The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest What pressure washer do I need?

I am wondering how many PSI & GPM I should look for in a pressure washer? I’ll primarily use it for washing wood & vinyl siding on my house, cleaning the deck, and on a concrete driveway & patio to remove leaf stains. I saw a gutter cleaning attachment that looked useful too. Finally, I thought would also use it clean the frame on my truck. The frame has old undercoating on it that I would loosen up with oven cleaner or pain stripper and then pressure wash before sandblasting.

I saw Menards had a 2,100 psi unit for $189 and for $289 they had a one with a Honda engine and wheels that output around 2,500 psi. Should I avoid the big box stores on something like this (like welders & compressors) or will I find decent units there?

I've got a 2800psi w/6.5hp Honda that works great. Check want ads and craigslist.

I'm glad I've got a 1200psi electric one that doesn't use petro fuel and does anything I need well ... if you're not going to be using it to earn income, go for the smaller one

Bill

I buy the most expensive one Costco sells because it is pretty large. We use it in our shop almost daily. Many people don't realize that most items you buy from Costco except for electronics are garanteed for as long as you have a costco card. I have been doing this since Costco came to San Antonio in 2001 and I have went through 4 or 5 of them. They ask no questions and give me the option of my money back or getting a different one. They do require the original invoice.

Mine is a Craftsman 3500# model, just bought it on sale for $399.00 If you get a smaller psi they won't clean stuff as well.

Once again, I'm with red58. I bought a Karcher 1800psi electric. It does everything I need it to and it doesn't require gas. $154.00
I'd prolly think differently if I needed it for a business.

I bought the one from Menards with the Honda eng. Am very satisfied with it except it doesnt seem to draw the
additives when soaping the floor worth a crap. aybe I should
read the instructions again.

gazim, are you using the recomended nozzle? Mine won't draw with a high pressure nozzle.

I bought a commercial 5 HP OHC Honda machine a few years back for around $550 and while that was a lot of money I have never regretted the decision...

It has never given me a moment's trouble, does the job quickly and easily and with the right nozzle can cut into a 2 x 4 if I want it to!

I watch friends with cheaper low end consumer machines spend three times the gas and time I do and still don't get anywhere near the results my machine does... no offense to Jim or anyone else who may own one, but nearly everyone I know who has bought a Karcher has sold it, tossed it or given it away because it just couldn't do the job...

It's better to buy good stuff once than cheap stuff 3 times...

~Trev

Yup using the L/P nozzle, I used to work but now won't