Frickin Cheap Pressure Washers..

[kilobravo]

Ditto, Greg. Finally got rid of the HOA "payments" many years ago and we don't plan on moving, either.

KB

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[dhborden]

My second in probably as many years cheap electric pressure washer bit the dust today. Thought it might have been the GFI dongle as it was on the first machine (AR Blue) but I cut that off and wired a plug directly, no help. Into the trash minus the cable, hose, and my aftermarket wand.

"I've had all I can stands and I can't stands no more." (If you can name the character who said that, you get something extra from Santa.)

So, I bit the bullet and ordered OG's favorite car washing rig. Hopefully, I won't be chucking this fella into the trash for at least ten years. <laughing>

It's a Kranzle portable. Were I still up North where we all had big drains in the garage, I might have gone with a wall unit but it just doesn't get that cold down here where you can't wash a vehicle outdoors in the Winter. I figure this would come in handy on other jobs, too where I don't want or need the Honda-powered version I have out back.

Grabbed a shot of Sarah right after the damn thing quit working...and the water just fell off those wheels, BTW.

Some of you may remember me whining about the horrible condition of the roads around here..(magnified by the shipping blocks in the rear!) well, good things come to those who wait I guess. See where the arrow is pointing? Yep, that's a road crew and they're paving the main road in and out of here.

Good old "Public Works."

Drove her around the block a couple times after the wash job, doing some accelerating/braking to warm up the rotors and pads and hopefully dry them off. I don't expect to have the stuck pads again by using this procedure after a wash.

Now, who knows when the rear pads will be available from PowerStop.

I'll report on the pressure washer after it arrives and I get her set up.

KB

I thought my Karcher pressure washer just lame, but it turned out to need the pressure regulator springs replaced. Less than $20 and a little effort and it's cleaning like it was new! Maintenance counts on pressure washers like it does on our cars!

 

[Bullitt0819]

Rest assured, you will not regret your purchase.

Earlier this year, I decided it was about time to replace my very well used Karcher. The hose was starting to wear and I was noticing a loss in performance.



I looked at a few other machines, including a more powerful Karcher. In the end I didn't want to settle for something that would just leave me wondering. I also hated the hoses and guns that come standard on most consumer grade pressure washers. So I ordered a Kranzle K1122TST (K1152TST in Australia) with an MTM package.

The kit replaces the standard Kranzle gun and wand, which is both heavy and unbalanced, and allows for flexibility with regards to running a wand, short gun or foam cannon.

I almost pulled the trigger on the MTM cannon last weekend, but ended up ordering one for $25 from WalMart (no trigger). I can't believe there's all that much to a foam cannon, so I'll try cheap first. Amazon has short-barrelled triggers for less than $20 if I decide I need it (have a GreenWorks washer).

Edit: While we're (sorta) on topic, what's the wisdom on blow dryers? My GF insists on buying me a Xmas present, so I picked Adam's air cannon:

https://adamspolishes.com/collections/car-drying/products/adam-s-air-cannon-dryer

I live in the Central Valley and mostly just need to remove a layer of dust; I'm thinking: soak with (softened) water, foam, rinse and blow-dry. I just paid good money for a ceramic coat, and it looks great, and can't bear the thought of anything solid touching the paint.

 

[kilobravo]

Bob: I think your idea will work for a general cleaning but I wouldn't wax the car after a minimal wash like that, too much chance of residual dirt getting on the polishing rag. As long as you don't let the vehicle get super dirty, i.e., wash it regularly, you won't have any "washing scratches" if you're careful not to apply pressure when washing, and double bucket or rinse the mit frequently.

Plus, the ceramic will just make the whole process easier.

Works for me and I have zero scratches from washing (or anything else.)

KB

 

[Bullitt0819]

Thanks, KB. The ceramic warranty specifically says 'no wax or polish,' but I'm supposed to take the car in for yearly 'maintenance.'

 

[kilobravo]

Interesting, Bob and does the annual maintenance have a cost associated with it? I'd also be curious to know what a ceramic outfit uses for a warranty and how claims are considered.

I can't imagine how they could tell if you had waxed the vehicle but there are compounds in spray form that are offered by most of the major cermaic joints and it adds life to the coating. I have CarPro goop so I got some of their "Reload" which is their version of what I described.

I have zero experience with any of these after coatings but from what I read, they're very beneficial and you might investigate it for your car. Can't imagine your outfit would complain about you doing something like that, it would just lengthen their job's lifetime.

It wouldn't surprise me if this is what they do during your annual maintenance.

KB

 

[Bullitt0819]

Turns out they call it an 'inspection;' I'd bet money it's not 'free'

Here's the care instructions; I'll upload the (long) warranty if you like:

 

[m3incorp]

I have the same coating as Bob. It would be a waste to apply wax over ceramic as it would not stick to the coating. According to my installer who also applied my Xpel paint protection film. The annual maintenance/inspection will involve washing and a light reapply to any area that may be showing signs of wear. I think he said the costs is $150.... Not sure on that.

 

[m3incorp]

Bob, I meant to add that I do wash mine with a good not and ph- neutral car shampoo and use an air canon to dry. My rear spoiler and deck lid are also covered with the ceramic. We all know how those are smudge magnets and prone to easily scratch. They still look brand new with the ceramic coating. One thing to remember is a ceramic coat will not stop rock chips.

 

[Bullitt0819]

Bob, I meant to add that I do wash mine with a good not and ph- neutral car shampoo and use an air canon to dry. My rear spoiler and deck lid are also covered with the ceramic. We all know how those are smudge magnets and prone to easily scratch. They still look brand new with the ceramic coating. One thing to remember is a ceramic coat will not stop rock chips.

Thanks for the info. Ceramic Pro docs don't mention air cannons, but I noticed on their 'infomercial' playing in the shop they used one.

 

[Snoopy49]

Turns out they call it an 'inspection;' I'd bet money it's not 'free'

Here's the care instructions; I'll upload the (long) warranty if you like:

 

[Bullitt0819]

Thanks. I oriented them correctly before I posted, but somehow they got rotated.

ps. How'd you fix them?

 

[Snoopy49]

Thanks. I oriented them correctly before I posted, but somehow they got rotated.

ps. How'd you fix them?

I used a photo editor to rotate them and then save them.

 

[Rose City R]

My AR Blue recently shit the bed, so I replaced with a Karcher model with an induction motor. Damn, that Kranzle looks good.

 

[rocky5517]

I washed facades of bldgs in the NY- NJ area for many years; used all kinds of machines from high pressure to set-ups freezing the water at the nozzle with nitrogen, to powdered walnut shells, to sandblasting, sand and water, chemicals, glass beads etc. For the life of me I can't understand why anyone would use ANY kind of pressure of these cars. I did some research in some of the detailers' websites ( Car Guys, etc) and from what they say, it's volume of water, gently applied ( flooded) , not pressure. Even in the facade cleaning biz we all know it's the GPM, not the PSI, that matters. I rinse mine down with no nozzle, just the open hose and an on/off gate, then soap it up, then rinse it off via flooding it, then real gentle with the MF towels. I should tell you I have the front clip wrapped in plastic and the rest of it ceramic waxed. Best investment I ever made. I wouldn't even use pressure on the wheels- just nice and gentle. And that;'s before we choose to believe what some people say about how thin the paint is. Remember- when washing with pressure, it's like erosion. If erosion can carve out mountains, imagine what it can do to your paint job. Just my opinion.

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