Pressure Washers
Discussion
Okay, Ive wanted one of those Karcher pressure washers for a while, but i think im going to take the plunge...
However, i have no idea which one i need/should get...
The primary purpose would be to wash the cars - and while i think the most powerful is best, i wonder whether the elise panels would be able to handle a full power one?
Though I would also want to use it for the patio and perhaps other house things as well.
So, over to you, which is best for me, and what accessories are worth getting?
However, i have no idea which one i need/should get...
The primary purpose would be to wash the cars - and while i think the most powerful is best, i wonder whether the elise panels would be able to handle a full power one?
Though I would also want to use it for the patio and perhaps other house things as well.
So, over to you, which is best for me, and what accessories are worth getting?
I've got an old one (Karcher) you can have if you want it. (Near Guildford).
You have to be moderately careful with them, it is possible to take the paint off (particularly on red VW Polos, just under the rear bumper, honest, it was like that before I washed it).
Edit:
PS The pressure washer is ideal really for getting mud off, if you keep your car reasonably clean, you don't need one. I have a Range Rover (amongst other things) and that's the only car I clean with a pressure washer. It would be fine for the Elise, but overkill a little I think. They don't really clean the car, just knock the crap off - then it's water and sponge time as ususal.
You have to be moderately careful with them, it is possible to take the paint off (particularly on red VW Polos, just under the rear bumper, honest, it was like that before I washed it).
Edit:
PS The pressure washer is ideal really for getting mud off, if you keep your car reasonably clean, you don't need one. I have a Range Rover (amongst other things) and that's the only car I clean with a pressure washer. It would be fine for the Elise, but overkill a little I think. They don't really clean the car, just knock the crap off - then it's water and sponge time as ususal.
Edited by NDA on Wednesday 27th August 12:12
Never use a PW on a car's paintwork within 6 feet unless you get one of these. . .
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/shop/product_info...
If you get a foam lance make sure you get the right PW fitment eg Karcher/Lavor etc. I bought a £100 Karcher some months back but not got around to using it yet. Will be foaming car and PWing some paving which is covered in green mould etc.
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/shop/product_info...
If you get a foam lance make sure you get the right PW fitment eg Karcher/Lavor etc. I bought a £100 Karcher some months back but not got around to using it yet. Will be foaming car and PWing some paving which is covered in green mould etc.
Ah need to keep an eye on this post as i have been looking for a cheap pressure washer for a while too, nearly bought the £30 halfords one last week but a kid working there told me not to bother as it was not very good and instead get a Karcher one, only problem being the cheapest they had was about £150, the hunt continues
Got mine FREE with slightly sad Nectar points (RRP £129!). 
......and it's bloomin' great! But as mentioned, go easy on even slightly loose paint or trim. Even if you don't need one at full tilt every day, you can always tweak down the pressure, and then tweak it up again when you need to scrub some real crud off.
......and it's bloomin' great! But as mentioned, go easy on even slightly loose paint or trim. Even if you don't need one at full tilt every day, you can always tweak down the pressure, and then tweak it up again when you need to scrub some real crud off. Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 27th August 20:17
NDA said:
I've got an old one (Karcher) you can have if you want it. (Near Guildford).
You have to be moderately careful with them, it is possible to take the paint off (particularly on red VW Polos, just under the rear bumper, honest, it was like that before I washed it).
They Dont like white MX5's either... luckily fortunatly enough I just so happened to have a spare one?? it unbelievably came with the car, pain in the arse driving back from reading to S. wales with a bumper sticking out of it!!!You have to be moderately careful with them, it is possible to take the paint off (particularly on red VW Polos, just under the rear bumper, honest, it was like that before I washed it).
