I'm looking to buy an electric pressure washer mainly for washing cars. I need it to be powerful enough to remove bird poop but at the same time be safe enough for paint and clear coat. Any recommandations on model, PSI and GPM are welcomed. My budget is around $150 for it.
the_jeep_now
Got this one late last summer, works great! [ame]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Z8E52Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]
1,900 PSI 1.5 GPM 14 Amp $153 free prime shipping
The quick connect it comes with doesn't match any other style so I put a brass quick connect on their quick connect.(They used opposite male/female threading so you can't just replace them...Although theirs does have a screen filter built into it)
Edit: I don't use the hose reel as other reviewers mention I just wind up the cord and toss it over the top. If you toggle the handle quickly it has a low pressure mode where the pump intermittently cycles on and off and you can rinse your hands off or do any delicate work. It doesn't say anything about it in the manual(maybe it's not supposed to do it...idk) but I found it really useful. I put Mothers in the soap thing once to try it and it did work but using 5 gallon buckets and a brush just seems easier and more effective. Also I like the adjustable sprayer, yeah it probably makes it loose some power, but it is very handy to get the exact spray size/power you want.
Also I don't think any power washer that is safe to use on paint will remove all bugs and bird poop. It'll get the main part of it off but won't get the "outline" that etches in. Some scrubbing with a brush and/or bug remover will probably be necessary. I remember that with my dads gas pressure washers too. You could cut a board in half with the 0 degree setting but you'd also probably gouge plastic and remove decals or any imperfect paint.
1,900 PSI 1.5 GPM 14 Amp $153 free prime shipping
The quick connect it comes with doesn't match any other style so I put a brass quick connect on their quick connect.(They used opposite male/female threading so you can't just replace them...Although theirs does have a screen filter built into it)
Edit: I don't use the hose reel as other reviewers mention I just wind up the cord and toss it over the top. If you toggle the handle quickly it has a low pressure mode where the pump intermittently cycles on and off and you can rinse your hands off or do any delicate work. It doesn't say anything about it in the manual(maybe it's not supposed to do it...idk) but I found it really useful. I put Mothers in the soap thing once to try it and it did work but using 5 gallon buckets and a brush just seems easier and more effective. Also I like the adjustable sprayer, yeah it probably makes it loose some power, but it is very handy to get the exact spray size/power you want.
Also I don't think any power washer that is safe to use on paint will remove all bugs and bird poop. It'll get the main part of it off but won't get the "outline" that etches in. Some scrubbing with a brush and/or bug remover will probably be necessary. I remember that with my dads gas pressure washers too. You could cut a board in half with the 0 degree setting but you'd also probably gouge plastic and remove decals or any imperfect paint.
I bought this one a couple years back on black friday for cheap. http://www.menards.com/main/p-2425740-c-13917.htm
It works well enough, Ive used it for our deck and the wife uses it to clean her Toyota Camry (I wash mine by hand.) I cant vouch for super-long term use, but its handled a couple summers fine.
The online reviews are pretty hit-or-miss with it though.
It works well enough, Ive used it for our deck and the wife uses it to clean her Toyota Camry (I wash mine by hand.) I cant vouch for super-long term use, but its handled a couple summers fine.
The online reviews are pretty hit-or-miss with it though.
On line reviews are like that, eh?
I try and not live according to online opinions...just saying.
Now...here's my opinion:
The wands, the hose, the fittings, even the motor can be fixed/replaced/repaired...the part that matters is the pump.
Karcher, for example is a fine German manufacturer of great pressure washers and you can find a Karcher branded electric one at Wal Mart for $99 up here. Now did they simply license the name to someone who then sells a cheap knock off washer (like Kubota did with their branded shop vacs at Costco) or is it a good washer?
The pump will tell you.
If I was still going into the mill for stuff I'd have a better answer from one of the millwrights but I don't...all I do remember is its the pump you want to worry about, not the brand, the colour, the anything else. They were pretty vocal about that part.
So, just ask Google who makes the best pressure washer pumps, then find the least expensive pressure washer using that pump and I'm sure that for Harry Homeowner use it will last long time.
I try and not live according to online opinions...just saying.
Now...here's my opinion:
The wands, the hose, the fittings, even the motor can be fixed/replaced/repaired...the part that matters is the pump.
Karcher, for example is a fine German manufacturer of great pressure washers and you can find a Karcher branded electric one at Wal Mart for $99 up here. Now did they simply license the name to someone who then sells a cheap knock off washer (like Kubota did with their branded shop vacs at Costco) or is it a good washer?
The pump will tell you.
If I was still going into the mill for stuff I'd have a better answer from one of the millwrights but I don't...all I do remember is its the pump you want to worry about, not the brand, the colour, the anything else. They were pretty vocal about that part.
So, just ask Google who makes the best pressure washer pumps, then find the least expensive pressure washer using that pump and I'm sure that for Harry Homeowner use it will last long time.
I got a Snap-On unit from Costco a few years ago and it works great.
