Pressure washer question and suggestion

arleitiss

Hey, I am looking to get pressure washer but I've never had or even used one.
I wash car every week or even twice a week (if attending something special) - and I figured that at this point it will be cheaper in the long run to just buy pressure washer.

I have water tap behind the house, it's about 10 meters from front of the house where car would be generally parked.

The water tap doesn't have crazy pressure but it does - just average I guess, would that work or do they require high pressure source?

My budget is around 100 eur, don't need any crazy industrial grade washer, just decent enough to wash a car weekly - Any recommendations? Amazon seems to have mainly 3 brands: Kärcher, Bosch and Nilfisk.

Although I would prefer to buy locally, in Woodies or so as it's faster to return if something doesn't work.

Also would you generally just wash with water? I've seen most washers have container for some liquid, what kind of liquid do you get for it? Just soap or foam?

CJhaughey

Nilfisk are generally better value than Karcher, plus many Karchers seem to suffer from Pump failure due to the material being plastic not brass or metal.

MarkN

You're thinking of snow foam OP, you'll need a specific foam lance for whatever brand you go with. I've had two Karchers in 16/17 years, always going for middle of the range ones. I'd be open to another brand when I next need to buy one but I think I've been lucky enough. Your normal garden tap will be fine, you'll need a couple of Hozelock or other such connections for the tap too. It's without doubt more satisfying doing it yourself to your own standard and yes, you'll save a fortune.

moby2101

Hi op,

I just purchased a Nilfisk power washer from Amazon on the recommendation of the guys on here....

It's a Nilfisk C120 it was €80 + delivery.
Great piece of kit at a great price.

Cleaned the driveway and paths at ye weekend loads of power.

bazz26

Another +1 for Nilfisk.

I have mine over 5 years and no issues other than there is a small kink in the lance hose that can be easily replaced. Milfisk use metal pumps which make them more durable than some other makes who fit plastic pumps.

NBar

I have a Bosch pressure washer which is 20yrs old and has never let me down and have got attachments etc online. As people say her make sure the internals are metal/brass and not plastic and if you live in an area of hard water make sure the nozzles etc don’t get blocked up if left sitting in storage for a long period

SomeGuyCalledMi

My dad uses a petrol powered one. It's 3000 psi. It actually removed some touch up paint I had put on my car. It would probably have been fine if I kept a bit more distance and used a wide fan.

I use an electric karcher which is about 1200 psi. It's plenty of power for washing the car but not great for the old cobble lock. I have it at least 10 years with no issues.