Power Washers?

[AjNavo61490]

Im kinda looking at getting an electric pressure washer sometime in the near future. How much PSI would yall suggest? I see 1700 PSI pressure washers for like $70-80 shipped on ebay... are those good or junk? How much will i get a decent one at a near-by Lowe's or Home Depot?

Input would be great. Thanks

[2001MineralGrayStang]

I bought a Karcher at Lowe's for $160ish I believe. It's the 1800 psi model. I really like it, it'd be nice to have a little more oomph from time to time but not bad at all. I'd be wary of any pressure washer that was that cheap, you get what you pay for!

[StephenK]

Im kinda looking at getting an electric pressure washer sometime in the near future. How much PSI would yall suggest? I see 1700 PSI pressure washers for like $70-80 shipped on ebay... are those good or junk? How much will i get a decent one at a near-by Lowe's or Home Depot?

Input would be great. Thanks


what brand pressure washer are you seeing at that price?

[AjNavo61490]

Karcher 1500 PSI Electric Pressure Washer K 3.99 M - (eBay item 300177299662 end time Dec-05-07 19:33:48 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Karcher-1500-PSI-Electric-Pressure-Washer-K-3-99-M_W0QQitemZ300177299662QQihZ020QQcategoryZ50388QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[killrflake]

I bought a Karcher several years ago thats 2000psi. Karcher seems to be one of the big names in power washers and mine still works fine after at least
five years. Caution should be used when using on a car, high pressure can
do damage paint real easy and when doing wheel wells be careful by brake lines etc. . Good luck with your hunt for a washer and like was said before
cheap isn't always good.

[lethalxls1]

I have been thinking about buying a electric pressure washer as well. What PSI would be safe to use on a car? My car usually only needs the dust washed off so I thought a pressure washer might be a big help to kind of wisk away the dust/light dirt before washing.

[Fly bye]

If you put 1,700+ psi right up to the paint and hold it there for 1 second, it will take the paint right off.

[Fly bye]

If your not carefull with one of these things, you can kiss your paint goodbye http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/sadwavey.gif

[AjNavo61490]

well that one is 1500 PSI... and im not planning to hold it right up to the paint for an extended period of time. So, i think its pretty safe ;)

[Bonifax]

I've heard that a PW can scratch the paint by "dragging" dirt across the paint at that pressure.

[Fly bye]

It should be safe at 2 feet away from the finish.

[lethalxls1]

Ok-I think I will stick with my garden hose and fire nozzel!

[wolfpacker92]

If you put 1,700+ psi right up to the paint and hold it there for 1 second, it will take the paint right off.

Dude I think the nozzle has a lot to do with doing any damage to the paint on a car. I have a 3000 psi gas powered pressure washer that I use but with the nozzle I have I can hold it right to the paint for minutes on end and do absolutely no damage to the paint. Now if I use one of my other nozzles on the wand yes I would be able to peel paint right off. Certain nozzles diffuse the spray pattern in different ways making a 3000 psi pressure perfectly safe on a vehicle. My pressure washer came with 4 different nozzles and I use the most delicate one for my cars. Don't be afraid to use a PW on your car if you use the correct nozzle.

[Fly bye]

I have a 3000 psi gas powered pressure washer that I use but with the nozzle I have I can hold it right to the paint for minutes on end and do absolutely no damage to the paint.
Care to show a demonstration on video?




Certain nozzles diffuse the spray pattern in different ways making a 3000 psi pressure perfectly safe on a vehicle.
No matter how ya slice it, 3000 psi is 3000 psi no matter what the spray pattern. If you place a 3000 psi nozzle right up to the paint for more than several seconds, the paint will come off.

The nozzle that you are using, due to the spray pattern, does not have 3000 psi coming out of it.

[Fly bye]

Ok-I think I will stick with my garden hose and fire nozzel!
If you keep the high pressure spray a minimum of 2 feet away, and keep the spray moving slowly at least, it won't hurt a thing.