Is a pressure washer really needed?

sellncars

sellncars

New member
Hello everyone,
I'm just wondering if a pressure washer is really needed for detailing? I don't do alot of vehicles and have been debating on buying a Karcher 1600psi at Big Lots. I know that it would be good for some thing's around the house as well. This is a rebuilt unit and it's price is $99.00. What is everyone's take on electric pressure washers? Please name the brand and the good points and the bad as well.

Thanks,
Sellncars
 
Electric isn't the best, but the price range is perfect. Gas is pretty reliable, but you will be shelling out quite alot of money. I think all you need is 1500-2000 PSI, but there are other units ever stronger than will work as well. Don't forget the size. You can change out the wands, cords, and spray heads from what I've been told. As long as your at a good distance away and know what your doing the PW will help for wheel/wells/runners/quarters.

I've been thinking of a Karcher 1400 PSi @ my local Lowe's, but maintenance & reliability would be a big issue, even as a weekend detailer. I'm wondering if there is anything not to stong but efficient and reliable @ a good price (:D Like all things!) Maybe a fireman's hose @ rather close range?
 
Great topic. I just got a Black and Decker from Wal mart for $88 Wed night. It's only rated at 1000 psi I think. I didn't want to much power.

It's great. I used it for the entire wash process including door jambs. I've used it three times so far and the efficiency is picking up. I got it mainly for mobile work. Since I use my clients water (for now) I get a wide range of water pressures. Having the pressure washer gets me pretty much the same pressure every where.

One nice feature about the B and D is it runs on demand rather than always running while energized.

I do have a gas powered washer too, but its noisy.
 
Hi, I'm new here, but I'd like to add my 2 cents. All the previous posts were very true. We do graphic design and vehicle lettering, so a pressure washer is essential. We have a 3600psi unit for BLASTING graphics and adhesive residue off of vehicles.

But- (this is my method/view that works for me the way I work)

As far as washing goes (which I do ALOT of) I always keep the pressure down low (depends on the unit). I do not want to blast decals off of my vehicles that I intend to keep nor damage paint, trim and other parts. I also believe,,,,and this is my way of thinking, that even though paint is pretty hard, it is still pliable and the effects of power washing with too high a pressure can actually put micro pit marks into your paint. So I personally keep the pressure low and keep distance between the surface and wand tip and don't concentrate in one spot too much. I use about enough pressure that I can safely put my hand in front of the stream about 10 inches from the tip.

After doing an initial pressure wash, I'm usually back to the garden hose anyway.

I'd like to here more methods and uses for pressure washers too.


Hope my info was enlightening.

Best wishes,
Mark
 
I thought that more people would have chimed in. I really wanted to know who had what pressure washer and if they were of great use at home.

Thanks guys,
Sellncars
 
sellncars said:
Hello everyone,
I'm just wondering if a pressure washer is really needed for detailing? I don't do alot of vehicles and have been debating on buying a Karcher 1600psi at Big Lots. I know that it would be good for some thing's around the house as well. This is a rebuilt unit and it's price is $99.00. What is everyone's take on electric pressure washers? Please name the brand and the good points and the bad as well.

Thanks,
Sellncars
Click to expand...

I'm a mobile detailer and I use a Karcher 1600 electric pressure washer for detailing. Of course I have a gas powered unit, but I don't use it on cars (I use the gas pw for decks, driveways, houses, pools, etc.) I have been using the Karcher for about 18 months now and never had any problems what so ever. IMO I feel the 1600 psi electric is more than enough pressure for vehicles.

Foris
 
Sorry, I didn't mention which one we have. We have the Excell 3600 that we purchased from a Home Depot. It has a Honda engine,,,,,almost always starts on the first pull.


Mark
 
Hi. I have one of the excels from Home Depot I have purchased one of the rebuilt ones from them and I use it almost every day. By buying a rebuilt one you can usually get them for around $200 mine have always lasted and served me well. I use an adjustable nozzle and use the biggest fan pattern possible and keep a good distance from the vehicle. I have also purchased rebuilt ones from Sears. My biggest problem with my pressure washer has been in the beginning of winter if I dont winterize it at the end of a day and it gets too cold out and it freezes the pump housing usually cracks, this has happened on occasion the I have to replace the unit.
 
karwaxer said:
Hi. I have one of the excels from Home Depot I have purchased one of the rebuilt ones from them and I use it almost every day. By buying a rebuilt one you can usually get them for around $200 mine have always lasted and served me well. I use an adjustable nozzle and use the biggest fan pattern possible and keep a good distance from the vehicle. I have also purchased rebuilt ones from Sears. My biggest problem with my pressure washer has been in the beginning of winter if I dont winterize it at the end of a day and it gets too cold out and it freezes the pump housing usually cracks, this has happened on occasion the I have to replace the unit.
Click to expand...
That happened to me with my first pressurewasher. The cold caused the pump to crack and boy did I get wet!!

Mark
 
I'm looking to get another pressure washer for under $350. I want a Gas (no Electric) and strong enough to clean concrete. Any suggestions besides the obvious at Home Depot or Lowes?
 
karwaxer said:
... My biggest problem with my pressure washer has been in the beginning of winter if I dont winterize it at the end of a day and it gets too cold out and it freezes the pump housing usually cracks, this has happened on occasion the I have to replace the unit.
Click to expand...

By replacing the unit, do you mean just the pump (which I thought were replaceable components)? I also thought that the "better" units had thermal protection which prevented pumps from overheating/overcooling (that really couldn't be a word :huh, but you know what I mean :) ).
 
Mr. Clean said:
By replacing the unit, do you mean just the pump (which I thought were replaceable components)? I also thought that the "better" units had thermal protection which prevented pumps from overheating/overcooling (that really couldn't be a word :huh, but you know what I mean :) ).
Click to expand...
The first one I had that cracked was a generac and it was a 2700psi unit,,,,,when it cracked I went to home depot with it and they replaced it no questions asked (that was nice). The next one (the replacement) I sold a couple of years later and got the Excell 3600. Now I make sure that I give the pump a few extra pulls after I'm done...to get the water out of the line,,,and If it's gonna sit, I put in pump saver. I think you can buy all the parts to repair a cracked pump (of course depending on the unit) but sometimes places like home depot and lowes will just do an exchange if it seems to be a "non abusive" problem.

A friend of mine owns a marina here in Central New York and he cleans boats too. He got one of the rotating nozzles, and with a machine like mine, shot a hole right through the gel coat and through some of the layers of the side of the boat. I don't think he had a clue how much power these units have- and they do!

Mark
 
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