Topic: electric pressure washer, anyone got one?

[aquadorhj]

Am thinjing it would come in handy for spring cleaning of garage floor.  And car washes. (Yeah. Mainly car wash.  )

Any experiences?

[HeliDriver]

I have one that I bought ten years ago so we could pressure wash our deck. I bought it at Cdn Tire and think it's branded Simoniz? I can't really remember, but I know that it's blue. I think I've used it twice.

I guess it works fine, but mostly it just takes up a bunch of space in my garage. The unit isn't too big, but the stiff hose won't coil into a neat loop, so it just creates a giant rat's nest of hose and spray wand that I'm constantly tripping over and fighting with. I hate the damned thing, to be truthful.

I'd offer to give it to you (maybe in exchange for a ride in that sweet M3), but my wife would probably get mad at me in five years when she wants to use it to clean our concrete patio. Or maybe I should say, ... in five years when she wants me to use it to clean our concrete patio.

Hope that helps.

[Loudpedal]

I've got a 1600psi Karcher that I bought at Walmart a few years back for $99.   I use it once per year to pressure wash the deck in the spring.   I end up loaning it to friends and neighbors more than I use it myself.     I've never used it for car washing as it's such a pain in the ass to deal with the hose, I can't be bothered, plus I'd be concerned about ripping off trim and paint     Its a good tool for certain users.   My neighbor uses his with a shop vac for hydrovacing out post holes, etc.   Funny to watch and messy as fack... 

[PJungnitsch]

I was thinking of one too , then remembered we had a cheap one back on the farm and a garden hose + brush did a much better job of cleaning the vehicles, very disappointing.

[dr_spock]

I have one I bought over 10 years ago.  I hardly ever use it.  Watch the psi especially with the gas powered ones.  You could strip car paint with it. 

[Trainman]

I have a Karcher and unlike those above find it very useful around the house and car.  Good at getting the winter road grime off, especially under-body and in wheel wells.  Use it to clean the deck, driveway, siding, windows too.

Ours is on wheels, so easy to move around.  It also has reels for both the power cord and high pressure water line, so keeps everything nice and neat.  A couple of different heads as well.  All for $100 at a liquidation place 8-10 years ago.

Do need to be careful using it so as not to damage any finishes, like paint  .  On siding, need to make sure you don't get under it and start lifting the siding off.  On decks it will take paint right off in very narrow strips.

Tried it a couple of times for the garage floor but getting the water out, and dealing with the spray that comes up onto the walls, made that idea sort of unpractical.  No floor drains so have to get the water to flow out the door(s).

[blur911]

I have a Simoniz, it still works but the switch doesn't, it's on as soon as you plug it in.  Also the unloading valve doesn't work so you have to keep the trigger pulled all the time or it won't turn on again once it unloads the pressure.

So, think I'd go Karcher next time, not sure if they are any better but Simoniz seems to have a few problems.

[Snowman]

I have one for deck, driveway, and patio duty. I stopped using in on the cars after listening to Shane the detail king. If I was up north and exposing a truck or SUV to mud it would use it.

[PJ]

I have a Coleman that I use to take off the green and black algae that covers the deck, walkways and patio furniture in the winter here. 

I never use it on the car though.  A hose and a soft soapy cloth work best. 

[wing]

Have a gas one.  Works good to clean the deck strips the paint right off lol

[dr_spock]

I have a composite deck.  Manufacturer recommends not using a power pressure washer.  So me hearties, I have to swab the deck the old fashioned way with a mop. 

Check my unit and it is a Simoniz. 

[random006]

I've used the Simoniz units and have looked at the Karcher models.  Both no doubt are good.

I used it to strip paint off decks and to clean out eavestroughs (storm gutters) on my garage roof back when I had my house.  The roof was one of those gravel and tar types.  The birds, wind, and such would knock the gravel into the gutters, which would then form a plug with leaves.  There were even a few sprouting seeds!.

Anyway, the pressure washer turned that mess into a directed shrapnel bomb.  My neighbour, who was a good 20 feet away, had to back off in a hurry. 

OTOH, it did a great job in cleaning the gutters. 

[5 Wheel Drive]

I have the Simoniz 1900psi unit from crappy tire.  I think I use it twice a year?  I'll use it on the garage floor and on the deck in the spring.  It works quite well.  Like others have said, the hose is very stiff.  It's so stiff that the first time I used it I pulled the unit over and broke a piece off.

If I lived near you, I'd offer to just loan you mine...

[Fobroader]

I bought my dad a Husky 2000psi electric one about 10-12?? years ago from Home Depot. Same thing, used on decks, garage floors and driveways. For washing a car, I would want a better quality one that has a good soap dispenser unit as the one on this one is a pile of crap, worked like twice and now will not dispense soap.

[ArticSteve]

Just make sure you get one at 50% off.  Keep checking CRAPPY for deals.

[Snowman]

Just make sure you get one at 50% off.  Keep checking CRAPPY for deals.

Exactly, just like a Bic lighter. Run them for 5-6 years and toss them for a new one. Cheaper to buy than repair.

[ipolski]

I used to have Karcher (1800-1900 psi) for about two years when it died and would not make any pressure.  Luckily it was bought at Costco (~$180 after rebates IIRC) so it was returned without issues.  I than bought gas powered Karcher also from Costco, which is way, way better.  A lot more pressure, cleans faster, overall much better tool.  It is used around the house (car, deck, siding, windows etc.).  It was roughly twice the price but well worth it IMO.

[Railton]

On my 2nd Simonize unit. Yes, 2nd one purchased at Crapy Tire for 50% off.
Railton