Do I Need A Power Washer?

[StihlRockin']

Do I Need A Power Washer?

A work associate of mine is trying to talk me into getting a power washer. He talks about how nice it is to clean the grease off of equipment, etc.

When I wanted the heavy grease off, I would just spray it down with a degreaser prior to washing it at the local car wash... where they have HOT water.

I can't recall if this one particular power wash is gas or electric operated, but has over 2,500 psi. It has a soap reservoir and my garden hose will be connected to it. I guess I never thought of it, but for short jobs, I could have a plumber set up the hot water to be accessible from the outside if hot water helps to clean better.

Does hot water help to clean better? If so, I might be inclined to just take it to the car wash instead. LOL!

I'm looking on being sold on buying one of these fellows, but I've been without one my whole career and am thinking I won't miss it yet. LOL!

What applications and uses do you use one for your business? What various uses could I use this for myself?

Thanks,

StihlRockin'

 

[gr8scott72]

Do I Need A Power Washer?

A work associate of mine is trying to talk me into getting a power washer. He talks about how nice it is to clean the grease off of equipment, etc.

When I wanted the heavy grease off, I would just spray it down with a degreaser prior to washing it at the local car wash... where they have HOT water.

I can't recall if this one particular power wash is gas or electric operated, but has over 2,500 psi. It has a soap reservoir and my garden hose will be connected to it. I guess I never thought of it, but for short jobs, I could have a plumber set up the hot water to be accessible from the outside if hot water helps to clean better.

Does hot water help to clean better? If so, I might be inclined to just take it to the car wash instead. LOL!

I'm looking on being sold on buying one of these fellows, but I've been without one my whole career and am thinking I won't miss it yet. LOL!


Edit: Don't waste your time or money on an electric one. Also, the GPM is actually more important than the PSI is. That is what gives you the volume of water to wash everything away.

What applications and uses do you use one for your business? What various uses could I use this for myself?

Thanks,

StihlRockin'

Hot water is good but I get along just fine without it. Hot water from your water heater would not be hot enough to matter. The washers that have water heaters heat it with a diesel burner and it is VERY hot! Those are also VERY expensive.

My pump went out on my washer and I'm going thru withdrawls. lol I've got an upgraded pump on order but they are out of stock.

Just remember that most of the washers you see at lowe's/home depot are made to last about 50 hours. (The pump that is.) You can search some of the sites on the internet that sell pressure washers and find one that will last over 300 hours AND is rebuildable.

I would not want to own a stump grinder without owning a pressure washer. It is VERY nice to own with other equipment as well. Makes it very easy to get to all the grease points on my skid steer after playing in the mud.

Edit: Don't waste your time or money on an electric washer. Also, the GPM rating is just as important as the PSI rating.

 

[pdqdl]

anything less than 4 gpm at 2000 psi is a waste of time.

for knocking off grease, mud and heavy grunge, NOTHING beats a turbo nozzle attached to your pressure washer. Something like this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_21011_21011

Whichever turbo nozzle you get, it needs to be matched in capacity to your pump. Too much pump or not enough and it won't be effective.

These are so aggressive, you can saw a hole in plywood with them. Fantastic for cleaning concrete and metal, not so good for wood surfaces, rusty loose paint, or truck signs. An added benefit is that they reduce the splash directed back to the spray operator.

 

[gr8scott72]

anything less than 4 gpm at 2000 psi is a waste of time.

for knocking off grease, mud and heavy grunge, NOTHING beats a turbo nozzle attached to your pressure washer. Something like this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_21011_21011

Whichever turbo nozzle you get, it needs to be matched in capacity to your pump. Too much pump or not enough and it won't be effective.

These are so aggressive, you can saw a hole in plywood with them. Fantastic for cleaning concrete and metal, not so good for wood surfaces, rusty loose paint, or truck signs. An added benefit is that they reduce the splash directed back to the spray operator.

I used one of those for the first time last week. I must say that when I get my washer back working I WILL be getting one of those. They move HUGE amounts of mud very quickly. I was very impressed.

