Pressure washers

For cars - they are crap. I have a (Karcher) pressure washer and it is a decent pressure washer as domestic units go.

Better to use a hose, three buckets, three sponges and some elbow grease.

There are good alloy cleaners available to remove brake dust (I use Autoglym) but the real secret is to clean the wheels often and thoroughly.

Have a look at various manufactures web sites and look at the specs. A great many sold as household ones realy are not up to much.. not only lacking in pressure, but also cycle duty (how long they can be used continuously for) Many shouldn't be used for more than 1/2 an hour before they need a good break to cool off etc. also, check the time for being powered up but not used.. usually about 3 - 5 mins.. all stuff to be aware of. oh.. and they MUST be stored in a completely frost proof place.
(Knowledge gleaned from bitter experience)

Karcher and Alto seem to be well known here, but for cleaning paths etc.. have a look at the more powerfull ones at something like MachineMart. (They have some yummy petrol driven ones)
If you clean a muddy 4x4 in the road be prepared for flack from neighbours!!
Also be aware that once cleaned, many paths / slabs are left with a very open porous surface, and need cleaning far more regularly from then onwards.
As regards is bigger / more powerfull better.
My neighbour was cleaning her drive every day for nearly three weeks (I was at work and not aware of this) I finally saw her on a weekend with still half to do.. offered her mine and the entire drive was done in less than 3 hours... inc the cleaned & still dirty part. So yes good for that.
It removes any paint not adhering correctly and also any decals on a vehicle. Yet as for ultimate cleaning you still need a sponge / brush.

Hi Stewart,

I was given a Pro 360 B&Q own brand one for Xmas. It lasted 11/2 cars before a seal went in the handle.

B&Q have discontinued this range due to issues like....faulty seals, and the replacement range won't be in shop for another few weeks.

Whilst it lasted, it took a lot of the gunk of two absolutely throaching cars. I live in a rural area with lots of tractors and things and the cars get really clarty. I still needed to give the cars a once over with a sponge, but the process was easier with a lesser layer of dirt to remove.

I like the idea of a pressure washer, but my experience so far has not been the best. I will be able to comment further once I get a replacement.

Brad

I have a Karcher the model number is 6xx where the xx is a series of numbers.

The jet that came with device gives a broad jet (1inch wide at about 2 inches) it was not very effective at cleaning pavee. I then bought a jet that has a very small rotating jet that gives a narrow cone of water. Ths is much better at cleaning pavements. So it is a case of worrying not so much about the cost of the initial equipment but the costs of the add ons.

When choosing a pressure cleaner select one that provides a neat way of containing the various devices, cables and hoses - this is to make it easy to get out of the storage pplace and to put away at the end of the cleaning task.

Even the wall mounted pro pressure washers we use at work wont "clean" anything but avery lightly soiled car without using a brush first and then power rinsing. Algea and other crap around the wash bay can only be shifted with the wand almost touching the concrete.

Howard

Howard

I agree 100%. I use a TFR (Traffic Film Remover) that our company's car valeter gave me and also a detergent spray with the pressure washer.

Pre-rinse with water to soak and dislodge.
Spray alloys by hand with Autoglym Wheel Cleaner.
Soak with TFR - low pressure application.
Rinse with water at high pressure
Soak with detergent - low pressure application. Include wheels.
Rinse with water at high pressure.
Stand back, admire car and head indoors for buckets, Autoglym Car Shampoo, sponges and chamois.

Repeat as necessary but leave pressure washer in the garage.

Thanks guys for all your feedback. This is greatly appreciated. Your experiences bear out my findings.

You're right LTD that nothing is more effective than buckets of warm water, a good automotive shampoo and a sponge for cleaning cars. This is my usual method, but sometimes the car just needs a quick hose down and I thought that a pressure washer would provide the answer.

I had looked at a few machine suppliers' websites and seen washers rated at 150 and 160 bar for about £300 - £350. I was ready to pay this if a machine with this amount of power did the the business. Now I don't think I'll bother. So thanks guys, youve saved me a bit of dosh.

Just out of interest Steve2701, what type of machine do you have?

Stewart

You are welcome.

We also have a high pressure washer at work (industrial thingy) and the results are similar to my home tests.

Ask yourself something - when you take your car to a car wash and they use a pressure wash, do they still wash the car by hand ? More often than not, the answer is yes. The pressure washer is used for rinsing and cutting time - making money in other words.

Glad to help through experience......

quote:

Originally posted by Stewart Platts:
a sponge for cleaning cars

You should try a wash mit. And after a wash clay the car before waxing and sealing.

A powerful pressure washer has the kick of a .303 and will blow holes in your heater air hoses! And you really weant to use it on your car? A little aerobic exercise hand-washing your car may save your life and will give you pride in achievement. Working to buy a powerful pressure washer only shortens your life.

If your cars get covered in mud/cow muck etc as ours do then it is a godsend to shift the worst with the washer. Then you need to wash it properly.

If you get a washer buy one with a vriable pressure lance. High for patio etc, medium for car, low (very) for bike.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by MichaelC:

quote:

Originally posted by Stewart Platts:
a sponge for cleaning cars

You should try a wash mit. And after a wash clay the car before waxing and sealing.

I'll definitely try a wash mitt but could you tell me more about claying the car? What exactly does this mean and what are the benefits of doing this?

Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences of using/owning a pressure washer.

quote:

Whilst it lasted, it took a lot of the gunk of two absolutely throaching cars. I live in a rural area with lots of tractors and things and the cars get really clarty.

Is it possible to have this translated into English, please ?

/dl

dl,

"gunk" = oily dirt
"clarty" = coated in (dirty/wet) clay.

Cheers

Don

quote:

throaching

That's a new one on me.

Mine is a Karcher with 130 bars and attachments, bought it in 2004 for £162 all in as Derek says the key thing is the attachment.
Use it on the car to rinse all the muck off, then wash by hand and then use it to rinse the soap off. Brilliant for paths. wrote about it already. New Toy