Thread: High Pressure Cleaner? (Mildly OT)

Electrical high pressure cleaners are perfectly OK, they are designed to work in damp environments, have even cleaned them using themselves.

The chemical injection is a big no-no, cleaning chemicals can damage the sleeves of the pistons, the hose, and the tip of the cleaning lance, a good high pressure cleaner has ceramic pistons, the cheap ones do not, so damage to the pistons is also possible.

Before I get jumped on, I am aware that the injection happens on the discharge side but when shut down the chemicals reach back into the pump.

Buy a sand blasting gun, the very cheap kind and spray the cleaning chemical around that way, using proper PPE of course.

Look at the pump of any machine you are interested in, make sure the pump is made in Italy, the drive is up to you but Italy is the world leader in small high pressure pumps with spares readily available.

Also be aware that high pressure or even steam cleaning will not do the job for you, correct chemicals and technique are essential.

I bought a Karcher 12-13 years ago and it is
still going strong after quite a lot of work.

I was told the pumps on the smaller electric ones
cannot be repaired whereas the bigger industrial
with a separate motor are repairable.

My Karcher churns out 1800 psi and I couldn't
imagine needing anything higher.

You are correct about the smaller pumps Mr Hicks, but I am now used to 1500hp "mud" pumps that operate up to 4000psi and 1600 litres a minute so everything is smaller

The K'Archers are a good brand, as are Spitwater and Gerni, all those use Italian made pumps.

We used to use a hot water (commonly called a steam cleaner) K'Archer 6-8 hours a day 6 days a week and it kept on going for 5 yrs. Only a few minor probs with valves which were easily fixed. Wore out the hose every 6 months.

I figure the strongest chemicals I can see myself using are "Pine Green" (a mild detergent / deodorant) and sugar soap (removing dusty build up on intact paint work before repainting). I'm only looking to replace a "bucket of soapy water and a stiff broom" situation (although cleaning up some of the bird droppings might be a bonus).

I've read so many (predominantly US) reviews of the Karcher stuff which point to them being unreliable dogs. Nice to hear some positive feedback.

Given they're cheap and available at Bunnings (where work pays and gets trade discount) they *might* be worth a look. I see a few Bosch units there too.

We shall see...

Sugar Soap is a mild caustic and will cause damage.

The little "screamers" sold at Bunnings will not last if used daily, they are designed for light domestic use, an hour or 2 a week.
I have one of those little screamers and they are great for washing the car or the outside of the house, but that means it is only used once or twice a month.

Its like trying to tow a semi trailer with a Hyundi Exel.

You need something that has the "seperate" pump with choice of drives.