Decent pressure washer

[labman1001]

Hi Folks,

 

I know this has no doubt been asked before, and it's like asking how long is a piece of string as everyone will have a different opinion, but can any of you suggest a sensibly priced pressure washer for cleaning the car ... I can't afford a fortune so I'm looking at under or around the £100 mark.... It really will only be for the car and maybe cleaning the wheelie bin out, I'm not into cleaning mono block driveways or anything like that.

 

I know the supermarkets, including Aldi and Lidil, sell them now and again and on paper they look ok but are they as good as the big name brands ... I know Karcher is probably the biggest name out there but I've heard it's not necessarily the best or best value for money ... The one thing I would like is one with standard fittings so buying something like an aftermarket snow foam gun/lance will plug straight on to it.

 

Regards

 

Peter

[BATVANVRS]

This thread might help you out https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/430243-pressure-washers/  

I've heard the Aldi one seems pretty decent but if you want a wide range of attachments & ease of fitting, I would check out the Karcher K2 full control or the Nilfisk compact 120, easy to get attachments for & should be reliable.

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6214137

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6739014

 

 

 

 

 

[labman1001]

Thank you so much Batvanvrs your reply is much appreciated ... Is the Full Control version of the Karchers worth paying the extra for 

[Chris]

I've just bought the Stanley one from B&Q. £82. Couldn't see the point of the Karcher as it is just a led thing that tells you what setting your on. Or you could just look at the nozzle you've just twisted. Waste of money IMO. 2 year warranty with the Stanley too. 

[penguin17]

14 hours ago, BATVANVRS said:

This thread might help you out https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/430243-pressure-washers/  

I've heard the Aldi one seems pretty decent but if you want a wide range of attachments & ease of fitting, I would check out the Karcher K2 full control or the Nilfisk compact 120, easy to get attachments for & should be reliable.

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6214137

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6739014

 

 

 

 

 

I've had my Nilfisk one for 3 years now and despite needing a new hose (after 2.5 years) it's performed excellently. I would thoroughly recommend it.   It's ideal for car cleaning; I bought a snow foam lance from Monza car care.

 

I bought mine from Argos that included a patio cleaning brush (and a few extra attachments) which works a treat:

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/1577941

 

 

[penguin17]

^^^

 

http://www.monzacarcare.com/snow-foam--lances/monza-professional-snow-foam-lance/0/

 

Check eBay for the same lance at cheaper prices.  Monza regularly have special offers on their lances too so worth signing up to their newsletter.  

 

I've found that this stuff works well with the Nilfisk and Monza lance:

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/snow-foam/ultimate-snow-foam-5-litres.aspx

 

but I've just tried the CYC alternative and it seams to produce a thicker foam that dwells for longer:

 

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/super-snow-foam-5-litre/prod_370.html

[labman1001]

Thanks everyone, nice links to some good stuff... Is it possible to get a snowfoam lance for the Stanley pressure washer Chris 

[Mr Grump]

Undoubtedly things have moved on since I bought mine, but I am very happy with my Nilfisk 120.

[Chris]

On 20/04/2017 at 20:56, labman1001 said:

Thanks everyone, nice links to some good stuff... Is it possible to get a snowfoam lance for the Stanley pressure washer Chris 

 

I think it must be possible but I haven't found a solution yet. 

 

It's this connection. 

Edited 22 April, 2017 by Chris

[mattshaw]

Hi Labman,

I have been looking into buying one too. Ive trawled over the internet and read quite a lot of reviews. I have settled on the one from screw fix, it's 130 bar pressure which is good, I think the the cheaper Karcher ones come in at about 100 or 110 bar. It is £74.99. I'm picking mine up tomorrow.

 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb669prw-130bar-pressure-washer-1-8kw-240v/5014j

[labman1001]

Hi Mattshaw, I've seen the Titan ones in Screwfix along with their vacuums and they do seem to generate a lot of good comments ... I'd an AA branded one a few years ago which to be honest was brilliant but I couldn't find any extra attachments to fit it ... I really want one that either comes with a snow foam attachment or can take an after market unit .... 

[BATVANVRS]

Karcher & Nilfisk are the most popular & easy to purchase any form of attachment for! There is a few mains powered pressure washers that are probably just as good or not as good as the Karcher or Nilfisk within the lower budget market of £100.00- but finding attachments that fit them might be a big problem. (there not easily available unless there branded makes/names)

 

If your main concern is to definitely have a snow foam attachment, then just go with Karcher or Nilfisk, the pressure washers in general are about the same & for what budget your willing to spend up to £100.00 & the job you want it to do at hand, it will do it with no probs.

 

Unless you want to spend £155.00 https://www.directhoses.net/collections/electric-pressure-washer/products/copy-of-directhoses-all-black-8-electric-pressure-washer-upgraded-wire-reinforced-hose-quick-fit

[kenfowler3966]

I am on my second Karcher. Like the variety of accessories you can get, and always use my rotary brush for main clean of car.

