Pressure Washer Surface Cleaners

[e30 Memorial]

I'm getting ready to install a new floor over a new concrete garage floor and I'm considering a pressure washer surface cleaner similar to this;

http://www.pressurewasherproducts.com/GP_Hammerhead.html

I'm thinking of at least borrowing this model from a friend prior to putting down a new floor, but I'm curious as to how well it (or something similar) would work before and maintaining it after putting down the new floor?

 

[Edger]

I used that type of equipment for years although it was a bit more powerful at 8000psi and up to 25 gals/min. Besides removing dirt and grease from factory floors I also used it at much lower pressures and flow to acid etch large floors before coating them. I found that if you acid etched a concrete floor you needed at least 3000psi to remove the residue from the surface so the one you are considering at 4000 psi will be excellent.

That means you need a pump that will deliver over 3000 psi to drive it because you get some losses along the way. The jets are angled to make it spin which is also good because the jets at the front fire into one side of a hole as you pass over it and the same jets at the rear when you pass over the hole fire jets into the other side so cleaning is about the best you can get. Do not walk quickly because you need a complete overlap of the jets. After you finish and it dries if you have white ring lines where the jets did not overlap, you might consider going over it again, depends how bad it is.

I think it would be overkill to use it after you install a coating, just a bit of detergent on a broom and a mop or rinse should be fine.

 

[Seattle Surfaces]

I'm not really familiar with any epoxies that recomend pressure washing as the only means of preparing the surface.

Are you planning on doing anything else?

I'd agree with Edger that after the surface is coated, pressure washing might be a bit much for simple maintenance.

 

[e30 Memorial]

I found that if you acid etched a concrete floor you needed at least 3000psi to remove the residue from the surface so the one you are considering at 4000 psi will be excellent.

My thought of using this tool was that it would be a more controlled cleaning and help keep not only water but also the acid from the etching process off the the finished walls.

I'm not really familiar with any epoxies that recomend pressure washing as the only means of preparing the surface.

Are you planning on doing anything else?

I was hoping that being a newly poured hand troweled concrete slab, that an acid etch and thorough cleaning would be sufficient for either an epoxy or acid stained finish.

 

[Edger]

Normally the rotary jet cleaner would keep the water off the walls, but when you rinse it....

Rinsing will be necessary and that will blast the walls with lots of water and ****.

The only other way is to wet vacuum after, but use lots of rinse water with it to remove the settled fine material that the rotary jet dislodged.

 

[harlemga]

You might want to consider the General Pump water broom. When used in conjunction with the surface cleaner it does a fantastic job. You can also use it for cleaning after coating by reducing (way down) your pressure.

Sequence:

Etch
Rinse with high pressure water broom - you can see the residue as small tracks between the nozzle sprays.
Rinse with surface cleaner
Rinse with high pressure water broom - pushing water and residue out the door.

 

[e30 Memorial]

You might want to consider the General Pump water broom. When used in conjunction with the surface cleaner it does a fantastic job.

I have one, but I hadn't thought about using it.

 

[bluesman2a]

I've used a smaller non-commercial unit. They work quite well. It is especially nice in that you don't have to worry about getting water all over.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103312&highlight=pressure+wash