Pressure Washers

[90_Shelby]

I'm looking to buy a pressure washer for around the house and primarily washing cars. I would prefer to get one that is as powerful as the car wash bays but I don't know what ones have that kind of performance. Are there electric options that will last and perform? They appear to be smaller and easier to store. Or do I spend the money and go straight for a gas powered one?

What have guys on here used and have you been happy with them?

[spike98]

You want something gas powered. I have a karcher 3200psi gas powered deal and i love it. Does everything i need and more.

[never]

Had electric before and now have a gas powered unit...gas definitely FTW!

[dj_rice]

If you want powerful as car wash bay, then straight to gas

[BokCh0y]

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You want something gas powered. I have a karcher 3200psi gas powered deal and i love it. Does everything i need and more.

I think i have the same one I think, Honda powered? Got it from Costco a few years ago, has been amazing. Mobile, gas powered, and lots of power.

Checky:

https://www.costco.ca/CatalogSearch?...er&pageSize=96

There's a Subaru powered pressure washer with an electric starter!!! Uh...you wanna buy my Karcher? haha.

[gpomp]

I don't own a pressure washer but this is a good write up from Zach McGovern, a professional detailer:

https://www.autopia.org/forums/every...ded-setup.html

[nzwasp]

Pretty sure you can’t use it to wash your car unless you are not in Calgary?

[colsankey]

Think as long as the water and suds don't hit the storm drains you are fine with Bylaw.

[G]

I haven't washed my car at 10th Ave car wash in many years and I was shocked it is $1 per minute.

[Maxx Mazda]

I have a 3200psi has John Deere. It’s amazeballs.

[90_Shelby]

Gas it is. Any idea which ones are quieter?

I've considered a power fist unit from Princess Auto but I suspect it will be quite noisy. Costco looks like they have some decent options as well.

[The_Rural_Juror]

Do any of these require winterization when stored in an unheated garage?

[BokCh0y]

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Do any of these require winterization when stored in an unheated garage?

You can buy this Briggs and Stratton winterization kit, basically pump it full of some lube that lubricates the internals (pump) and it blows whatever left over water out of the system, then you can leave it in the garage all winter.

Have done that on my pressure washer every year, been good ever since.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

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Do any of these require winterization when stored in an unheated garage?

To my knowledge, 100% of pressure washers require winterization as any water left in the pump or fittings will freeze and break shit. Running the pump with no input water is not enough to clear the system.

[J-hop]

Yea I didn’t winterized my electric one at all (although I tried to make sure it was drained completely) and ruined the seals last winter. I would be careful to winterize it properly

[Maxt]

The Briggs and stratton ones are garbage..

[redline]

Winterized is import I did not and the pos is broken... got to buy another one now

[Tik-Tok]

Don't bother with electric. None of the 115v ones will come anywhere close to the pressure or GPM you're looking for, and the 240v ones are three times the price of a gas powered one that will suit your needs.

[Maxx Mazda]

Only “downside” I’ve ever seen with the gas ones (mine included) is that they’re noisy. Especially if you’re up in the 3200psi range like I am. But I’m a respectful neighbour, I never fire it up before 10-11am at the very earliest, and I shut it off while I’m soaping or at the very least idle it down. Some of the new washers even have a feature where they idle down automatically in fact.

[RX_EVOLV]

Is there such thing as getting one that's too powerful? I want to get one to clean the cement patio and side of house (the crab apple tree at the new house is such a PITA), but I'm worry about getting the paint off the stucco ( is this possible) if I get one that's too powerful.