Tiger Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 Is anyone thinking of getting a pressure washer? I've been thinking about getting one for ages now,mostly to keep my alloys clean.But which one do I go for?How much to spend,what pressure,litres per minute... Then on trip to good old B&Q, there it was,a pressure washer for under £28! This has got to be crap for £28 I thought but, He Who Dares... Got it home,put it together,here we go FANTASTIC!!! It got the muck off my wheels easily,cleaned the rest of the car as well and got the patio back to its former glory. Its got loads of pressure and seems really good.The only thing is how long will it last?Its got a 1 year warranty so who cares especially for £28. I don't have any connection with B&Q, other than I have just spent a small fortune on a new kitchen from them,I just thought that I should spread the word. Post if you agree/disagree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 I had heard that they were de badge Bosch units. But I can't confirm. I think we are all guilty of going for a brand name sometimes where it is just not needed. However you can get what you pay for. A black and decker drill is not a patch on a Bosch in my experience for instance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleanimage Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 [ QUOTE ] However you can get what you pay for. A black and decker drill is not a patch on a Bosch in my experience for instance. [/ QUOTE ] This could be a perfect example of what you are talking about.. I heard that Bosch bought black & decker and now all have the same motors as it's cheaper for them to use the same supplier for both. But you are right, it used to be that a B&D wouldn't last a 5th of the time a Bosch would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Buy them on-line. My Pressure Washer is £100 cheaper direct on-line, rather that in B&Q/Homebase. I posted a Karcher web-link on a Thread about a year ago...I'll have a look. For removing salt/brake dust on alloys/rinsing the car down, a cold water pressure washer is ideal IMO. Reduces the chances of swirling grit etc into the paintwork with a sponge. TP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Try, its not just in how long they last but in how they are used. The B&D drills I have used in the past are all start and full power and nothing inbetween. However with the Bosch you can slowly feed the power in with the trigger making this far easier and when all the power is in it seems far more powerful. But that was a while ago, but yeah I get your point. When you but an Arnage Bentley it uses a BMW heater system.. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Buy them on-line. My Pressure Washer is £100 cheaper direct on-line, rather that in B&Q/Homebase. I posted a Karcher web-link on a Thread about a year ago...I'll have a look. For removing salt/brake dust on alloys/rinsing the car down, a cold water pressure washer is ideal IMO. Reduces the chances of swirling grit etc into the paintwork with a sponge. TP. [/ QUOTE ] Did you ever find this linky ? I'm looking for one too Edited to add : Just found this on Amazon, any good ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 I bought mine from :- www.express-cleaning-supplies.co.uk now they can be bought direct from :- www.karcheruk.co.uk The one I bought was the K685M, which has been upgraded albeit some old stock is being sold off cheap. It's magic!! Come back to me as I have telephone and e-mail contacts for both. TP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 I'd go for more power personally. By spending say £200 you get a better washer. I've has two slight problems, both have been dealt with by replacement parts being sent to me by Karcher. Their after sales is first class. TP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Be careful with a very high pressure washer on painted plastics though. If you get too close using a fine jet it can strip the paint off I found. I was washing my wife's Mondeo and doing the wing mirrors. I spotted a bit of dirt so went in close to blast it. The dirt just got bigger though so I gave it another close quarters blast but again it got bigger. It was then I realised the dirt was in fact the black plastic underneath the silver paintwork I was happily blasting off. Oops. Lucky it was a company car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Don't really want to spend more than 100 - 150. It will only be for a "first pass" mud removal from the cars, cleaning the boat and the patio. Surely 100bar is enough ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Surely 100bar is enough ? [/ QUOTE ] Should be fine. The more powerful ones just seem to have a stronger motor and last longer. I'm a lazy feck though and like most of the dirt to come off using the pressure washer. TP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 OK, Do they "plug" into a standard hose attachment (Hozelock) ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a4tdi130 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Yep, standard hozelock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 Yup, sure do. Works a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 I bought a £28 one from B & Q over a year ago and it connects to Hozelock type fittings. It is 100 bar, has an adjustable spray nozzle and it does all the jobs I bought it for. The only thing it doesn't have is auto cut-off which means when you stop using it the motor/pump keeps running on. You have to turn the power off before you stop spraying. You can get auto cut-off washers for around £40+ now IIRC. Personally, I am happy with my £28 washer which I use 2 or 3 times a week and would recommend them to anyone. I supppose it is like everything else though, you get what you pay for. It it lasts me 2 years I will have had my moneys worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 OK, decision made. Ordered the one above from Amazon. Cheers everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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