Crossflow Kid said:
Got mine FREE with slightly sad Nectar points (RRP £129!). ......and it's bloomin' great! But as mentioned, go easy on even slightly loose paint or trim. Even if you don't need one at full tilt every day, you can always tweak down the pressure, and then tweak it up again when you need to scrub some real crud off.
where, how?......and it's bloomin' great! But as mentioned, go easy on even slightly loose paint or trim. Even if you don't need one at full tilt every day, you can always tweak down the pressure, and then tweak it up again when you need to scrub some real crud off. Edited by Crossflow Kid on Wednesday 27th August 20:17
Digger. said:
+1 for Screfix, got a Karcher from them a couple of years ago, it died 18 months later and as I wasnt sure of how long the warranty was I emailed their customer service, got a nice mail back telling me that the warranty was only 12 months however they would still swap it for a new one FOC........great bit of customer serviceUnder the wheel arches once a year after the snow and salt season.
Definately not once it's waxed.
True story... new Viper back when it was open top only, friend of mine wanted me to "hit it" with my pressure washer. I said you gotta be joking. So he did it himself. He stuck the end inside the wheel arch and pulled the trigger, it's quite powerful and he hit the tyre, he then released the trigger and hit the body. THREE TIMES.
I grabbed it from him "I'd better do it."
(It had only been driven slowly through his muddy yard he could have rinsed it off with a hose)
Definately not once it's waxed.
True story... new Viper back when it was open top only, friend of mine wanted me to "hit it" with my pressure washer. I said you gotta be joking. So he did it himself. He stuck the end inside the wheel arch and pulled the trigger, it's quite powerful and he hit the tyre, he then released the trigger and hit the body. THREE TIMES.
I grabbed it from him "I'd better do it."
(It had only been driven slowly through his muddy yard he could have rinsed it off with a hose)
I have got the basic Karcher...dirt cheap here in Aus and I thought I might actually use it to wash the car a bit more regularly.
Its been used twice in about 6 months. Once to jet the oil off the drive at my last rental and once on the car.
I dont think it really save me any labour on the car wash and it was a pain in the arse dragging it around with the hose and power chord getting all tangled up.
Its been used twice in about 6 months. Once to jet the oil off the drive at my last rental and once on the car.
I dont think it really save me any labour on the car wash and it was a pain in the arse dragging it around with the hose and power chord getting all tangled up.
Fidgits said:
Okay, Ive wanted one of those Karcher pressure washers for a while, but i think im going to take the plunge...
However, i have no idea which one i need/should get...
The primary purpose would be to wash the cars - and while i think the most powerful is best, i wonder whether the elise panels would be able to handle a full power one?
Though I would also want to use it for the patio and perhaps other house things as well.
So, over to you, which is best for me, and what accessories are worth getting?
Pressure is not the be all end all of a pressure washer - in fact flow rate is probably more important, once you get past the type of motor used.However, i have no idea which one i need/should get...
The primary purpose would be to wash the cars - and while i think the most powerful is best, i wonder whether the elise panels would be able to handle a full power one?
Though I would also want to use it for the patio and perhaps other house things as well.
So, over to you, which is best for me, and what accessories are worth getting?
Universal motors are noisy and pretty crap at anything bar watering the plants.
Induction motors are quieter, last longer, and designed to be more useful purposes.
That said, forget about the pressure quoted - most domestic cleaners are putting out circa 90 bar, not the peak pressure they're quoted as.
If you're planning on doing decking/patio cleaning - you need something in the semi-pro range to do sustained cleaning, with or without the upturned bin lids on castor wheels.
Assuming you want a machine that'll work each time, every time for the next 3-5 years+, then you'll consider a Makita HW131 or Kranzle K1150.
http://www.hobuk.co.uk/acatalog/HW131.html
I want to get a prerssure washer.
Popped into Homebase and they have a big orange one, badged 'RAC'. It includes a wet & dry vacuum system.
http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servle...
Anyone got one? Comes with all the toys (unlike Karcher where you have to buy them extra) and looks great from a driveway-cred perspective, but are they any good?
Popped into Homebase and they have a big orange one, badged 'RAC'. It includes a wet & dry vacuum system.
http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servle...
Anyone got one? Comes with all the toys (unlike Karcher where you have to buy them extra) and looks great from a driveway-cred perspective, but are they any good?
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