Pressure washers

[gjm 3258]

Been thinking of acquiring one for a while, but thought I'd let the initial excitement die down before revisiting the idea.

It'd be used for washing the car, and for things like cleaning the deck, concrete, windows... So, something general purpose.

Having got a pressure washer I can see I'd probably want to get a foam lance too.

So - any tips as to what to look for? Power, psi... Are there capacity considerations of any sort?

I doubt I'll need one that's petrol-powered (plug-in leccy should suffice) unless there's good reason for going down that route?

Does anyone have a pressure washer that they consider the absolute business?

[aja540i 1906]

Pressure AND flow rate are important, my home made petrol one is 3000 psi, 11 L/M and it does the job. Beware of cheapy ones that sacrifice flow rate for pressure, it will take forever to get anything clean! Also pay attention to the gun, if its too short you will end up crippled. Have fun

[gjm 3258]

Sounds like I may be looking for a small water blaster rather than a domestic pressure washer?

[hotwire 352]

As Andrew said above - check the flow specs. Cheapy water blasters boast on their pressure output, look at their flow specs & it is minimal.

From memory our old Karcher water blaster is about 9 or 11 (can't recall) L/M. It is years old & was expensive at the time & bought on it's spec.

Pressure is nothing without flow.

[zero 1162]

Don't buy a karcher.

They used to be excellent, I used to own one, but in the last few years did massive cost cutting and move manufacturing to China. The impellers are now plastic and constantly fail, usually just  after your 12 month warranty expires.

For the same price you can buy a Nilfisk. Not amazing but better than the Karcher.

I have a Nilfisk - you can come over and test it out to see what kind of power you need.

[Neal 544]

Have a Alto before they became Nilfisk. Was a high end consumer model. First on went back on warranty. Second one has done  two pressure regulators.

Would recommend if using one for any length f time flow plenty of water through flow through them post blasting session. And don't leave them sitting for any length of under full pressure. Been 6 years now on same pressure regulator but I certainly won't buy this brand again.

 

 

[Jacko 2154]

I have a Nilfisk 120.7 , its very average, not enuff puff but the filters in it help with rinsing off soap and avoided watermarks haha. 130 is apparently better. 

[gjm 3258]

27 minutes ago, Jacko said:

I have a Nilfisk 120.7 , its very average, not enuff puff but the filters in it help with rinsing off soap and avoided watermarks haha. 130 is apparently better. 

SCA have the C130.2-8 for about $400. Not anywhere near Andrew's homemade spec, but potentially 'adequate'.

 

[aja540i 1906]

Yeah, also about one third of what I spent on mine!

Also, i use mine on the car every time i wash it, hasn't hurt it yet, just need a bit of common sense. 

Edited September 16, 2017 by aja540i

[gjm 3258]

14 minutes ago, aja540i said:

Also, i use mine on the car every time i wash it, hasn't hurt it yet, just need a bit of common sense. 

Nowt as uncommon as common sense!

But yes - this is vitally important. I'd probably be using it for foaming rather than actual washing - a hose will get the car wet and while it'll not have filters, it'll rinse off.

It's a case of trying to find a solution that will fulfill all requirements; the car is just one.

The Nilfisk 140 is up over $700... More than I was planning to spend, but as said - toys break, tools don't.

Still, the main purpose of asking here was recommendations, and a guide as to what spec is appropriate. 
It could be the budget needs a review.

[m325i 709]

I have a cheap Karcher. Has worked sweet for 3+ years. However it is low power, and only really good for car cleaning. Get something better if you want to use it for paths etc. 

Low power is perfect for cars though. I use an ebay foam cannon - works sweet. Its more 'fun' than anything. Although I just got some of this stuff - going to try now to see if it is better than the 5 other soaps i have tried 

 

Edit; so tried the foam below. Is it the best foam I have tried? Yes, without doubt. Can it deliver the fantasy of a touchless wash? Not quite. 

 

Edited September 17, 2017 by m325i

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

Yeah, imo nothing beats the old fashioned way of washing a car, but using some methods to avoid swirls and other paint damage is important. I have a middle range Karcher and it's adequate for deck and house cleaning but I don't tend to use it on the car because it's only good for loosening mud or grass clippings and it's a bit of a hassle to get it all set up.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2956]

I finally gave in to getting a small(ish) water blaster and went for a Karcher as it was on offer at Bunnings and seemed to be the only make that had loads of accessories and parts and stuff available on the shelf.

