Pressure washers?

[imported_sal329]

Would you recommend an electric 1700psi or a 2600 psi gas powered washer?

[imported_Chris223]

Get a gas powered. We bought a Troy Bilt from Lowes last year, it was like $350 or something like that, they had 3 models, and we went for the one in the middle with the Honda engine.

[imported_wagonproject]

I would go gas...

[Mindflux]

Gas would seem nicer, but 2600 psi is quite a bit overkill for pressure washing a car. I don`t think at that pressure it`s safe to spray your paint. Just make sure you can dial down the pressure.

[abbeysdad]

I have an electric Black and Decker used mostly for deck, house and driveway --> I`ve used it a time or two on the cars in the past (but not now), but it is overkill and I wouldn`t get one just for a vehicle. Once you have a clean vehicle with a good LSP, what are you gonna need to blast off of there?

[David Fermani]

If you want to go the less expensive route; go gas. I use an electric (1500 psi) unit and it`s perfect for every detail related application.

[mobiledetailkid]

Would you recommend an electric 1700psi or a 2600 psi gas powered washer?



I would recommend the gas one.I have a 2400 psi and it works well for pretty much any car.

[imported_sal329]

It is more for the driveway, cleanin the house, well that is what I am tellin the Fiance lol. The gas powered Honda one was the one I am leaning towards.

[imported_Chris223]

I don`t think at that pressure it`s safe to spray your paint..



So stand further away from the car. It`s not like you`re holding the nozzle 6" from the paint.

[Mindflux]

So stand further away from the car. It`s not like you`re holding the nozzle 6" from the paint.



:work:



That`s fine. Do that. It`s not like humans are infallible or anything.

[JonP]

I have a 2250 PSI gas pressure washer that I use all the time on my cars and never had any issues with it. The pressure washer comes with color coded interchangeable tips for a certain job. Just be sure you use the correct tip or dial setting if you have an adjustable tip.

[gmblack3]

Biglots has a gas powered Karcher G 2600 VRH with a Honda motor for $288. It is a refurb, but still seems to be a good value.



I have a 2200PSI gas Husky Q45 and never had any issues.

[Junebug]

I have a Generac with a Briggs and Straton - POS! Last time I tried using it, i ended up kicking it across the yard. If you get a gas model - get a Honda engine.

[Mindflux]

Biglots has a gas powered Karcher G 2600 VRH with a Honda motor for $288. It is a refurb, but still seems to be a good value.



I have a 2200PSI gas Husky Q45 and never had any issues.



Bryan



After checking that out and seeing similar `sized` models on homedepot for the same money (ok 299) there`sno reason to buy a refurb.



HUSKY 2600 PSI Pressure Washer - HU80722 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100615527)



Honda Engine, too.

[SuperBee364]

One of the important points about chosing a pressure washer is GPM. You want lot`s of GPM. Pressure doesn`t really matter, but the amount of water you can put through it per minute is important. Get at least 2.0 gpm. Imagine trying to wash your car with a hand spray bottle. That`s what it`s like trying to rinse/wash a car off with a low GPM PW.



I have a 3,000 PSI 2.8 GPM John Deere, and it`s perfect for my touch free washes. I do use it at the full 3,000 PSI, too. But I have one of the wide angle dispersal tips on it so it doesn`t peel my paint off.



To answer Abbeysdad`s question about why you`d want a PW... Not having to touch the paint to do a complete wash is a huge benefit; if I don`t touch my paint, I can`t swirl it. :) And if you`re going to be using a wash media, blasting as much stuff off the paint with a PW prior to you touching it with a wash media helps to prevent marring.



Important stuff when buying a PW:

Honda Engine

Triple piston type pump

High GPM



Most all of the electric ones sold at Home Depot, Lowes, Costco, etc. are very cheaply made and won`t last long at all. They also have very low GPM. If you go to a more expensive electric PW, you`ll have to have a dedicated 20 amp circuit to push the current needed for more GPM. You`ll either have to go with a big circuit or go gas to get decent GPM.