Power Washer

Ron Burgundy II

My old Karcher power washer packed it in before xmas. So on the look out for a new one. Firstly does anyone have any recommendations on PW?? Secondly I have a snow foam attachment, this slots into the Karcher lance fine, will this be the same if I go for a different brand or will I be looking for a new snow foam attachment.

So these are the two I've been looking at however I'm open to suggestions.

Karcher K2 Premium Home and Car 1400W

OR

Nilfisk Titan 1400W

I like the fact that the Nilfisk you can role up the hose and there is storage for the attachments.

Curran

I always recommend the Nilfisk machines, though you will require to change the attchment in you lance to a new fitting; also called Kew / Alto

micks_address

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

My old Karcher power washer packed it in before xmas. So on the look out for a new one. Firstly does anyone have any recommendations on PW?? Secondly I have a snow foam attachment, this slots into the Karcher lance fine, will this be the same if I go for a different brand or will I be looking for a new snow foam attachment.

So these are the two I've been looking at however I'm open to suggestions.

Karcher K2 Premium Home and Car 1400W

OR

Nilfisk Titan 1400W

I like the fact that the Nilfisk you can role up the hose and there is storage for the attachments.

I have a similar nilfisk and it does the job great. Just don't buy for the hose reel as it's a pain in the asse to use.. I wrap the power cable around it

Ron Burgundy II

Thanks for the replies.

Sorry Curran what I meant to say was that on my old karcher unit half way down the handle going towards the outlet end of the pressure washer hose I could twist this section replace that portion of the lance and twist on the snow foam attachment. I assume that this bayonet type fitting is common no mater the brand of machine.

As both have recommended Nilfisk, I've found this washer from a detailing company in cork and the reviews seem to be good on this PW.

Curran

No, that connection will vary from machine to machine.

Mr Detail

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Sorry Curran what I meant to say was that on my old karcher unit half way down the handle going towards the outlet end of the pressure washer hose I could twist this section replace that portion of the lance and twist on the snow foam attachment. I assume that this bayonet type fitting is common no mater the brand of machine.

As both have recommended Nilfisk, I've found this washer from a detailing company in cork and the reviews seem to be good on this PW.

Sorry to say this but if it's from dnd detailing just ask them if they have it in Stock as they were getting them from Mainz Car Care in the UK but it turns out they may not be trustworthy or indeed in business any longer. The guys in dnd are dead on though.

myshirt

Just so I am not going nuts.... two nozzles come standard with the Nilfisk; the Tornado Nozzle (with the dot on it), and the Powerspeed Nozzle (longer nozzle).

Which is the safer of the two to be using on the car....

micks_address

myshirt wrote: »

Just so I am not going nuts.... two nozzles come standard with the Nilfisk; the Tornado Nozzle (with the dot on it), and the Powerspeed Nozzle (longer nozzle).

Which is the safer of the two to be using on the car....

I'd like to know the answer to this to

cena

The first one I use the must

myshirt

Really? I actually use the longer nozzle... I know there is a car cleaning nozzle with an 80° jet, but I use the longer nozzle that comes standard.

How far do you keep the lance from the car so with that nozzle? And how swiftly do you move the lance?

cena

myshirt wrote: »

Really? I actually use the longer nozzle... I know there is a car cleaning nozzle with an 80° jet, but I use the longer nozzle that comes standard.

How far do you keep the lance from the car so with that nozzle? And how swiftly do you move the lance?

The smaller nozzle has a wider spread of water. I stand a few feet away. I move slowly enough

myshirt

I've totally misjudged this then. I felt that the longer nozzle was less powerful and had the wider fan. It's the one I have been using a while.

Of course, both are ultimately safe as long as you are not getting too close, but still, makes sense to use the correct nozzle. And I've been using the longer nozzle that comes standard.

cena

myshirt wrote: »

I've totally misjudged this then. I felt that the longer nozzle was less powerful and had the wider fan. It's the one I have been using a while.

Of course, both are ultimately safe as long as you are not getting too close, but still, makes sense to use the correct nozzle. And I've been using the longer nozzle that comes standard.

Use what ever one you like. I prefer the smaller one.

Mr Detail

I added a shorter and adjustable Lance to mine. Love it. You can have power or a wide fan and low or high pressure as you like it.

micks_address

Mr Detail wrote: »

I added a shorter and adjustable Lance to mine. Love it. You can have power or a wide fan and low or high pressure as you like it.

Link?

Mr Detail

micks_address wrote: »

Link?

No links as of yet im afraid as I took it direct as a tester.

I'm sure there are others out there.

cena

Mr Detail wrote: »

No links as of yet im afraid as I took it direct as a tester.

I'm sure there are others out there.