Works well enough so far, not overly fast at cleaning larger areas as it's a smaller model, but adequate for me.

Plenty of power to destroy plants and take paint off things if you are not paying attention / stroke can't be arsed moving things out the way.

[Olaf 3317]

I have a Dynamic VIP I bought at The Toolshed about 14 years ago.  It was pricey - around $900 - and it's compact but weighs a ton.  Was said to be good for painting contractors or cleaning trucks, paths etc.  It's good for paths - I have a dirt-blaster attachment that spins a needle jet.  If I'd had the coin at the time, I'd have bought a Stihl.  I've had to repair this a few times over the years.  I'd like to get a snowfoam lance for it.  It's a grunt machine.

I've used a couple of Bosch green blasters that are pretty good.  My friends that own them have been getting good service from them.

I've two basic approaches to suggest:

- spend up and get a serious quality unit.  You don't get much in this zone for under $750.  Nobody regretted buying quality tools.  Should have a long warranty - a rare thing with a domestic water blaster.

- buy a cheapie - something like a $200 house-brand unit from Bunnings (or similar) with a 2 year warranty.  Get it replaced when it blows up.  After two years it's free, buy another next time it breaks.

Whichever route you take, do use safety gear when you're using a water blaster.  Boots, gloves, safety glasses.  I use steel capped gumboots, work gloves, safety glasses, and ear muffs (hate the high frequency whistle of the dirt-blaster on concrete.

 

[hotwire 352]

My Karcher is about the same age as your Dynamic & probably the same spec. It too cost $900 from memory. About the same weight too...

I also got one of those dirt blaster attachment nozzles - transforms the machine & hasn't had the original lance on it since.

I have also had it to bits a couple of times over the years, new pump housing at one stage. Has been a great machine though.

Graham - I do recommend you up your budget if you can.

[gjm 3258]

Intermittent further investigation is suggesting a secondhand petrol-engined, instead of (new or used) mains electric, unit may be a better bet. I think I can get something suitable - 2500-3000psi, 12-14L/min - for around $500.

I've also found that more than a few people have bought older petrol-engined pressure washers to remove the engines and use them in go-karts...

[gjm 3258]

For a whole heap of reasons nothing came of this. One of those reasons was I borrowed a pressure washer to complete the task I had at hand.

Now revisiting this...

So - higher flow is normally better.

I found this - https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2776588436 - which despite my earlier suggestion that a petrol-engined model wasn't essential, may be more valid given we are considering building an off-power-grid house. (Nice piece of land, long way to a power source.) Pressure and flow look decent, and there's the option to vary the pressure being used. Common engine - should be easy to get parts for in the event something goes wrong.
Bit surprised the warranty is only 12 months, but perhaps the unit is expected to be used commercially?

 

[lord_jagganath 421]

it does look like a low volume commercial unit, that is not expected to be used 24/7 tbh. but from experience, the pumps on these keep going as long as your intake water is clean. (especially if you will be using bore/rainwater) may want to consider intake filters.

[gjm 3258]

1 hour ago, lord_jagganath said:

it does look like a low volume commercial unit, that is not expected to be used 24/7 tbh. but from experience, the pumps on these keep going as long as your intake water is clean. (especially if you will be using bore/rainwater) may want to consider intake filters.

I think an intake filter would be a 'must'. If things go as we hope (different to 'as planned!') then we'll also have access to dam water.

[aja540i 1906]

You will need a pressure pump to supply water to it, so the filter should be on the intake of that pump, flow is a bit on the low side, but still far better than any diy electric job! 

[lord_jagganath 421]

these guys are good for pumps. http://www.ceg.co/products.php 

[gjm 3258]

In an effort to take less than 4 years to make up my mind (!) I'm hopefully picking up a DeWalt DXPW3294 today or tomorrow. It's used - sort of - but looks like new in the pics I've seen. 

3200psi, 9.4L/min, uses a Kohler SH265 196cc engine.

Not an ultimate spec by any means, but more than adequate and the price is right.