I've been conteplating getting a pressure washer. Just wondering if anyone has any info that would be handy when looking for one or buying ones, maybe handy features.
I've always got back with a bucket and sponge, but getting older and back troubles been is getting a mine field. So I thought a pressure washer which looks easy to use and does a n ice job.
I saw a value one in b&q for £39.99 but it didn't say much else other than the Db warning of 99.
unless you have a muddy 4 by 4 then a pressure washer is not actually very good at cleaning a car, useful for odd bits, like wheels and underneath bits, but not good for the body work. and it can damage the paint if used carelessly. A water fed brush is a big improvement from a bucket and sponge.
In message , Pete writes
That would buy 10 hand car washes at my local drive-in car wash. :)
or twenty plus at my local arc wash. so about a year or twos worth for the average-ish owner.
As Mr C mentions, if used on the high pressure setting they can cause damage. Specifically they will lift the lacquer off.
However you remove the dirt, you still need to leather it off afterwards, and that's what I find the most back-breaking. (I suffer with back problems also.)
A 40 quid washer is probably not going to be a great purchase. If you look at the cost of better quality ones, it would pay for lots of car washes. I use a water-fed brush that holds shampoo; it's pretty good, but there are so many "Polish car washes" around here I'm beginning to think that's the way to go.
Chris
As Mr C mentions, if used on the high pressure setting they can cause damage. Specifically they will lift the lacquer off.
However you remove the dirt, you still need to leather it off afterwards, and that's what I find the most back-breaking. (I suffer with back problems also.)
I found this squeegee gizmo in halfords which is easier on the back than leathering it. Its like a rubber blade you drag over the paint work and it zaps the water off quickly so you won't be left with water marks. Used it today with a water fed brush and it was easier, not too much pain in the back afterwards, usually my lower back will hurt a lot from all the bending after a clean. But today its been greatly reduced.
A 40 quid washer is probably not going to be a great purchase. If you look at the cost of better quality ones, it would pay for lots of car washes. I use a water-fed brush that holds shampoo; it's pretty good, but there are so many "Polish car washes" around here I'm beginning to think that's the way to go.
Chris
We've got a few of these style car washes not far away and they seem to do a good job in quick time aswell. I spend a good hour + on it and they do it in under 20 minutes (multiple people though) for £5. I may let them do every other one. I still take pride in doing it myself and smiling about my beautiful polishing lol.
Yes i can vouch for that
I bought a Karcher one from Tesco ( =A399 'half price' )
TBH it was a bit of an impulse decision and though mine does not have the detergent bottle it doesn't really clean the car well enough on its own. It's OK for pre-rinsing and does a good job on the wheels but can wear down tyres and I don't know if it's a good idea to pressure wash break calipers and wheel bearing etc.
It definitely cleaned the flag stones in the garden nicely though and the chain on my mountain bike, although again make sure you don't point it at the oil seals !
When buying a pressure washer you look at two things volume of water used and pressure of the output.
Its of no use if you have high pressure and low flow, they are useless. All this means there is only a small nozzle jet. That makes it hard work in cleaning stuff. They get away with small motors and pumps as well.
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