framer
Gold Member
Any recommendations on how much pressure for cleaning grease off equipment.Thanks.
power washers
- Thread starter framer
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If the surfaces are painted you might want to use engine degreaser on it first and then a pressure washer. We only use a 1500 psi pressure washer at work so as to not remove paint from customer tractors. At our farm we use a karcher with hot water to remove the grease/oil ect. It does remove paint too if your not careful. I think it's 2500 psi.
Scooby074
Super Member
I assume your working on a reasonable budget. however, if you can afford it, nothing cleans grease like hot water. But this is likely our of reach.
If your using cold water, than a good degreaser is doubly required . I have good luck with the "purple" type degreasers. Such as "purple power".
As far as pressure goes, id go with at least 1500, more like 2500. Most good machines have a regulator to turn up and down the pressure. Its better to have too much power than not enough as you can always turn it down. Lots of flow is also a good measure of the pump, and is essential for good results.
A bit of advice is to get a machine with a brand name pump, like a Comet or Cat brand. Ive had no luck with Karchers, and parts are really expensive for them. Kartcher hoses also wont interchange with others without adapters. Im now using a Comet pump. Also look for a wand with quick release interchangeable nozzles so you can pick the proper degree and orifice for the job.
If your using cold water, than a good degreaser is doubly required . I have good luck with the "purple" type degreasers. Such as "purple power".
As far as pressure goes, id go with at least 1500, more like 2500. Most good machines have a regulator to turn up and down the pressure. Its better to have too much power than not enough as you can always turn it down. Lots of flow is also a good measure of the pump, and is essential for good results.
A bit of advice is to get a machine with a brand name pump, like a Comet or Cat brand. Ive had no luck with Karchers, and parts are really expensive for them. Kartcher hoses also wont interchange with others without adapters. Im now using a Comet pump. Also look for a wand with quick release interchangeable nozzles so you can pick the proper degree and orifice for the job.
diesel_nut
Gold Member
The "Purple" cleaners are awesome. Just watch it on bare metal and finish-paint as if left to dry it can "etch" them. I keep the item being cleaned plenty wet before and during it's use. I leave it on no more than a minute.
J_J
Super Star Member
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framer,
I would recommend a Honda powered, 3000 psi with Cat or Comet pump, with a turbo nozzle. $800 to $999. This will also take care of all the other stuff a pressure washer is designed for , like drive ways, cool decks, house trailers, etc. If you knew your stuff, you could build your own and run it off the PTO. Just adapt the 540 rpm up to 3600.
I would recommend a Honda powered, 3000 psi with Cat or Comet pump, with a turbo nozzle. $800 to $999. This will also take care of all the other stuff a pressure washer is designed for , like drive ways, cool decks, house trailers, etc. If you knew your stuff, you could build your own and run it off the PTO. Just adapt the 540 rpm up to 3600.
Scooby074
Super Member
As Tim Allen would say, theres no such thing as too much power
If the pumps are the same quality and flow, then get the most "PSI" you can get for the money. As was said earlier, you can always turn down the pressure. More pressure can be good for jobs like washing decks (removing decayed wood and paint) among other things.
over40pirate
New member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2009
- Messages
- 2
A few pressure washer facts.
GPH is just as important as PSI.
Belt drive is better than direct drive.
Pressure washers that cost less than around $800, are not built to last very long.
Turbo nozzles work great.
You adjust the pressure by changing nozzles, or changing the distance to the material being cleaned.
Not all model Honda motors are the long lasting ones.
Never run the washer without having the water hose turned on. A good reason to never lend your pressure washer out!
With cheaper pressure washers, don't run it long without having the trigger pulled and spraying. Good way to damage pump.
A direct drive will not operate when drawing water from a tank, as opposed to a garden hose. You need a belt drive or gear drive to do this. The pumps on these operate at a lower rpm. Plus lower rpm pumps last longer.
I currentlly have a 3000PSI 4GPM direct drive unit with a Honda engine an AR industrial pump. I needed a new pump and the pump and unloader cost me around $450.
Good stuff isn't cheap!
Be carefull if using a hi pressure washer on a ladder. They have quite a kick!
I would rather have a 3000psi/4gpm unit, than a 3500PSI/3GPM unit.
A 2500 psi unit may do the job, but a 3000psi unit will do it a lot faster.
Hope this helps.
GPH is just as important as PSI.
Belt drive is better than direct drive.
Pressure washers that cost less than around $800, are not built to last very long.
Turbo nozzles work great.
You adjust the pressure by changing nozzles, or changing the distance to the material being cleaned.
Not all model Honda motors are the long lasting ones.
Never run the washer without having the water hose turned on. A good reason to never lend your pressure washer out!
With cheaper pressure washers, don't run it long without having the trigger pulled and spraying. Good way to damage pump.
A direct drive will not operate when drawing water from a tank, as opposed to a garden hose. You need a belt drive or gear drive to do this. The pumps on these operate at a lower rpm. Plus lower rpm pumps last longer.
I currentlly have a 3000PSI 4GPM direct drive unit with a Honda engine an AR industrial pump. I needed a new pump and the pump and unloader cost me around $450.
Good stuff isn't cheap!
Be carefull if using a hi pressure washer on a ladder. They have quite a kick!
I would rather have a 3000psi/4gpm unit, than a 3500PSI/3GPM unit.
A 2500 psi unit may do the job, but a 3000psi unit will do it a lot faster.
Hope this helps.
Crash101
Silver Member
Another thing to consider is your rate of actual water flow at the pressure washers inlet. Measure how much water the hose puts out in one minute. You don't want a washer that requires more water than is available.
crbr
Veteran Member
A lower pressure for cleaning and with a pressure regulator you'll feel your way to the right presssure for all of your needs. A degreaser and a low pressure will do the job.
Honda engine and a Cat pump. Doesn't get any better for reliability.
I have a 13 HP Honda and said pump. My washer has a pressure regulator valve that is a must for me (and a pressure gauge). No need to worry about a particular pressure PSI with your purchase of a particular horsepower range. I can regulate from ~900 PSI to ~4500 PSI with the 13 HP engine. Serves all of my needs around the house or shop. My household water pressure at the spigot is ~4 GPM which suffices for the pump needs.
I also opted for an aluminum 2-wheeled frame for convenience and mobility. Small rubber air-filled tires and no rust on the aluminum. If I had one thing to do over with my purchase of the 13 HP engine would be to get an electric starter. The pull rope is not terribly difficult but it does take a stout pull and a good arm. Others around the house (teens or Moms) may not be able to use it due to the pull rope, if you're not around.
A variety of tip selections are essential and an additional 25' extension hose and extension wand are nice conveniences.
For relevance, a car wash is ~900 - 1000 PSI at ~3.0 - 3.5 GPM.
Everyone here has good pointers.