What kind of Pressure washer for car wash?

[TUNDRA786]

I could use a pressure washer at home to clean my Truck, cars, deck, and house.

What kind of pressure washer should i get? what PSI would be enough? I donno jack about pressure washers and would like to get a cheap one.


They ahve one thats 2000psi for 179.00
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...egoryID=502376
the 1550psi one is for 99.00
Husky® 1550PSI Electric Pressure Washer with Telescoping Handle - HU1550 at The Home Depot

Im leaning toward the 2000psi one just because it has a tank for the detergent so im guessing it will mix the soap with the water.

Also i could mix deck cleaner in it to clean my deck. Am i right on this???

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

If you want a really good one, get one with heat. For around the house, 1000 psi is plenty.

[barron64]

Go to Lowes or Home Depot and look at the 5.5hp versions. Should do everything you need. Any bigger and you risk peeling paint on your truck if you are not careful.

[TUNDRA786]

Thanks for the input.

[Brandon1]

And also, honestly, about 1700psi is all you will ever need for washing a car or powerwashing a deck, but the thing we all have to remember is is how much water the power washer will "throw". If it's 50000000000psi, but does not throw but 1 gallon a min, you wont get shiz done, but at 1700 psi at 2.5 gallon a min, there is allot more water to work with. I have a Northern Tool and Equipment industrial electric model that is 1750psi at 2 gallon per min.

That being said, a 2500 or up psi washer will work, but you just have to be careful. Dont buy the cheap ones that are made of plastic. Spend some money on this, the cheap washers have plastic gears in thier pumps, and plastic fittings, they dont last at all. Just spend the $300+ to get a good one. Electrics can be had from Portable Generators, Grounds Maintenance, Lawn Mowers, Pressure Washers | Northern Tool + Equipment for cheap, and a good gas powered model has a higher flow rating for the money, but is louder.

[LifeTech]

If yu are type that keeps your finish shiny and pristine, yu really don't want to use any pressure washer on your paint. Definitely not on a regular basis.

For the undercarriage it's great for sure. Yes, it will speed up your wash.. but I don't recommend it. Low pressure is all yu need for rinsing dirt prior to washing and very very low pressure should be used for soap rinsing.

A garden hose is all yu need.

Any professional detailer will tell yu that even a garden hose with a high pressure nozzle is not great for your paints finish.

A pressure washer can damage tires and many rubber parts on a vehicles exterior.

At the very least make sure yu buy a pressure washer that can be "adjusted" down to around 900-1000 PSI for safer use on your paint.

A friend came to borrow my 6.5 HP Honda P/Washer to rinse his undercarraige and engine. He got crazy with his wheels and punctured the sidewall of one of his tires. Think about what that pressure does to paint!!
A quality electric P/Washer is all yu need if purchasing it just for your vehicle. "Karcher" Brand comes to mind
LT

[Brandon1]

I'm a professional detailer, and I use a pressure washer all the time, and i'm very skilled in my work. Using a pressure washer is fine, no problem.

Also, Karcher uses plastic parts in their pumps, wear out very quickly.

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

I am partial to Hotsy myself.

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by Brandon1

I'm a professional detailer, and I use a pressure washer all the time, and i'm very skilled in my work. Using a pressure washer is fine, no problem.

Also, Karcher uses plastic parts in their pumps, wear out very quickly.

8+ years in auto body repair, paint and classic restoration has taught me that P/Washers are NOT great for a paint finish. This is well known. I have been to many Paint System seminars held by Spies Hecker and House of Colors etc. This Topic is discussed much of the time.
I also detailed many classics and race cars for events and photo ops.

As a professional detailer, I imagine it will allow yu high volume for your business and speed up your workload. It also saves money on water usage.

I am very familiar with pressure washers and have several. They can be a burden to maintain.

My favorite is my 6.5 Honda using a Cat pump (made in USA) adjustable to 3K PSI.

But I also have a Karcher that is over 8 years old with no issues.

Stay away from any Italian made pumps.

Electrics serve a purpose, but are not meant for commercial use. It is very easy to abuse and damage a Pressure Washer if not familiar with one. Maintenance and proper storage is key.

I will only occasionally use it on my vehicles paint when very dirty.. But I don't recomend it.
It definitely is essential for the undercarriage, engine and wheel wells.

