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  March 5, 2009 2:18 p.m. MikeS None

  In both Classic M & Grassroots you recommend using power washers to clean up old cars. I was wondering what to watch for when purchasing one and what kind of cleaner you use with a power washer to clean up grease & the accumalated grime on old cars? Also some of the ones in the $300 range seem to have a lot complaints about the pumps breaking?

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  April 2, 2009 3:54 p.m. spitfirebill HalfDork

  A power washer is one of those things you would sooner loan out your wife than it. If you take care of the pump, it will be OK. But a pump is definitely a high maintenance item. Be careful to NEVER run one dry (no water in the line). Don't let the washer run for a LONG time without using the gun. I drain mine each time I use it and flush it out with the antifreeze spray. I do this mainly to get a rust preventative in the pump. I paid about $390 for mine a couple of years ago and its been fine. It is a 2500 psi unit with a Honda motor and I use it several time a year. I don't know the pump mfg.
  

  I used to do field plot work with pesticides and got used to puying a new pump for the sprayer every year no matter how careful you were with it. Rebuild kits seemed to be worthless. Spraying pesticides is a lot different that spraying soap though.

  If you go to the store and see rebuilt units for sale, you can probably assume someone ruined the pump and it was replaced.

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  April 6, 2009 10:18 a.m. rconlon Reader

  I got a cheaper type power washer in this way. The pressure auto shut off switch had calcined to the point of no return. I promised to fix it for a buddy and ended up just removing it so it runs all the time. He bought another and gave it to me. Operates fine this way.

  Cheers Ron

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  April 17, 2009 9:21 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

  The really cheap pressure washers seem to work forever. Same for the really expensive ones. It's the in between ones that seem determined to die an untimely death.

  I tend to like the cheap lower pressure ones. You can't get in the same trouble with them that you can the ultra powerful ones.
  

  But make no mistake, even the cheap low pressure ones can fold the radiator fins, peel hoses and wire insulation, blast off radiator caps, remove labels, etc.
  

  When you want the ultimate in cleaning power destruction, you move up to a genuine steam genie.

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