Pressure Washers - How much pressure do you need?

bobswei · bobswei's Garage

Hi,
Just picked up a project car (70 911E) and needs lots of cleaning, everywhere. I'm looking at pressure washers from $ to $$$$. Also, 1200 psi to 2400 psi. How much psi is enough to make that gunk, grease, oil and sludge let loose of that engine, and everywhere else?
Also, will a 10,000 btu A/C cool a two car garage so working on this car in the summer will be as pleasant as spring?
Thanks for the comments....

Natog · 06-02-2006, 06:18 PM

I have a 2750 PSI model, and it will blow a hole through the car (exaggerating a little, but not much!) Some of the electric washers can be wimpy, but any gas powered should be more than enough.

You are probably best off brushing the nasty bits with something like Simple Green and hot water. Be careful with the pressure washer, you might force water where it does not belong.

My $.02

89911 · 06-02-2006, 06:33 PM

I bought a Karcher electric washer at Sam's a few years ago and it is more then enough to cleaning, especially around a car. Big pressure washers are great for power washing a house before painting or blasting a motorhome, but the other 360 days you don't need them, they just sit there. What a smaller electric one lacks in volume still produces cleaning power at peak pressure at the nozzle end, at least enough for a car. I would avoid anything too powerfull around my Porsche anyway.

LakeCleElum · 06-02-2006, 06:43 PM

I have 2,000 lbs with a Honda 5.5 hp engine....Last week, I put the '73.5 on jackstands, gunked everything down on the underside and let it sit about an hour.......I then used the Pressure washer. Was careful to keep it from being aimed directly in the area of transmission seals, etc.....Did a great job....I let things dry off for a few hours and she started right up......

bobswei · bobswei's Garage

Hey, Thanks for the responses. That's just the info I needed. I have a good idea on what direction to go and I don't have to spend as much as I thought. Good point about staying away from seals and places like that. I would have "let fly".
Thanks again.

Zeke · 06-02-2006, 08:15 PM

Anything around 200lbs or better is a good unit. This will allow you to fan out the stream a bit so you don't erode what you don't want to damage. Goes for the seals too. Hit a seal with a narrow stream and you may very well compromise the seal. Use a fan pattern, especially when in close quarters.