Post a picture

Mr Detail

cena wrote: »

Post a picture

I'll get one tomorrow for you, l even get a video :-)

Curran

Am I right in saying you are asking if its better to use the attachment that makes the water come out as a cone shaped spray or that one that causes the water to come out in a flat fan shape??

You want to choose the one that makes the flat fan shape - the one that products a cone shaped spray, is actually one direct jet of water, that spins around at high speed, make it appear like a cone - this would be more suited to patios and the flat fan is better for the car!

myshirt

So, to confirm, which one on the car?

This....


Or this....

cena

The bottom nozzle

myshirt

This guy (at 8:40) is wrong then.

Never trust a man that has to pull up his pants 4 or 5 times in the middle of a review; zero credibility.

Curran

Well, he says that the water covers a larger area, it does, but it is also a direct jet that rotates, as in the image below. If the output was a jet that was the whole cone, then yes, it would be ideal, but its not.



Neither are to be used up close to your paintwork, at minimum you'd want to stay at least 12" away from the car, other than say, under the arches, etc, and maybe 8" from wheels, provided there is no flaking of the surface.
Remember, there is no such thing as a touchless was in Ireland, so dont be trying to lift all the dirt with the power hose, and be tempted into getting in closer to lift more off....of course you will, but you also risk your paint.

myshirt

I'm always about 2 feet away with the lance. You go up to 1 foot yeah?

I know what you mean about the temptation to get closer! Thankfully have never.

Curran

Snowfoam lance goes as close as you like practically. With the gun/lance from the power washer, never closer than 1ft, but generally about 1.5ft. Always best to use caution anyways. Certain areas I'd go very close...say doing moldy trim along the windows; I'd get up really close to the window and then angle it down towards the trim; the initial force is broken by the glass, then the trim, so when it contacts the paint it has lost all the power; if that makes sense?? :P

micks_address

Curran wrote: »

Snowfoam lance goes as close as you like practically. With the gun/lance from the power washer, never closer than 1ft, but generally about 1.5ft. Always best to use caution anyways. Certain areas I'd go very close...say doing moldy trim along the windows; I'd get up really close to the window and then angle it down towards the trim; the initial force is broken by the glass, then the trim, so when it contacts the paint it has lost all the power; if that makes sense?? :P

A dealer once told me to be very careful using the powerwasher around parking sensors.. that too close and you can damage them...

Curran

Yeah - he's right; and especially if you are planning to wash the car and it has potential to freeze that night. The sensors dont like the frost as it is, and to have a bit of extra water about wouldnt help!
But they have to be able to withstand some water being directed at them, otherwise there'd be none on the fronts of cars....but with a washer, the force has the potential to breach them!

Ron Burgundy II

Since I got the wet vac in Lidl yesterday I had a look on their app to see what was coming down the line next week and luckily for me its a power washer. Seems to have a similar spec as that of the Nilfisk but around €80 cheaper.

aluminium high-pressure pump etc.

I think I might go for this one, or should I stump up the extra €80 and go for the Nilfisk??

Curran

Amazon C110

Be no harm in trying the Lidl one - I believe they are quite good at refunding people their money if they have issues within the warranty period.

crasy dash

Hate jumping on another poster thread but quick question for the good people of boards:D

Looking to get a washer myself:o
I can get a Nilfisk c120 3-6 for 85 off a friend brand new in box never used just old stock in a shop.

Is this up to the job or would the lidl one be a better option any advice would be great

Thanks everyone

Curran

Ive the C120 for over 5 years, never a moments trouble!

crasy dash

That's good enough for me .

Thanks Curran your a wealth of knowledge and experience.

jpbdrogheda

Yeah the Nilfisk is a great machine for me. Got the Titan 1400 last year, never an ounce of trouble with it. the 8M hose is also a godsend. Don need to move the machine at all when washing the car.

Looking for the Snowfoam attachment for it at the moment. Spotted some on Amazon but was hoping to pick one up locally. Any recommended sites?

crasy dash

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

Since I got the wet vac in Lidl yesterday I had a look on their app to see what was coming down the line next week and luckily for me its a power washer. Seems to have a similar spec as that of the Nilfisk but around €80 cheaper.

aluminium high-pressure pump etc.

I think I might go for this one, or should I stump up the extra €80 and go for the Nilfisk??

How do you find the lidl vacuum cleaner is it worth a punt?

Ron Burgundy II

crasy dash wrote: »

How do you find the lidl vacuum cleaner is it worth a punt?

I've only used it as a vacuum so far and it seems fine. Didn't have time to try the wet element of the unit over the weekend. I think for €40 its worth a punt. It feels solid enough.

fergallyons

Hey Guys,

How would the Vax P86-P3-T compare? Its on a serious special in DID