Pressure Washer

[Smudger]

After using my dad's Karcher to wash the car a few days ago, I'm tempted to get one. Anyone got any recommendations? Is Karcher the best brand to go for? Which model?

[jimborae]

Go on hotukdeals and there's deals available for the Nilfisk ones and most of the comments say that they're better than Karcher ones as they have metal bodied pumps as opposed to plastic ones in Karchers. Having said that I've had a Karcher for almost 10 years and touch wood it's been very reliable but apparently the newer models are more prone to failure.

PS: I wouldn't be without my pressure washer, it's so useful for cleaning cars, patios, garden furniture, bbq's, walls etc,etc...

[Smudger]

Yeah, I was looking for one with a patio cleaner, it could do with a blast...

Edit - Quick question: are the components cross-brand? I've heard that the patio cleaner on the Nilfisk isn't up to much, can it be replaced with a Bosch or Karcher if it turns out to be so?

[peterb]

Karcher are OK, I have one!

Two words of warning - washing cars is OK, particularly blasting mud off the underside, but if you have any flaky paintwork, it will remove it! That is particularly an issue on plastic painted parts. And blasting mud off does make it abrasive, so be careful where you direct the jet.

As for patios, again be wary. The jet is abrasive and will take the surface off concrete slabs and brick pavers, so although they will be cleaner, they will be a bit rougher, so may become harder to clean over time.

[Zak33]

remember that.. if you keep the trigger squeezed a long time the motors over heat. It's a normal issue.. just dont spray for more than 3 or 4 minutes at a time if you want it to last well (I mean years)

In car cleaning terms... it's never an issue.. the sponge gets used a lot too....

but as soon as someone starts cleaning a patio with a retail mid range power washer.. I get figgety.... you need to let them cool

Later Karchers .. some have water cooled motors.. it's helps but it's still not enough for a 25sq m patio and 2 hours solid blasting


I bought a tiny little power wash from B&Q ages ago.. folds down very small.. fits in a plastic box in the garage. It's gota few fragile pieces (designed to brake and make you buy another.. ie water inlet nozzle) but with care, for using on a car occassionally... a small cheap one changed every 2 or 3 years might be better than an £80 + one.

[Zak33]

and my Dad has this one.. and it's great for the car and the boat.. and at £30 you'll be hard pushed to feel robbed!
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/7420274.htm

[Smudger]

I've dived in and got this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B..._detailpages00

... but at £49.99 direct from Amazon. Not in stock but I'm not in any hurry...

[peterb]

Of course, if you want to do some serious pressure washing....
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...ails/050410766

[Smudger]

Only £12k? I'll have 2...

[wasabi]

Karchers are good for getting spare parts. Have had an ancient one for years and am on third hose (one perished, one got a spade through it....). Although you'll pay a bit more upfront for the privilege of owning one. Karcher quite often come up reconditioned. For a car a low end one will be plenty. Handy for cleaning the drive and pathways of crud too though.

[wasabi]

Of course, if you want to do some serious pressure washing....
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...ails/050410766

Once hired a diesel one like that for the day. I'm a strong bloke but getting it started on a cold Feb morning nearly killed me! Did an amazing job cleaning cruddy render on the walls though

[peterb]

Once hired a diesel one like that for the day. I'm a strong bloke but getting it started on a cold Feb morning nearly killed me! Did an amazing job cleaning cruddy render on the walls though

Did you mean

"Did an amazing job cleaning cruddy render off the walls though"

[Saracen]

I have a Nilfisk, from Machinemart (though a tad smaller than that linked monster. I would endorse Nilfisk as a brand.

I spent a lot of time, especially on car detailing forums, before opting for Nilfisk and (so far) don't regret it.

I also endorse the remarks about being careful what you point it at. I use it on the car, but only EVER either with the 'spray' setting, or with the brush attachment. Either way, pressure is way reduced. Mind you, though it isn't that £12k model, it is not entry level either.

By and large, IMHO, you get what you pay for.

[Zak33]

I've dived in and got this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B..._detailpages00

... but at £49.99 direct from Amazon. Not in stock but I'm not in any hurry...

oh mate if you get that at £50 you will be a HAPPY bunny!!!!!

[jon bda]

What is this 'washing of cars' you speak of?

[Zak33]

jon.. you need to try harder... my Insignia is 64 plate and looks worse than that!