What's the best power washer out there?

[VP Mark]

After wearing out 2 of the Sam's Club special Black Max pressure washers with the Honda engine in less than 3 years, I pulled the trigger on a commercial grade 3000psi unit.

That being said, I do some fleet washing in the evenings and don't just use it for detailing.

If you are going to do ANYTHING other than foam and spray off cars, get yourself a commercial unit. You will regret it later if you don't.

 

[shagnat]

After wearing out 2 of the Sam's Club special Black Max pressure washers with the Honda engine in less than 3 years, I pulled the trigger on a commercial grade 3000psi unit.

That being said, I do some fleet washing in the evenings and don't just use it for detailing.

If you are going to do ANYTHING other than foam and spray off cars, get yourself a commercial unit. You will regret it later if you don't.

For most of us a consumer model will suffice. The "prosumer" model is a waste IMO.
But, if like you, folks use theirs to earn a living or even part-time to earn some egg money, you're 100% correct. A commercial will last years beyond a consumer model.
First thing to usually go is the hose. The standard hose on a consumer model is lame. A steel reenforced polyurethane hose is the best available, and it has a healthy price tag to go with it. I got a decent deal on a 50' professional hose for $119 shipped. Most of the pro hoses of 50' run over $150 up to $200+.
Next is going to be the pump. A CAT pump is one of the best on the market. There are others that are very good pumps, but, the CAT is tough as nails.
The the engine. The Honda CV engine is ok for consumers but the x version is waaay better. Good thing about the Honda engine is it can be rebuilt for a nominal cost for either version. But, when the pump goes out......... it's not likely going to be repairable or replaceable. That's why it's a consumer model.
With all that said, I'm talking strictly gas models, not electric. Not familiar with them as they're at the very beginning of power washers. Nothing wrong with an electric power washer, they're just not built to stand up to lots of everyday or heavy duty use.
My consumer model (Karcher) says not to run it more than 5 hours a day and to be sure to let it rest during that period....... so, that's all I know about power washers other than you can spend another $300 on foam guns/cannons/wands/guns/nozels etc. but, what's new about that?!

 

[tuscarora dave]

I should have continued reading before stopping at your first reply Dave, lol, Now SHOW US THE (money) PHOTOS,lol

I'll grab a few photos of it next time I'm up at the shop.


It's basically a skid mount with wheels made by a seemingly now defunct company formerly known as "Diamont". It has a 212cc Honda OHV single, belt driving one of these General Pumps. http://www.generalpump.com/pdfs/TS1331-Pump.pdf

Got the engine size wrong in my earlier posts. It's a 160cc not a 212cc. Here are a few photos of my $150 pressure washer. Also, the manufacturer is Diamant Boart inc. not Diamont. No wonder a Google search wasn't bringing the company up. Maybe they're still in business, I'll have to do a quick search.

I was in the right place at the right time when I picked this up for $150.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

After wearing out 2 of the Sam's Club special Black Max pressure washers with the Honda engine in less than 3 years, I pulled the trigger on a commercial grade 3000psi unit.

That being said, I do some fleet washing in the evenings and don't just use it for detailing.

If you are going to do ANYTHING other than foam and spray off cars, get yourself a commercial unit. You will regret it later if you don't.

I don't do this like you do, but my record is 3 of those things. I now have a commercial quality generac 3100psi/3.0gpm I think it is. Customer return at lowes, was 45% off with a lowes 10% coupon.

