soap for pressure washer ???

[I Shine]

I just bought Troy Bilt pressure washer. It's 2600 psi, 2.3 gpm, Honda GCV engine and an axial cam pump.

It's not the best but it should serve my purposes for now.

My question is, this pressure washer comes with 2 on-board detergent tanks. They each hold a half gallon (32 ounces). Do I fill the detergent tank with straight car washing soap or do I need to reduce it with water? If I need to reduce it what ratio should I use?

Also any tips for getting a long life from this pressure washer?

Thanks

[BobbyG]

I would think the manufacture would cover this in the manual. Also, go to their website and see what they say there and if need be shoot their customer service an email to have your questions answered.

I have a Honda powered Troy-Bilt pressure washer and have never had an issue. It's always worked well so no complaints here.

[jlb85]

The on-board tanks on these pressure washers don't work very well as foamers. The amont of soap they put out is too small and too watery, and they are not pressurized. So give it a try, but don't worry too much about it. For good foam you willl need a foam gun or cannon. Add a little soap at 50% and see how it works.

[Dan Metzler]

The on-board tanks on these pressure washers don't work very well as foamers. The amont of soap they put out is too small and too watery, and they are not pressurized. So give it a try, but don't worry too much about it. For good foam you willl need a foam gun or cannon. Add a little soap at 50% and see how it works.

Jacob what Karcher pressure washer do you have? Always impressed with your foam pics.

[clm65]

My simple advice for longer pressure washer life...run it regularly. Long periods of sitting does not bode well for pressure washers. In addition to gumming up the carbs, the pump seals and pressure relief valves will stick if left sitting long enough. You can get additives for both the pump and carb, but your best and cheapest bet is to use it often. This I have learned from experience.

[Rhudeboye]

I have a husky and the foaming results are pretty weak. Even though they give instructions for car cleaning in the literature the device seems better suited for vinyl siding

[jlb85]

Jacob what Karcher pressure washer do you have? Always impressed with your foam pics.

Thanks, Dan!

We use a Karcher K5.85 with the Autogeek Foam Cannon. We have also used a B&D electric washer with equal results. Even the very small Karcher K2.16 throws out tremendous foam with the Foam Cannon.

The Karcher Foam Lance thingy attachment is a great value at $25, but foams similar to the regular garden hose Foam Gun no matter how pure and sudsy the shampoo is. Better than nothing.



As a last tip I'm going to recommend users of the foam cannon to experiment with high dilution rates. Some shampoos seem to foam more at say 6:1 water to soap in the foam cannon bottle than at 3:1. Found this out by accident, and not every soap acts this way. But IIRC CG Citrus Wash is like this, and foams better than say CG Maxi Suds 2 even at 6:1. CGMS foams good, but runs fast. CGCW holds its shape longer. I like Extreme Foam at 4:1. Dodo Juice Supernatural will not foam very thick, but still feels great and very slippery in the foam gun around 10:1 or so.

[Dan Metzler]

Thanks, Dan!

We use a Karcher K5.85 with the Autogeek Foam Cannon. We have also used a B&D electric washer with equal results. Even the very small Karcher K2.16 throws out tremendous foam with the Foam Cannon.

The Karcher Foam Lance thingy attachment is a great value at $25, but foams similar to the regular garden hose Foam Gun no matter how pure and sudsy the shampoo is. Better than nothing.



As a last tip I'm going to recommend users of the foam cannon to experiment with high dilution rates. Some shampoos seem to foam more at say 6:1 water to soap in the foam cannon bottle than at 3:1. Found this out by accident, and not every soap acts this way. But IIRC CG Citrus Wash is like this, and foams better than say CG Maxi Suds 2 even at 6:1. CGMS foams good, but runs fast. CGCW holds its shape longer. I like Extreme Foam at 4:1. Dodo Juice Supernatural will not foam very thick, but still feels great and very slippery in the foam gun around 10:1 or so.

Good info and thanks.......now get back to detailing and write a story I am going through withdraw!!!

[JonMiles]

Congrats on the new pressure washer, I'm sure it will make detailing life easier for you. As far as keeping it running nicely, make sure to keep the parts cleaned and well lubricated just like any other engine. Also, fire it up often to keep everything in running shape and to avoid clogging and long term corrosion. A water inlet screen would be a good investment too, it will help keep foreign matter out of the pump. You don't want any sand or debris coming out of the hose to run through the pump and have potential to do damage.

They each hold a half gallon (32 ounces).

Just for future reference, a gallon is 128 oz. A quart (32 oz) is only 1/4 of a gallon.

[I Shine]

Just for future reference, a gallon is 128 oz. A quart (32 oz) is only 1/4 of a gallon.

Sorry about that, math was never my favorite subject.

Thanks for the tips.