I am looking for an electric power washer that can spray soap under high pressure using narrower nozzles (like coin operated car washes do). I have a small Sun Joe that sprays soap but only at low pressures from a soap specific nozzle (not much stronger than a foam gun). Is anyone aware of such a machine? Most ones I find only spray at low pressures. This will be for household use so an extra heavy duty (really high pressure machine) is not needed.
Electric power washer wanted
- Thread starter GaryMX5
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JHZR2
Staff member
I have the lowest model ryobi. Bought it figuring it wouldn’t last, and knock on wood it has. I keep it indoors mainly since it’s not gas.
Works great. Get a foam cannon attachment. Connect it to your gun and use that.
Works great. Get a foam cannon attachment. Connect it to your gun and use that.
I have a 10 year old Ryobi that has been great. Only shoots foam with a low pressure adapter, so you'd need an accessory. I usually soak whatever I'm cleaning down with the soap and then let it soak in as I change nozzles.
I have this one from Harbor Freight that I bought last summer for about the same price as listed. Depending on how much money you want to spend and the level of quality and pressure you're looking for, I have to give this a thumbs up.
https://www.harborfreight.com/1750-...ic-Pressure-Washer-63254.html?event_id=183808
https://www.harborfreight.com/1750-...ic-Pressure-Washer-63254.html?event_id=183808
Go electric or go at least 4 GPM because the electric can do 80% of the work a 2.5 GPM at a fraction of the cost. Go big or small.
Check out Harbor Freight.
I believe that the flow limitations of the venturi pickup design of the soap solution siphon on portable pressure washers preclude the ability to introduce soap in sufficient concentrations when using a high pressure nozzle. I have an electric 2200 psi Sun Joe unit and a 13hp Honda 4500 psi gas unit. Both power washers can only deliver soap using a low pressure (black) nozzle configuration.
You have to get a pressure washer that puts soap into the stream under pressure. Probably would require a seperate soap tank with its own pump.
Not likely in a "home" version washer.
Not likely in a "home" version washer.
That's what I was afraid of. I was willing to go up a little in size and cost hoping to find something, but a more or less heavy duty commercial sprayer is overkill for my purposes. Thanks for the replies.
I have a foam cannon but my desire is to deliver soap with some power behind it. Kinda like self service car washes do, but alas that doesn't seem possible without going to industrial grade equipment.
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I have one of the Sun Joe PW's that is rated at 3250 psi, I believe. I don't have any basis of comparison, but it's been a good unit and does mostly what I need it to. I think it's absolutely a step up from the portable walk-around model. This would fit the description of the OP's needs.
The only thing I ever needed to repair on it was an o-ring that was making it leak and surge. I just removed the plastic housing and the hose adapter, and installed the hose directly in its place.
Higher PSI and not having to wrangle both a water hose and an electrical cord have me yearning for a gas PW. Only limited then by the length of hose / PSI loss with longer lengths.
I just wanted to ask - do most people use the foam cannon on high or low pressure?
The only thing I ever needed to repair on it was an o-ring that was making it leak and surge. I just removed the plastic housing and the hose adapter, and installed the hose directly in its place.
Higher PSI and not having to wrangle both a water hose and an electrical cord have me yearning for a gas PW. Only limited then by the length of hose / PSI loss with longer lengths.
I just wanted to ask - do most people use the foam cannon on high or low pressure?
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I have a Stanley electric pressure washer I got maybe 15 years ago. Works fine for all I do with it
I ended up with the Active 2.0 and love it. A bit more $$ than the Ryobi but puts out alot of water. The newer 2.3 is apparently more noisy and I honestly don't see a need for more than the 2.0 for vehicles.
Add a Cox reel and Flexzilla hose and you will be set. I use either the 3.5 or 3.7 nozzles
Add a Cox reel and Flexzilla hose and you will be set. I use either the 3.5 or 3.7 nozzles
