Pressure washer recommendations?

[cambournepete]

Does anyone have any experience with decent pressure washers?
I'm thinking of getting one for cleaning the (new) car, paths, patio, bike and decking (when I finally build it).
I've already returned one cheap (£40) pressure washer to Argos, so don't want to buy another lousy one.
Axminster have an offer on this Makitafor £180.
Today though I saw an ad in the telegraph for this Wolfat just £100, claiming 200 bar pressure - 70 more than the Makita, which sounds too good to be true.
So, do I go for the trusted blue make, risk the horrid yellow one or go for something else - any recommendations?

 

[TrimTheKing]

I have a karcher, does everything I need, you looked at them?

Mark

 

[motownmartin]

I too have a Karcher, model K390 i think, I reckon its brilliant and brings the patio up a treat, that is using the patio cleaning attachment. I forgot to change the nozzzle when washing the car and made astone chip 10 times the size But would reccomend the 300 series

 

[woodbloke]

i have a Karcher, fairly old model now, but very good. They recommend that the high pressure jet is kept at least 300mm away from car tyres as it will damage them...just a thought - Rob

 

[wizer]

I recently bought the Karcher that was on offer for £98 from screwfix. Very pleased with it, brought up my deck a treat.

D&M do a range of Nilfisk Alto washers. Dunno if they are as good as their vacuums?

 

[PowerTool]

I've got a Nilfisk Alto - the washer itself is great,although the thread where the lance fastens to the hose snapped first time it was used after being laid up for winter

Andrew

 

[TheDudester]

I have had a Karcher for a number of years. Relatively small but does what I need.

If I changed it, I would get one where you can wind the hose for the nozzle up.

D

 

[cambournepete]

Thanks all - sounds pretty unanimous to me

Not sure I'll get one just yet though - we've just (today) got an allotment and probably need some kind of pertrol strimmer/brush cutter...

 

[frugal]

Thanks all - sounds pretty unanimous to me

Not sure I'll get one just yet though - we've just (today) got an allotment and probably need some kind of pertrol strimmer/brush cutter...

I got a Ryobi 30cc petrol strimmer with an optional brush cutter head that has been a godsend in clearing up the "alpine meadow" that the previous owners left on the sloping bank. Although the brush cutter attachment does scare me somewhat.

The other nice thing is that the unit is in two parts (motor and the top half of the shaft and then the bottom half of the shaft and the cutting head), which means that you can put other attachments like a hedge trimmer onto it.

 

[RogerS]

Sorry to dampen the party spirit :wink: We had a Karcher, kept indoors and out of the frost, still sprang a leak just outside the warranty period and unrepairable. I'd not buy another.

 

[The Bear]

I saw in Tesco last week that if you take out their car insurance you get a free Karcher pressure washer.

I have been considering whether I could take this out, then cancel after a month and keep my new pressure washer?

Mark

 

[Vormulac]

A bit late to this party, but another vote here for Karcher. Got mine from Sainsbury's of all places with about £80 worth of extras, cheaper than anywhere online!

 

[Paul Chapman]

Bought a cheapo one from B&Q a few years ago which I use on the patio and paths (never use it on the car - I think they force water where water shouldn't go). I've never had any trouble with it and it was cheap enough that when it does give trouble I'll just throw it away.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[ike]

After owning several different brands of washer, they all seem to have one thing in common - they steadily lose their 'peak' pressure from new. Those impressive specs quoting 120 bar upwards, won't be met for very long. Not just the cheapo clones but even the more expensive Karchers (forget the cheap Karchers - just as well off with any other cheap clone) and Alto. The most robust designs have a brass pump body instead of plastic.

As with many other things, it's fair to say with pressure washers that you generally get what you pay for. Between brands, it's more about reliability than performance.

cheers,

ike

 

[andrewm]

This might help:

http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/electrical/pre ... er_faq.htm

no specific recommendations though.

Andrew

 

[ronaldb]

I had a Karcher and the on/off switch gave up the ghost after a very short time. I took it to the repair people who told me it was unrepairable. I have been looking through the forums and find it remarkable how many machines are "un repairable" but it's also strange how they always recommend another model but at a slightly higher price because it's better than the one you had, very odd :mrgreen: I bought a Nilfisk last summer because the lady in the shop told me it had a metal pump and was a much better buy than a Karcher, even though she was selling them too. Guess what, my C130 has started pulsing this afternoon when I tried to wash the car. I m taking it in to the depot tomorrow morning and I bet you I am told, yes, you've guessed it, it is "un-repairable"

Will keep you posted.
Ronaldb

 

[RogerS]

Ronald..you do realise that this thread is four years old ! Your point is still valid though.

Pressure washers need to be fired up every couple of months otherwise they give up the ghost. I also have a Nilfisk and the pressure sensitive on/off switch failed so I bypassed it and use one of the Maplin remote controls to turn it on/off. The remote control is battery operated so perfectly safe.

 

[Noel]

This thread is SIX years old, please read the rules concerning old threads.

Start a new thread if you need assistance/want to discuss pressure washers etc.