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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Parkside - South Australia
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    45
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    3,316

    Default Pressure Washer Recommendations - upto $300

    Hi All,

    I am in the market for an entry level pressure washer for general purposes around the home.

    Basic tasks including:

    • Cleaning down concrete paths / polished concrete entertaining area;
    • Washing down Colorbond walls and roof;
    • Cleaning outdoor furniture;
    • Window washing;
    • Car washing.


    Nothing particularly intensive, not wanting anything with so much power it will strip paint. The surface/Patio Cleaner looks like it would be handy for cleaning the concrete path. A detergent fixture may come in handy for washing down the walls, but not essential.

    Brands of interest so far seem to be Stihl, Karcher and Gerni. Happy to spend up to around $300 but not interested in spending extra on useless attachments.

    I'm guessing that they are much of a muchness but was wondering if anybody has had good recent experiences.

    Cheers

    Stinky

    Now proudly sponsored by Binford Tools. Be sure to check out the Binford 6100 - available now at any good tool retailer.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    I have a Karcher it was about $180 bucks about 4 or five years ago still going strong never had a problem with, it is only about 1600 psi
    does all I want I use a foaming gun for the car

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    se Melbourne
    Age
    62
    Posts
    2,567

    Default

    I have a Gerni with a "patio cleaner". Does make it easier to do large areas, but you still cannot rush or you leave swirl marks.
    I paid under $300 for my kit, money that has been recovered cleaning driveways and decks for others.

    Like most things, go for a name brand and get the best you can for your money. A longer pressure hose is worth it. Mine is 6 metres and can just go half way around the station wagon without moving the pressure washer.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Sunbury, Vic
    Age
    84
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    I have had a Karcher for probably 15 years now. I think I paid about $200 for it then. It has been trouble free and done all I have needed. Just recently had to replace O ring on end of pressure hose - took the hose to local Karcher outlet where they put a new one on with no charge.
    I will be cleaning my daughters driveway with it today.
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Parkside - South Australia
    Age
    45
    Posts
    3,316

    Default

    Thanks all ..... I asked the same question on the renovation forum and also got Karcher as the most popular.

    I’m not expecting that this purchase will see me though to the end of my days but I do want to feel that I got good value for the purchase when it dies. Karcher do seem to be readily available and sometimes it pays to stick with what is popular.
    Now proudly sponsored by Binford Tools. Be sure to check out the Binford 6100 - available now at any good tool retailer.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    I have two Karchers, one a small entry level one and the other much bigger, it cost me about $600. The bigger one has been nothing bit trouble and Karcher and I have had a few robust discussions about it and their warranty obligations. The smaller one has been trouble free and done a lot more work. I think at this price point they are simple machines designed to be disposable if they break down.
    CHRIS

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Perth WA Australia
    Posts
    828

    Default

    Was given a karcher as a wedding present a number of years ago, still goes good despite lack of care for it on my behalf. Believe its one of the smaller ones they make.

    Wouldn't recommend cleaning colorbond with it though, particularly if its to your house roof. Its quite easy to destroy the rubber gasket around the screws resulting a leaky roof.

    Also depending on the area/frequency of use its a false economy to go with the smaller units, you'll cook the motor if you use them in a manor that they are not built for.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    I got the Karcher K3 a couple of years back and so far it's going well. Was under $300 (from bunnies) if I remember with a couple of brush heads thrown in. The deck cleaning brush head did a wonderful job prior to reoiling the deck. Handy thing to have around the place. They do have to be used with a bit of restraint at times as they can over clean some things. Some concrete can have the surface stripped away if you get too trigger happy.
    Regards
    John

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Somerset, UK
    Posts
    445

    Default

    Had both Karcher and Nilfisk over the years, both do the job.
    Don't know how cold it gets where you are but whatever you get don't leave it out in the cold. The water in the pump will freeze and split the casing.
    DAMHOK.
    Mark
    What you say & what people hear are not always the same thing.
    http://www.remark.me.uk/

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    blue mountains
    Posts
    4,882

    Default

    I noticed a frost warning sticker on mine just the other day. Had a smile as I remembered frosts back in the old country. Frozen pipes and a frozen car radiator. My dad left it a bit late in the season getting antifreeze. We do get the occasional frost here on winter nights but only a bit of white sparkle and a light ice skin on the bird bath. Not those hard and destructive frosts.
    Regards
    John

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Parkside - South Australia
    Age
    45
    Posts
    3,316

    Default

    Sounds like every man and his dog has a Karcher I don’t think that freezing will be an issue in Adelaide fortunately.

    The K3 for around $250 looks as if it will do all I need.

    Cheers for the feedback.
    Now proudly sponsored by Binford Tools. Be sure to check out the Binford 6100 - available now at any good tool retailer.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    Just be aware that the area the spray pattern area is a lot smaller than the bigger ones. I had to use my small one the other day and I was surprised at how much difference there was compared to the bigger version and also the pressure difference.
    CHRIS

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Perth WA Australia
    Posts
    828

    Default

    agree with Chris,

    My small karcher at full pressure has a spray around 1-2" wide, i've used it before to clean some paving. Probably took 5 times as long to do if i had a larger unit.

    Its great for cleaning cars etc where you don't need the full spray, but for me its primarily used to clean reclaimed lumber so the small jet isn't an issue.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Sunshine Coast Queensland
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,400

    Default

    I'll second the Karcher comments.
    Mine is a 5 year old $100 basic karcher, 1200psi (the current $100 Karcher is 1400psi) and it does everything - I use it mainly for cleaning paths and the outside of the house and it's great.
    If $300 is your budget you can get a good karcher and have cash left over.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    While your at it grab one of these, it's a really fun way to wash the car
    https://www.ebay.com/p/Jet-Wash-Cann...d=222496584424

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