Gas or Electric Pressure washer for car cleaning...

[glocke12]

Been thinking of getting a pressure washer for cleaning my cars, and am undecided as to gas or electric.

For electric, I was thinking of this:

Karcher K3.92M-BONUS - 1750 PSI (Electric-Cold Water) Pressure Washer w/ Dual Detergent Tanks & Surface Cleaner


For Gas I was thinking of this:

Shop Troy-Bilt 2700 PSI 2.3 GPM Gas Pressure Washer at Lowes.com


Is the gas overkill, and would risk damaging the finish on my cars with it?

It would really only be used for detailing work and washing the eaves on my ranch house.

 

[pmdata]

I don't have any experience site the Karcher Brand, but I'd go with an electric unless you have a need for gas (portability, more power, etc.)

A power washer is great for undercarriage dirt etc.

On the paint, I'd stay back at least a foot. Be careful near paint chips or scratches. There's a chance of pealing up some paint.

In the reservoir, I use simple green underneath. Palmolive when I'm stripping wax. And Meguars wash in between waxes.

Good luck.

 

[glocke12]

I don't have any experience site the Karcher Brand, but I'd go with an electric unless you have a need for gas (portability, more power, etc.)

A power washer is great for undercarriage dirt etc.

On the paint, I'd stay back at least a foot. Be careful near paint chips or scratches. There's a chance of pealing up some paint.

In the reservoir, I use simple green underneath. Palmolive when I'm stripping wax. And Meguars wash in between waxes.

Good luck.

Sounds like you have a PW your happy with? If so, what brand/model, and would you buy it again?

 

[pmdata]

Ehh, it's ok. A Husky 2000 psi electric, 110v.

It was $199 at home depot.

For 99% of tools my motto is buy the best the first time. I just couldn't seem to justify $400+ on a powerwasher.

It works well. My complaint is the ground fault indicator safety plug seems to trip more than it should. I see why it's there, but I'd like to cut it off and replace it with a STD plug.

I'm actually pulling out the washer today for an undercarriage wash after a beach run. I'll grab some pics.

 

[pmdata]

Not exactly the same model, but close.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...D28X-_-100663196&locStoreNum=2665&marketID=39

 

[Uneek]

Unless you're doing a lot of pressure washing and need the added power, I would stick with an electric. No maintenance on electric pressure washers. Gas ones are usually upwards of 3000 psi and up. Electrics are between 1500 to 2000 psi.

I have a Karcher electric one rated for 1750 psi, it works well and I have no complaints about it.

A must have accessory with a pressure washer is a foam cannon. No need to bother with a bucket.

Autogeek Foam Cannon HP, foam lance, foam wash gun, pressure washer foamer

 

[Daftjungle03]

I'd say electric if you're only going to use it for vehicles. I have a nice gas one from Costco that I've had for years and it's great but I have to change the oil and it's sucks gas super fast. Gas is super handy for driveways and other things where you may be away from the house, electric is quieter.

One thing I noticed on a lot of electric is the lack of nozzle / attachment capability. I use a foam cannon and need the ability to attach things.

This was a strip wash before sealing so it wasn't a ton of foam but a foam cannon is awesome.

IMG_20190921_115716 (1) by Michael Starmer, on Flickr

 

[drei4runner29]

I also have the Sun Joe SPX3000 electric washer. For the price I paid on Amazon for it, I have no complaints. Everything works great for my needs as far as washing my vehicles and it comes w/ 5 nozzles of which I only use one, which is to rinse and wash off my vehicle.

As for the foam cannon, check on Amazon for the foam cannons. Probably cheaper than the name brand ones. This is what I purchased in Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/MATCC-Pressu...on&qid=1572798791&sprefix=foam,aps,240&sr=8-9
No complaints on this foam cannon. It's worked every time myself or my kids have used it.

 

[eddielasvegas]

If you go electric, keep in mind the amp draw at start up and running.

Most residential circuits are 15A. If there is anything else on the circuit where you use the PW, it will most likely trip the circuit. Royal PITA unless you have a dedicated circuit for your PW.

I only used me electric PW 5 times in 10 years for this very reason, and recently sold it since it was only collecting dust.

Good luck,

Eddie

 

[Banzai]

Most residential circuits are 15A. If there is anything else on the circuit where you use the PW, it will most likely trip the circuit. Royal PITA unless you have a dedicated circuit for your PW.

I've used several different electric PWers (ones from big box stores) and plugged them into power strips that had multiple other things plugged into them. Never had a single issue as long as none of those other things were running at the same time. Nothing special about the electric systems at any of the places I used them, either.

Maybe if I had used a higher power AR Blue or Kranzle things would have been different.

 

[markshow]

Sorry for bumping such an old thread but I would like to say that electric pressure washers are better than gas. But it is only my opinion. I have used a lot of different pressure washers and yes, Karcher is among the best washers. Which one have you chosen?

 

[xyzzy]

While I don't have this specific model, if I were to buy a new one for car care this would be at or near the top of the list.

Inexpensive car care Karcher electric power washer kit.

 

[Davidmontalvo]

In my humble opinion I believe they both have a place in the detailing world. For a number of years I had exclusively used a Dewalt 3400 psi gas power washer. It’s very powerful, easily removes dirt and grime. Unfortunately, it’s loud, expensive to run (using TruFuel) and a bit overkill for maintenance washes.
I’ve recently purchased a Kranzle 1122TST and I have to say I’m quite pleased. It doesn’t have the power of gas, but for maintenance washes, it’s excellent. There’s enough power, produces enough foam when using my foam cannon. The feature that I think is ideal, is the stop start. Unlike my gas power washer, the machine only turns on when you squeeze the trigger.
Gas is great for disaster details, but I think most people would find electric are more than adequate for everyday use.