Pressure Washer buying advice

[dodge man]

Just my opinion, but the pressure of the electric ones just doesn't compare to the gas powered ones. If you are just doing light cleaning, the electric ones are fine though. Like already mentioned, the gas powered ones can do damage.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Just my opinion, but the pressure of the electric ones just doesn't compare to the gas powered ones. If you are just doing light cleaning, the electric ones are fine though. Like already mentioned, the gas powered ones can do damage.

Yes and that's exactly why I do not want a gas one going anywhere near my vehicles. The last thing I want to do is remove paint from frames axles or gosh forbid ..... the body!

I feel that depending on you or use you could possibly prefer a gas unit or you could possibly prefer an electric unit. for my type of use as a vehicle cleaning device, using the electric is definitely the way to go. But if I was out trying to do a lot of concrete cleaning and more industrial pipe work with a pressure washer for sure I would rather have a unit like my father-in-law has because it can do ten times to work in ten times less time. his gas units are just exponentially better at doing that kind of work then my automotive cleaning style pressure washers.

 

[DK35vince]

Just my opinion, but the pressure of the electric ones just doesn't compare to the gas powered ones. If you are just doing light cleaning, the electric ones are fine though. Like already mentioned, the gas powered ones can do damage.

The low end electric models that's true.
The commercial electric pressure washers are every bit as strong as gas powered units

 

[TheMan419]

For the stuff I want to do the electric will be just fine. Clean the fence and deck once in a while. Other than that clean equipment and horse blankets. If I need to clean the concrete I can just take my time at it. As indicated in the op I am not interested in another gasoline engine to maintain for the amount I am going to use the thing.

 

[4570Man]

The low end electric models that's true.
The commercial electric pressure washers are every bit as strong as gas powered units

That’s true, but those are in the $1000 range.

 

[4570Man]

Yes and that's exactly why I do not want a gas one going anywhere near my vehicles. The last thing I want to do is remove paint from frames axles or gosh forbid ..... the body!

I feel that depending on you or use you could possibly prefer a gas unit or you could possibly prefer an electric unit. for my type of use as a vehicle cleaning device, using the electric is definitely the way to go. But if I was out trying to do a lot of concrete cleaning and more industrial pipe work with a pressure washer for sure I would rather have a unit like my father-in-law has because it can do ten times to work in ten times less time. his gas units are just exponentially better at doing that kind of work then my automotive cleaning style pressure washers.

If I was spending that much time washing vehicles I’d be getting a lot more water on the job. It doesn’t have to have tons of pressure but it takes water flow to carry away mud.

 

[newbury]

My father in laws Honda has engine powered 3500 psi is like you are saying... He can rip a 8 or 10 inch wide swath while my machine is doing 3" wide. Those bigger machines are impressive!

The difference is that he can also clean the paint from your frame, cut into concrete and do significant damage to things while I can safely clean things that I do not want to damage.

I like his machine.... But it is dangerous and he has "done me the favor" if cleaning my Kubota and accidentally blown the grey paint from my frame and rear axle in places.

Please... No more favors! I'll clean it myself when I haul it back home.

All my pressure washers came with multiple spray tips. Fairly open nozzles could provide suds or a light rinse. On the strongest washer the narrowest nozzle could be used to cut wood. The really critical component, just like that on a car, is the operator. I'm pretty sure with enough training and the correct nozzle your FIL could have cleaned your Kubota without damage.

BUT if the OP buys one that doesn't put out enough pressure he may have to spend days trying to clean something rather than hours.

The first wood deck I tried to pressure wash I only had the MIL's small electric pressure washer, I could only do a real narrow swath. Borrowed the BIL's gas 2800 PSI, got 'er done.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The low end electric models that's true.
The commercial electric pressure washers are every bit as strong as gas powered units

That is true but they cost 4 times as much and require 220V power supply. I have never seen a 110v pressure washer that puts out more than 2000 PSI max and operation pressure is usually much lower. Cleaning power not only requires the higher pressures but also 2+ gallons per minute of flow, anything less and you will be really slow cleaning concrete.

I have never seen an automobile paint damaged by pressure washers. Tractors and equipment dont get the right prep so their paint comes off much easier. Much of the damage is done by putting the nozzle an inch of so from what is being cleaned which is not a good way to work them. The closer you get to the object to be cleaned the narrower the clean width so you want at least a 4" wide cleaning width which means at least 4 " from the object. With a 2500PSI wand that is 4" or more from the object, you wont get any paint damage.

 

[DK35vince]

All my pressure washers came with multiple spray tips. Fairly open nozzles could provide suds or a light rinse. On the strongest washer the narrowest nozzle could be used to cut wood. The really critical component, just like that on a car, is the operator. I'm pretty sure with enough training and the correct nozzle your FIL could have cleaned your Kubota without damage.

Yes, my pressure washer is 3400 PSI 2.8 Gal/minute.
I've been pressure washing our cars, truck, tractor, zero turn for many years with it with no damage

 

[GMIslander]

get a gas the electric one won/t do it