Pressure washers can shear Wax off the paints surface. It can also pit the paint surface.
A Known fact.
A typical Garden hose full pressure is 40-60 PSI. That is good enough for paint. If yu use a P/washer and can adjust your pressure down to 400 PSI give or take. That is fine.
Watch your Pressure Setting and Use at your own risk. If yu know how to use one carefully it can be useful tool.

LT

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by LifeTech

8+ years in auto body repair, paint and classic restoration has taught me that P/Washers are NOT great for a paint finish. This is well known. I have been to many Paint System seminars held by Spies Hecker and House of Colors etc. This Topic is discussed much of the time.
I also detailed many classics and race cars for events and photo ops.

As a professional detailer, I imagine it will allow yu high volume for your business and speed up your workload. It also saves money on water usage.

I am very familiar with pressure washers and have several. They can be a burden to maintain.

My favorite is my 6.5 Honda using a Cat pump (made in USA) adjustable to 3K PSI.

But I also have a Karcher that is over 8 years old with no issues.

Stay away from any Italian made pumps.

Electrics serve a purpose, but are not meant for commercial use. It is very easy to abuse and damage a Pressure Washer if not familiar with one. Maintenance and proper storage is key.

I will only occasionally use it on my vehicles paint when very dirty.. But I don't recomend it.
It definitely is essential for the undercarriage, engine and wheel wells.

Pressure washers can shear Wax off the paints surface. It can also pit the paint surface.
A Known fact.
A typical Garden hose full pressure is 40-60 PSI. That is good enough for paint. If yu use a P/washer and can adjust your pressure down to 400 PSI give or take. That is fine.
Watch your Pressure Setting and Use at your own risk. If yu know how to use one carefully it can be useful tool.

LT

Honestly, the body shop crowd and the detailing crowd will ALWAYS have a different opinion on everything. I dont trust body guys with anything but painting and wesanding, anything other than that, I do it myself lol.

I dont know why you are so scared about pressure washers? I use one every day for the past 5 years on cars (1700 psi or 4000 psi) and it's definatly no problem, just have to use common sense. And I also use a commercial electric with a comet pump, and I love the thing, it's perfect for what I do.

[LifeTech]

Maybe it's a moot point to this topic as I can see...but using a P/W over time will accelerate wear of a paint finish. This is explained well by many Paint system manufacturers and even some avid Well Known Detailers.

A P/W can be a valuable time saver in any busy Detailing shop. I understand this.

But, honestly, it has been shown that using a low pressure steady stream of water is the proper technique on a Cream Puff finish.

I don't own a Bentley or a Rolls, Austin or Lambo...yet have detailed many.

But, I do treat my vehicles as if they were concours vehicles. Maybe it's me being silly?? YU think so?

I have 8+ years in Body Repair and I spun off a 6 year side business in Detailing... only by demand from many of the show and race cars that came through my Body Shop.
LT

[TUNDRA786]

i went with the cheap 180 husky 2000psi 2.6gpm
It works very well. Ive used it twice for about 2-3hours each time. Ill be using it 2-3 hrs a day for the next 5-8days maybe more. I have a lot of pressure washing to do... The pressure doesnt seem too strong for the paint. I'll probably use it on my parents Old car car first and the 3 newer vehicles might get it but im going to be real careful with it and use it just to rinse off all the dirt. I dont know if theres a soap i can buy specifically to be used in my pressure washer...

[RCBS]

when buying a pressure washer, try to find something that can be FIXED. get one with a separate unloader valve, and if possible a gear reduction or belt drive. direct drive just doesn't last. decent ones will usually have a Honda GX series motor or Subaru equivilant. we have a repair shop for power washers at work and believe me...90% of what's out there is 100 hour use junk. 2 cents.

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by RCBS

when buying a pressure washer, try to find something that can be FIXED. get one with a separate unloader valve, and if possible a gear reduction or belt drive. direct drive just doesn't last. decent ones will usually have a Honda GX series motor or Subaru equivilant. we have a repair shop for power washers at work and believe me...90% of what's out there is 100 hour use junk. 2 cents.

Very sound advice by someone who truly knows PW's.

LT

[TundraSoul]

Originally Posted by RCBS

when buying a pressure washer, try to find something that can be FIXED. get one with a separate unloader valve, and if possible a gear reduction or belt drive. direct drive just doesn't last. decent ones will usually have a Honda GX series motor or Subaru equivilant. we have a repair shop for power washers at work and believe me...90% of what's out there is 100 hour use junk. 2 cents.

I had no idea that's great to know - thanks!