Which Pressure Washer?

[Siy]

Following from a recent post about using 'Snow Foam' to pre wash, I have decided to buy a pressure washer, in order to clear the crap etc off my cars, without contact. I will give the snow foam a try - but wondered if anyone knows which pressure washer to buy as there seems to be gazillions!..I assume Karcher is the main make - but even then they do loads of different ones.

Any help pls...?

[3rtt]

Simon, it really is down to how deep your pockets are and how long are your arms ?

Even the basic karcher will do a good job of washing the worst grime off the car and then connecting to a snow foam gun.

If you want loads of other attachments for cleaning paths and bricks etc then you pay a bit more.

Do a search online for the best deals.

Cheers,
Ian

[ribenavrs]

You get what you pay for

I have a Kranzle and it blows my old Karcher into the weeds

Look for a high flowrate i.e 10 litres per min it really makes a big difference

Well worth it

[David W.]

I'm not a great fan of Karcher, we have a washer and steam cleaner of their's, both bought when they were on a special offer from one of my suppliers, both have been trouble-sum which is very frustrating as when you need they they need to work!
A bit like Land Rover I think their image/reputation surpasses what they sometimes deliver!

Next time I intend to try either
http://www.nilfisk-alto.co.uk/Products/PressureWas...
or
http://www.malcleanse.co.uk/static/ELECTRIC_PRESSU...

dw

[Good Soil (Pete)]

I have had two Karchers now (over the the space of 4 years) and I personally would never buy another one.
I'm anal about turning the tap off when I'm not using it so there is not too much pressure build up, making sure it's got the right hose length etc etc and both have mine have had internal parts 'break' and p*ss water everywhere apart from out of the hose! Pile of yellow Sh*t*!!! Spend a bit more I say! That's what I will be doing next time.....

[Good Soil (Pete)]

I have had two Karchers now (over the the space of 4 years) and I personally would never buy another one.
I'm anal about turning the tap off when I'm not using it so there is not too much pressure build up, making sure it's got the right hose length etc etc and both have mine have had internal parts 'break' and p*ss water everywhere apart from out of the hose! Pile of yellow Sh*t*!!! Spend a bit more I say! That's what I will be doing next time.....

[shunt]

I've a Karcher K7.85, highest spec domestic machine they do, has been faultless for 5 years.

[jonamv8]

I bought a middle of the road Karcher - its not great and pisses water everywhere but it still works!!!

Snow foam is a must though!

[Luckyluciano]

Don't get one with to much pressure (bar).

[EpsomJames]

I'm using a Karcher K2 (don't know the exact model) but small enough that you can pick it up and carry it around while you are washing the car. It's perfect for car cleaning but no good for anything else (patio cleaning etc).

It's been faultless for 7 years but about to change it as the thread is going on the hose connection (just wear and tear). Looking at the K3.550 model now again just for car cleaning. If I ever need to clean my patio I will either hire a proper pressure washer from a tool hire store or get a Pro to do it

Warning - don't use anything too powerful on your car otherwise you'll be in danger of removing paint protection film/decals or worse. The lance plays a big factor so get one that has a wide beam specifically for car cleaning.

[David W.]

Luckyluciano said:

Don't get one with to much pressure (bar).

you can often turn bar down but high is good for wheels.
dw

[shunt]

Using the Karcher Dirt Blaster lance (rotary) is not a good idea for paintwork. Stick to a standard one or keep well back with it.

[andyxxx]

My first Karcher was rubbish - so bought one of the best ones in their model range and it is also not good.

I will shortly look at what ribenavrs uses - Kranzle

[rossjlee]

I've got/had two Karcher pressure washers (a mid-range then tried a high-end one) and both have been a complete pain in the arse.

Ended up buying a relatively cheap Bosch one when I needed something next day and it's been faultless:

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?ca...

[SLacKer]

I to have had several Karcher washers and all of them have gone wrong very quickly.

I currently use a Homelite B&Q which was on special at £30 and it has been faultless.

It is also compact and lightweight.

[MichaelV8V]

One of the problems with them is people leave them in the garage all the time - which seems like a very reasonable thing to do - but in winter they freeze, burst the tank, or burst something internal, then leak forever more. Mine now spends winter in my son's bedroom, which he seems to think looks wierd, how strange is that?

[the hitman001]

in one word

Nilfisk

[andyxxx]

David W. said:

Next time I intend to try either
http://www.nilfisk-alto.co.uk/Products/PressureWas...
or
http://www.malcleanse.co.uk/static/ELECTRIC_PRESSU...

dw

I purchased a £200 Nilfisk today from Screwfix after deliberating between that and a model at about £380.

My first impressions are that it is a far better made machine than the Karcher it replaces(which was nearly double the price) and is far more powerful. I am glad I didn't go for the dearer one - I would be seriously worried about damaging the paintwork and alloys.

[Murph7355]

the hitman001 said:

in one word

Nilfisk

+1

Had mine about a year. It's great - bloody brilliant at patios

I think mine's a 130.2

[andyxxx]

Murph7355 said:

+1

Had mine about a year. It's great - bloody brilliant at patios

I think mine's a 130.2

Yes - that is the model I bought yesterday - £50 off at present from Screwfix http://www.screwfix.com/p/nilfisk-e130-2-9-x-tra-p...