abnmoneyman
New member
- Nov 1, 2013
- 14
- 0
1st post folks so be gentle if I dork it up:
Detailing can become quite an expensive endeavor especially for those of us that are weekend warriors and those trying to break through in the business. I am still trying to build up my arsenal and a pump spray atomizer was among the few tools that I want. Well while on a recent trip to Lowes, I came across the Garden Plus sprayer/atomizer and it looked remarkably similar to some of the detailing specific devices that I have found online that hover around 25-30 dollars (shipping Handling incl). So for 8 dollars and some change I figured “what the heck” Okay so here is the DISCLAIMER: YOU MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ON WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, my assessment is based on MY experience using the product, with that said here goes: I used a star system to grade my assessment: 1 star (utter crap) 5 stars (well worth the cost)
Product Specs/Operation:
-Garden Plus Sprayer/Atomizer (available at Lowes)
-Capacity: 51 oz. /1.5L
-Construction: 3 major components:
1. Tank
2. Pump/handle assembly
3. Pressure/nozzle pieces
-Operation: Hand pump and trigger, (the trigger does have a lock mechanism so users don’t have to hold down the trigger to release product, nozzle is adjustable for stream and spray modes
Test: Construction, Functionality and Performance, I used water and a mix of APC for the test. I’m sure there are a million other things I could have checked out but truthfully I ran out of beer and finished my cigar thus my test was concluded at the last sip and drag on my Macanudo… “This is where you laugh”
Construction: Overall Assessment: 3 stars the tank is well made out of thick gauge plastic with the threads being solid and capable of holding the pump/handle assembly. The spray nozzle was a mix of plastic and small brass pieces with a rubber gasket on the tip. The pump is kind of thin but it held up pretty well throughout the test, the plunger is made out of thin medal and could easily bend if you’re not paying attention while pressurizing the unit.
Functionality: Overall Assessment: 2.5 stars (I looked at Pressurization, Ergonomics, Adjustability, and Durability)
Pressurization: The instructions for use are to pump the unit 20-30 pumps before use, the additional pumping provided negligible results during use. I was able to get it to spray effectively with as little as 3-5 pumps albeit for a very short period of time, the system did hold pressure quite well and I checked both of the pumps that I purchased and they faired good, although when the unit was pressurized there was a little bit of a drip out of the spray nozzle, super light maybe one drip in 5 seconds.
Ergonomics: The handle did seem kind of flimsy in my hand and if I had to use this for extended periods of time I could see the thin plastic wearing my hands out, the trigger was easy to use and the switch to lock the trigger into position was easy to engage/disengage.
Adjustability: There are pretty much two setting stream and spray, The stream setting is much better than the spray mode, I couldn’t quite get that sweet spot between stream and spray, it was either stream or fine mist, I will say that the mist function works well in areas where you don’t want to drench the area with product, (interior/crevices etc.).
Durability: I didn’t go Myth busters on this thing “8 bucs is still 8 bucs!” but I did try and utilize it in the very same manner that I would normally use it. So I pumped it up to max capacity per the instructions, I shook up the bottle to mix the product while I was using it and I pumped it while spraying product. I just brought the sprayer so only time will tell.
