Need an electric pressure washer

[HokieZHP]

I need an electric pressure washer for the foam cannon I just bought. Heard of Karcher (good and bad) and some cheap-o ones but does anyone have any recommendations? Would like affordable but reliable would make me spend a bit more. No gas ones please only electric for now.

Thanks

[BCS_ZHP]

Chris, Snap-on makes a small electric p/w, I've seen it in action once before and it performed flawlessly. But of course I didn't remember to ask the guy what it cost him. Bruce

[HokieZHP]

Will check it out Bruce, thanks for the suggestion!

Anyone else have experience with them?

[HokieZHP]

Since electric pressure washers don't have the best reliability I found this one at Sears, Craftsman makes it with a 1 year warranty. I trust craftsman stuff for my tools and I would assume their other products are solid.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-700-psi-1.3-gpm-electric-pressure-washer/p-07175029000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Thoughts?

[HokieZHP]

Updating for anyone who's interested. Found a new Ryobi electric pressure washer at Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-1700-PSI-1-2-GPM-Electric-Pressure-Washer-RY14122/203800590

1700 psi, 1.2gpm and the handle detaches for easier transportation. Most importantly, it comes with a 3 year warranty, yes, THREE years. Every other one I found that looked decent only had a 1 year warranty.

If anyone is interested, I'll post a review of it. My foam cannon should show up early next week so I can finally try it out!

[328ioc]

Updating for anyone who's interested. Found a new Ryobi electric pressure washer at Home Depot

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-1700-PSI-1-2-GPM-Electric-Pressure-Washer-RY14122/203800590

1700 psi, 1.2gpm and the handle detaches for easier transportation. Most importantly, it comes with a 3 year warranty, yes, THREE years. Every other one I found that looked decent only had a 1 year warranty.

If anyone is interested, I'll post a review of it. My foam cannon should show up early next week so I can finally try it out!

I have always just used my foam gun with the garden hose so I am interested in a review of all of it.

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[HokieZHP]

Yeah there are 2 types. There's foam guns and foam cannons. Guns can be used on a garden hose. Cannons must be used with a pressure washer. I'll post another thread after my first wash with it

[328ioc]

Awesome.

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[Vas]

Review of the pressure washer? Need to pick one up for my Uber foam canon.

[HokieZHP]

Love it. Used it 4 times now. Worked very well! The 3 year warranty was the biggest reason I got it

[TheFinanceGuy]

FWIW my family has had this (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Karcher-K-3-450-1800-PSI-1-5-GPM-Electric-Pressure-Washer-1-601-770-0/204737428?N=5yc1vZbxdjZ1z0zy83)one from Home Depot for the last 5ish years. It gets yearly use cleaning the pool deck, pool shed, my deck, and various other jobs around including car washes.
The handle broke last year, but I replaced it from a pile of parts that HD had on hand from returned broken units.

Also, my FIL swears by Kratcher.

[Vas]

Thanks guys. Looks like a trip to home depot is going to happen.

[spoonerDee]

Great info on the power washers. Mucho thanko's

[ELCID86]

Chris, how much does the P/W actually help with the washing? I can see how it would on the wheels, but is there enough bang for the buck on the rest of the car?

[Vas]

Chris, how much does the P/W actually help with the washing? I can see how it would on the wheels, but is there enough bang for the buck on the rest of the car?

I can provide a review/let you know when my foam canon and foam arrives. Picking up pressure washer this week.

[HokieZHP]

Chris, how much does the P/W actually help with the washing? I can see how it would on the wheels, but is there enough bang for the buck on the rest of the car?

I like it. Wheel wells, engine bay (low pressure setting), bugs on front bumper. I like it. The foam cannon really does help a lot too. I just did a range rover full detail this past weekend and the wash alone made a huge difference. It was rough!!

Especially for $170 it's worth it IMO. Then again, I detail at least 2-3 cars a week so I use it frequently.

Pics of the range ;)
Before:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/e2evy8u7.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/e8y5a2u8.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/ydy8etaj.jpg

After:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/senajese.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/du3a2u8a.jpg

[ELCID86]

Thanks and nice work (again!). I ended up gettign this a few months back.
http://www.amazon.com/Autogeek-Quart-Foamaster-Foam-BONUS/dp/B004VS1CQS/ref=sr_1_15?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1404217577&sr=1-15&keywords=car+wash+foam+gun

I like the way it works and the ability to remove the gun and spray water to rinse the car. Will put the pressure washer on my wish list!

[Vas]

Got this pressure washer yesterday. Going to use it tomorrow with the uber foam cannon.

[HokieZHP]

Which one did you go with?

[Vas]

The ryobi unit from home depot

[ryankokesh]

The ryobi unit from home depot

I was looking at that one. How do you like it?


Sent from my iPhone

[Vas]

Used it today for the first time with an uber foam canon attachment. It's perfect for light duty.

[ryankokesh]

Used it today for the first time with an uber foam canon attachment. It's perfect for light duty.

Nice... Just what I'm looking for.


Sent from my iPhone

[NoVAphotog]

Used it today for the first time with an uber foam canon attachment. It's perfect for light duty.

Vas, any update to the Ryobi product used with the Auto Finesse Avalanche Snow Foam?