2000psi electric, not too fancy but it's worked great so far!
2000psi electric, not too fancy but it's worked great so far!
I am sure everyone is going to give a positive review of theirs 
I went with one from Briggs & Stratton because they were inexpensive and have a good rep. That and I got a 40% discount from someone I know that works there. Similar model to this one and MSRP is about $200 and the new model has an integrated tire/ball inflator which is nice. Works nice for car cleaning, cleaning cement, the house, etc.
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I went with one from Briggs & Stratton because they were inexpensive and have a good rep. That and I got a 40% discount from someone I know that works there. Similar model to this one and MSRP is about $200 and the new model has an integrated tire/ball inflator which is nice. Works nice for car cleaning, cleaning cement, the house, etc.
hmm... that's an interesting idea...wonder if it uses the same motor or if it's a separate unit. I've got a 30 gallon air compressor so don't need one but it would be handy for those living in tight quarters.
I like the zero maintenance of an electric, not having to buy gas, dont have to smell exhaust, quiet, more power than gas ones I used, and for the price of a used gas one you can get a new electric.
I don't really need a gas powered one. An electric will do just fine for my needs and it's much cheaper and I don't need the power of the gas unit either. It would be mainly for washing the car.
Honestly in my experience with 2 previous similarly spec'd gas pressure washers this electric one has more power. I am sure you can find a larger gas one that will out power/perform it but than all you have to do is bump up the electric one to match
You're two weeks too late! I just gave away a Honda powered washer that I no longer needed...and I'm only 3+ hours from you....too bad!
Also I have one but never used it to clean the cars, always have to give them extra TLC with a nice gentle sponge Works great for cleaning concrete and the house/windows.
Works great for cleaning concrete and the house/windows.
Let us know how that former works! Do you currently do it it with five gallon buckets? I'd like to know if it's worth the price or if 5 gallon bucks is the easiest and best way to go. Also I'm assuming it'll work with practically any type of soap? My dad swears by mothers so I have a pretty big jug of that right now.
I have been wanting one for some time. Hesitant to pull the trigger but I may have to just do it this summer.
It's a fun tool to use and a good investment, depending what you need it for it can be extremely useful.
Its not just all about PSI either.
If you are chipping black algae off your concrete you want max PSI but if you are primarily washing a car, motorcycle, deck, house siding, etc. the thing that is going to get you done fast is GPM or gallons per minute.
So for the vast majority of Harry Homeowners who aren't using a pressure washer daily I'd recommend high GPM as number one to look for, then almost any PSI over 1,000
Next up is the pump...a lot of these name brand units are just rented names...Kubota didn't make the shop vac I got for Christmas, they just rented their name to some importer who slaps it onto cheap imported shop vac knock offs.
So worry less about the name on the unit and look for the name on the pump and Google that. Some pumps are repairable, some aren't. Some are rebuild-able, some aren't.
Don't leave them outside or in unheated areas over winter unless you siphon some RV antifreeze through them. Small electrics I'd just bring into the basement for winter.
If you are chipping black algae off your concrete you want max PSI but if you are primarily washing a car, motorcycle, deck, house siding, etc. the thing that is going to get you done fast is GPM or gallons per minute.
So for the vast majority of Harry Homeowners who aren't using a pressure washer daily I'd recommend high GPM as number one to look for, then almost any PSI over 1,000
Next up is the pump...a lot of these name brand units are just rented names...Kubota didn't make the shop vac I got for Christmas, they just rented their name to some importer who slaps it onto cheap imported shop vac knock offs.
So worry less about the name on the unit and look for the name on the pump and Google that. Some pumps are repairable, some aren't. Some are rebuild-able, some aren't.
Don't leave them outside or in unheated areas over winter unless you siphon some RV antifreeze through them. Small electrics I'd just bring into the basement for winter.
Hmm ... 4 years now and I left my washer in the unheated garage (water freezes in my car overnight) in a hostile winter state and had no problems.
It must be good to be you, Scroat.
You know so much, you contribute so much and in such a kind, generous and giving manner.
I don't know about anyone else but I, for one, always look forward to your detailed, insightful and interesting contributions.
You know so much, you contribute so much and in such a kind, generous and giving manner.
I don't know about anyone else but I, for one, always look forward to your detailed, insightful and interesting contributions.
scroat .... don't get it.
I caught your sarcasm however I was simply stating that I never did any winterizing on my pressure washer and its been fine for 4 winters. Its possible that my Briggs unit expels all water when the hose is disco'd and I press the handle getting the last drop out don't know and yes winterizing is a good idea for anything using liquids in cold climates.
Lighten up there tiger!
I caught your sarcasm however I was simply stating that I never did any winterizing on my pressure washer and its been fine for 4 winters. Its possible that my Briggs unit expels all water when the hose is disco'd and I press the handle getting the last drop out don't know and yes winterizing is a good idea for anything using liquids in cold climates.
Lighten up there tiger!
Put everything together this morning. Hoping to use it tomorrow to wash the Jeep. Will report back.
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