| asn |
does anyone use a power washer on their car? are they safe?
if so, what kind of soap do you use? how well do they work? does it effect the wax on the car?
thanks |
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| DaleB |
Do some searches, some do...........gently.
Great for undercarriage but beyond that I will stick to a hose... |
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| EXCALIBUR |
asn,
As DaleB mentioned, a power washer would be great for cleaning the undercarriage, and also the wheels. But be careful about using a power washer on the finish. I recall reading some past threads about using a power washer where it actually blasted the paint off the bumper.:eek: |
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| XStatic |
I use a lower pressure, 1200 I think, washer set to a wide spray. Does a great job.
When my Isuzu Trooper was new, I blasted off some paint from the bumper trying to get bugs off with a higher pressure washer. Claybay works much better! |
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| DaleB |
So what's the latest on electric power washers? I read more mixed reviews on Karchers some of which are problematic ..
I see Simoniz came out with one (1750 psi) which is likely made by another mfr.
And the lastest Husky at Home Deopt looks good.
I am looking for something in the mid 100s that will do a decent job. The little economy ones look too fragile for my taste. |
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| SouthOCMDX |
I have the a 1400 PSI pressure washer from Karcher that I picked up for $170 or so from Costco. It is definitely "light duty" at best. It still works but appears to be on it's last leg even after only light homeowner-level use. It does the job, but I'd definitely opt for a heavier duty model next time.
That said, I still wouldn't use a pressure washer for washing the X. You can definitely wash your X with a pressure washer as long as you keep the nozzle at a safe distance from the paint, but even with a low PSI model like this you can see it etching concrete if you hold the nozzle close enough, so one wrong move and your paint is history!
Like Xstatic says... get some claybar for those pesky bugs! |
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| hammermdx |
quote:
Originally posted by SouthOCMDX
I have the a 1400 PSI pressure washer from Karcher that I picked up for $170 or so from Costco. It is definitely "light duty" at best. It still works but appears to be on it's last leg even after only light homeowner-level use. It does the job, but I'd definitely opt for a heavier duty model next time.
That said, I still wouldn't use a pressure washer for washing the X. You can definitely wash your X with a pressure washer as long as you keep the nozzle at a safe distance from the paint, but even with a low PSI model like this you can see it etching concrete if you hold the nozzle close enough, so one wrong move and your paint is history!
Like Xstatic says... get some claybar for those pesky bugs!
I have had the same exact experience as you with my Karcher and would never use it on any of my vehicles. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by hammermdx
I have had the same exact experience as you with my Karcher and would never use it on any of my vehicles.
I want one more for some household chores. I might use it on the undercarriage, etc. But never on the paint directly.
I would like to use it on the inside of the wheels, but that should be done with the wheel off the car and and at a safe distance, or the clear-coating could become history.
Just the occasional stucco/cement and other 'old stuff' cleaning.
For HD use a rental would seem more economical for the few times you might need it. |
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| Pauls MDX |
I need to purchase a Power Washer to clean a Brick Paver driveway. Any opinions on which to go with? How much pressure is needed for power-washing driveway and stripping a wood deck? I haven't done any research yet, and still don't know whether to go electric or gas? Would like to stick with electric for easier maintenance.
:confused: :confused: |
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| DaleB |
Doing a deck could be time consuming, so would a whole driveway.
I would be tempted to rent a gas-powered unit for max speed, but those don't sound like one or 2 day jobs. |
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| JimH |
No opinions on using a power washer in washing a car, as afraid paint could be taken off if one is not carefull; especially w/ the more powerfull (~ 2400 + psi) power washers.
I do have an opinion w/ prepping a deck (removing old stain, and prepping for a new look or restaining) and washing a cement driveway. I purchased a new Troy-Built power washer one month ago (@ Lowes) which is rated at 2600 psi and has a Honda 5 HP engine. It did a fantastic job on cleaning both. It took only a few hours to wash the cement driveway, but took me 2 partial days
(~ 4-5 hr. days) to do the deck. The cedar deck is large at
25 ' X 60 '. I figured it was cheaper to purchase than to rent for 2 days, and I will have the washer for a long time--glad I made the purchase. I think a power washer in the common mid-class (2300-2600 psi pressure rated) would be plenty to prep a deck or wash a driveway. |
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| tzeus |
Go with a Gas Powered Power Washer! In using both types the Gas Powered is definetly the way to go! Sears has some decent models, and inexpensive. It's worth spending the extra $$$ on Gas Powered.
