Pressure Washer

RoacheC

RoacheC

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I see the most common used way to wash a car is with a pressure washer, now here is the question is a pressure washer (PW) just that or is a special PW really needed, I can already assume having the right pressure setting is a must, which leads to my 2nd question what is the best pressure number? I dont wanna blow the paint off my car. lolFeed back please
 
You really don't need anything higher than 2000psi. I have your standard 1700psi electric pressure washer I use on every detail I do. Works great gets the job done.
 
I don't think you really need 1700psi. Unless your working on some filthy cars, then it may come in handy. My psi washer is only 1450 psi and works great. Also, a lot depends on the tip or wand you use. A 1450 psi with a standard wand tip is fine. Put on a "dirt buster" tip or attachment, and the spray is so strong it will almost take your skin off if you put your hand in front of it.
 
So it sounds to me going to Home Depot getting something half decent will do the trick long as I keep the pressure setting right.
 
The ones in my price range don't have adjustable pressure settings. You modulate the force applied to the surface (paint, deck, sidewalk, etc) by increasing or decreasing the distance between the wand tip and the surface.
 
Go to your local professional pressure washing supply store (not home center) and get a fan tip, you will not hurt the paint under any pressure.
 
on the good ones you can set it at any pressure you like and change tips also. For my self I dont like the elc ones but I do lots of rvs and boats and need power a lot of the time .My honda runs and runs all day long if you get a gas one get a cat pump there the best pump out there easy to put new o rings in also ps get one that has a blow off on it .will let water pass by the pump and not blow the seals. lets you have it runing and not pull the triger to let pressure off the pump.
 
rdf said:
The ones in my price range don't have adjustable pressure settings. You modulate the force applied to the surface (paint, deck, sidewalk, etc) by increasing or decreasing the distance between the wand tip and the surface.
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I lucked into a pressure washer with a Honda engine and a General Pump belt driven cast iron/brass pump for $150, this thing will blast the paint right off of a car if you either squeeze the wand trigger while the wand is pointed directly at the paint, or get the tips too close to the paint. Already been to the body shop out of pocket on this one.

The $400 out of pocket paint shop bill was a lesson in keeping the tip a certain distance from the paint that I won't forget any time soon. On gel coat this high pressure unit comes in handy. I can attach the 0 degree tip to the wand and from the ground, blast the bug splatter right off of the gel coat toppers on some of the buses that I clean on a regular basis. That 0 degree tip can strip the paint right off of certain restoration projects that I get involved in. Can surely be a liability but is super useful to have around the shop.
 
Is there not a pressure regulator on your gas driven unit?
On the pump or adjustable bypass?
 
Some have regulators. But here is the truth. I have a greenworks 1700 psi. Comes with the gas style quick disconnect wand and not the cheap AIO wands. I use a 25 degree tip on mine. That doesnt mean 1700 psi is coming out. In fact I can put my hand just 2 feet in front of it and it doesnt hurt. So you can even use a 3000psi pressure washer as long as you are at least 2-3 ft from the car. A pressure washer in the 1500-1700 range is recommend for power, without to much power. The only way your going to rip paint off is if you put on the 0 degree fitting which is a straight stream, and then put it point blank at the paint, or if you have a major chip and point it at that.

Otherwise the hype about being able to do damage is just people talking who dont own pressure washers.

The only reason I use a pressure washer is to get the dirt out of the seems and to really make sure that all the damage causing dirt is off the car before I touch it with a mitt. I also like to do a foam prewash that helps remove dirt and oils before actually washing the car with a mitt.
 
Good answer.
Amount of pressure can be regulated by amount of flow since the max output is static.
There's one at Lowes (electric) for $189-$199 or so, green thing. supposedly brass fittings, 1700#, standard tips and wand, roll-up hose in front. Reviews are good.

