Pressure washer from air compressor?

weedsportpete · Jan 9, 2006

Here is a stupid question - is there such a thing as an attachment to make a pressure washer out of an air compressor? I am thinking that a lot of the mechanical action is the same between the two, so why not have some kind of attachment that hooks up to the air hose (input #1), with a water supply (input #2) and pressured water out (output #1)? Are these things for sale somewhere and are they any good (reliable, long-lasting)?

beagdog · Jan 9, 2006

I bought one, years ago, was called the "turbo wash" or something like that. It worked, but even with 150# of air pressure it was nothing like a real pressure washer. I didn't pay much for it, probably $20 or so, and for what I paid, it was probably OK. Just don't plan to strip paint from any houses or wash any cars with one. Worked OK for cleaning shop floors and just generally upping the water pressure, but not much else.

Was also a little cumbersome as you had not only the water hose to fight with, but the air hose too.

Jstpssng · Jan 9, 2006

I saw just what you're talking about at Sears a few years back. A quick search of their online catalog turned up no results, so they may no longer carry them.

Bird · Jan 9, 2006

Yes, Pete, they are available and have been for a long time. In the late '50s in m Dad's service station we washed car engines with one. We had a chemical that we mixed with kerosene first and had a siphon type spray rig to apply it to engines. Then we had the gun that we hooked an air hose to one inlet and the water hose to the other and washed everything off. And until I moved back to town 3 years ago, I had one of them that my Matco Tool Distributor brother ordered and gave to me in '99 or 2000 I think, but I can't remember the brand name. I used it all the time to wash my tractor and implements. They work pretty well, but certainly not as much pressure as most real pressure washers.

weedsportpete · Jan 10, 2006

Thanks guys.. to sum up - they are out there, but don't expect a whole lot from them.

mjarrels · Jan 13, 2006

I bought a "thunder gun" from norther tool a few years ago... rated at 500 psi... does a great job, but a bit bulky with air/water hoses attached. Paid about 36 bucks. 500 psi is probably a realistic number but it decreases quickly at any distance over 2 or 3 feet.