I'm considering purchasing a pressure washer mostly for washing the cars. I'd also use it a little bit around the house. Are these okay for washing cars with? Can you turn them way down so they don't do any damage? I'd probably purchase an electric one just to keep the costs minimal. Does anyone else use on of these?
Thoughts on Pressure Sprayers?
- Thread starter jw
- Start date
jw said:
I'm pretty sure the electric ones are perfectly safe for car wash use as I highly doubt that they are anywhere near as strong as a gas powered unit. Around the house cleaning with these might not be so effective though depending on what you plan on cleaning with it and how dirty it is. I know where I live with all the oak trees an electric PW would be practically useless to me.
If you do opt to go for one of the gas powered PW's, just be careful with how close you let the stream of water get to your paintwork. Getting too close can actually result in your paint being peeled right off. As long as you use a little common sense they are perfectly safe to use to wash cars. I don't think you can turn the pressure down on them, but you can switch out the nozzles on the wand to change the spray pattern anywhere from a light fan setting to a strong straight stream of water (don't use this setting to wash a car), or something in between.
mgm2003
New member
Power Washers are great tools, and time savers. You shouldn't need much more than 1500-1700PSI. I have a 1700PSI Husky purchased at HD and it's a POS. The trigger and pump failed in < 30 hours of use. My father-in-law and neighbor have Karchers, and they seem to be more reliable units.
I have a small electric one and a larger gas one.
If you're thinking about a gas powered one, Honda makes very reliable motors. One version is for the home market, the other version is the commercial market (GX).
Pumps vary from low end (comet), middle (national/general) and high end (cat).
Carriages can be steel or stainless.
By combining a variety of the above options, prices can range from approx. $450 up to $1500 for a really good home unit 6-8 hp, Gx (commercial) honda, cat pump, stainless cart, psi 2700 - 3000. Those would be Can. dollars so your american values would be less.
Other fellows have mentioned holding the nozzle farther away lessens pressure and using a wider fan lessens pressure.
A variable stream tip (about 80 bucks) can increase the power of the unit too.
Cheaper electric ones are virtually throw away units. Buy one for 120 bucks and when it breaks, toss it. A shop would charge 80 bucks just to look at it.
An adequate honda unit for home use might run 6 - 800 bucks and they are handy around the house and those honda engines always start really easy.
-John C.
If you're thinking about a gas powered one, Honda makes very reliable motors. One version is for the home market, the other version is the commercial market (GX).
Pumps vary from low end (comet), middle (national/general) and high end (cat).
Carriages can be steel or stainless.
By combining a variety of the above options, prices can range from approx. $450 up to $1500 for a really good home unit 6-8 hp, Gx (commercial) honda, cat pump, stainless cart, psi 2700 - 3000. Those would be Can. dollars so your american values would be less.
Other fellows have mentioned holding the nozzle farther away lessens pressure and using a wider fan lessens pressure.
A variable stream tip (about 80 bucks) can increase the power of the unit too.
Cheaper electric ones are virtually throw away units. Buy one for 120 bucks and when it breaks, toss it. A shop would charge 80 bucks just to look at it.
An adequate honda unit for home use might run 6 - 800 bucks and they are handy around the house and those honda engines always start really easy.
-John C.
Dan
Well-known member
IMO gas powered is too much of a PITA for home car washing. You have to deal with fueling, starting, even oil changes. Electric is also a PITA if you are looking for a quick wash. I really love using mine everytime to wash the car but dragging it in and out was a hassle. Maybe I'm lazy but I setup a powerwashing cubby in my garage so I can just unwind the hose and flip the switch and go. Its like the coin-op wash but free 
Costco has a good deal on a 1750 psi Campbell Hausfeld with a detergent tank and a built in steamer for $89.
Costco has a good deal on a 1750 psi Campbell Hausfeld with a detergent tank and a built in steamer for $89.