Pressure Washer buying advice

[dodge man]

Just my opinion, but the pressure of the electric ones just doesn't compare to the gas powered ones. If you are just doing light cleaning, the electric ones are fine though. Like already mentioned, the gas powered ones can do damage.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Just my opinion, but the pressure of the electric ones just doesn't compare to the gas powered ones. If you are just doing light cleaning, the electric ones are fine though. Like already mentioned, the gas powered ones can do damage.

Yes and that's exactly why I do not want a gas one going anywhere near my vehicles. The last thing I want to do is remove paint from frames axles or gosh forbid ..... the body!

I feel that depending on you or use you could possibly prefer a gas unit or you could possibly prefer an electric unit. for my type of use as a vehicle cleaning device, using the electric is definitely the way to go. But if I was out trying to do a lot of concrete cleaning and more industrial pipe work with a pressure washer for sure I would rather have a unit like my father-in-law has because it can do ten times to work in ten times less time. his gas units are just exponentially better at doing that kind of work then my automotive cleaning style pressure washers.

 

[DK35vince]

Just my opinion, but the pressure of the electric ones just doesn't compare to the gas powered ones. If you are just doing light cleaning, the electric ones are fine though. Like already mentioned, the gas powered ones can do damage.

The low end electric models that's true.
The commercial electric pressure washers are every bit as strong as gas powered units

 

[TheMan419]

For the stuff I want to do the electric will be just fine. Clean the fence and deck once in a while. Other than that clean equipment and horse blankets. If I need to clean the concrete I can just take my time at it. As indicated in the op I am not interested in another gasoline engine to maintain for the amount I am going to use the thing.

 

[4570Man]

The low end electric models that's true.
The commercial electric pressure washers are every bit as strong as gas powered units

That’s true, but those are in the $1000 range.

 

[4570Man]

Yes and that's exactly why I do not want a gas one going anywhere near my vehicles. The last thing I want to do is remove paint from frames axles or gosh forbid ..... the body!

I feel that depending on you or use you could possibly prefer a gas unit or you could possibly prefer an electric unit. for my type of use as a vehicle cleaning device, using the electric is definitely the way to go. But if I was out trying to do a lot of concrete cleaning and more industrial pipe work with a pressure washer for sure I would rather have a unit like my father-in-law has because it can do ten times to work in ten times less time. his gas units are just exponentially better at doing that kind of work then my automotive cleaning style pressure washers.

If I was spending that much time washing vehicles I’d be getting a lot more water on the job. It doesn’t have to have tons of pressure but it takes water flow to carry away mud.

 

[newbury]

My father in laws Honda has engine powered 3500 psi is like you are saying... He can rip a 8 or 10 inch wide swath while my machine is doing 3" wide. Those bigger machines are impressive!

The difference is that he can also clean the paint from your frame, cut into concrete and do significant damage to things while I can safely clean things that I do not want to damage.

I like his machine.... But it is dangerous and he has "done me the favor" if cleaning my Kubota and accidentally blown the grey paint from my frame and rear axle in places.

Please... No more favors! I'll clean it myself when I haul it back home.

All my pressure washers came with multiple spray tips. Fairly open nozzles could provide suds or a light rinse. On the strongest washer the narrowest nozzle could be used to cut wood. The really critical component, just like that on a car, is the operator. I'm pretty sure with enough training and the correct nozzle your FIL could have cleaned your Kubota without damage.

BUT if the OP buys one that doesn't put out enough pressure he may have to spend days trying to clean something rather than hours.

The first wood deck I tried to pressure wash I only had the MIL's small electric pressure washer, I could only do a real narrow swath. Borrowed the BIL's gas 2800 PSI, got 'er done.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The low end electric models that's true.
The commercial electric pressure washers are every bit as strong as gas powered units

That is true but they cost 4 times as much and require 220V power supply. I have never seen a 110v pressure washer that puts out more than 2000 PSI max and operation pressure is usually much lower. Cleaning power not only requires the higher pressures but also 2+ gallons per minute of flow, anything less and you will be really slow cleaning concrete.

