Purchasing Pressure Washer - Have A Few Questions

[ousooner2]

Hey fella's, I just picked up a '15 Accord sedan v6 (in white) and am looking to get back on board with detailing. I already have a ton of stuff from here, but I need a pressure washer and would like to find a good one and a foam cannon with all the necessary equipment.

Ace Hardware has the AR Blue Clean AR112 (1600psi/1.6gpm) for $70 right now! Seems to be a solid pressure washer for weekend car cleaning use for the money. Quiet, powerful enough, cheap, etc. I'm impatient and want to go get it, but I wanted to make sure I would be able to pair a foam cannon with it. Does anyone use an AR Blue Clean pressure washer and have a foam cannon on here? Also, if I need to pick up a set of quick connect/disconnects, that's fine too. Not looking to break the bank here, but just something that will work great for a car or 2 every weekend or every other weekend. Thanks!! :dblthumb2:

AR112: AR Blue Clean Electric Pressure Washer (AR112) at Ace Hardware (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4283517)

Looks like you can either get:

1. MTM Foam Canon (plus you'd need to purchase the adapter that's around $13-15)
2. AR Foam Canon ($55ish)

Seems like I see a lot more about the MTM foam cannon, but I've just started researching and looking. Hopefully this will help some of the new guys and people wanting a nice, budget setup too.

[ousooner2]

Also need to find a good soap that suds well, but doesn't break down a sealant like Powerlock.

I'm seeing a lot of people using Chemical Guys stuff (MaxiSuds, MaxiSuds II). Assume that's a solid choice for a good price (I'd just buy the gallon).

[Angus]

Hey, I've got an AR 383 and their foam cannon (it's made by MTM) and it's a great set-up for the weekend detailing and general round the house use.

For soap, DP Extreme Foam or CG HoneyDew are great choices.

Have fun!

[ousooner2]

HoneyDew better than MaxiSuds II? I figured they were the same, just different smells but maybe I'm wrong. Bet it smells awesome!

[CaveRacing]

I've been using Mr Pink and Honeydew. I tried maxi suds II a couple of days ago. It doesn't hold a candle to mr pink or honeydew. Those two are awesome.

[Angus]

According to Chemical Guys, HoneyDew is foamier then MaxiSuds. Check out their soap comparison chart for the full run down:

Soaps and Shampoos Comparison Chart (http://www.chemicalguys.com/category_s/296.htm)

If you get a gallon, make sure to pick up a gallon pump dispenser too. It makes measuring out 1oz shots dead easy. The pump dispenser will leak extra product, but a simple 3/8 screw head protector purchased from your local home improvement center will cap the end perfectly. I'll try and remember to snap a photo of mine tonight so you can see exactly what I mean.

[WAXOFF]

If you want a pressure washer just get a gasoline one. At least 2700 PSI. That's what I have. You will find so many other uses for it that you will wonder how you every lived without it.

[Angus]

Here's what the cap looks like:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/22F3A742-DF52-4363-92B7-B349CE83F216_zpsd4js8552.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/22F3A742-DF52-4363-92B7-B349CE83F216_zpsd4js8552.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/67DE2F44-8505-47C0-8C5C-6E345F9BA0D4_zpsjhalpqiu.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/67DE2F44-8505-47C0-8C5C-6E345F9BA0D4_zpsjhalpqiu.jpg.html)

Comes in a 2 pack, for about $1 at Home Depot.

[Jmallit]

Hey, I've got an AR 383 and their foam cannon (it's made by MTM) and it's a great set-up for the weekend detailing and general round the house use.

For soap, DP Extreme Foam or CG HoneyDew are great choices.

Have fun!

Thanks OP for the post! I was looking for this answer to get myself started.

Thanks for the info. I had some Amex points and $35 in gift cards for Amazon and just picked up the 383, their foam cannon and the HoneyDew for $70. With Prime it will be here Friday. Just in time for the weekend wash!

[Angus]

Thanks OP for the post! I was looking for this answer to get myself started.

