Pressure Washer help

[TheBanker]

I am just looking for an inexpensive pressure washer. Anyone have an idea what the best one would be in the $200-$300 range? Or if I am going that cheap should I just go with the cheapest thing I can find like electric?

 

[fordbroncodave]

go to sears and buy a really expensive one. bring it back and tell them you were not satisfied and they will refund you some money so you keep it

 

[nate379]

I have a 4hp unit from Sears (Carry and go) or some **** like that and it works great. I've had it about 4 years, paid around $200 for it.


http://www.mysears.com/Craftsman-Cl...r-w-4-0-hp-Briggs-and-Stratton-Engine-reviews

 

[tonydanzah]

I bought a 3k psi unit with a 7hp subaru engine for 300 at home depot, they go on clearance from time to time

 

[TheBanker]

I've read some bad reviews on a couple craftsman washers and others have been good.

 

[larry_g]

I have a Generac unit and I would not recommend it.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[fatfillup]

As the resident pressure washer expert (27 years of sales and service), save your money and spend at least $650 or buy a used commercial unit off CL.

I only deal in commercial and industrial equipment so my mind is tainted against the homeowner units, but I've never seen any really hold up to regular use and they are not economically repairable.

Regardless of what you buy, follow these rules:

Never let machine freeze with water in it

Don't run over the hose

Make sure you have a good inlet supply of water

NEVER, NEVER, EVER loan it out. It will come back broken!!!!!!!!!

AND MOST IMPORTANT: don't let the machine run in bypass for more that 30 seconds at a time. Bypass is with the machine running but the trigger shut off. The pump will heat up quickly and will damage the packings. Some machines can go longer than 30 seconds but don't risk it.

Some may disagree with my advice but I have made my living exclusively off pressure washers for decades.

I can't recommend any specific units for under $1000 cause I just don't deal in that market.

Good luck

 

[sberry]

As the resident pressure washer expert (27 years of sales and service), save your money and spend at least $650 or buy a used commercial unit off CL

I have to agree about the money spent and getting value. I have a couple buds that bought small gas units. One with a 5.5 Honda which was its big selling point, it is ok I guess but my other bud didn't pay attn to the engine and got this thing called a Briggs with a 6.75 but had better pump, as I recall it was 700 or so and he shopped hard but thats a nice little unit, really impressive for what it is. I wash a couple cars with them both and car wash is a place I can really see how well it works, I think the Briggs unit was 2500 or something but had near 3 gpm, it really cleaned well considering.
For giggles I look at the Sears store the other day, all alum junk mounted under a vert shaft engine, really ****.

 

[fordbroncodave]

we are on our 3rd craftsman pressure washer. they seem to have problems with gaskets on the water pump. they spring a pin hole and don't work for a darn

 

[Vinko]

As the resident pressure washer expert (27 years of sales and service),

what brands do you sell? And for how long have you been selling them?

 

[Vinko]

PS. why do you guys want to wash a car with a pressure washer? Doesn't that just kill the paint?

 

[sberry]

No, removes the dirt and sand prior to hand washing. I live on dirt roads, I hand wash about once a year on a couple cars, most of the time its mud removal, sometimes daily. I probably wash a car at least once a day, 2 yesterday. Can clean even a filthy car in a couple minutes.

 

[fatfillup]

what brands do you sell? And for how long have you been selling them?

Currently sell Alkota for hot water, Mi-T-M and Pressure Pro for cold water. Alkota for 7 years or so, Mi-T-M for 22 years and Pressure Pro for 5.

Before that Aaladin for 18 years and a whole bunch of misc. brands here and there.

Got in the industry in 1983 and started my company in 1988.

 

[fatfillup]

PS. why do you guys want to wash a car with a pressure washer? Doesn't that just kill the paint?

My vehicles are washed exclusively with a heated pressure washer with no harm done to the paint. It depends on the detergent you use and technique.

Some detergents with caustic soda in them (strong degreasers) can definitely affect paint. Also allowing the soap to dry on the surface can harm the finish.

The big keys are the right detergent and to keep the wand moving. The detergent and DWELL TIME is what does the work.

A lot of folks think a pressure washer will strip paint. If the surface was prepped properly prior to painting and you don't bear down on the surface by getting too close and stay in one spot too long, you won't remove any paint.

Note, most waxes don't like pressure washer soaps, but I don't wax my vehicles. I have a 97 and 2000 Chevy pickups and both still have a nice shine to them. Do they look hand polished and detailed, no, but they look very nice for their age.

If you are a clean and wax freak and only desire perfection, then use the washer on the wheels only and for knocking the mud off prior to hand washing and drying. I used to be that way but 6 vehicles, a business and a serious tool buying and selling hobby have cured that.

 

[welderwink]

i got a sears one that was about 200-300 bucks. works great for my light duty use. they even included oil.

 

[l_bilyk]

I bought a 3k psi unit with a 7hp subaru engine for 300 at home depot, they go on clearance from time to time

That's the one I have. It will take clearcoat off a car so watch out. I found out the hard way. The motor and the rest of it is very good quality, but the pump is consumer grade. When it craps out it's probably worth it to upgrade to a nice triplex piston pump. I have had mine for 3 or 4 years now and it's still running strong.

 

[TheBanker]

How about this one from Sears??

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...=Pressure+Washers&sName=Pressure+Washers,+Gas

DEK 2650 PRESSURE WASHER 2650 PSI - 2650 PSI, 2.5 GPM, 6.5 HP $299.99

 

[TheBanker]

Or one of these two:

Craftsman 3000 MAX PSI, 2.7 MAX GPM, Briggs & Stratton Powered Pressure Washer
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...=Pressure+Washers&sName=Pressure+Washers,+Gas
$369.88

Craftsman 2600 PSI , 2.3 GPM Honda Powered Pressure Washer
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...=Pressure+Washers&sName=Pressure+Washers,+Gas
$349.99

 

[fatfillup]

How about this one from Sears??

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...=Pressure+Washers&sName=Pressure+Washers,+Gas

DEK 2650 PRESSURE WASHER 2650 PSI - 2650 PSI, 2.5 GPM, 6.5 HP $299.99

Chinese copy of a Honda motor and probably a Chinese pump.

Run away as fast as you can.

 

[fatfillup]

Or one of these two:

Craftsman 3000 MAX PSI, 2.7 MAX GPM, Briggs & Stratton Powered Pressure Washer
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...=Pressure+Washers&sName=Pressure+Washers,+Gas
$369.88

Craftsman 2600 PSI , 2.3 GPM Honda Powered Pressure Washer
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...=Pressure+Washers&sName=Pressure+Washers,+Gas
$349.99

Any pump mounted under the motor is very limited life.

I'm sorry to be so negative, but if you spend twice the money you'll get 4 times the machine and if you spend 5 times the money you'll never buy another. Buy a Honda GX not GC motor and an AR crankshaft style pump and you'll at least have something worth owning. About $700 and you'll have a nice machine.

 

[TheBanker]

Not sure if I want to spend that kinda money.................

 

[Az Scooter]

I don't like AR pumps. I had to pressure washers with them at one time. Both blew the heads off on the same day. It could have been the unloaders failing, because they were the stupid integrated unloaders.
Cat or General for me.

 

[TheBanker]

Well thanks for all the advice but while I was wandering around Lowes after work today (its next door) I just went ahead and bought a cheap one. Troy Built 2700 psi for 299.99. Sorry to disappoint you. I looked at the John Deer but could not make myself spend 700 bucks. I did buy the extended warranty.