Pressure washer or no?

A

anson89

New member
Is this a do or don't? I know it's great for wheels, but what about for the car/body itself? Possibly a lower PSI?
 
I love mine; 2.2GPM; 2300ish psi. I find it absolutely essentially for pre-rinse now; can't live without it.
 
i second "efnfast" i don't use my pressure washer a lot anymore but the first 4 years of business i used it every single detail and it did wonders. Some things still need to me agitated but for the most part it does a great job and cuts down time as well.
 
anson89 said:
which pressure washer do you guys recommend?
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The one with the best return policy. The electric consumer ones don't live past year two or three.
 
Electric = quiet, acceptable pressure, below desireable volume (GPM)



Gas = LOUD!!!, more expensive, more pressure than is needed but...wonderful gpm.



The higher GPM allows a much better rinse. A gas would be a no brainer choice in my opinion except for the higher price and being so damn loud.
 
anson89 said:
which pressure washer do you guys recommend?
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A good gas powered one; don't bother ewith electrics, they usually have limited life, unserviceable parts, and bad reps.



Just buy a reasonable one - no need for spend $900 for one that can etch concrete. Mine is 2300psi, 2.2gpm. I love it.
 
efnfast said:
A good gas powered one; don't bother ewith electrics, they usually have limited life, unserviceable parts, and bad reps.



Just buy a reasonable one - no need for spend $900 for one that can etch concrete. Mine is 2300psi, 2.2gpm. I love it.
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I have an electric unit at my shop, it's a 2.2gpm and around 1500 psi. The thing is awesome. I run hot water through it, and it's been extremely dependable. It was around $700 new.





John
 
I'm no pro, but I do have a few things to add from an OCD amatuer perspective...



1. Put your search emphasis on GPM, not PSI. Those two criteria can tend to be loosely tied, but there is variation out there. Most anything on the market these days has plenty of PSI for our use, but you'll really appreciate a high GPM capability.



2. Look for a unit that has a wand with the individual, interchangeable brass heads for the various spray patterns. The all-in-one, adjustable pattern heads tend to put out a spray pattern as consistent and accurate as a meth-head doing calculus, after they've had some use. They're nearly useless, at least in my experience.



3. Like others' have alluded to, unless you are spending commercial-grade money on an electric, just stick with the gas units.
 
JohnKleven said:
I have an electric unit at my shop, it's a 2.2gpm and around 1500 psi. The thing is awesome. I run hot water through it, and it's been extremely dependable. It was around $700 new.





John
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Yea, but we're talking your standard electric one for 100-200, not your heavier duty one :LOLOL
 
anson89 said:
Is this a do or don't? I know it's great for wheels, but what about for the car/body itself? Possibly a lower PSI?
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Get one! No better way to wash a car. What price range are you trying to be in?
 
I saw a guy blow a molding off a car. Another ruined an aging Decal. I use a spray nozzle with a trigger handle. 35 years no power washer and no intent to get one. My wash in prep for any detail can take over an hour. All done by hand of course. Every GOOd detail starts with adetailed wash.
 
paintexpert - how do you clean engines & wheel wells?



You mentioned seeing a guy damaging a car, but have you ever tried using one? Something mid-range like 1500 psi? I can't ever imagine something this light doing damage.



Having managed an indoor coin-op car wash and owned a high volume detail shop, I've had several 100,000 cars pass through my eyes without ever seeing anyone damage their car unless it was due to their own negligence.
 
When it comes to wheels, I use Presta wheel and tire. The brake dust melts off. I cant carry a pressure washer in my work car, it does not warrant losing my comfortable car. Sometimes I go across the state. My Cadillac is more comfortable than a van. I can carry my whole barrage of stuff in any 6 vehicles I have. I have engineered it SMALL for that reason. I do twice the work on the road as being fixed in place. I brought my detail to a campsite this Summer....Thats portable and another reason I dont use my pressure washer...it is an electric job not a very high end one.
 
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