Pressure Washer questions

[George G.]

Hi,

I have a few questions on pressure washers. I'll be shopping for one in the near future and was curious as to what psi rating is effective for dirt removal. I know there's several that range from 1000 psi up to 3500+ psi, but what is really necessary? What are some of you pro's using? Last thing I need is to get some outragous psi washer and get a car with a weak clear coat and start washing it away. I've seen it happen to someone at a local carwash once. Granted that would indicate an existing problem with the paint surface but one that I'd like to avoid no less. Anyone know what's the average psi with a spray nozzle and hose from a regular faucet? Thanks.

[AutoNova]

Depends on your objective, are you looking for a PW that you will use at the garage or a PW that you can you on mobile details as well. If you have one for mobile you either have to have a water supply or use the customers. Anyway you slice it you don't wnat more than 2700 psi for cars, I have 2300 and a 2500. I have a Honda Pw on my trailer and a 2500 PW from Home Depot, both are gas powered. take the most care on wheels as it is easy to blast of paint or chrome.

[foris2]

I primarily use my Karcher 1600 psi (electric) for vehicles. Of course I am mobile and have water and electric source onboard. I also have a 2850 psi gas model, but he 1600 psi electric is more than enough for vehicles.

[Superior Shine]

I have a honda 5.5 hp with a cat pump. I believe it puts out 2500 psi at 2 or 2.5 gal per minute. I have it turned down from the max settings as they are too high for what I need.

Tips for the wands are also very important. I carry 3 different ones in my van.

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Pressure Washer questions

Originally posted by George G.
Anyone know what's the average psi with a spray nozzle and hose from a regular faucet? Thanks.

George,

The average pressure from a regular faucet is about 40 to 60 psi.

[George G.]

Thanks! That helps tremendously. This would be for mobile use. Not sure on gas or electric yet but I'm planning on using my own water source and generator(if I go electric). Looks like I'll be looking for a max of 2500 psi. I'll also check the different tips for the wand. Thanks again.

[AutoNova]

Originally posted by George G.
Thanks! That helps tremendously. This would be for mobile use. Not sure on gas or electric yet but I'm planning on using my own water source and generator(if I go electric). Looks like I'll be looking for a max of 2500 psi. I'll also check the different tips for the wand. Thanks again.

Before I got my trailer I just bought a gas powered PW a good 100ft craftsmen hose and stuck it in the trunk and just had to use customers water source. You can get a good gas PW for around $150-200.

[JeepZJlover]

Any body know what the average psi is coming out of self serve car washes becuase i personally find that just the right amount of pressure. Got to remember though i have a jeep it gets bogged up with mud so i need a higher psi pressure washer than most of you. But at home i have a water pressure booster that i bought from harbor freight it boost the pressure up to like 120 psi.

[Buellwinkle]

This is just from a customer's point of view. At the base of my building where I work is a semi permanent detailer. He's there everyday with his trailer washing and detailing cars in the parking lot. He charges $15 for a car wash and I was desperate one day and went to see him (normaly I take it to the MB dealer for car washes). I dropped the car off and then I saw them using a gas powered pressure washer on a Mustang and my jaw dropped, I use a much weaker pressure washer to remove paint from my fence and get mud off my dirt bikes. He was running that pressure washer tips inches from the finish. I quickly took my car back and ran figuring a dirty car is better than a damaged one. Now maybe you all have good experiences with this but I know a lot of people that would not use a 10# sledge hamer to hang a picture on the wall and many that would not use a 2500 PSI pressure washer to clean a few days dust of a car.

As for engine bay cleaning, my MB dealer used a pressure washer to clean my engine as part of a detail last year, the car did not run after that and was in the shop 2 days as they replaced sensors.

Just my 2 cents.

[foris2]

Buellwinkle - That is precisely why I only use a 1600 psi electric PW for automobiles. I save my gas powered for houses, decks, driveways, etc.

[gb387]

Originally posted by JeepZJlover
Any body know what the average psi is coming out of self serve car washes becuase i personally find that just the right amount of pressure. Got to remember though i have a jeep it gets bogged up with mud so i need a higher psi pressure washer than most of you. But at home i have a water pressure booster that i bought from harbor freight it boost the pressure up to like 120 psi.

Seems to me I heard somewhere that they are in the 1500psi range + or - 200 psi or so. Its not much just in case the user puts the tip right against the paint and trys to peel it off.

[JeepZJlover]

im sure there way more than that i use a 2570 psi washer at work to wash off wood delivery trucks and it has no nuts whatsoever. I would swear carwash pressure washers have got to be using 3500 and above i guess ill just call one and find out and report my findings

[AZScooter]

I do pressure washing for a living, so I guess I can give some input here.
For a paint job in good condition it take close to 10,000 PSI to remove the paint. If it is in poor condition, it can be removed with a garden hose. For what it is worht, I have done both.

A self serve wash is around 1000 PSI. Sometimes they put a little bend in the wand to make it feel more powerful.

If the tip to a pressure washer is put inches away from a car, the guy is a knuckle head that is too stupid to live. Good choice to pull you car from him. When you are using you pressure washer, the pressure will drop dramatically as you get further away from the car. So a 3000 PSI machine is not too much for a car. I prefer them, becaus eof speed, but I am usually in a production environment. I want to wash the cars and get out as fast as I can.

Just some ideas. If you want an all purpose pressure washer you can get the 3000 PSI machine. Just ask the salesman and get larger tips to put on the wand. If they only have one size of tip, get out of home depot and get to a pressure washer dealer that will have a variety, and a size chart. You want the flow from the larger PSI machine. The more water, the easier it is to clean with no damage. The little machines just are not as effective as a larger GPM machine.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by AZScooter
I do pressure washing for a living, so I guess I can give some input here.

HI AZScooter,

Thanks for you input and your insight, there's nothing better than first hand experience.

Mike

[everglo]

Hey remember to capture your waste water also. Don't be a noob and let it just run down to our oceans, lakes, and rivers. You wouldn't want anyone defecating in your pool or bathtub, would you?

I know this is a link for our locality but the general principles apply, under the clean water act, equally to your area.

http://www.ocwatersheds.com/StormWater/swp_stencils.asp