Water Pressure Cleaner

[mechatron]

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking of buying another water pressure cleaner as I originally had the $99 Karcher unit but that shit itself just on the 2 year mark. I'm now wanting to spend approx $400 (maybe a little more) on a pressure cleaner and I'm really keen to try that lance foam stuff as well. I'm curious to find out what water pressure cleaners people are using on this forum. Also what is the maximum water pressure that can be used safely on cars?

Thanks guys

[A PSYCHO]

Get one with a metal/brass pump. The cheaper plastic ones die with any decent use.

[mechatron]

Get one with a metal/brass pump. The cheaper plastic ones die with any decent use.

Thanks mate, do you have any in mind that are within my budget?

[duke5700]

I bought a Karcher Petrol Pressure cleaner for that much on special at Bunnings a couple of years ago.. best thing I ever did. It was a G series (I think) with a Honda 5hp motor.

[mechatron]

I bought a Karcher Petrol Pressure cleaner for that much on special at Bunnings a couple of years ago.. best thing I ever did. It was a G series (I think) with a Honda 5hp motor.

Thanks Duke, does this pressure cleaner have a dial to vary the pressure?

[whitels1ss]

Get one with a metal/brass pump. The cheaper plastic ones die with any decent use.

It is actually the plastic header tank after the pump that breaks.
I think most of the smaller pressure are the same.

So many people don't know you are supposed flow water to purge all the air out of the system
(make sure all the air bubbles in the hose are gone) before you turn the pump on
otherwise when the pump picks up air bubbles the pressure jumps all over the place and splits the plastic.

I have a larger Karcher & it has the same plastic part in it, I had mine replaced 5 times under warranty
until the Karcher service guy explained what to do & what was going on,
they had never told me in the shop where I bought it & there was nothing about purging the air out in the owner's manual.:doh:

Since then I have had about 7 years of trouble free very hard use out of it:goodjob:

I must also add that Karcher were fantastic in the way they looked after mine with warranty
it was never a problem & they were very fast to repair.

[duke5700]

Trigger pull I think. Pull it once, get full pressure, release and pull again quickly and medium pressure, release and pull again and gentle. I always use it on full blast and just vary the distance :dance:.


Thanks Duke, does this pressure cleaner have a dial to vary the pressure?

[duke5700]

Spot on JK, it is critical. I've got a metal pump but I still purge the lines with the high flow nozzle before going to high pressure.




So many people don't know you are supposed flow water to purge all the air out of the system
(make sure all the air bubbles in the hose are gone) before you turn the pump on
otherwise when the pump picks up air bubbles the pressure jumps all over the place and splits the plastic.

[mechatron]

Trigger pull I think. Pull it once, get full pressure, release and pull again quickly and medium pressure, release and pull again and gentle. I always use it on full blast and just vary the distance :dance:.

Ah sweet, thanks man

[VBhero]

I bought a Sabre branded petrol powered one from Total Tools. I love this thing, it works a treat.
Snow Foam lance works real well with it too.

[mechatron]

I bought a Sabre branded petrol powered one from Total Tools. I love this thing, it works a treat.
Snow Foam lance works real well with it too.

Thanks bud. How much did you pay for it? And what model did you get?

[VBhero]

Thanks bud. How much did you pay for it? And what model did you get?

I got this one, although didn't pay that price. I got it on special for around $430 I think.

http://www.totaltools.com.au/saber-pressure-washer-5-5hp-2900psi-spw55_1024850/#.VWgYWVyqqko

[mechatron]

I got this one, although didn't pay that price. I got it on special for around $430 I think.

http://www.totaltools.com.au/saber-pressure-washer-5-5hp-2900psi-spw55_1024850/#.VWgYWVyqqko

Thanks mate, that looks pretty good. Is it a 2-stroke motor?

[VBhero]

Thanks mate, that looks pretty good. Is it a 2-stroke motor?

Nope it is a 4 stroke. Pretty sure it's a Honda knock off

[sjhugh]

This is what I bought a year or so ago.

Cheap as chips, nothing good about it if you read the reviews on what a good cleaner should be, so I won’t endorse it as the one you need but it has definitely worked well for me and has heaps of power.

The supplier also doesn’t have the best rep but again I can’t comment as I haven’t had a need to deal with them since the purchase.

I bought it to clean up a driveway that had suffered badly due to renovations on the house and it removed grease, oil, concrete slurry, tyre rubber, mould, ground-in mud and years of neglect with ease.

I have since cleaned the driveway a couple of times to keep it looking good plus the paving out the back, around the pool, the bricks on the house walls, under one of my cars when a PCV valve blew loose and the mould and dirt from the Colourbond fences surrounding the property.

For $300 plus a $60 delivery fee it was a much cheaper alternative to paying someone to do the work and if it failed tomorrow I’d throw it away happy in the knowledge I got much more than my moneys worth for it.


http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzAwWDcwMA==/z/OIoAAOxy0bRTAo8W/$_12.JPG


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-7-0HP-High-Pressure-Washer-Water-Cleaner-Gurney-Petrol-Cleaning-Hose-Pump-/141273554527?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:AU:1123

[Djbarnstar]

Winning!!!!!