 

[215Detailing]

I just pull the trigger with a Karcher 3.5 1800 psi. I give it a try it looks very solid.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BIyE4UkQJY]Little electric pressure washer - YouTube[/video]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03hBnjIvENM&list=UUZzVYq2EFEYFF3FKJSZYukg&feature=c4-overview]House electric pressure washer - YouTube[/video]

 

[brondondolon]

IMO any pressure washer will do over 1500 psi. I got an electric one from walmart. It worked fine until the hose popped as i was 98% done detailing my truck and sprayed the entire thing.... I was so pissed i grabbed it in a rage and gorilla slammed it into my trash can and broke it to pieces lol now i use a good ol fashioned hose until ive learned my lesson lol

 

[215Detailing]

IMO any pressure washer will do over 1500 psi. I got an electric one from walmart. It worked fine until the hose popped as i was 98% done detailing my truck and sprayed the entire thing.... I was so pissed i grabbed it in a rage and gorilla slammed it into my trash can and broke it to pieces lol now i use a good ol fashioned hose until ive learned my lesson lol

Man do I know that feeling,lol:xyxthumbs:

 

[KB in MD]

IMO any pressure washer will do over 1500 psi. I got an electric one from walmart. It worked fine until the hose popped as i was 98% done detailing my truck and sprayed the entire thing.... I was so pissed i grabbed it in a rage and gorilla slammed it into my trash can and broke it to pieces lol now i use a good ol fashioned hose until ive learned my lesson lol

Maybe an anger management intervention is needed? j/k rops:

I did similiar with a golf club once :nomore:

 

[ShaunD]

I just pull the trigger with a Karcher 3.5 1800 psi. I give it a try it looks very solid.

It should treat you very well. I have a Karcher Anniversary model that I've been using since 2011 with only mold issues; picked up very similar model for $50 bucks and swapped some o-rings and what not. For $150 between the two, and the abuse I've put it through, I can't complain. I've even run hot water through it several times. And on multiple occasions have ran it excess of 5 hours in a day. Big thing is running clean water though it(check the filter screen in the inlet occasionally), and purge the air from the water source/hose before connecting to the machine. You should get at least 2 years of trouble free use out of it. Hope it treats you well and makes you some money.

 

[215Detailing]

It should treat you very well. I have a Karcher Anniversary model that I've been using since 2011 with only mold issues; picked up very similar model for $50 bucks and swapped some o-rings and what not. For $150 between the two, and the abuse I've put it through, I can't complain. I've even run hot water through it several times. And on multiple occasions have ran it excess of 5 hours in a day. Big thing is running clean water though it(check the filter screen in the inlet occasionally), and purge the air from the water source/hose before connecting to the machine. You should get at least 2 years of trouble free use out of it. Hope it treats you well and makes you some money.

I have a K (X) series still boxed been waiting to use,lol But the K2.050 I have for well over three years now, Ran some weekends for over 6 hours a day is still going strong, all I do is disconnected hose/Gun assembly after days end and bring in house when temps drop below forty degress

 

[jem7sk]

Forgive the noob question but why do you need a power washer? I would have thought it would be too powerful and bad for the car... Especially paint. Now I've recently seen the foam guns and can understand using it for that but that seems like overkill to me. I am new to all this and am missing the whole picture so I'm looking forward to learning about all its uses in the detailing world.

 

[215Detailing]

Forgive the noob question but why do you need a power washer? I would have thought it would be too powerful and bad for the car... Especially paint. Now I've recently seen the foam guns and can understand using it for that but that seems like overkill to me. I am new to all this and am missing the whole picture so I'm looking forward to learning about all its uses in the detailing world.

Hello quite a few of us use Pressure washers (lower psi no more than 1800 for detailing) IMO and also still keep gun about a foot away from paint. Pressure washer is good for wheels, wheel wells, tire even exterior paint, for eco friendly purposes I have even sprayed the whole car clean water should NOT be a runoff issue. then did an ONR rinseless wash.... found these videos from youtube hope the offer some insight [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03hBnjIvENM]House electric pressure washer - YouTube[/video]
and [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BIyE4UkQJY]Little electric pressure washer - YouTube[/video]

 

[rolop6]

There is no best PW. It really is what works best for you. I've had electric PW and 3 different gas PW. I will say this, if you are mobile I have found that the higher PSI PW will use up less water per wash. When I had my 1500 psi PW I saw it used 50%more water then my 3100psi PW. I personally don't believe that price doesn't matter. But that's just me, if your in a budget then get what you can, I prefer more power.