I have never seen an automobile paint damaged by pressure washers. Tractors and equipment dont get the right prep so their paint comes off much easier. Much of the damage is done by putting the nozzle an inch of so from what is being cleaned which is not a good way to work them. The closer you get to the object to be cleaned the narrower the clean width so you want at least a 4" wide cleaning width which means at least 4 " from the object. With a 2500PSI wand that is 4" or more from the object, you wont get any paint damage.

 

[DK35vince]

All my pressure washers came with multiple spray tips. Fairly open nozzles could provide suds or a light rinse. On the strongest washer the narrowest nozzle could be used to cut wood. The really critical component, just like that on a car, is the operator. I'm pretty sure with enough training and the correct nozzle your FIL could have cleaned your Kubota without damage.

Yes, my pressure washer is 3400 PSI 2.8 Gal/minute.
I've been pressure washing our cars, truck, tractor, zero turn for many years with it with no damage

 

[GMIslander]

get a gas the electric one won/t do it

 

[lutt]

Well, i disagree about gas being more powerful. I have a Hotsey, 120 volt unit with diesel fired hot water on it. It will strip automotive paint off. That is well worth the money for cleaning. Just on the higher end of pressure washers.

 

[4570Man]

I usually take my stuff over to my buddy’s to wash because his Hotsy puts my gas powered cold water unit to shame. But it’s a commercial unit with like 4 gpm. Comparing hot water pressure washers to $150 homeowner grade electric pressure washers is a skewed comparison. The homeowner grade electric pressure washers are less powerful than almost any gas pressure washer. And pressure isn’t the end of the story. Water flow is more important and heated makes a HUGE difference. I wouldn’t have predicted that much difference but it is especially with oil or grease involved.

 

[hslogger]

I have been content with buying low end electric ones that last a few years and do a fine job for me. I echo those who don't want another gas engine to maintain, and I don't want some big machine that will take the hide off a buffalo at a hectare away. I get my motors clean, undercarriage now and then, concrete sidewalk takes a little longer but I have plenty of time and know if I sneeze I won't have taken the paint off the side of the house or the gutters.

One side note, I find it easier with less powerful machine to not force water into my grease fittings and joints that don't need the water intrusion.

 

[mapper]

As I recall my tractors owners manual recommends cleaning with a pressure washer, but keeping the nozzle 1-2 feet away depending on the pressure used.
The pressure washer I have has a variety of nozzles and recommends not using the narrower angle ones on painted surfaces. I was amazed at the capability it has of rinsing the debris off of my driveway after I cleaned it, sort of the same effect as a leaf blower but with water.
I was also impressed with how one can find every little angle and hollow on what you are washing that will throw spray and debris back in your face, safety glasses are a must.:laughing:

 

[JerryK]

I have a Kohler powered Simpson Powershot 3300 PSI AAA pump 2.5 gallon cold water that I procured from Lowes whilst it was on sale plus using my 10% veteran discount. I had time to put it together just before our early winter came, and it sits unused gathering dust out in my barn.... I planed on cleaning my hard used 5035 real good with it before I stored it for the winter. But again, winter came quick. I walk past it once and awhile and drool around it.... and I finally covered it with a sheet. Maybe next Spring .... Buffalo Ranch guy has a 220v Hotsy, and that does a real good job. We used to use Hotsy's at work, way back when I had to work for a living.....

 

[frankrush]

I use the Karcher electric pressure washer. It is already 4 years old and stills works perfectly. This brand is known for reliable washers and vacuum cleaners.

 

[Gem99ultra]

My father in laws Honda has engine powered 3500 psi is like you are saying... He can rip a 8 or 10 inch wide swath while my machine is doing 3" wide. Those bigger machines are impressive!

The difference is that he can also clean the paint from your frame, cut into concrete and do significant damage to things while I can safely clean things that I do not want to damage.

I like his machine.... But it is dangerous and he has "done me the favor" if cleaning my Kubota and accidentally blown the grey paint from my frame and rear axle in places.

Please... No more favors! I'll clean it myself when I haul it back home.

You might consider doing him a favor and show him where the pressure setting knob is