Thanks for the info. I had some Amex points and $35 in gift cards for Amazon and just picked up the 383, their foam cannon and the HoneyDew for $70. With Prime it will be here Friday. Just in time for the weekend wash!

:dblthumb2:

[CaveRacing]

Here's what the cap looks like:

Comes in a 2 pack, for about $1 at Home Depot.

Brilliant idea!!

I shouldve bought the pump dispensers for my gallons. Instead, I got the little pour spout and I just refill one of the Chemical Guys flip top dispenser bottles. Works well, but now I kinda wish I had pumps. Perhaps on the next order...

[Angus]

Brilliant idea!!

I shouldve bought the pump dispensers for my gallons. Instead, I got the little pour spout and I just refill one of the Chemical Guys flip top dispenser bottles. Works well, but now I kinda wish I had pumps. Perhaps on the next order...

Thanks! But I can't all the credit - got the cap idea from another geek a while back. Such a simple solution :dblthumb2:

Pump dispenser are a must for gallon size bottles, they're soooo much easier to use. Get one!

[jarred767]

Here's what the cap looks like:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/22F3A742-DF52-4363-92B7-B349CE83F216_zpsd4js8552.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/22F3A742-DF52-4363-92B7-B349CE83F216_zpsd4js8552.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/67DE2F44-8505-47C0-8C5C-6E345F9BA0D4_zpsjhalpqiu.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/67DE2F44-8505-47C0-8C5C-6E345F9BA0D4_zpsjhalpqiu.jpg.html)

Comes in a 2 pack, for about $1 at Home Depot.
Why have I never thought of this!!!!!!!! My dispensers are constantly leaking stuff. Thanks so much for pointing out such an obvious fix!!!!:dblthumb2::dblthumb2:

[HateSwirls]

Hey fella's, I just picked up a '15 Accord sedan v6 (in white) and am looking to get back on board with detailing. I already have a ton of stuff from here, but I need a pressure washer and would like to find a good one and a foam cannon with all the necessary equipment.



Ace Hardware has the AR Blue Clean AR112 (1600psi/1.6gpm) for $70 right now! Seems to be a solid pressure washer for weekend car cleaning use for the money. Quiet, powerful enough, cheap, etc. I'm impatient and want to go get it, but I wanted to make sure I would be able to pair a foam cannon with it. Does anyone use an AR Blue Clean pressure washer and have a foam cannon on here? Also, if I need to pick up a set of quick connect/disconnects, that's fine too. Not looking to break the bank here, but just something that will work great for a car or 2 every weekend or every other weekend. Thanks!! :dblthumb2:



AR112: AR Blue Clean Electric Pressure Washer (AR112) at Ace Hardware (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4283517)



Looks like you can either get:



1. MTM Foam Canon (plus you'd need to purchase the adapter that's around $13-15)

2. AR Foam Canon ($55ish)



Seems like I see a lot more about the MTM foam cannon, but I've just started researching and looking. Hopefully this will help some of the new guys and people wanting a nice, budget setup too.


I bought this exact model at Ace for my detailing business.
Very durable so far, great little unit, only problem is the hose that comes with it, I had to change it after two months but keep in mind I use it daily.
It's one little tough guy:D
If and when it goes out I'll buy one again just like it.
Go for it, you'll love it.

[HateSwirls]

Here's what the cap looks like:



http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/22F3A742-DF52-4363-92B7-B349CE83F216_zpsd4js8552.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/22F3A742-DF52-4363-92B7-B349CE83F216_zpsd4js8552.jpg.html)



http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b637/Double0Angus/67DE2F44-8505-47C0-8C5C-6E345F9BA0D4_zpsjhalpqiu.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/Double0Angus/media/67DE2F44-8505-47C0-8C5C-6E345F9BA0D4_zpsjhalpqiu.jpg.html)



Comes in a 2 pack, for about $1 at Home Depot.


I have these in my shop, makes measuring a no brainer.