Performance: Overall assessment: 4 stars (Dispensing distance, dispensing time, coverage)
Dispensing distance: Simple I pressurized the system and measured the effective distance it sprayed: average was about 6.5’ for stream and spray was 3.5’ feet (negligible at 20 and 30 pumps)
Dispensing time: I timed how long it dispensed product, approximately 2:30, after about a 1 min you would just be wasting product the stream or spray weren’t going very far
Coverage: I sprayed my tires and wheel wells with a mix of APC and water it took 17.5 seconds to saturate the tire, wheels and wheel well in stream mode at 20 pumps
Conclusion: The Garden Plus sprayer or something like it is more than adequate for enthusiasts and part-time detailers alike. In a pinch a pro detailer could use it and would find it more than adequate. I haven’t made the purchase of a “detailer specific pump sprayer” but there are a bunch of videos on line which gave me a pretty good picture of how they operate. This being said it’s not much to look at on the detailers cart but at this point I am looking at function and price-point over looks. Is this article overkill? “ABSOLUTELY!” but knowing the detailing community you guys can totally relate. I hope this helps or at least entertained you. If you guys wouldn’t mind showing some love for a fellow Auto Geek hit up my Facebook page and give me a like https://www.facebook.com/squaredawaysolutionsnc
Thanks and Blessings to everyone
Detailing can become quite an expensive endeavor especially for those of us that are weekend warriors and those trying to break through in the business. I am still trying to build up my arsenal and a pump spray atomizer was among the few tools that I want. Well while on a recent trip to Lowes, I came across the Garden Plus sprayer/atomizer and it looked remarkably similar to some of the detailing specific devices that I have found online that hover around 25-30 dollars (shipping Handling incl). So for 8 dollars and some change I figured “what the heck” Okay so here is the DISCLAIMER: YOU MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ON WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, my assessment is based on MY experience using the product, with that said here goes: I used a star system to grade my assessment: 1 star (utter crap) 5 stars (well worth the cost)
Product Specs/Operation:
-Garden Plus Sprayer/Atomizer (available at Lowes)
-Capacity: 51 oz. /1.5L
-Construction: 3 major components:
1. Tank
2. Pump/handle assembly
3. Pressure/nozzle pieces
-Operation: Hand pump and trigger, (the trigger does have a lock mechanism so users don’t have to hold down the trigger to release product, nozzle is adjustable for stream and spray modes
Test: Construction, Functionality and Performance, I used water and a mix of APC for the test. I’m sure there are a million other things I could have checked out but truthfully I ran out of beer and finished my cigar thus my test was concluded at the last sip and drag on my Macanudo… “This is where you laugh”
Construction: Overall Assessment: 3 stars the tank is well made out of thick gauge plastic with the threads being solid and capable of holding the pump/handle assembly. The spray nozzle was a mix of plastic and small brass pieces with a rubber gasket on the tip. The pump is kind of thin but it held up pretty well throughout the test, the plunger is made out of thin medal and could easily bend if you’re not paying attention while pressurizing the unit.
Functionality: Overall Assessment: 2.5 stars (I looked at Pressurization, Ergonomics, Adjustability, and Durability)
Pressurization: The instructions for use are to pump the unit 20-30 pumps before use, the additional pumping provided negligible results during use. I was able to get it to spray effectively with as little as 3-5 pumps albeit for a very short period of time, the system did hold pressure quite well and I checked both of the pumps that I purchased and they faired good, although when the unit was pressurized there was a little bit of a drip out of the spray nozzle, super light maybe one drip in 5 seconds.
Ergonomics: The handle did seem kind of flimsy in my hand and if I had to use this for extended periods of time I could see the thin plastic wearing my hands out, the trigger was easy to use and the switch to lock the trigger into position was easy to engage/disengage.
Adjustability: There are pretty much two setting stream and spray, The stream setting is much better than the spray mode, I couldn’t quite get that sweet spot between stream and spray, it was either stream or fine mist, I will say that the mist function works well in areas where you don’t want to drench the area with product, (interior/crevices etc.).
Durability: I didn’t go Myth busters on this thing “8 bucs is still 8 bucs!” but I did try and utilize it in the very same manner that I would normally use it. So I pumped it up to max capacity per the instructions, I shook up the bottle to mix the product while I was using it and I pumped it while spraying product. I just brought the sprayer so only time will tell.
Performance: Overall assessment: 4 stars (Dispensing distance, dispensing time, coverage)
Dispensing distance: Simple I pressurized the system and measured the effective distance it sprayed: average was about 6.5’ for stream and spray was 3.5’ feet (negligible at 20 and 30 pumps)
Dispensing time: I timed how long it dispensed product, approximately 2:30, after about a 1 min you would just be wasting product the stream or spray weren’t going very far
Coverage: I sprayed my tires and wheel wells with a mix of APC and water it took 17.5 seconds to saturate the tire, wheels and wheel well in stream mode at 20 pumps
Conclusion: The Garden Plus sprayer or something like it is more than adequate for enthusiasts and part-time detailers alike. In a pinch a pro detailer could use it and would find it more than adequate. I haven’t made the purchase of a “detailer specific pump sprayer” but there are a bunch of videos on line which gave me a pretty good picture of how they operate. This being said it’s not much to look at on the detailers cart but at this point I am looking at function and price-point over looks. Is this article overkill? “ABSOLUTELY!” but knowing the detailing community you guys can totally relate. I hope this helps or at least entertained you. If you guys wouldn’t mind showing some love for a fellow Auto Geek hit up my Facebook page and give me a like https://www.facebook.com/squaredawaysolutionsnc
Thanks and Blessings to everyone
