Does anyone here use household pressure washers, such as ones sold at Menards and other hardware places? Campbell Hausfield has an electric one for around $100 with a max of 1000-1200 psi, and 5 hp gas models for around $300 and up. Are they worth the money, and how well do they do other jobs, such as cleaning wood decks, etc? Just curious.

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00 supercab, 5.4,4x4, stay up too late on this site!

 

Jumpn
I'd be careful with those things, 1200 psi is a lot!
I borrowed one to water blast the house before painting. It'll poke a hole in wooden eaves and blow the shingles right off the roof.
I ended up using it to clean the concrete driveway, it looked like new when I finished it.

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1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone, Leather Captain's Chairs
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II, Hide-a-hooks.
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.

 

Jumpn

I have an 11hp gasoline, 3000 PSI, power washer got it from Sam's Club. I do not like waiting in line at the car wash and dropping quarters in like a vegas slot machine and rushing to wash the truck, as the timer counts down. I can wash the truck at my own speed and found the truck actually comes out cleaner than the car wash, better pressure.
Stay away from the electrics. I had electric they do not cut it. You can use your power washer for cleaning your house, driveway, and I just did my deck and it looked brand new. Just watch how close you put the nozzle to the surface you are cleaning..thats the trick and keep moving the wand around..do not
leave in one spot to long.

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99 F-150 4x4 SC,ORP,TTP,ARE Cab High Bed Cap,
Duraliner,Gibson SS Exhaust,Icom 2 Meter Ham Radio,RF Concepts Linear Amp 2Watts In, 70Watts Out

[This message has been edited by I95 (edited 12-14-1999).]

 

Be very careful with these things. I rented one for house cleaning. It had four nozzles. I started off with the wrong one and scored the brick on my house.

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99 Lariat Normal Cab 2WD 120"WB 5.4 3.55LS Tow Dark Toreador/Gold Line-X
raoul_oba@hotmail.com
F150's of Virginia
Just cause we're from Virginia don't mean we're (well, you know)

 

Amputations have happened, so be very careful.

 

Jumpn, I have had three of them and have a 3000 psi, 4 gal/min unit now. I love it. Don't go with the electric, 1200 psi is not enough. I replaced it with a gas, 5hp, 2000 psi, 3 gal /min. It worked 5 times better, it was great for washing cars, but not really strong enough for cleaning wood decks. Sold it to a friend and bought the 3000 psi, It makes treated wood look new. Like everybody said, you have to be careful, it will actually go through wood if you hold it in one place too long and I have seen them cut the sidewalls on a tire, you definitely don't want to run it across a bare foot.

If your primary use will be for washing the car, the 2000 psi/3gal/min will probably be all you need, for about $400. If you need it for bigger jobs(decks, driveways, siding, stipping paint, etc.) go with the 3000/4gal or larger. Norther Hydraulics has a 3000/4 gal with 10 hp engine for $700. plus shipping. I have had it for about 6 months and am very satisfied.

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98 Nascar Edition, Superchip, Airaid, Flowmaster 70 series, bedliner, in bed tool box, Profile bug deflector and window vents, Class III receiver hitch.

 

Personally I wouldn't use that much pressure on a vehicle, but if you do get a plastic or rubber coated tip, because sooner or later that tip is going to come in contact with the paint or something else that it could damage. I've seen many scrapes that were caused by them.

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Michael
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package

Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil

Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle, A/C on/off switch

 

Thanks for the info everybody! I'll probably wait until spring to look at getting a pressure washer anyway. I hadn't heard of anyone getting hurt by using one before, I'll be careful. Merry Xmas!!