Best power washer??

[BaDdBoXeR]

Hey Guys, I've decided with the money I'm spending at the car wash 3-4 times a week between my car, and the wife's new escape, I am going to buy a power washer, and some good soap with a foam cannon from Chemical Guys. Is there a "best pressure washer" for cars? Lowes has a nice Troybuilt 3000psi on sale for 299.00, but not sure I need 3000psi, or I should look at electric vs gas. I don't mind the additional maintenance of the gas, IF there's an advantage over electric.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

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[unintelligible]

I just bought the cheap 1650 PSI electric deal from Harbor Freight because the only thing I was going to do with it was power wash the car, anything more powerful was overkill. And it works perfectly with the foam cannon. This is a pic I snapped a couple years ago while washing my old 328i: (the car is dark grey BTW )

 

[BaDdBoXeR]

1650psi sufficient? Are you using CG's honeydew soap? I'm looking at their torx cannon with gallon of soap. On sale for 89

 

[unintelligible]

1650psi sufficient? Are you using CG's honeydew soap? I'm looking at their torx cannon with gallon of soap. On sale for 89

I bought the cannon from AutoGeek and that pic was taken using Detailer's Pro Xtreme Foam solution.

 

[kkakonn]

From my experience it seems like the electric powered ones just don't come close to the gas powered pressure washers. Especially if you're looking to use a foam canon and want a ton of foam.

 

[BaDdBoXeR]

Thanks for the feedback! I didn't search well enough, and have found a couple other threads since posting this reiterating what has already been said..

 

[BBB]

ONR is the one way to go

 

[BaDdBoXeR]

ONR is the one way to go

ONR?

 

[unintelligible]

ONR?

I think he means Optimum No Rinse. I have used this exclusively since taking delivery of my S550 and it works gangbusters. Cuts half the time off the wash, I can wash in my garage in the shade, and uses almost no water. Remarkable stuff.

 

[Highwayman]

Electric suck. I use mine alot. Real dirty Jeeps, Dirt Bikes, MCs, Mountain bikes and cars in my garage would eat a cheapie electric power washer in no time. And did. I went through a few electric washers in no time a long time ago and money wasted. Until my wife picked me up a gas Karcher 8 yrs ago. Love it. Zero issues and Honda powered. No damn chords when blasting the house, windows and pool patio clean. If you're gonna drop the coin and want one that'll be your last, check em out.

 

[foghat]

Save some money and hand wash? I find that power washers never do as good a job. Maybe my technique sucks.

Regardless, in my municipality, you can't let soap into the swail, so I just hand wash using optimum no rinse.

 

[BBB]

I think he means Optimum No Rinse. I have used this exclusively since taking delivery of my S550 and it works gangbusters. Cuts half the time off the wash, I can wash in my garage in the shade, and uses almost no water. Remarkable stuff.

Exactly

The only way to wash. Optimum is awesome.

 

[drbrian722]

To the OP;
I was right there going back and forth with electric and gas. I looked at electrics and most opinions were that a good one would last a year or two. I looked at gas and couldn't see dropping $300-$400 on a Chinese made one that may not last any longer than the electric ones. After weeks of being sure one way or the other I finally jumped at a used little gas one that originally came from sears.

2150 PSI and 1.9 GPM

MTM Foam Cannon with Chemical Bros. Mr. Pink

Something to factor in your decision is that most electrics use a proprietary coupler and quick connects. Most gas washers use standard M22 hose connectors and 1/4" quick connects. If your goal is a foam cannon, be sure a compatible connector is available.
FWIW; I'm thrilled with the washer, but especially it's lack of "features". I have no wheels, no holders, just a motor and a pump on a frame. I can store this on a shelf and it fits in the trunk of the car.

A quick vid of that setup working;

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