The mrs has asked what i want for xmas.

I would like a pressure washer help keep the cars clean during the winter months.

So here are the questions.

What is a safe pressure to operate at before it starts to etch patterns into the paint?

I was planning in running a hot water feed to the garage and coupling it to the pressure washer - Any thing wrong with this approach?

-- Ash

I don't know much on the subject apart from the 2 Karchers I've owned as well as 2 that my sister had all leaked terribly within 6 months of buying them, that was despite careful packing up and not more than twice a month useage, I'd steer clear of them personally..

Unfortunately I think leaking units are par for the course until you spend loads, had a nice karcher at my last work that was used almost daily for cleaning the planes/choppers/cars - cost close to two grand though iirc!

at this price you can go wrong
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=126039

I'm getting one of these for xmas LINK

Attraction was integral hose and cable storage.

Hi Ash, i dont rate Karchers either unless you pay fortunes.
Ive just bought a Bosch Aquatak 110 plus from Toolstation, about £100, seems fine
Regards
Chris

I toyed with the idea of a karcher but then bought a wickes own brand one. It's low pressure but washes pavement and the car just as well as I could wish, was cheap and at 5 year old shows no signs of packing in. I think it's only worth buying a more expensive one ie karcher if you'll be using it a lot, like more than once a fortnight.

I think I paid £35.

[Edited on 8/12/09 by jlparsons]

nilfisk alto and you wont go far wrong

Interesting, I rated Karchers, after having one rfor about 5 years, till it leaked
Blew up a B+Q £50 in 2 days and got my money back.
But now wonder if it's not better just to buy 3 £40 ones rather that going to £200 for a Karcher.

Safe pressure, all of it!

linky

i have had my eye on this for ages...

I purchased one of these maybe 5 years ago lavor washer

Cost I think £129, its been great.

Had a couple of small electric Karchers before, both sprung leaks very quickly.

I run the washers direct from both hot or cold water supplies, I have a large combi boiler which can scald on full tilt in the shower, this washer draws water faster than the boiler can supply.

Regards Mark