the pressure is on

[Christopha]

The pressure is on to buy a water blaster, I need one for general use, the ute, the car, paving and paint blasting etc.

ADVICE PLEASE!

[RETIRED]

I have the K'archer mid range one. What a beastie if you use the spinning head nozzle. Rips bark off real quick. Great on concrete too. Sorry Chris, don't wash cars so can't comment on that aspect. :D

[Christopha]

Thanks mate, when you are wandering past it next could you have a look for a model number for me please.

[RETIRED]

Yep.

[Ben from Vic.]

We've got the mid range (570 or something like that) Karcher too.

Love it, had it for about 8 years, used for washing the cars (more now with the water restictions). No problems.

Also good for removing vynal type lettering off the bonnet of your car (as in "Nissan" :o )


Ben.

Ps. I'll confirm the model No. next time I see it.

[bitingmidge]

Well...my pressure blaster is a 1750 psi model, with a metal pump and other stuff made by.......


GMC


It's not the little girly $70 one, oh no....it's the blokey $170 one. I bought it a year ago to do a two weekend job, for about a 30% saving over hiring one, and it works well, and has done ever since.

With care and skill (that's what I tell her) I can hold it while she cleans all the windows on the house.

The equivalent spec'd Karcher was about $650.00 at the time, and I figured if I have to pay for a new GMC every two years and one week (I'm guessing it won't break down in the warranty period), I will pretty much have broken even. If I don't, I'm WAAAAAAyyyyy ahead.

I don't like cleaning the cars with it (it also removes stripes, rubber gaskets, and probably plastic trim if you try hard enough), but it's been pretty handy for everything from cleaning carpets to de-barking burls and everything in between.

Get one and have fun!

Cheers,

P

[John Saxton]

Got the same one as BM works a treat was going down the Karcher track but thought the saving of some good dinero was probably justified.

Does all that I require of it and can generate good pressure as BM says great for cleaning gutters,driveways and the like.

Have not regretted buying it ...had some reservations being GMC but those reservations were unfounded.

Cheers :)

[jackiew]

used for washing the cars .

can you wash cars :confused:

[ozwinner]

My blaster is of the ghetto kind.
Duooffff
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Alginon :D

[echnidna]

I got a cheapie GMC and it works well.
It gets used for removing hard water buildup (scale) at thescout camp.
No regrets about it at all.

[SteveI]

I too have the GMC cheapie ($87) - and for the twice a year I use it, it is quite good for the job.... I'm sure the Karchers are better, but at 5 or 6 times the price!!!!

I've mainly used it for cleaning the wooden deck before re-oiling.

I even used it to clean the ice out of the freezer!! (Wheeled it out onto the balconey and blasted the ice out) If it does that without damaging the freezer, it should be okay on the car.

[vsquizz]

I recommend this one. 36'000 psi, takes paint off, cuts concrete etc.:D

http://www.nlbcorp.com/images/nlb_unit_225new.jpg (http://www.nlbcorp.com/units.asp)

[barnsey]

Gee vsquizz - that looks like mine - not!!
I got the K-Mart special one day for about $75. It's been great. 1750psi,
and it'll take the mud and the top layer off the concrete without any problem.
Great for getting the spiders under the eaves too. :D

Mind you I would only use it underneath the car. I've seen one used in a rental car yard and as noted above you would be surprised what they will remove, including the paint of those plastic bits (like bumpers and petrol caps etc) immediately :(

For the 3-4 times a year you use em they are great - and the grunge that winds up in the bird bath :eek: - disappears :p

[bitingmidge]

Mind you I would only use it underneath the car.

Barnesey (and all the others that use it under a car) BE CAREFUL,

High pressure washers are notorious for blasting dust, mud and grit INTO bearings under seals. A regular blast will almost certainly guarantee reduced life on anything that has a friction seal, so blast at your own risk!

Cheers,

P :rolleyes:

[barnsey]

P

Sorry - forgot to mention that :cool:

I've also seen some sad results where people have decided that the engine and bay needs a clean and then they wonder why the car won't run :rolleyes:

It can be done if you know how to do it. Remember the water jet can take the surface off concrete -if you want to test it, stick your finger in the stream!!!! :eek: actually, don't - it hurts :(

Got a really clean bird bath though :D :D :D

[Ben from Vic.]