Last year I purchased the Husky from Home Deport, it stopped working after the 4th time of use. And this summer it stopped working after 2 hours of use. I returned it to Home Depot, without a receipt, took some yelling, but I got a store credit which I purchsaed the Excell 6.5 Hp Engine 2500 PSI Pressure Washer for $299. Very well worth it. |
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| one4gatr |
quote:
Originally posted by JimH
No opinions on using a power washer in washing a car, as afraid paint could be taken off if one is not carefull; especially w/ the more powerfull (~ 2400 + psi) power washers.
I do have an opinion w/ prepping a deck (removing old stain, and prepping for a new look or restaining) and washing a cement driveway. I purchased a new Troy-Built power washer one month ago (@ Lowes) which is rated at 2600 psi and has a Honda 5 HP engine. It did a fantastic job on cleaning both. It took only a few hours to wash the cement driveway, but took me 2 partial days
(~ 4-5 hr. days) to do the deck. The cedar deck is large at
25 ' X 60 '. I figured it was cheaper to purchase than to rent for 2 days, and I will have the washer for a long time--glad I made the purchase. I think a power washer in the common mid-class (2300-2600 psi pressure rated) would be plenty to prep a deck or wash a driveway.
2nd that Pauls...
To do the type of work you want to do you need to have something in the 2000 + psi range (unless you want it to take forever). I have a craftsman 6.75hp 2500psi washer I bought a few months back that will pretty much handle anything I can throw at it. You will be spending between $350 - $600. I chose the craftsman because if the chemical intake design makes it much easier to use then other models I had tried.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...pid=07175270000
Good luck. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by tzeus
Go with a Gas Powered Power Washer! In using both types the Gas Powered is definetly the way to go! Sears has some decent models, and inexpensive. It's worth spending the extra $$$ on Gas Powered.
Last year I purchased the Husky from Home Deport, it stopped working after the 4th time of use. And this summer it stopped working after 2 hours of use. I returned it to Home Depot, without a receipt, took some yelling, but I got a store credit which I purchsaed the Excell 6.5 Hp Engine 2500 PSI Pressure Washer for $299. Very well worth it.
Ahhh, useful info. Here is a 'light duty' unit. HD compared to the electrics it would seem.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...pid=07175200000 |
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| Pauls MDX |
Thanks for all the info guy's, now I have alot to think about. First, I have to check what DaleB had said to rent a unit. If the prices are to high, I will probably purchase a gas unit. Not sure how much to spend yet, but I do notice a difference in the cheaper models vs the more expensive models. Something in the type of engine, I noticed some units have both the same size and same make but something internal is different.
1. Briggs & Stratton Quantum Gold engine (cheaper)
or
2. Briggs & Stratton Intek Platinum Plus OHV engine (more expensive)
:confused: |
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| JimH |
There are also many variants of the small Honda OHC engines w/ ratings of 5HP +; the GC or GX series small honda engines. The following url also gives one some ideas of the various pressure washers from various manufacturers.
http://www.category.org/browse/universal/3023471/ |
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| Frumious |
| I've used a 3200PSI 4GPM 11horsepower Honda. But be careful: Use the wide spray nozzle and hold it a foot or more from the car. Never use a focused jet stream (The jet stream can punch a hole in concrete!). Power washers are great for cleaning the engine compartment and the underbody. |
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| jldekoning |
| I also had a light duty Karcher Power Washer (1200 psi) that blew the seals half way through cleaning a redwood fence. Replacement parts (had to buy the entire pump) cost 3/4 of the original cost of the washer. Broke down and bought a Sears 5 hp 2200 Psi machine and have not had a single problem yet. Thing will clean the butt right off a cat. |
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| DaleB |
I also find it helps to hold it at an angle. It reduces chances of damage from the full force of the stream as well as offer you some protection from anything that comes flying off. I walk away from it as I move it along. I have been cleaning up the house exterior and it works great on the eaves,. walls. windows, fences, etc..(gas powered, 2000/2GPH)
I doubt I will use it on the X except maybe to clean up the engine compartment/undercarriage a bit. |
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