Thread: Pressure washers; anyone?

Anyone have experience w/pressure washers? I need one and primary duty is to wash third story windows & clean stucco exterior. I can buy a wand for extension but need intel on needed PSI, good brand/models and online or brick retailers. I need a CA 'compliant' model.

Originally Posted by esseff

Anyone have experience w/pressure washers? I need one and primary duty is to wash third story windows & clean stucco exterior. I can buy a wand for extension but need intel on needed PSI, good brand/models and online or brick retailers. I need a CA 'compliant' model.

I have a Husky 1800 psi--consumer model. Only one I've tried and works fine to clean asphalt drive and siding before oiling. I don't think I'd use it on windows though.

why would you use a pressure washer on windows?

As for stucco, be careful. My consumer model electric can strip paint and even dislodge mortar from between bricks if you are not careful. I could easily see it ripping out a chunk of stucco if there was even a very small fissure or crack.

Go electric. The $100 consumer models create enough pressure to damage most anything you would point it at, so don't get too hung up on psi stats.

Make sure you check the min flow numbers and confirm you can meet them through the spigot and hose you plan to use. I used to have issues with long hose runs, which can really kill the flow rate.

Originally Posted by irul&ublo

why would you use a pressure washer on windows?

As for stucco, be careful. My consumer model electric can strip paint and even dislodge mortar from between bricks if you are not careful. I could easily see it ripping out a chunk of stucco if there was even a very small fissure or crack.

Agreed.

Not very clean windows and ruined stucco.

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Agreed.

Not very clean windows and ruined stucco.

The wand attachments (can) have soap and soft spray attachments for windows; no? So a three story stucco structure could be washed w/a soft spray tip at less than 2000 psi?

Of course, all the store guys keep telling me 'more psi.'

Originally Posted by esseff

The wand attachments (can) have soap and soft spray attachments for windows; no? So a three story stucco structure could be washed w/a soft spray tip at less than 2000 psi

didn't work very well for cleaning my windows when I've tried them.

Unless you're prepping to paint why do you need to pressure wash stucco?

I used a 1500 psi consumer pressure washer to clean a stucco house no more than a month ago. It worked great. I sprayed on some mold killer shit (mostly bleach) first, then pressure washed it clean. No flying chunks. Perfectly safe. The guy who painted my house after I cleaned it commended me on doing such a nice prep job. YMMV.

Don't be a pussy. Shopping for anything less than 1800 psi and you should be shopping for tampons instead. Clean the windows with a rag and some light water from the hose. Pressure washer is going to drive water into any crevice in your window and around your window where the caulk isnt.

Originally Posted by bmg97

Don't be a pussy. Shopping for anything less than 1800 psi and you should be shopping for tampons instead. Clean the windows with a rag and some light water from the hose. Pressure washer is going to drive water into any crevice in your window and around your window where the caulk isnt.

Ditto. Get a pressure washer with a Honda engine and you're good for a long time. What matters is the nozzle and distance. The nozzle hole size determines the pressure and the hole pattern determines the spread. You buy a pack of 4 nozzles (0*, 18*, 25*, 40*) and I normally use the 18* nozzle. You might also care about the GPM. If you're on a well (like me) or have long hose runs then less GPM is better. Otherwise the machine will run out of water.

Originally Posted by Snow Dog

Ditto. Get a pressure washer with a Honda engine and you're good for a long time. What matters is the nozzle and distance. The nozzle hole size determines the pressure and the hole pattern determines the spread. You buy a pack of 4 nozzles (0*, 18*, 25*, 40*) and I normally use the 18* nozzle. You might also care about the GPM. If you're on a well (like me) or have long hose runs then less GPM is better. Otherwise the machine will run out of water.

I have to disagree. The pump is always the weakest link on a pressure washer. Any engine will outlast the pump by a factor of 100. The pump represents the quality of a pressure washer.

After some hasty research, I bought a used 240v electric Northstar pressure washer. It was normally about $800 and I paid $250. It is rated 2000 psi and 3.5 gallons per minute. I am very happy with it. I have a long power cord extension, and can get almost everywhere around my house. I power washed some decks, ant it stripped the old paint off IF it was flaky. If I got the nozzle (20*) too close, it cuts grooves in the wood. It is a medium pressure washer, at a higher flow rate. I need two hands to control it, as it is way stronger than any car wash sprayer.

I like 240V power tools. Pressure washing is about removing dirt and flaking paint. You still need to scrape the old paint afterwards.

+1 for Honda gas engines. Get a 'GX' model with the white gas tank. Will not die.
I agree pumps are always the weak link. Higher quality and higher pressure is key. I have a 3000 with the Honda 340 GX. Anything lower than around the 2500 psi mark usually has less pressure control beyond nozzle choice. higher quality pumps have an output pressure adjustment
Mine can peel paint and strip 30 yr grime off driveways one minute then spray clean vinyl siding without damage with the twist of a knob. Being able to reduce pressure and wash close to siding (or windows) does a spotless job and makes it easy for you without worry of damage.

First pic is motor and tank
Second is pump and pressure adjust nozzle

Quality lasts

Hotsy. Nothing else.

Originally Posted by Snow Dog

I like 240V power tools. Pressure washing is about removing dirt and flaking paint. You still need to scrape the old paint afterwards.

Originally Posted by 4matic

I have to disagree. The pump is always the weakest link on a pressure washer. Any engine will outlast the pump by a factor of 100. The pump represents the quality of a pressure washer.

I've been advised to get a unit w/a triplex pump. Problem is; those pumps usually come w/units that cost ~$1k & up.

Originally Posted by Celebran2

+1 for Honda gas engines. Get a 'GX' model with the white gas tank. Will not die.
I agree pumps are always the weak link. Higher quality and higher pressure is key. I have a 3000 with the Honda 340 GX. Anything lower than around the 2500 psi mark usually has less pressure control beyond nozzle choice. higher quality pumps have an output pressure adjustment
Mine can peel paint and strip 30 yr grime off driveways one minute then spray clean vinyl siding without damage with the twist of a knob. Being able to reduce pressure and wash close to siding (or windows) does a spotless job and makes it easy for you without worry of damage.

First pic is motor and tank
Second is pump and pressure adjust nozzle

Quality lasts

I am limited in my choices for CA motors; but Honda is one of the top providers of compliant motors. The GX340 motor comes in high priced washers. I think I can get a GX motor in a ~$500 unit.

You can always buy the unit elsewhere and then bring it to the People's Republik of Kali. Or you could get something like this. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...7872_200347872. Make a long cord to reach where you need and you will be no more limited than a hose is. They always start, and they do not run until you pull the trigger, and then they are quiet. They are not as mobile as a gasoline washer though.

Make sure that GX isnt a GC....if you can get it for ~500 it's a good choice

I work on ships and we have to pump water up 35-45 feet vertically out of our holds. That is no easy task.
I have seen GC models crap out after 3-4 months or semi-regular use, that is with engineers rebuilding it.
But our current GX is on year 3....and it even survived a drop from about 40 feet to steel deck earlier this year.


I think you're going the right way......just read lots of reviews on whatever you end up deciding on.