Power washers- How much power will I need?

[Rhudeboye]

Looking to buy a small electric power washer. I'll primarily use this for washing cars. But I‘d like to get more use out of it as well. Such as spraying the house siding and blasting the driveway clean from time to time.


I was looking at one that had 1600 PSI. Would this do the trick?

 

[Big Ed5150]

i've got a little gas one that is 2000psi and does good on the drive way sidewalk, etc never used it on the car but i too have thought about getting an electric one for detailing

 

[zliegen]

500 horsepower!

 

[Rhudeboye]

500 horsepower!

:iagree: ... If we were talkin cars

 

[Jons6.7]

1600psi is fine for cars and it will handle the other stuff you mention. The only reason you need more is if you are trying to clean the concrete or stucco or the like then you need more bite. Either way keep the needle tip(if its changable) way from the paint unless you like striping it at any chips or cracks in it you may have.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

You don't want to go above 1600psi (if anything even 1600 is too high) for use on cars. If you want to do the driveway/etc. 2000 is more where you'll need to be.

 

[JohnHenry]

Either way keep the needle tip(if its changable) way from the paint unless you like striping it at any chips or cracks in it you may have.

Good advice! I've hit small shopping cart dings, that had no scratch, with my small electric PW, and turned them into half dollar sized paint chips. Talk about that ol' sick feeling in the pit of your stomach!

I don't pressure wash car paint any more... just undercarriage and wheels.

 

[Rhudeboye]

I don't pressure wash car paint any more... just undercarriage and wheels.

This is why I really want one. I may start looking on craigslist for a used one.