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 | bvance
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 280 The Great Pacific NorthWet, Olympia, WA 
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2005-04-03 109336
I just purchased a Karcher 3600 PSI, w/ a 13HP Honda gas engine pressure washer. I have rented similar models to power wash the driveway, dog run etc. but wondered if anyone out there has some unique ways you have used your pressure washer.
My first use was to clean my BX after a muddy day in the field and it worked great.
Other uses, unusual or the obvious? Or some do's or don't do's? Thanks!
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 | hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa 
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2005-04-03 109337
A couple things I've learned. That much pressure will peel paint and decals with the wand held just right. My next brainstorm was to use hot water instead of hydrant cold water. Fourtunately I had sense enough to call the Mfgr. before I did that. they had a hot water seal package for the pump at roughly 300.00 otherwise the warranty was void. Yours is a bigger machine than mine (2700 lb. gasoline), but it does wonders. Frank. ....
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| denwood
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 542 Quarryville PA 
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2005-04-03 109349
That much pressure can cut skin, as well as the rubber on tires, my dad proved the latter on his raised white letter tires. I have wanted a pressure washer for years, but refuse to part with a nickle for a cold water machine. I have used the hot water models enough to know better. Both of my parents have cold water machines that I got for them at their request but I don't even bother to borrow them. The difference between hot and cold is truly night and day especially on greasy oily stuff. The cold just pushes the stuff around while hot just rinses it away. I want a Karcher model because they have steam capabilities as well as instant shut off of motor when you let off the trigger for electric models. I bought one once as a scratch and dent but new and unused with full warranty. The dealer set it all up and tested it, put it in my minivan and I went home. the diesel tank ruptured just after I got home and Karcher ended up recarpeting my van, another companies offices, and repairing another guys hardwood floor. I asked if they started making the tanks in china, but later saw the made in Germany markings. The dealer forgot to check if that tank was a recall model. I told them to keep it so I am still searching. ....
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 | jeffinsgf
Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 10 Brighton (Springfield), MO
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2005-04-03 109353
If you're into refinishing implements, tractors, or old cars, I can highly recommend a sandblasting attachment for your new washer. I got one last year and found it very helpful. I liked it better than air blasting. ....
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 | harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY 
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2005-04-04 109363
Cold to apply chemicals, HOT to wash and turn back to cold to rinse.
1500 is plenty of pressure with the right chemicals, hot water and knowledge. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-04-04 109377
I agree with Harvey, anything more than 1,500 psi is, IMHO, just asking for trouble, and unnecessary expense.
If the goal is to make something clean, 1,500 psi will do the job just fine. If you want to use it to strip paint or something, that's different.
We use a large old air-powered pressure washer in the shop, it sprays in pulses, with a 1,500 psi maximum pressure, but at very substantial flow rates, I believe ours is about 6 GPM.
If we are washing something like a vehicle, we hose it down with a garden hose just to 'pre-soak' it, then use the pressure washer with cold water to get the heavy stuff off, then wash with hot soap & water and just a brush, then a cold water pressure rinse. Equipment just gets the cold pressure usually, unless we're spiffing up for parade duty or something.
Best of luck. ....
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 | Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 955 Central Iowa 
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2005-04-04 109396
I've rented power washers to remove peeling paint from siding. Need to be carefule as it can seriously cut into wood siding. Oops. also, if the siding is starting to rot, the power washer will remove chunks.
But they are nice to have. I don't own one myself. It's not high enough on the list yet. ....
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 | beagle
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1333 Michigan
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2005-04-05 109440
Stay away from the models with the vertical shaft engines and the pump mounted under them. It is a real PITA to adjust your flow with the valves mounted under the machine. ....
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| bvance
Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 280 The Great Pacific NorthWet, Olympia, WA
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2005-04-05 109475
Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments. Even tho my washer is 3600 PSI, it has a regulator that you can dial down the pressure if you need to.
The reason I got the 3600 PSI is to use a 36 inch round power washer for concrete and asphalt. It looks like a big floor buffer, but has 3 power washer heads that spin at a high rate and cleans concrete and asphalt very well. With the 3 power washer heads, you need all of the 3600 PSI. I have a long ashalt drive way that this system works well on. ....
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| danputtputt
Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 20 northern michigan
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2005-04-08 109585
My 2 cents. Other uses: Cleaning algie and dirt off our large landscaping rock's. As a hobby we like to explore and collect "pudding stones". Also called jasper conglomerates. Really brightens them up. Do's and dont's: From experience, either train the wife and kids in proper operation, or have a hands off policy. It's very tempting for a teenager to use it when dad's not home. those pumps are expensive to replace! then theres the liability issue, as its just too tempting for them to begin a water war with the buddies. ....
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 | shortmagnum
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 848 Wisconsin
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2005-04-08 109590
"Cleaning algie and dirt off our large landscaping rock's."
If you watched This Old House" on PBS this past winter they sent truckloads of landscape rock back because they didn't have enough old crap on them to make the new farmer's fence they were building look like it had been there for years. I think I'd rather have clean rocks too. :)
Dave ....
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