 

[Fireaxman]

anything less than 4 gpm at 2000 psi is a waste of time.

for knocking off grease, mud and heavy grunge, NOTHING beats a turbo nozzle attached to your pressure washer. Something like this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_21011_21011

Whichever turbo nozzle you get, it needs to be matched in capacity to your pump. Too much pump or not enough and it won't be effective.

These are so aggressive, you can saw a hole in plywood with them. Fantastic for cleaning concrete and metal, not so good for wood surfaces, rusty loose paint, or truck signs. An added benefit is that they reduce the splash directed back to the spray operator.

What he said. I use a Honda 2500 psi unit and turbo nozzle to wash the mud off logs after I drag them out of the swamp. Saves saw bars and chains big time. The turbo nozzle will actually blow the bark off down to the sap wood if I want to.

Without the turbo nozzle I use the unit to clean tractor, trailers, ropes and rigging. Mud is a big problem down here. If you dont get it off it will hold moisture and cause rust problems. DO NOT use the turbo nozzle on anything painted though. It will definetly remove paint if you get it too close or keep it on one place too long. Amazing how that thing boosts the power of the wash down unit.

 

[ozarktreeman]

Absolutely! At least 2800 psi,cold water or not there great.sometimes depending on the dirt might have to throw a rag on there,but you gotta do that at the car wash.YES a must have in this bus.got a little honda motor been going good for 3 yrs. 300smackarus.

 

[M.D. Vaden]

You will get a lot more than 50 hours from a Home Depot pressure water pump if you don't run it dry.

50 hours is like one oil change. Hope one is not going to last that little.

I've got a good 80 hours on mine after several years periodic use, and the machine still operates like its barely used.

Not sure if that's what fits your need, but just chiming in on the hour thing.

 

[Fechmup]

Do yourself a favor...

I've learned more than I ever thought there was to know about pressure washers from this guy.

http://www.apwdistributing.com/

I'm not affiliated with him in any way, I'm just a satisfied customer who thinks everyone should benefit from him. I had to put a replacement pump on a box store power washer I inherited, it seems like he knows everything about everything.

He puts together his own units - mates a quality motor with a quality pump, and sells them. I think your money would be much better spent with him than at a box store. Take a little time and check out his site - you'll learn a lot.

Hope this is helpful, good luck!

 

[Menchhofer]

Over the years we went through the power washer cycle. Purchased 1500 psi and up to 3000psi. Was never satisfied with the cleaning of the units.

Recently purchase a Hotsy used for around $1500.00 and we wish we did this 20 years ago. The Hotsy only puts out 1300psi but the hot water of about 200-250 degrees cuts grease dirt and oil like a knife through butter. Naturally hot water cleans better than cold and uses less pressure. Now we wash all the vehicles, personal and business at home do not not have to worry about how many quarters to spend or how much time is left to finish cleaning.

It works for us.

 

[treemandan]

Over the years we went through the power washer cycle. Purchased 1500 psi and up to 3000psi. Was never satisfied with the cleaning of the units.

Recently purchase a Hotsy used for around $1500.00 and we wish we did this 20 years ago. The Hotsy only puts out 1300psi but the hot water of about 200-250 degrees cuts grease dirt and oil like a knife through butter. Naturally hot water cleans better than cold and uses less pressure. Now we wash all the vehicles, personal and business at home do not not have to worry about how many quarters to spend or how much time is left to finish cleaning.

It works for us.

I think you are right. Maybe not so much the pressure but the heat to clean the gease.
When cleaning engines and stuff I just spray it with degreaser and hook the garden hose up to the hot water spighot but I am not cleaning tons of greasy things.

I have one of those yellow Karcher things. It boasts 1800 psi max and 1.5 gpm and stripped my deck clean to the bone OK. Not the biggest for sure but for 100 bucks its still doing its job around my little shop. I actually think anything more might cause damage... which brings me to the topic of: Did anyone hear about the tree service that also does power washing? Oh you gotta see this 3 ringer.

 

[Walt41]

If you are going to get one, hot water helps. Try to spring for one with quick change tips, I have the 3,500 psi unit with a Subaru engine, it is about five years old and gets used alot, I run Mobil 1 in it and have had no issues. Make sure you spring for a quality 3/4" hose to supply the unit, preferably one that can handle hot water.