Don't ever but the $99 Karcher. Spend more on a longer hose and petrol engine. I made that mistake.

[duke5700]

I lied, I was using it yesterday and you get full strength all the time. No adjusting pressure with the G2500 Karcher, other than with using different nozzles.


Trigger pull I think. Pull it once, get full pressure, release and pull again quickly and medium pressure, release and pull again and gentle. I always use it on full blast and just vary the distance :dance:.

[mechatron]

How much pressure is too much for washing a car? ie so I don't strip the paint off the car?

[sjhugh]

How much pressure is too much for washing a car? ie so I don't strip the paint off the car?


I stripped to bare metal a big 3 inch by 3 foot strip of paint from the bonnet of a HZ about 35 years ago when I switched on a big industrial unit belonging to the Forestry Commission.

To make things worst it wasn’t my car.

God knows what the pressure was but one of the mechanics told me to turn the pressure down, it had a lever on the motor to control it.

Thankfully the pressure of the motorised units sold for home use is controlled by the nozzles.

Choose the right nozzle and you won’t have a problem.

The nozzles are standardised and use a colour code to tell you which to use.

The important thing is to purge them of air before you start the pump and purge them of water after you finish.

This will help prolong the pump life and it’s even more important if you have one of the cheaper ones like I bought that uses an alloy pump with brass fittings as opposed to the more expensive brands that use an all brass pump.

[whitels1ss]

How much pressure is too much for washing a car? ie so I don't strip the paint off the car?

I have accidentally taken off stickers, factory stick on decals &
taken off non factory clear coat & repaired paint a few times on some used cars which I have owned.:lol:

You are best off blasting most surfaces head on rather than hitting them on a bigger angle
where you are more likely to get more pressure under an edge & lift stuff.

[mechatron]

Shit....You guys are scaring me. I didn't mind using my crappy $99 Karcher to wash my car...but if I get a quality pressure washer that has decent pressure knowing my luck I'll blast the paint off the bumpers...lol

[duke5700]

I've used mine to strip paint and bore holes in concrete :lol:

It is all in the angle of the dangle. Litres per hour/Gallons Per Hour rather than pressure is a good guide as to the machines capabilities.

[VBhero]

I use the white nozzle on mine with absolutely no drama on the car.
I would not go near the car with any of the other nozzles though...

[whitels1ss]

Shit....You guys are scaring me. I didn't mind using my crappy $99 Karcher to wash my car...but if I get a quality pressure washer that has decent pressure knowing my luck I'll blast the paint off the bumpers...lol

Karcher make quality products,
I would rather a bigger electric Karcher than some no name Chinese petrol pumps
At lease you should be able to get parts & service for a well proven brand like Karcher in 3-5 or more years.

[mechatron]

I'm now thinking of just getting this. Not too much pressure, it's electric and it's not the base model. Super cheap want $289, where this ones from Bunnings
http://www.bunnings.com.au/karcher-1500w-1600psi-high-pressure-cleaner-with-deck-cleaner_p6270400

[whitels1ss]

I'm now thinking of just getting this. Not too much pressure, it's electric and it's not the base model. Super cheap want $289, where this ones from Bunnings
http://www.bunnings.com.au/karcher-1500w-1600psi-high-pressure-cleaner-with-deck-cleaner_p6270400

:yup: I don't see how you could go wrong with that for $199 mate
from memory my Karcher had a 2 year warranty.
As I posted earlier it is very important to purge the air bubbles out of the system before you turn on the pump
& your 1600 psi is fine for most people at home & will still rip through plenty of grime.

[mechatron]

:yup: I don't see how you could go wrong with that for $199 mate
from memory my Karcher had a 2 year warranty.
As I posted earlier it is very important to purge the air bubbles out of the system before you turn on the pump
& your 1600 psi is fine for most people at home & will still rip through plenty of grime.

Awesome thanks heaps for your input mate. It's greatly appreciated as always. And thanks to everyone else who contributed towards my post :goodjob:

This attachment would work with this Karcher model wouldn't it?
https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/autobrite/ab_snow_foam_lance

[Xjas]

I bought a Gerni over a Karcher, I found a fair few bad reviews for the cheaper Karchers on line when I was looking for one. Can't remember exactly what model Gerni it is, 145 something I think, it's 2.1kw, plenty of pressure for around the house, got it for ~$500 when super cheap auto had a sale on, that was cheaper than I could get it anywhere else. Only had it 12 months, so far its been great.

[whitels1ss]

Awesome thanks heaps for your input mate. It's greatly appreciated as always. And thanks to everyone else who contributed towards my post :goodjob:

This attachment would work this Karcher, wouldn't it?
https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/autobrite/ab_snow_foam_lance

Sorry but just looking at that picture I don't know if it will fit? It might but different brands have different fittings.
If I were to guess I would say no but I know you can buy aftermarket bottles with the correct fittings
so they might have the right fitting one as well?

