pressure washer or no pressure washer

S

seles23

New member
In my years of detailing I've never used the washer on any setting much above mist. I've seen pressure washers make chips in the paint bigger and the like. I'm beginning to wonder if a pressure washer is really even needed, the way I wash it definitely isn't the psi cleaning off the grime.



I've heard of waterless car washing, but I'm not really into using / paying for chemicals that replace / potentially pollute a cheaper agent—water.



I saw one of these (Tractor Supply Company - Hand-held Lawn & Garden Sprayers) a little while back and am wondering if something like this would get a car wet enough to scrub and rinse.



Anyone tried this?
 
I just use a pressure washer and call it a day! I do have a problem now with an account of mine. I need to clean the trucks with little water as possible for the law to accept of drop the account.





But these are 18 wheelers. I don't know what to do. lol
 
I've never detailed without one until recently. The dealerships I'm working at have no pressure washers and only use a hose and spray nozzle. I friggin hate it with a passion. The pressure washer is a 1000 x's faster and entirely way more effective. It's like going backwards. I feel bad for anyone that can't use the pressure washer when detailing. They seriously are missing out on a great tool that makes things easier and faster and a much better end result with just a fraction of the effort. If it were my money I would make sure every bay in every dealership I was working with would have a pressure washer installed. It's just stupid wasting so much extra time trying to get even the simplest things cleaned up.
 
Jakerooni said:
I've never detailed without one until recently. The dealerships I'm working at have no pressure washers and only use a hose and spray nozzle. I friggin hate it with a passion. The pressure washer is a 1000 x's faster and entirely way more effective. It's like going backwards. I feel bad for anyone that can't use the pressure washer when detailing. They seriously are missing out on a great tool that makes things easier and faster and a much better end result with just a fraction of the effort. If it were my money I would make sure every bay in every dealership I was working with would have a pressure washer installed. It's just stupid wasting so much extra time trying to get even the simplest things cleaned up.
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Totally agree, and have to add that you actually use less water with a pressure washer. The only thing I use the hose for is for the foam gun and firemans nozzle to sheet the water off.
 
I use a gasoline pressure washer as much as I can. It makes the job so much easier and quicker. I can attach the soap tip to the wand to pre-soak the entire vehicle in less than a minute, then wash the vehicle, rinse and repeat if necessary. The pressure washer is especially useful to clean the undercarriage and the fender wells thoroughly. To make drying the vehicle quicker, I bring my own filtered water so no spots are on the vehicle after it is rinsed.
 
i detail in a rural area, lots of farm trucks, contractor vehicles, and dirt roads. IN the spring and fall when things get real muddy the power washer is a must. The salespeople at the dealership let their customers take delivery of their vehicle after purchase but before rustproofing(if purchased) a lot of times and i would be hard pressed to get the undercarriage's clean without one.
 
Completely with Jakerooni on this one. They're great tools when used correctly. We never use the highest PSI setting- either mist or about a 2-3 inch spread which is plenty powerful enough to help GREATLY. Regardless of foam cannon/lance or not - a pressure washer is a must for those who plan on doing as few details as a car every two weeks.
 
I Use a skid mounted Honda gas powered unit daily with R/O water, never had an issue with paint chipping. I always instal a fan tip if I recall that sprays at a 45 degree angle. I use a non fatigue gun, connected to an 18in flexible wand which is great for cleaning up inside wheel wells and I maintain a 4-5in distance when using on the paint.



There are alot times when I am asked to do exotics or classics in which I will use "Blue Mist" or I plan on trying ONR. I just purchased a gallon on Black Friday which I plan on trying...
 
Thanks for all the feedback fellas. I'm getting back into detailing to make a few bucks, economy has got me down, you know what I mean? Anyways I'm setting up my 4th mobile rig. First one was great, but subsequent set ups lacked in the pressure washer dept. Seemed like the pw shops never knew how to get me set up right but were happy to take my money.



I'm looking for a pressure washer that will pull(syphon) from a 50 gallon tank with no issue for less than $500. On the other hand if it's cheaper to go with a non-syphoning unit and buy a small pump that runs of 12v or 120v then I'll go that way too.



Here are a couple that are interesting to me:



Troy-Bilt at Lowe's: 2550 PSI / 2.3 GPM Gas Pressure Washer



RIDGID 3000 PSI, 2.6 GPM, CAT Pump, Pressure Washer - RD80701 at The Home Depot



thanks for the help!



Hank
 
almost nothing you buy at home depot/lowes will have siphon ability. you can get a cheap honda knock off engine from harbor freight for 100-120 and just buy the pump separate. a decent pump will set you back 400-700 for just the pump. add about 100-150 for a thermal by pass system and you'll be at about 1000 for just the PW.
 
Stay away from the inexspensive units from home improvement stores, they are more consumer oriented than commercial.

Make sure you purchase one with a gear reduction 5:1 and a cold water bypass, this way you get the most life out of your pump and you can leave the unit running while the water cycles thru the tank and stays cool. I own 2 units like I am describing, one has more than 12 years on it working daily 6 hrs +, the other has over 6 years working daily 5 hrs +



Honda 5.5hp

Gear reduction 5:1

General pump T991



About $1200.00 with 50ft hose, gun and lance



these components make a hell of a solid unit!
 
EliminatorXP said:
Stay away from the inexspensive units from home improvement stores, they are more consumer oriented than commercial.

Make sure you purchase one with a gear reduction 5:1 and a cold water bypass, this way you get the most life out of your pump and you can leave the unit running while the water cycles thru the tank and stays cool. I own 2 units like I am describing, one has more than 12 years on it working daily 6 hrs +, the other has over 6 years working daily 5 hrs +



Honda 5.5hp

Gear reduction 5:1

General pump T991



About $1200.00 with 50ft hose, gun and lance



these components make a hell of a solid unit!
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I am sorry but $1200 is a lot of money. Oh sure, you're paying the premium for its reliability but most of us arent going to use its full potential. Some of us are just enthusiast or hobbyist just looking for a water down. Is there anything else you would suggest within <$300 range thats not gas? Camspray seems promising but ill get that when its on sale.
 
I bought an electric Karcher pressure washer for $85 from woot.com; pretty much the best deal I've taken advantage on any of the equipment I've bought. Washing without a pressure washer is impossible! I can't remember how I washed tires and wheel wells without one.
 
It's certainly a time saver with heavily soiled vehicles - especially undercarriages and wheel wells - and can be a help in wash-induced marring, but otherwise for me a PS doesn't necessarily save time or allow me to skip a step.



If you're have a car that is basically clean and unused, but has been the victim of pollen or a few dry, windy days, it can allow you to skip the manual agitation stage, but otherwise you are always going to need some sort of handwork. A precious few report the personal development of sealant/wax/soap/PW combos that eliminate the agitation stage, but the vast majority of us still need some sort of manual work to remove the road film. I'm definitely one of the latter.



That said, a PW is still a cornerstone to my supply of detailing products and equipment.
 
google pressure washers direct, I got my Briggs & Stratton PW from there for 600 bucks freighted to my work. Its a pro-sumer model, gas, 3000psi adjustable with a heat bypass in the pump, great unit, I have not tried to siphon water from my tank yet cause I have yet to get it set up but I will this spring.
 
ten39 said:
Whoa, how'd you do that? Your picture links to a price of $1650.
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A motivated seller posted an ad here on the board. Nothing like good timing:) It's used but in really great condition.
 
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