MINI2

ricardo · Jan 21st, 2002, 04:44 PM

Anyone got any views/experiences with different brands/types of pressure washer? I'm considering buying one and have only ever used a borrowed Karcher some years ago.

I need to know if it's worth paying more for the big brands and also the sort of features to look for. Plus, best places to buy 'em? Halfords have got £50 off a Karcher at the moment which is what set me thinking about it. That and the constantly filthy state of the road around here.

Minty · Jan 21st, 2002, 06:40 PM

I use a Karcher occasionaly, but only really on the under arches and on the wheels, or on low power to get rid of the suds.
You have to be carefull, my mate stripped the lacquer of his alloys with a pressure washer! Ouch.

S

My MINI me and me · Jan 22nd, 2002, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ricardo
Anyone got any views/experiences with different brands/types of pressure washer? I'm considering buying one and have only ever used a borrowed Karcher some years ago.

I need to know if it's worth paying more for the big brands and also the sort of features to look for. Plus, best places to buy 'em? Halfords have got £50 off a Karcher at the moment which is what set me thinking about it. That and the constantly filthy state of the road around here.

On my current car I stripped the silver coating off the inside of my driver door mirror, so make sure you have a way of varying the pressure and start low!

smiffy · Jan 22nd, 2002, 06:22 AM

I use a Karcher washer & havent had any problems with it at all

Jan 22nd, 2002, 08:03 AM

I have recently bought a refurbished Karcher 550M from these guys:- http://www.lloyd-jones.com/store/cleaning/cwpwd.html

It looks to be quite a good model for the money with a proper steel pump that should last a while. Pressure and flow-rate are good, more than enough power for car washing. It also has a built in soap container so you don't have to mess around with soap attachments.

M.

Paul · Jan 22nd, 2002, 10:00 AM

I know someone who stripped the paint of his BMW's bumpers with a pressure washer, so be careful.

Apial · Jan 24th, 2002, 06:25 AM

Pressure washers are great for removing all the large dirt. They still leave a surface film of dirt though. You then give it a quick wash with a large sponge and bucket of car wash liquid to finish the job scratch free.

I avoid the front grill area as pressure washers can bend the radiator matrix. I am also careful around the windows and locks. Its not good to force water through the rubber seals.

smiffy · Jan 24th, 2002, 07:52 AM

I tend to wash the car first with the pressure washer. I then use some car shampoo & give the car a good old scrub. Then rinse it off with the pressure washer. Its best then to use some 'sheeps Skin'

to buff the car up & get rid of the water marks

Racer · Jan 24th, 2002, 07:58 AM

I had a Karcher but didn't run the water out of completely after using it - stored it in a garage - frost came along and knackered it - be warned

Got one now with an adjustable pressure on it which is MUCH better means you can clean radiator / lights around rubber seals etc on low pressure then turn it up for the main bodywork

ricardo · Jan 25th, 2002, 05:11 PM

...for the advice ...much appreciated

Jan 21st, 2002, 04:44 PM	#1
ricardo MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Norfolk Local Time: 02:28 PM Posts: 546 Offline	Pressure Washers - Advice on Buying Anyone got any views/experiences with different brands/types of pressure washer? I'm considering buying one and have only ever used a borrowed Karcher some years ago. I need to know if it's worth paying more for the big brands and also the sort of features to look for. Plus, best places to buy 'em? Halfords have got £50 off a Karcher at the moment which is what set me thinking about it. That and the constantly filthy state of the road around here.

Jan 21st, 2002, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Minty Man in the know! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Coventry/Warwick Local Time: 02:28 PM Posts: 4,005 Offline	I use a Karcher occasionaly, but only really on the under arches and on the wheels, or on low power to get rid of the suds. You have to be carefull, my mate stripped the lacquer of his alloys with a pressure washer! Ouch. S E-Mail Me \| Minty - Reaches parts other people can't.

Jan 22nd, 2002, 03:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
My MINI me and me MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: London (north) Local Time: 02:28 PM Posts: 129 Offline	Re: Pressure Washers - Advice on Buying Quote: Originally posted by ricardo Anyone got any views/experiences with different brands/types of pressure washer? I'm considering buying one and have only ever used a borrowed Karcher some years ago. I need to know if it's worth paying more for the big brands and also the sort of features to look for. Plus, best places to buy 'em? Halfords have got £50 off a Karcher at the moment which is what set me thinking about it. That and the constantly filthy state of the road around here. On my current car I stripped the silver coating off the inside of my driver door mirror, so make sure you have a way of varying the pressure and start low! I shall call him..."MINI-Me"! Silver/Black MC CVT 30/03/02 -11/02/06 "MINI Me Too" Chilli Red MCSa arrived 03/03/06 "MINI Me 3" Chilli Red/Black Clubman D 18/01/08 - AKA Jeremy C

Jan 22nd, 2002, 06:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
smiffy MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Here Local Time: 01:28 PM Posts: 5,778 Offline	I use a Karcher washer & havent had any problems with it at all S for Smiffy "Kids in the front seat cause accidents, accidents in the backseat cause kids!"

Jan 24th, 2002, 06:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
Apial MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lincolnshire Wolds Local Time: 02:28 PM Posts: 825 Offline	Pressure washers are great for removing all the large dirt. They still leave a surface film of dirt though. You then give it a quick wash with a large sponge and bucket of car wash liquid to finish the job scratch free. I avoid the front grill area as pressure washers can bend the radiator matrix. I am also careful around the windows and locks. Its not good to force water through the rubber seals. Balloons? http://www.loony-balloony.co.uk

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Jan 22nd, 2002, 08:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
kotlewm Posts: n/a	I have recently bought a refurbished Karcher 550M from these guys:- http://www.lloyd-jones.com/store/cleaning/cwpwd.html It looks to be quite a good model for the money with a proper steel pump that should last a while. Pressure and flow-rate are good, more than enough power for car washing. It also has a built in soap container so you don't have to mess around with soap attachments. M.

Jan 22nd, 2002, 10:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 02:28 PM Posts: 40,555 Offline	I know someone who stripped the paint of his BMW's bumpers with a pressure washer, so be careful.

Jan 24th, 2002, 07:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
smiffy MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Here Local Time: 01:28 PM Posts: 5,778 Offline	I tend to wash the car first with the pressure washer. I then use some car shampoo & give the car a good old scrub. Then rinse it off with the pressure washer. Its best then to use some 'sheeps Skin' to buff the car up & get rid of the water marks S for Smiffy "Kids in the front seat cause accidents, accidents in the backseat cause kids!"

Jan 24th, 2002, 07:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Racer Sponsor,Moderator & Racer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent Local Time: 02:28 PM Posts: 1,373 Offline	I had a Karcher but didn't run the water out of completely after using it - stored it in a garage - frost came along and knackered it - be warned Got one now with an adjustable pressure on it which is MUCH better means you can clean radiator / lights around rubber seals etc on low pressure then turn it up for the main bodywork JCW Club Sport Kawasaki Green / White Unofficial John Cooper Challenge Site

Jan 25th, 2002, 05:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
ricardo MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Norfolk Local Time: 02:28 PM Posts: 546 Offline	Thanks ...for the advice ...much appreciated

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