[Denzil]

I've been thinking about purchasing a pressure washer under the assumption that it conserves more water than the normal hose and fireman's nozzle. I've been looking at several Karcher models and the Cam Spray that Phil sells at DD. I understand there's an extremely large price difference and some specification differences but what particular specifications should I be looking for?

I plan on running the pressure washer after the CRSpotless DIC-20 that I will be purchasing as well. The CRSpotless will be run from the water softener here at my home and if it's a mobile job, I was contemplating on running an inline filter to extend the resin life of the CRSpotless.

If all else fails, maybe I'll just stick to ONR washes.

[Mindflux]

I seem to remember Al or someone else mentioning it's an bad idea to run pre-softened water through the CRSpotless resins. If I find the post I'll link to it, but I think it was over on Autopia.

At any rate, I've been thinking about the same thing. I think the "safe" compromise is going to be a triple-plunger gas powered unit from home depot, it's a Husky brand PW with a Honda engine.

Husky 2600 PSI Pressure Washer - HU80722 at The Home Depot

If you don't want to lunk around a gas powered PW I can't help you there. Do remember that the Cam Spray specs says it wants a 20A circuit to run off, and your clients may not be able to provide that so you are stuck with another electric unit or a gas powered unit.

[911Fanatic]

The thing to remember with pressure washers is that gpm(gallons per minute) is more important than psi as far as cleaning power is concerned. If you are working on cars most of the time then a Karcher or Husky unit will be fine. Typically they will flow 1.7 -2.5 gpm but I would still buy the most gpm I can afford. I had a custom unit built because where I live I get alot of dirty SUVs. Mine is a 11hp Honda with a General pump that flows 4.5 gpm but I am only running it at 1200psi. They do have electric powered units at Home Depot but keep in mind that with an electric unit, you cant let it run for more than a minute or two without having water running through it as it will boil off the sitting water and fry the pump. With a gas model, you can install a bypass that lets the water flow through the pump and back into your tank thus keeping the pump cool without having to constantly turn the machine on and off. As far as the cam spray unit, in the USA, household circuits are typically 20A whereas here in Canada, they are 15A. Hope all this helps.

[Mindflux]

Originally Posted by 911Fanatic

As far as the cam spray unit, in the USA, household circuits are typically 20A whereas here in Canada, they are 15A. Hope all this helps.

I'm not sure about that. I a few members on here were interested in the units until they checked their circuit breaker for the garage. 15A. Being that it's not so consistent as we'd like using the Camspray as a portable device might not be the safest bet since one home will be entirely different from another.

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by Denzil

I've been thinking about purchasing a pressure washer under the assumption that it conserves more water than the normal hose and fireman's nozzle. I've been looking at several Karcher models and the Cam Spray that Phil sells at DD. I understand there's an extremely large price difference and some specification differences but what particular specifications should I be looking for?

I plan on running the pressure washer after the CRSpotless DIC-20 that I will be purchasing as well. The CRSpotless will be run from the water softener here at my home and if it's a mobile job, I was contemplating on running an inline filter to extend the resin life of the CRSpotless.

If all else fails, maybe I'll just stick to ONR washes.

Why the pro detailer uses camspray over Karcher is for longevity not more psi or gpm numbers.
For weekend warrior electric Krache is fine (mine is 7 year old and still going strong). especially if you run CRSpotless to filter mineral out of the water. I only wash 1 car a week the most.

Both Phil and Phil uses Camspray cause they detail 4-5 cars a week typically (maybe more)so only ceramic triplex plunger pump will do here(which what camspray has). Also the triplex plunger type pump can easily rebuilt while Karcher pump when toasted need to be replaced entirely(might as well buy a new unit altogether). At the end it's cheaper for the pro to buy a good pump that last.

[shiny]

Originally Posted by 911Fanatic

The thing to remember with pressure washers is that gpm(gallons per minute) is more important than psi as far as cleaning power is concerned. If you are working on cars most of the time then a Karcher or Husky unit will be fine. Typically they will flow 1.7 -2.5 gpm but I would still buy the most gpm I can afford. I had a custom unit built because where I live I get alot of dirty SUVs. Mine is a 11hp Honda with a General pump that flows 4.5 gpm but I am only running it at 1200psi. They do have electric powered units at Home Depot but keep in mind that with an electric unit, you cant let it run for more than a minute or two without having water running through it as it will boil off the sitting water and fry the pump. With a gas model, you can install a bypass that lets the water flow through the pump and back into your tank thus keeping the pump cool without having to constantly turn the machine on and off. As far as the cam spray unit, in the USA, household circuits are typically 20A whereas here in Canada, they are 15A. Hope all this helps.

Are there any high flow (gpm) units you can recommend? (i.e. from big box stores)

Thanks

[MadOzodi]

My gas Honda powered Karcher is thirsty. I've actually used it more to clean the house/yard as opposed to washing cars. If u r gonna use it just for cars and don't have a car a day to wash, go with a Karcher electric and save some $$$.

[911Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Mindflux

I'm not sure about that. I a few members on here were interested in the units until they checked their circuit breaker for the garage. 15A. Being that it's not so consistent as we'd like using the Camspray as a portable device might not be the safest bet since one home will be entirely different from another.

I stand corrected. I was looking into a piece of equipment one time and the US version was different and I was told that was why. My apologies for the confusion.

[911Fanatic]

Originally Posted by MadOzodi

My gas Honda powered Karcher is thirsty. I've actually used it more to clean the house/yard as opposed to washing cars. If u r gonna use it just for cars and don't have a car a day to wash, go with a Karcher electric and save some $$$.

A very good point. What is your detailing status, Shiny? Are you doing this as a hobby or a full time detailer. If part time is it, then anything around 2-2.5 gpm will do it for you,gas or electric. Like I said, I have a high gpm machine because of what I work on. I've tried lower gpm machines and for me they don't cut it. Price wise as well, my unit was $1500 almost ten years ago but its worked everyday with no issues. If I was doing cars all day, I would have a smaller machine for sure. My Honda is fairly thirsty as well but in the big picture, its irrelevant. It will go through $15-$20 a week in fuel but a normal week for me in the summer is $2000 - $2400. I personally like Phils little Camspray unit. Totally portable. If you are just starting out, I would pick one of the electric Husky units Home Depot. They will get the job done and if you decide not to pursue detailing full time, you'll have a great little Pwasher to do your own stuff.

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[timpryor]

I came sooo close to buying a Karcher at harbor frieght yeterday for 109.99 but I just couldn't pull the trigger.