Karcher do one of their own & from memory you can buy them in a small or a large
You will find them at Bunnings, ebay or if you go to your nearest Karcher service centre.

When I bought mine I bought their small one which is around 350ml from memory
I since have seen there is about a 1 litre size available & I wish I had known because I would have bought that instead.

[mechatron]

Sorry but just looking at that picture I don't know if it will fit? It might but different brands have different fittings.
If I were to guess I would say no but I know you can buy aftermarket bottles with the correct fittings
so they might have the right fitting one as well?

Karcher do one of their own & from memory you can buy them in a small or a large
You will find them at Bunnings, ebay or if you go to your nearest Karcher service centre.

When I bought mine I bought their small one which is around 350ml from memory
I since have seen there is about a 1 litre size available & I wish I had known because I would have bought that instead.

Brilliant, thanks buddy

[Black VU SS ute]

I'd never touch a karcher again, plastic pump head cracks then leaks water. 10yrs ago mine didn't had it fixed and it did it again.
Works unit only 2yrs old did the same..
I bought a Gernie, been happy since.

[A PSYCHO]

Awesome thanks heaps for your input mate. It's greatly appreciated as always. And thanks to everyone else who contributed towards my post :goodjob:

This attachment would work with this Karcher model wouldn't it?
https://www.carcareproducts.com.au/product/autobrite/ab_snow_foam_lance

I have a karcher, and this exact same foam attachment from CCP. It fits. You can see a drop down menu in that foam attachment page, for different models.

[mechatron]

I have a karcher, and this exact same foam attachment from CCP. It fits. You can see a drop down menu in that foam attachment page, for different models.

Thanks mate. Do you know what model Karcher you have?

[whitels1ss]

I have a karcher, and this exact same foam attachment from CCP. It fits. You can see a drop down menu in that foam attachment page, for different models.

Thanks for that,
I just had another look at the link & read about picking the fittings to suit the different cleaners.:goodjob:

[A PSYCHO]

Thanks mate. Do you know what model Karcher you have?

I have the "K2. 180" model. I cant seem to find it for sale anywhere like Bunnings etc, they mustve replaced it with a newer model. This is it on the Karcher site though:

http://www.karcher.com.au/aus/Products/Home__Garden/Pressure_washers/Entry_class/16011840.htm


Thanks for that,
I just had another look at the link & read about picking the fittings to suit the different cleaners.:goodjob:
no worries mate

[mechatron]

I ended up settling on a Karcher K3.450 T250 for $299 from Home Hardware.
4218

http://www.karcher.com.au/aus/Products/Home__Garden/Pressure_washers/Entry_class/16017800.htm

It comes with the vario spray lance, the dirt blaster & the patio/deck cleaner broom thingy. I also got Karchers's foam spray nozzle for another $30 (thanks whitels1ss for the heads up on this). Hopefully it lasts

[IJ.]

I have a Karcher k 4.90 been a good machine, I broke the water inlet when I ran the engine stand over the hose by accident..

[Micks]

Too embarrassed to post up my $50 unit, though had it for over ten yrs no probs, handles all the tasks I need.
Found it more cost effective to hire the trolley mounted unit for substantial jobs, hire rates are cheap as chips & not taking up space in my shed!

[mechatron]

That's not embarrassing...that's bloody awesome. To have such a cheap thing last such a long time is nothing short of amazing these days

[csv rulz]

Too embarrassed to post up my $50 unit, though had it for over ten yrs no probs, handles all the tasks I need.
Found it more cost effective to hire the trolley mounted unit for substantial jobs, hire rates are cheap as chips & not taking up space in my shed!
I had a karcher for about 9 years. Paid $199 for it. Worked great. Started to have problems with it surging badly, put it on eBay and sold it for $60.00
Then went and bought a cheapy that was on special for $75 at supercheap. Does as good a job and so far, 12 months on its still going strong.

[IJ.]

I had a karcher for about 9 years. Paid $199 for it. Worked great. Started to have problems with it surging badly, put it on eBay and sold it for $60.00
Then went and bought a cheapy that was on special for $75 at supercheap. Does as good a job and so far, 12 months on its still going strong.
The Surge thing is Inlet pressure related, there's a filter screen that blocks up.

[csv rulz]

The Surge thing is Inlet pressure related, there's a filter screen that blocks up.
I figured it wouldn't be a massive problem. But after 9 years I was happy to take the $60

[Micks]

That's not embarrassing...that's bloody awesome. To have such a cheap thing last such a long time is nothing short of amazing these days

To be fair I might only use it a few times per year, not every weekend!

[mechatron]

To be fair I might only use it a few times per year, not every weekend!

Still a bloody good achievement though...I probably used my original Karcher pressure washer (the $99 jobbie) about 60 times before it shit itself...so it would have been lucky to of had a total of 40hrs use...lol

[IJ.]

NFI what just happened... ;)