Guys with pressure washers!

[CraftyBigDog]

Hey guys I have a pressure washer thats 3500psi and it does a good job keeping the equipmant clean. My question is have you used a steam pressure washer and would it be better to use to clean equipment in the winter, I guess Im trying to see if they are worth the money!

[cat320]

Jason you have the same kind i have 3500 psi cold it does the job but a heated one is definatly better .Almost like taking a cold or hot shower cald water will rinse you off but the hot will clean you better.

[CraftyBigDog]

Yeah I was just curious if it would clean equipment faster and better!

[cat320]

My friend has a delco 5K psi hot water one with the soap dispenser that goes thru the coil and it is nice. it cleans real good I have used it a few times to clean my backhoe and trucks.

[snowplowjay]

We have a Karcher full steam/hot water pressure washer and that is one of the best tools you can own in your shop. That thing is great for those cold post storm cleanings and to clear out the salt hoppers etc...


Jay

[T-Zab]

My landscaper buddy has a Sioux steam, hot water pressure cleaner and he loves it.
Steam will cut the grease way better then hot water or strictly high pressure. He uses it on loaders and tractors, and the trucks.
I dont know if you ever tried a power washer on grease but I think you end up with more of a mess unless you scrub it off with a quality detergent.
So yes steam is definatly the way to go, and money well spent.
Todd

[BWhite]

I have found out cold PWs are a waste of time . Looked at HWPW they are a bit pricey !

[apgarconstruction]

in the winter, i have run a hose out of my basement and used warm water to wash my truck with my pressure washer. works ok. not as good as a hot water one. the car wash bays around here use hotter water in the winter time. so i usually go there

[Honest Mike]

These pressure washers can be used on your trucks paint?? How far away do you have to stand so you dont blast the paint off? Or do you just use them under the truck and under the fenders? Mike

[Pickering Snow]

I have a Searless 5k unit and its in its own building outside the shop with a chimmny for exhust . One of the many things i preplanned for when building the shop was presuure washer points there are 4 in the shop with quick coupler fittings i plumbed the pipe in the floor before the concrete was poured . Heated pressure washers are the way to go there are many to choose from but a Searless and a Steam Jennie are the two that i would choose . Dan if i didnt have the Steam washer i would do what you suggested and run off my hot water heater very good idea and low buck if you consider natural gas compared to kerosine right know.

[apgarconstruction]

mike, most come with several different nozzles to put on the end. just use a medium to wide spray pattern when using it on paint, and don't get too close.
i try and stay a few feet away. i've never had a problem with it taking off paint, chipping, or even taking my vinyl lettering off the truck.
i hope to have a garage built here someday and do what fred did. have an indoor coupler to hook up when it's winter time, i can wash it inside. and then an outside coupler to wash when it's warm out
i thinkt he cold water one works just fine when you are just washing vehicles in the summer. for salt and winter grim, the hot/warm water is better.
i have to go wash mine off tomorrow.

[T-Zab]

I know with the steam cleaners you need to get right up on what your cleaning. As in less then 10" If I recall.
Todd

[John DiMartino]

I have used both,and cold water with enough pressure does a good job for quick cleaning.The hot water,and steam units are awesome,but very expensive. No ones said anything about waste water yet,which will be the biggest issue,and its the best reason to use a car wash.Powerwashing is illegal if the water runs into a storm drain or in most cases for what were doing with them,be careful where you wash,Id never do it on a residential street or near alot of people.Ive had a few friends get turned in for doing it,and they usually get one warning,which is enough.In the future i think the day will come when powerwashing will be only allowed on a dont get caugh basis as far as cleaning equipment or vehicles. Commericial car washes and truck washes will be our only way to wash if we dont have shops/houses far off the roads where we can get away with it. Jason, the hot water units clean a lot better,Ive run my hose out from the slop sink with 125 degree water when i clean the siding,and it makes a noticeable difference over cold water.My washer is 4GPM 3200PSI.

[cat320]

I know in alot of articles that i see weather state or private they have self contained wash bays that recyle the water and filter it.I think that if a state agency saw some one washing off a fossil fule and letting it hit the ground the clean would be as extensive as a gas station clean up.

[sno-mover]

Hot water hands down, we have a kartcher steam cleaner and it does twice the job as the same machine with double the preasure, you cant beat it for grease.

[Rocket]

I'm just beginning to look into these. My understanding is that the psi is less important than the volume of water. Is this the case?

Also, I wanted to find out if anyone is using the local car wash besides me. The problems are that the two trucks cost $20 each time there is a storm, or I want the trucks to look clean, and their hoses must be full of detergent because even though you select rinse they just keep putting out detergent (it's not the most pleasant smell). I end up with a film all over the trucks and streaking. Nothing like washing the trucks at 32º, huh?

[cat320]

psi i think is just as important as water volume you really need one to feed the other .

[gslam88]

guys,

There is a lot of usefull information on presure washers over at http://www.propowerwash.com/board and also http://www.powerwashnetwork.com/index.php?

I can remember the other board...

I have a cold water 3600 psi.. but only use it marginally ... maybe its time to think about stepping up to hot water after seeing what you guys have said...

Pete