Pressure washer, how much is too much?

[Jomak]

Is there such a thing as too much? I was looking at a PowerStroke 3100 2.8GPM gas pressure washer. I know you use the car wash nozzle, but I want to get a foam cannon to aid in washing. Is this to much should I get 2500 2.4GPM,...? Appreciate the input.

[RaydiantDetail]

Is there such a thing as too much? I was looking at a PowerStroke 3100 2.8GPM gas pressure washer. I know you use the car wash nozzle, but I want to get a foam cannon to aid in washing. Is this to much should I get 2500 2.4GPM,...? Appreciate the input.

Hey Jomak, I am sure there is such a thing as too much as if you are not careful I have heard of people taking paint off cars/ painted wheels.
I have a electric SunJoe 2200PSI 1.8GPM and it works great with my MTM foam canon. Lathers up cars very nicely. Will you just be using it for cars or will you also be using it for other things around the house? i.e. Decks, patio, fence etc.

https://youtu.be/jQ4q1AOs3kI

[Jomak]

Hey Jomak, I am sure there is such a thing as too much as if you are not careful I have heard of people taking paint off cars/ painted wheels.
I have a electric SunJoe 2200PSI 1.8GPM and it works great with my MTM foam canon. Lathers up cars very nicely. Will you just be using it for cars or will you also be using it for other things around the house? i.e. Decks, patio, fence etc.

I would like to wash my other things like decking, driveway, and so on. I don't want to damage the paint on my car!

[oldmodman]

I have two. A reasonable sized electric from Costco. Snap-On 2200psi.
And a Honda powered Karcher 4400psi. Which is actually a little too light weight for paint removal (on houses) or cleaning concrete driveways. I have used it on cars or heavy equipment in areas where there is no electricity and I can just throttle it down or lower the pressure using the regulator.

I rented a 10,000psi diesel heated washer to clean the sidewalk in front of a friend's restaurant once and it was perfect for the job. It blasted off all the old gum, tar, stains, and graffiti spray paint.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

2000-2200psi is more than enough for vehicle detailing. I would utilize an electric unit for detailing rather than a gas unit as you won't have to deal with the associated noise as you will use it quite a bit in this aspect.

You can run a gas unit in detailing and double as other uses around the house but remember the noise, weight, and needing to fuel it up to run it.

[Jomak]

I was wanting gas. It's not a big deal as all my tools are gas now. I'd like one unit to handle what I want on my 1.2 acres. I need mobility.

Is the PowerStroke 3100 2.8GPM good, overkill?

[choijw2]

For car wash , anything min 1600 would be okay.

Ideally 2000 psi, 2.0 Gpm would be perfect, but I use 1600 psi 1.2 gpm and works okay even for foam cannon. Foams do run out bit faster tho

[rlmccarty2000]

Just don't put the nozzle too close to your paint and you will be fine. Think about how much pressure the coin-top sprayers have. Never hear any stories about people destroying their paint there. I'm sure you could do some damage if common sense was not applied.

[shagnat]

I was wanting gas. It's not a big deal as all my tools are gas now. I'd like one unit to handle what I want on my 1.2 acres. I need mobility.

Is the PowerStroke 3100 2.8GPM good, overkill?

Sounds like a great choice..... also, the choice of nozzle will also dictate how much pressure would be used.... so don't fear "too much pressure".

[RaskyR1]

1500-2000psi and 2.0 GPM is about ideal for cars and is about what most coin-opps will run at. Some of the more powerful units have a dial you can adjust to crank the pressure down with too. I had a 240v electric unit for a while that was 2750psi and 3.0 GPM and it was too much IMO and I dialed it down a bit.

[SANTA3013]

I have a Greenworks electric 1600 psi and it has always been enough for me. Primarily I use it on wheels and tires, along with Brown Royal. I sometimes use it on paint if the front end is covered with bugs after I pretreat it. My pressure washer has never caused a problem however I would not feel comfortable using anything more powerful. YMMV

[shagnat]

The differences between how an electric pressure washer operates vs a gas pressure washer is almost night and day.... they both have pressurized water coming out of a nozzle and that's about the end of similarities.

[detailsbydennis]

50335
We use a Mi T M hot and cold machine with adjustable pressure. 220 Electric and diesel burner for hot Awesome unit!

[Jomak]

That's a beast! I don't think I will be getting that.

[dmayer]

I have the Generac One Wash. Here is a link: https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/outdoor-power-equipment/pressure-washers-accessories/onewash-trade-2-000-3-100-variable-psi-pressure-washer/p-1444431297344.htm

It has four different settings of power. The auto position is the lightest and is 2000 psi. You may laugh at this: I bought it to use on the cars, and I have used it on siding, wood benches, and concrete sidewalk. I haven't actually used it on any of the cars yet. ha. I haven't gotten a foam cannon yet though (haven't decided which to get) but when I do, I'm sure I'll use in on a car or two.