Pressure washer or no?

Like I said, I do own one perhaps I should get it out in my old age. I think it would work for the details I do in my shop. My shop happens to be shelter for three of my cars. They dont get put out if its raining. I reschedule the detail to a dry day. Crazy huh? The other reason is the dirt comes off as good if I get it manually and I know I covered that portion of the detail. Like I said I put out a great detail in less than 3.5 hours and base the labor on what I told you before.
 
Its totally illegal to clean motors in Ct. So I plead the fifth on any info. My wells are done with degreaser like simple green and they are brushed all the way around on the insides and the brush is for this purpose only.
 
That's cool. I like blasting off all the loose topical dirt 1st before I start touching anything. That way there's no way to pick up a piece of grit or sand and wipe it across the finish.



So if you spend atleast 1+ hour doing the prep work, that leaves you a little more than 2 hours to do the rest(buff/interior). Man, you've gotten faster in your older age!!!!
 
David -



Mind if I pick your brain...

For FIXED tips, what angle spread tips would you get for wheels/wheelweels and the 2nd tip being for a paint ?





I
 
with common sense when using one, a pressure washer would definitely help. i don't use mine all that much, but for those who do this day in & day out, i couldn't imagine being without one...
 
Not trying to hijack this post, but I have a similar question... which pressure washer to get.



I want to start washing my car with a pressure washer and foaming it to get all of the dirt off, and rinsing with a cr spotless. I am looking to touch the paint as little as possible when washing. I dont know anything about pressure washers and I am looking to spend no more that 350.



What should I be looking for...there are a lot on craigslist but what psi and gpm should i be looking for... i wanna be safe and not mess up my car. Also, what hp for the engine. Any suggestions or resources so that I can learn more and make an educated decision.



Thanks.
 
David -



All the extensions and stuff I'll be buying piecemeal. Don't like kits but sofar, I know it will be a 50ft hose, which fetches a pretty penny, some SS couplers/disconnects and probably a 2"-30" extension. Gun is to be determined.





The last time I used a vario nozzle....it;s was a bit too variable for me. I'm figuring if I get tips...it would be more consistent.
 
Sounds like you're off to the right start. You'll want to match up the tip to the specs of your washer. Check out this page:



Pressure power washer spray nozzles



I'd look into a nozzle guard/protector too.



You might want to check out what your local car wash supplier has to offer.



Hope this helps.
 
:nixweiss
David Fermani said:
I wouldn't switch tips. What's the legnth of your wand? (in a non-homo way). :nervous2:
Click to expand...



lol now why would you have to exspain yourself on a simple question? something we don't know here?
smilie_flagge22.gif
:getdown
 
David -



Duhhhh....I just realized you were the OP on the ceramic tips....

Their site FWIW, also makes rotary nozzles.



I am familar with rotary nozzles....on PW concrete side of things, but I use the surface washer more. In my research, looks like the car washing forums, these rotary nozzles are employed. I assume it for the *touchless and super strong carwash soap* setup for a true touchless carwash.



I am curious.....do you see any use for a rotary nozzle on a handheld gun/wand setup.



Sorry for all the questions. I always do a thorough research when I buy tools......

Don't ask me about the $$$ tile saws and hammer drills and such I have lying around. I always find a justification for quality tools..
 
For the infrequent user, such as myself, the electric units are ideal. My 5yr. old Karcher ($150) is just about perfect for the couple of times I use it per year. I've gotten every penny out of it and then some. Personally, I'd never use a pressure washer as part of my weekly cleaning routine and I sure would never use a gas powered unit on the body of the car at 2300 psi or whatever the output is.



This morning's action using just a light mist of HD TOTAL and my little Karcher:



BEFORE:



dsc8204o.jpg






AFTERS:



dsc8230.jpg




dsc8234.jpg
 
I've never noticed rotarty nozzles at Self Serve CW's. Maybe more popular in tunnel operations? I prefer using a fixed spray pattern so I can have a more controlled use. The place I linked the ceramic tips to had an advertisement in the Car Washing magizine I subscribe to offering free samples of their tips. They sent me 3 when I asked them for some. That's when I tested them out and realized my old tip set could be improved upon.
 
I'm no expert or pro, just an enthusiest who likes cars...

I just started using my new one all the time, a small Karcher...my first one last >10 years...household use and chassis/engine, and winter washes



rinse

foam gun (Karcher)

rinse

mitt wash

rinse



speeds up the process, great for wheels, wheel wells, chassis...

and uses MUCH less water, barely makes it to the the road channel, where as before with a hose, 100'+ down the road...



it's also useful for cleaning around the house: walls, walkways, etc.

not a bad $100 tool, even if it only lasts 2-3 years
 
The one thing I love about my gas powered PW is that I can adjust the rpms to regulate the output especially when doing engines/wheel wells, and then crank the throttle up for general rinsing where I keep a significant distance from the paint, or for foaming.
 
07e90 said:
The one thing I love about my gas powered PW is that I can adjust the rpms to regulate the output especially when doing engines/wheel wells, and then crank the throttle up for general rinsing where I keep a significant distance from the paint, or for foaming.
Click to expand...



I can do the same with my electric camspray and it small enough to fit in the trunk of My Benz
 
I have a gas powered pressure washer that I carry for mobile detailing. I was a welder for 25 plus years,and electric and water just don't go together for me. My personal preference. I did just perchase a Nomad H2O Washer. It runs off the accessories plug in my truck. (cigarette lighter) I also bought a an adapter from Amazon that did not have enough amps to run the washer. So I went to Radio Shack and purchased a Lighter receptical with the little allegator clamps(small jumper cables). It connects to the DC plug on my generator. I'll be using the Nomad this winter for in garage details.
 
Showroom Shine said:
I have a gas powered pressure washer that I carry for mobile detailing. I was a welder for 25 plus years,and electric and water just don't go together for me. My personal preference. I did just perchase a Nomad H2O Washer. It runs off the accessories plug in my truck. (cigarette lighter) I also bought a an adapter from Amazon that did not have enough amps to run the washer. So I went to Radio Shack and purchased a Lighter receptical with the little allegator clamps(small jumper cables). It connects to the DC plug on my generator. I'll be using the Nomad this winter for in garage details.
Click to expand...



Gas was not an option for me as it won't fit in my cars and my neighbors would kill me firing one of the noise boxes up at 7 am on a SAT or Sunday

I bought a couple of those nomads as well I just modified a couple of Ryobi 18 volt batteries and it works great just used it today
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top