Electric is as good as the circuit you run it off and will need cool-down time if thermal breaker opens. They say they are using water to cool around motor via jackets or tubes.
That would be a better elec unit I'd say.
Gas is portable and normally more powerful. I can always try to get some cleaning work somewhere and would feel more confident with a gasser.
Costco in our area has a 3000# gas unit, very nice, for $299.
Only $100 more than one of the better 1700# elec's.
5 years from now think of your Honda-driven pump vs the elec motor that's probly running at it's max all the time.
If it all goes sideways I'd rather be selling that Honda motor, parts, or all.

Take the amps drawn by elec unit, multiply it by the voltage it runs on, and there's your watts. Just in case you're thinking of an inverter running of your rig's battery sometime. Probably need a peak surge of 2500 watts and maybe a 'running' at 2000.
That's a mighty big inverter.

I remember buying a hot tub many years ago.
You can make a 'social' tub intimate.
You can't make an 'intimate' tub social.

Just thinking out loud.
Everyone's situation is different.
 
Wow, thank you everyone for your inputs! :xyxthumbs: I think going to a pressure washer store really is the best option, here is my last question If I were to go with a gas PW how many car (est.) will be able to clean before I have to refuel the unit? I know on the flip side a electirc has the abilty to run my overall bill up and I have heard horror stories in the past about the motors, I kinda want a unit I can primary use for my cars but as well for around my house (knowing adjusted pressure and tips need to be changed).
 
RoacheC said:
Wow, thank you everyone for your inputs! :xyxthumbs: I think going to a pressure washer store really is the best option, here is my last question If I were to go with a gas PW how many car (est.) will be able to clean before I have to refuel the unit? I know on the flip side a electric has the ability to run my overall bill up and I have heard horror stories in the past about the motors, I kinda want a unit I can primary use for my cars but as well for around my house (knowing adjusted pressure and tips need to be changed).
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It depends on the size of unit you get. I have a 4gpm 4000psi 11hp Honda that I can adjust down to 50 psi. Most time I have have set to about 1500 with a fan tip (with a fan tip I could set at 4000 and do no harm). I only have to run a little off idle and it will run about 3 hours on a tank of gas. (1.25gal.) Hope this helps :buffing:
 
yikes jwellsii - that's a big mutha!
was looking at a sears/craftsman elec/1750 unit yesterday that also had steam wand. the 1750 was for tip with single hole, pin-point (most powerful) and 1300 for the 15 degree fan. unit got bad reviews on sears site
 
You can get a 2800psi with honda motor at costco for under 400$. This will allow you to blow out wheel wells and undercarrige as well. Not to mention that various home projects you can use them for. You will be very disappointed if you buy electric. But a mans pressure washer and feel confident about the job you are doing ;)
 
Wayneezy said:
You can get a 2800psi with honda motor at costco for under 400$. This will allow you to blow out wheel wells and undercarrige as well. Not to mention that various home projects you can use them for. You will be very disappointed if you buy electric. But a mans pressure washer and feel confident about the job you are doing ;)
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:iagree:LOL, thanks. Yes, I that also did help with a better understanding on the fuel. I just didnt want to be buying more fuel compared to less electric (hope that makes sense...)
 
I am a fan of Karcher electric units and there 2000 psi unit is more than enough to take care of cars, suvs, rv's, and just about anything you throw at it within reason. I dont care for the gas models as you have to listen to the engine run even when its not in use.
 
smack said:
I am a fan of Karcher electric units and there 2000 psi unit is more than enough to take care of cars, suvs, rv's, and just about anything you throw at it within reason. I dont care for the gas models as you have to listen to the engine run even when its not in use.
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I have heard that name before, when I did some research I had a hard time finding a dealer in my area. Western MA. Have any tips?
 
smack said:
I am a fan of Karcher electric units and there 2000 psi unit is more than enough to take care of cars, suvs, rv's, and just about anything you throw at it within reason. I dont care for the gas models as you have to listen to the engine run even when its not in use.
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But if your mobile now you have to run a generator and a pump from the water tank to the PW. :idea:
 
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