[Vas]

Vas, any update to the Ryobi product used with the Auto Finesse Avalanche Snow Foam?

Daniel, I love it. The pressure washer produces enough psi to wash the cars and even light duty around my house.

During the winter months or when the car is really dirty, I use the Snow Foam. Let it soak and then rinse it off. It removes dirt and grime pretty well that I don't even bother washing it further then that.

But warmer months and when I really want to get it clean, I put my car wash soap in the foam canon, cover the car and wash it that way. Not really needed to do a two bucket wash.

Check the link below:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Uber-Foamer-Canon-Pressure-Washer-Attachment-_p_204.html

[NoVAphotog]

It removes dirt and grime pretty well that I don't even bother washing it further then that.

Not really needed to do a two bucket wash.

Check the link below:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Uber-Foamer-Canon-Pressure-Washer-Attachment-_p_204.html

Looks like I may be stopping by Home Depot on the way home... :thumbsup Sounds like the solution I need, NoVA just does NOT have DIY car washes. It is simply not an option. So using this combo, Vas, you can pretty much get the lather on, rinse and dry?

[Vas]

Looks like I may be stopping by Home Depot on the way home... :thumbsup Sounds like the solution I need, NoVA just does NOT have DIY car washes. It is simply not an option. So using this combo, Vas, you can pretty much get the lather on, rinse and dry?

Daniel, that is correct. The foam canon can be adjusted on how much to pull from the bottle. So you can have a really thick amount of foam or barely any amount and the mixture be more watered down. The more foam the better it does at breaking down dirt and grime. Then just rinse it off and dry.

BTW if you need an awesome drying towel, get an Uber Microfiber drying towel.
http://www.detailersdomain.com/Uber-Super-Drying-Microfiber-Towel_p_516.html

Btw if you order from Detailers Domain, don't forget to use the code zhpmafia for a discount. :)

[slater]

Daniel, that is correct. The foam canon can be adjusted on how much to pull from the bottle. So you can have a really thick amount of foam or barely any amount and the mixture be more watered down. The more foam the better it does at breaking down dirt and grime. Then just rinse it off and dry.

wait - vas, you mean just foam the car as it sits, then rinse off and dry? that's it?

man, i gotta get a pressure washer and the foam cannon thing. i can't imagine how much time that must save... plus, currently i am working with a submersible pump in one of my rain barrels for car washes - it produces... well... it's doesn't really produce much pressure. it sucks, frankly.

peter

[Vas]

wait - vas, you mean just foam the car as it sits, then rinse off and dry? that's it?

man, i gotta get a pressure washer and the foam cannon thing. i can't imagine how much time that must save... plus, currently i am working with a submersible pump in one of my rain barrels for car washes - it produces... well... it's doesn't really produce much pressure. it sucks, frankly.

peter

I usually spray the car down with water to break up the dirt. Then foam it, wait the recommended time for the foam to work. Then rinse off and dry it during the winter months. Just trying to avoid as much hand contact to prevent scratching or damaging the finish.

But yeah it is that simple and time saving.

[slater]

I usually spray the car down with water to break up the dirt. Then foam it, wait the recommended time for the foam to work. Then rinse off and dry it during the winter months. Just trying to avoid as much hand contact to prevent scratching or damaging the finish.

But yeah it is that simple and time saving.

sounds awesome. i'm making a list of stuff to get! :) anything to save time is good.

peter

[orange260z]

wait - vas, you mean just foam the car as it sits, then rinse off and dry? that's it?

I wouldn't recommend doing this at all. The foam loosens the dirt/dust/pollen, and will help get some (if it's dirt or road film) or most (if it's dust or pollen and the car hasn't gotten wet at all with that on there) of it off. However, even in the best case it's unlikely that it's leaving a clean enough surface to dry without putting swirls/scratches in the paint.

The goal is to have the cleanest possible surface before using the two-bucket wash. Spraying your car down first would be the most basic; soaking with a foam gun, waiting a few minutes and rinsing would be the next; and soaking with a foam cannon the best. After any of these, you would still want to follow with a very soapy two-bucket wash and rinse down before drying with a MF towel; many also use a spray detailer to help lubricate the surface while drying.

Two months ago this would have been overkill for me, but now with the fresh swirl-free paint I will be doing my best to keep it that way!!

[Vas]

I wouldn't recommend doing this at all. The foam loosens the dirt/dust/pollen, and will help get some (if it's dirt or road film) or most (if it's dust or pollen and the car hasn't gotten wet at all with that on there) of it off. However, even in the best case it's unlikely that it's leaving a clean enough surface to dry without putting swirls/scratches in the paint.

The goal is to have the cleanest possible surface before using the two-bucket wash. Spraying your car down first would be the most basic; soaking with a foam gun, waiting a few minutes and rinsing would be the next; and soaking with a foam cannon the best. After any of these, you would still want to follow with a very soapy two-bucket wash and rinse down before drying with a MF towel; many also use a spray detailer to help lubricate the surface while drying.

Two months ago this would have been overkill for me, but now with the fresh swirl-free paint I will be doing my best to keep it that way!!
Can't really do this during the winter months. I use auto finesse which is made for this job.

Warmer weather then yeah a two bucket wash before drying the car.