Pressure washer advise

[Rat Rod Mac]

I am in the process of pressure washing my metal barn in preparation to painting it. A friend lent me his 3400 psi Rock River pressure washer. These are sold by the Fastenal chain stores. What a piece of crap. Do any of you have a pressure washer that cranks out 3000 to 4000 psi and it works like it's suppose to? Looking to buy a good one, not a Harbor Freight junker. Any and all tips are welcomed. Thanks. RRM

 

[SweBota]

I have bought several during the years, both for home. business and farm work. My experience is that for a pressure washer to be useful it needs to put out minimum 15 liters per minute at 150 bar ( 4 gal/m at 2200 psi). That equates to around 4 kW of used power. Anything less than that you will not be satisfied with.

Manufacturers of crap washers like to inflate the psi figures. Either they are lying, or it's rated at a flow so low that it's not useful. Always check the flow in relation to the pressure! Never less than 4 gal/minute, 3000 psi at that rate is nice but not really necessary and would need around 5 kW input power.

Remember, energy is never for free. Check the rated power consumption. If its too low, it's useless regardless of what figures the manufacturer puts on the brochures, because washing power doesn't come without electrical power!

Good luck, buy a good machine and you will be happy for a long time.

/Marcus

 

[JimRB]

You failed to note what the specific problem was with the borrowed pressure washer.

If you are in the states then you could pick from one on this page. Commercial Start Your Own Business Kits @ Pressure Washers Direct I have a Honda GX160 engine attached to an AR replacement pump. The pump that came with the unit never really worked right. The AR pump works great. Since I have a low horsepower engine the pump is set for a bit lower than its rated 3,000 PSI capacity.

Note that water is just part of the cleaning process. Chemicals are also very important.

 

[JimRB]

I put on reading glasses and my pump is actually rated at 2,700 psi and 3 gallons derated a bit because the HP of the Honda GX160. The pump is about $350 internet, just the pump.

 

[kenmac]

I have a north star 4 K pressure washer.. 10 HP Honda engine.. I have had no problems with it.. I've owned it for about 5 yrs

this is it
NorthStar Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer — 3.5 GPM, 4000 PSI, Honda Engine, Belt Drive, Model# 1572041 | Gas-Cold Water Pressure Washers| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[PRF]

I have a north star 4 K pressure washer.. 10 HP Honda engine.. I have had no problems with it.. I've owned it for about 5 yrs

this is it
NorthStar Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer — 3.5 GPM, 4000 PSI, Honda Engine, Belt Drive, Model# 1572041 | Gas-Cold Water Pressure Washers| Northern Tool + Equipment

we have had the older brother of this ^^^ model from Northern Tool for about 15 years now and it still gets the job done.. Honda power is great!

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

I have a "Water Cannon" pressure washer that I used commercially for a good while. It ruined me. It is a 4000 psi 13 hp Honda engine cleaning machine. Don't waste your time with a box store junker, just google "Water cannon pressure washer". You'll be glad you did.

 

[coobie]

I have a north star 4 K pressure washer.. 10 HP Honda engine.. I have had no problems with it.. I've owned it for about 5 yrs

this is it
NorthStar Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer — 3.5 GPM, 4000 PSI, Honda Engine, Belt Drive, Model# 1572041 | Gas-Cold Water Pressure Washers| Northern Tool + Equipment

I have the same power washer as this one for the last 5 years.Works great no issues.The main thing is when you store it over a period of time use a pump lube to keep it in good working order.

 

[Duwop]

+1 on NorthStar pressure washers. Going on 11 yrs and going strong.

 

[Mendonsy]

If you really want a good pressure washer, go to a local dealer and look at commercial grade units like Aladdin, Karcher, Landa, etc.
A lot of the "mail order" equipment has non-replaceable parts made in China. That stuff will last a few months if you're lucky.