to an air compressor, the accessories should be somewhat universal.

HTH

Randy
 
Biglots has a 2600 psi gas pressure washer with a Honda engine for $288.
 
Pick up a can or two of "pumpsaver" if you are not going to use the PW for an extended period of time. Letting them sit for months at a time wreaks havoc with the pump seals the next time you use it. I would also go with the Honda engine.
 
Gas PW will last much longer than an electric PW. I can't comment on how much PSI you need or want but you can't beat Honda small engines, very reliable.
 
Honda all the way. The extra dough is worth it. We have two wash trucks, and both have 2000psi Honda engines. Been bullet proof thus far.
 
I agree with both getting a gas powered pressure washer and the Honda motors. I have a Karcher with a honda motor, it's 2400 psi, 2.5 gallons per minute flow. I picked it up at Costco for around $300. I've had it for over 4 years now with no problems.
 
sal329 said:
Biglots has a 2600 psi gas pressure washer with a Honda engine for $288.
Click to expand...

That's where I got mine. It's a remanufactured unit, but I assembled it, put the gas in and she started right up!

Now I'm just waiting for my Foam Cannon, w00t!
 
Thanks for all the advice guys! I am definitely going with the Honda - perhaps not the Husky, but one with a Honda engine.

On a slightly different subject (didn't want to make a new thread), how many gallons of water can I expect to use with a ~2.2gpm pressure washer to wash one car?
 
I can only recommend the Honda engine. Having a Pressure Washer with a Honda for over 4 years. Even after the pressure washer walked right into my salt water pool. After replacing all fluids, filter, spark plug and two days of drying it started right up.
 
My pressure washer flows 2.5 gpm. I have a 100 gallon water tank in my trailer and I have washed as many as 6 cars and still had water left over. You use less water with a pressure washed then using a regualr hose This weekend I'll be washing and detailing three 22 foot trailers. I don't even use 50 gallons of water.
 
My neighbor just gave me his pressure washer because it was sitting in his garage for a while and he was tired of it cluttering up the place. I tried it out and it worked for a while and then died. After that it refused to start up. The pull cord wouldn't even extend all the way. My suspicion is that the seals are messed up due to the long periods of inactivity and neglect. I looked at the oil and there seems to be water mixed in with it. How expensive of a fix is replacing the seals? Is it a Do-It-Yourselfer type thing (for a non-mechanical, but handy person)?
 
I have a Briggs &Stratton clean shot 2050psi I have been using for 3 years and have well over 300 hours on it.So far its done really good for me and I only paid $229.00 for it just keep the oil changed and your air filter clean and you should get good service out of it.just don,t run any harsh chemicals thru the pump.It will last alot longer,as far as a electric pressure washer,I tried that route myself got no more than 4-5 months out of them before I had to replace it .Go with gas you will be alot better of in the long run
 
Its all about the pump and piston set up on the pressure washer pump. Yes Honda engines are hands down the best, but remember their are different series of them.

I had a Karcher 2850 pressure washer and the pump just gave out and will cost bucks to fix. I bought instead a John Deer on close out at Lowes for 575 out the door. The pump system on it is commercial and I'll get years of daily use out of it. It is also highly serviceable. Has a overflow valve so when the pressure builds/temp, it releases a bit thus saving the pump. I can control the overall pressure with a valve on the pump as well as the nozzle. The pressure washer is highly adaptive.

Again, really research the pump system on the washer it makes a HUGE difference.

Cheers,
GREG
 
Which John Deer pressure washer did you buy, what psi, the reason I ask I work for lowes and we do carry them, they have a couple to send out for repair and the customer does not want them back, so I have a great chance getting a very gooooodddd deal on them. They have a couple of troybilts 2500 psi I can get for $ 50 now. I would like to get one of these and get set up for a foamcannon, 2500 psi should be enough psi to make alot of foam. Thanks:righton:
 
I have a Husky gas pressure washer. 2400 I must say it is light and has not given a bit of trouble. It should work fine. If there is a Home Depot near you check them out, or maybe even Harbor Freight. But I prefere Home Depot. Both places have warranty's from their products.
 
CarGuy,

I don't recall right now, but Lowes only carried two a 1000$ one and a 600$. Mine is the lesser. 3000 psi and 2.5gpm
 
i would go for the electric pressure washer. they are cheap and you really only need 1800 psi to wash a car or you will rip the paint right off. for mobility get a generator and you can have power for all your equipment (vacuums, buffers, pressure washer, ect..)

good luck
 
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