So there are so many pressure washers out there, how to know what one is the best or the one you need??? I have done alot of research on these and found the karcher to be one of the best ,many say is the best. So what model would be good to get in a cold washer an a hot washer or both?? Just wondering about you guys/gals opinion on these models from them.
I've had a Simoniz which is nothing more than a Canadian version of the Karcher. I have owned it for 7 years and it's great. I have broken the inlet tube twice and replaced a piece in the pump once. The people at RJ Bower are fantastic for customer support. I also bought an extension wand for when I'm doing the garage floor or the back patio (easier on the back). Parts are readily available and it's easy to take apart and fix. I run hot water through mine with no problem. I may even get around to buying a foam cannon for mine this year, we'll see.
I own a 1750PSI Karcher unit that i purchased from WalMart a few years ago. It's held up very well, is easy to fix if it breaks, and parts are available to upgrade hoses and purchase foam cannons. Ebay has tons of parts for it as well. I pressure wash my deck every Spring with it, as well as wash the house and foundation when needed. Easy justification and obviously good cost vs. benefit. Some may say to go gas, but the Karcher makes little noise in comparison, has all the power you would need when it comes to vehicle washing, and is cheap. If mine broke, I would buy another without hesitation. Good luck with the decision!
My dad has a karcher.... the exact same karcher he has owned since i was born...23 years later it is still kicking...but it did break at one point...it needed a new switch and hose... When i go to buy a washer it will be nothing but a karcher
There are pros and cons to each. Over the years I've had both, gas and electric. I started with KEW electric. Loved it, but as I started to do more trucks and SUVs , I needed more water flow than a basic electric could provide so I had a remote unit built ( 4gpm and up to 3000psi ) that sits in the back of my shop and works off a trigger activation switch. Pull the trigger and it starts, let go and it shuts off. The new Karchers have this feature on models with as little as 1.8 gpm. Solid feature as it keeps the water in the pump from boiling off and seizing it if you don't shut it off when you're not using it. The downside to electrics is that the flow is not adjustable. You can adjust the psi by changing the tips. Different tips have different size holes. A larger hole makes less psi as there is less back pressure. You cannot however, adjust the gpm or flow. With a gas pressure washer, I can adjust the pressure as well as the flow. With my new Kohler, either of them, I can get a super quiet muffler as an option so its barely audible. If I am cleaning door jambs or an engine, I can throttle it down to an idle so there is very little flow. If you are working in an area where the vehicles don't get really dirty, then the new Karchers work quite well. I think JLs has one and is quite pleased with it.
Picking up the one from Costco tm and returning the one from Target lol My first PW though so I'm a noob at it I guess...
man i'm looking at building a PW with a general pump and knock off honda motor. it'll be about $800 and flow anywhere from 100-2000psi, and about 3.6gpm. it will have an uploader valve to help prevent over heating of the pump. now i just need some where to put it. LOL
Ya i was not sure what to get gas or electric. but they have some nice electric ones with adjustments and high pressure.but gas is nice if i'm out an don't have a generator handy. an i like that they have a cold/hot combo. unit decisions decisions ....
I use an electric pressure washing by a company called Giant. It works great but as 911 said, I have to switch tips for different jobs. One thing I have really noticed from using basic pressure washers to commercial models is that it is not the PSI that really makes the difference, it is the GPM (gallons per minute) that makes washing a car so much easier and more effective.
Here is the unit I have. http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/f39/my-new-purchase-2403.html Well worth the money IMO. No problems with it, just have to put fuel in every once in awhile for hot water. :doh: Good luck in your search.
I have a Karcher 1500. Seems to do the job sufficiently enough for around 100 bucks. Going high in PSI doesn't really whet my appetite as much as GPM would. It works great with the foam cannon I have. My only suggestion if you were to purchase a Karcher, at least my model, would be to leave the hose (not the garden hose) threaded in because the plastic has a chance to strip if you continuously remove it.
Ive been using Karcher pressure washers for over 13 years now, they are the best, I wouldn't use anything else. But the more money you spend, the better the machine and the longer it lasts, so spend as much as you can afford. Kind Regards Paul
Hmm I am glad to see this thread popped up. I am actually looking to buy a Karcher pressure washer. I have used one or two at work and they seem to hold up decently.