 

Learn from my experience though. First washer froze and cracked the pump head destroying it. It is essential to get every scrap of water out before storing outside if a frost is possible.

 

After use i always run mine with the water hose discoonected from the macine until just air is coming through. Then lean the washer in all directions to drain of any residue.

[mattshaw]

Labman,

Sunday night now. Went to screw fix today, but none in stock (should have ordered online for collection). Apparently its that time of year, they are sold out. I have one on eon back order, should be able to collect next weekend. So, I can't give you any feedback about attachment fixings. I would suggest that BATVANVRS's advise is good if the snow lance is your main requirement, I'd just order a Karcher 2 with lance.

 

Kenfowler's advise is also good, I hadn't thought of that. 

 

This thread came at a good time for me.

 

Thanks all

 

matt

[labman1001]

My AA one froze up in the garage over one winter a few years back ..I never gave it a thought as I'd never experienced a real frost in the garage, I'd had it the washer about 3-4 years already with no issues, but that winter the temp went down to about -19 and everything froze even my windscreen washer froze up parked in the garage... I've dropped hints with the family about Father's Day coming up soon and I'm 60 this year so if nobody takes it I'll have to buy one myself I guess ... Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone 

[samuir1974]

Seemingly Aldi are doing some pressure washers.

 

I have one of the old work zone range from Aldi - lasted me 4-5 years.

Getting a little tired now and noisey for sure.

 

So hence why it was replaced with the DirectHoses All Black 8 at Xmas,

but its still a nice little compact backup machine parked in the garage.

[WillM82]

Avoid the cheap Bosch power washers.

 

I used mine yesterday and it reminded me why I rarely use it.

 

The hose is quite short, so you need to cart the base unit around, which means the hose and lead into it also needs dragged along, and these get caught behind wheels, fences etc.

 

And the pressure is barely any more than I'd get from the regular hose.

[knfruitbat]

Had my Nilfisk C110 for years, on amazon as a kit, they last for ages, as long as you drain the water out properly before you put in the garage during the winter.

 

However, the bottle that comes with the set I found to be pretty rubbish. Got a foam bottle that fits the lance from "pressurewasherpartsuk" on ebay or amazon, that works much better than the original.

[skomaz]

On ‎22‎/‎04‎/‎2017 at 19:36, Chris said:

 

I think it must be possible but I haven't found a solution yet. 

 

It's this connection. 

 

THat looks like it might be a Black and Decker fitment in which case you should be able to get a standard lance and a Black and Decker adapter...

 

 

[labman1001]

I'm leaning towards a Nilfisk rather than a Karcher as I've read some stories on the unreliability of Karcher, I'm just not sure which model to go for ...

 

I also fancy the Workzone model from Aldi for its power etc but unsure if I'd get a snow foam bottle/lance to work with it 

[Kenny R]

I bought this Nilfisk one following a recommendation here a few years ago. Has worked faultlessly cleaning the paving here at home and the decking at our static caravan.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/6069131

[CWARD]

My previous Karcher was around 10 year old and still going strong when I gave it to my brother and he is still using. Only problem was the bayonet fitting that the lances connect into had become stiff. He managed to strip it down and renew a spring from an engineering supplies as Karcher no longer listed the parts for it and it's back to 100%. This had been used weekly for cleaning the cars and bikes down as well as the annual patio and drive way clean up.

I bought the smaller K4 Karcher which is slightly more powerful than the previous one, much quieter and uses less energy too. I can't foresee any problems with this one either. Motor is water cooled so can run longer without heat build up, the previous was air cooled but would still run for hours without complaint. It also comes with the patio cleaner attachment so should be quicker and less mess than just using a lance.

The lights on the handle of these K series jet washers is just a gimmick so don't pay any attention to them.

[CWARD]

On 2017-4-23 at 22:59, labman1001 said:

My AA one froze up in the garage over one winter a few years back ..I never gave it a thought as I'd never experienced a real frost in the garage, I'd had it the washer about 3-4 years already with no issues, but that winter the temp went down to about -19 and everything froze even my windscreen washer froze up parked in the garage... I've dropped hints with the family about Father's Day coming up soon and I'm 60 this year so if nobody takes it I'll have to buy one myself I guess ... Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone 

 

For future reference unscrew the hose attachment on the jet wash when storing it over winter to avoid freeze up damage. 

[labman1001]

Hi Kenny, does the 110 do a reasonable job on cleaning the car with the supplied foam bottle or would it be better with an alternative

[WillM82]

What sort of hose length does the Karscher have?

 

The Bosch annoys me as the hose isn't that long so you need to move the base unit about, which means the lead and garden hose get caught behind walls and wheels, it all gets tangled up.