Any opinions on this? My $100 Harbor Freight crap unit died on me after about 20 uses. Now looking into the more heavy-duty (and unfortunately, more expensive) units. I'd like the mobility of a gas-powered unit, but it's messier and I assume louder.
Any difference in durability? I would think gas powered machines would be a bit more stout than their electric counterparts?

 

Electric pressure washers are great, but you pay a lot more money to get one with a high gpm. Gas is great for cheap power, and if you get one with enough power, you can use it for other chores around the house.

 

Detail John - I bought a gas pressure washer for "chores around the house", but am reluctant to use it on my car. It's 3000 psi and 2.4 gpm . Do you think I could use this without damaging my paint/wheels?

 

Think I'll take a trip to HD and look at this one. Any thoughts?

http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Pressure-Washers/RIDGID/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg6ZarmwZ18g/R-100663195/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

You definitely could use this on your paint, and wheels as long as you can turn down the pressure. Most pressure washers have a pressure regulator. The 2.4gpm is perfect, but 3000psi is a little bit too high.


John

 

I had a gas PW which was 2.5gpm and 2500psi. Something like that is overkill for washing cars. I now have an electric 1.5gpm 1800psi PW. Only problem with cheap PW's is they might not last long.

 

I use my gas one all the time. I turn it down as low as possible, also you a 25degree tip. I have had no problems with it. It's great to get the dirt off before I start actually washing.

 

I have a john deer, and love the motor (honda) and the pump is one of the best. I can regulate the pressure too. Other gas models have a wimpy pump design, I had one and when it craped out it cost more than the whole machine to fix.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/parts/homeandworkshop/products/pressure_washers/lp020298.html

Cheers,
GREG

 

I too have a honda motor and a 2.4 gpm with 3000 psi. You can easily use it on a car. As far as it being too powerful, there is no way it is unless you are holding it a few inches away from the paint. You can totally control the power just by how close you put the wand. I guess you could do some damage if you got too close to an edge with the powerwasher on full blast with a pencil point beam, but keeping a fan spray pattern should be fine.

I had a few electric power washers and they all seem to break over time. The gas one was a little over $400 and i've had it for 4 years now and i've spent over $400 on electric ones before that in less than 4 years it seems.

 

Unfortunately for me my experience with electric power washers is that they dont last longer than a year of use and every gas one that ive had would leak oil from time to time.... a major pain in the butt especially when trying to clean your deck...

 

I have a porter cable 2250 psi.It has a 5.5 horsepower gas engine. I've has it for about 5 years now and haven't had any trouble out of it. I think the gallon per minute is2.2 or 2.5.

http://www.best-pressure-washer-reviews.com/electric-pressure-washer.html

 

Been using this one for the past three years without issue. Does the job for both house and car clean up. Best of all, it was free (long story with good outcome)

http://www.karcherresidential.com/en/showproducts.php?op=view_prod&param1=242&param2=&p aram3

 

Here is a review I wrote on an electric one that is going on 3.5 years and used ever other week

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/594231-Review-of-pressure-washer-AR383-Blue-Clean

 

kranzle electric is what i've had for years. excellent at 1600 psi.

 

And if you need to wash the facade of the house and the roof and not just wash the car, then what is the best choice?