C'mon guys, it's not a dangerous weapon, just a high pressure cleaner.

Use it to wash anything you like, just don't get to close.

Hold the unit about 15 to 20 cm's from whatever your cleaning until your confident and all should be well.

Provided you keep your distance from seals, rubber hoses and electrical conectors your presure cleaner won't damage anything.


Water jets can also cut steel if the jet is thin enough, and the presure high enough.

Water Jet cutters (http://science.howstuffworks.com/question553.htm)


Ben.

[bitingmidge]

Provided you keep your distance from seals, rubber hoses and electrical conectors your presure cleaner won't damage anything.

Yep!!! Also stick on signs, stripes, feet, softwood......

But it will clean stains out of any fabric... if you don't believe me, take the next garment with the stubborn stain (even paint on your best shorts!!), lay it on the driveway or some other unsuspecting piece of concrete, and let 'er rip!!


:D :D :D :D

P

[echnidna]

good for cleaning grotty old carpets (like the ones in me ute)

[craigb]

We're not allowed to use them. Level 2 water restrictions will do that :(

[Ben from Vic.]

We're not allowed to use them. Level 2 water restrictions will do that :(

Yes you are, were on stage 2 as well.

Check the fine print, even email your local water people, high pressure water cleaning is said to use less water, so they allow it.

[Christopha]

Any idea what these things are like if used for an hour or two at a time?

[Iain]

Great for picking up shabby panel beating jobs (spray painting ).
A few seconds will tell if your spray painter is any good ;)

[simon c]

I've been borrowing the neighbours Alto-Kew. Model 4030 about $300 he paid. We're redoing our paving so used it to balst the motar out of the gaps so we can replace it all. Probably used it four about 4 hours each day over the weekend with no problems. Was ABSOLUTELY covered in dirt by the end of it. Great fun.

Do have to watch the power though. I started cleaning the windows and got too close and it stripped some of the paint off. If you're going to wash the car, you can get a different attachment that won't damage the paintwork.

We were so impressed, we're thinking of getting one.

[bitingmidge]

Any idea what these things are like if used for an hour or two at a time?

A couple of people I know have had the cheaper (?) Karchers with the plastic pump bits, and they have self destructed after extended use. I seem to recall they have a recommended time on the box?

Seems the metal ones aren't afflicted with that problem..

The nice man from Bunnies suggested that I don't leave the pressure hose in the sun when not actually using the machine (the hose'll go soft and burst under pressure), and don't run it without water (Buggers the pump - obvious)...that is the two main reasons for getting them back apparently.

I've run mine for over an hour, but after that it gets a bit bloody boring anyway!

If you have one big job, get the GMC, do the job, and if it dies most of the way through, get a new one to put on the shelf!!

Cheers,

P

[barnsey]

Have used mine for 2 - 3 hours at a time and hasn't missed a beat :D

FWIW

Jamie

[BigPop]

I bought the actual Gerni (Crown Compact Series) about 3 years ago - paid an arm and a leg for it :(:(.
It does a fabulous job but I reckon a GMC cheapie would do just as good a job and if they were around whehn I got mine I'd say I would've bought that instead. It has a metal pump with stainless steel pistons etc which was recommended to me to get as I was told that the plastic ones (that a few other well known brands use) won't last as long and can disintegrate under heavy use for some time.

[Christopha]

I have ordered a 1800 GMC from Banner, $190 less my 20% trade discount......
Thank you all fore your input

[Wood Borer]

Christopha,

If you are coming to Melbourne, you will be pressed for time to try it out so did you want us to do you a favour and bring our cars to the TWW show so you can wash them with it?

I'm sure a few of us would be happy to help you in this way.

[Christopha]

I am so lucky to have such thoughtful "friends"! OK, a free carwash with every $1,000.00 dollar purchase of UBeaut products from yours truly at the Show.......

[Wood Borer]

Attention Melbourne TWW show visitors

We will meet prior to spending at the UBeaut stand and pool all our purchases. We can then have a raffle to decide who will get the free car wash(es) compliments of Christopha.

See you at the show mate. :cool: