Home car wash!

[Jetdat]

i been thinking about getting a pressure water spray/washer as the Victorian water restrictions are still in place. I am sick of paying money for car wash every week, not to mention sick of using the brushes they have that scratch the paint work which upsets me more. :throwup:

I looked at a few units and the prices range from $80 to $700+, depending on brand and power output. Karcher is a good name but is kinda expensive, however i rather buy something thats gonna last a while. Or should i go cheap brand as i wont be using it as much as a professional car detailer?

Anyone use these to wash their cars at home? or know about these pressure units? Whats a good brand? How much should i spend? How beefy a unit do you need to wash a car at home?

Finally if there is enough interest perhaps we can arrange a group buy?

Let me know your thoughts.

[coco69]

i would actually be interested if it is possible at all to get a group buy and depending what brand.

i use my neighbours one quite often, its a cheaper brand one, but it still does a great job. after all i spend like 20 minutes washing the car and about 3 hours polishing and waxxing.

those carwash brushes are hell homo. seriously, u get 4x4's who scrape mud of the underside of their cars using those brushes without paying for the foamy stuff so it all gets stuck in the brush, then u see the next guy use the brush on the side of his lancer and it gets brown scratches all over the side. lol.

[krzysiu]

I bought a Karcher unit without the wheels for around $200, they are not that cheap but work fine. A little too fine for me since the damn thing ripped paint off BOTH my sideskirts. Shits me up the wall, but its good for washing the pannels . Keep away from bodykits at close range.

[slayer_1971]

yeah...I'd be up for a Group buy

[Mavric]

mate dont buy anything cheap..... when restrictions fist came in i brought a cheap $80 hose... BIG MISTAKE it's a piece of ...... hoses blow off and it's just a waste.. get youself a Karcher unit they are very good just ensure you get a decent lenth hose or you will be like me and have to carry the unit around as you wash the car..... it's the only product i have that is crap and as soon as i finish workin on my car i will be getting a new one so dont go cheap is my advise....

[whistla]

P & M Pumps

Factory2

891 Princes Highway

Springvale

(03) 9574 0444

They stock a large selection of Karcher pressure hoses at any price range

We bought one (alas, it was over $1300 but) for work and its great...

I guess thats the good thing about writing such items off as a work expense

[Lukas]

I bought a GMC unit, which only cost me $150, its great, plug it in go. The only thing that sh_ts me a little bit is getting the hose and power cord tangled, but apart from that it's the way to go. Those car wash places suck, coz yes those brushes do scratch the paint work and around my area they are always packed and you have to wait or go real late at night!

[clarkey]

I've got a Karcher 520 and its great on the cars.Especially good for getting brake dust off alloy rims.

[adznight]

Yeah I'd be interested too in a group buy. All high pressure isn't the best for body kits as the painting isn't normally the best quality and it depends on the prep work. Just gotta jold it a little further back

[doxximus]

get a karchar or a gerni

gerni works fine for me, i wash all my cars with it, and then use it at work to wash massive pieces of glass.

[C_DawG]

Stihl ones arent bad, Ive seen one get run over by a car and still function, then it got ran over again, now its rooted.

[Jetdat]

sounds like a good brand is the go...

if we can enough interest i can organise a group buy, so post if you would like to participate. Meanwhile i will do some research into prices.

[Jetdat]

sound like a good brand is the go...with a long hose

good to see a few people interested too. I can organise a group buy so post if you would like to participate, meanwhile i will do some research into prices.

[SKY031]

Everyone I know who has purchased a "Gerni" or "Karcher" brand pressure washer has had to have it fixed repeatedly....and I certainly wouldn't recommend either of them.

We have an Alto.

They are made in Denmark, and are the only brand on the market with an entirely metal pump.

(No plastic bits to break)

Available at Bunnings (in the toolshop)

Prices vary from about $100 for the small one... but there are many different models, and a huge price range.

There is also a "rim brush"..... which is a rotating brush for cleaning mags.

They are well worth checking out.

Oh, and most importantly, the units are a lovely shade of blue.

Remember the name...... Alto

Check it out next time you're at Bunnings

[Zahos]

well, I've had the $89 GMC preassure washer for over a year now, and it does the job just fine. The only think I hate, is that the hose is too short, and I have to lug the thing around with me.

Since you only use it weekends, get a cheapo, dont waste your money.

Just go up to about $150 for a half decent one, with a long enough hose (5m would be ideal)

[makaveli]

Id Be Interested In A Group Buy Too!

Probably A Cheaper One Though Coz My Car Relaxes In The Garage During The Week

[Jetdat]

i have done some research today....

the problem with the cheap units is that they have plastic internals, which are prone to break downs...the more expensive ones have stainless steel pistons and full alloy pump. Also more expensive ones are induction pumps as opposed to cheap ones being vacumm type pumps. I been told the small units are nothing but glorified hair dryers...

Alto seems to be a good unit, so is gerni and also got prices off a Nexus unit, which sounded very good.

I have some prices and specs which i will post soon.

[RTFGTR]

Group Buy...

ALTO for me please

[foznice]

just to go off the topic a bit... whats with waxing? does it add a layer to your car? I heard that it takes a really thin layer off your car, the theory being the outside is all weatherd- wipe some paint off the top and you have brand new shiny paintwork.

What's the deal? am i thinking of somethin else lol?

[Al]

If you are only buying a pressure washer only because of the water restrictions, you are wasting your money. All you need is a trigger activated garden hose . It is legal to wash your car with a hose, as long as it triggered and does not leek.