Kev Williams
03-24-2019, 3:22 PM
Did a search, last relevant post was 12 years ago so I'm starting anew :)
The story: We have a 50' steel bottom SkipperLiner houseboat. About 12 years ago (ironically) I was able to borrow this beast from a friend-
406434406435
It had diesel fired water heater, and IIRC the specs were 210° water, 4200psi and 4.5gpm. This thing was wonderful for cleaning the bottom, and finding hidden rust; if there was ANY rust hiding under the bottom paint, this thing uncovered it. It had enough power that, when I was dumb enough to see how well it might wash my truck, with the nozzle about a foot away it stripped the clearcoat right off...!
So present day, the short version is I've been doing hull repairs, and I've found all the obvious rust and I'm at the point I need to again find any hiding rust. The steam cleaner is gone now, so I've been searching out a rental. Can't find one, at least not from 'normal' sources and/or near me. The closest to me I've found is a 5000 psi cold water machine, but they want $300 a day to rent the thing. I'd rather buy...
SO- I'm finding that the 'affordable' machines end at 4400 psi, above that seems to triple the price and go from there. Other than 'the beast', the only other pressure washers I'm familiar with are 3000 psi or less machines. I currently have a 2700 Generac, about 6 years old and haven't even changed an o-ring yet. What I needing to know is, did the hot water in the steam machine help much, or was brute water force the biggest factor? There's no grease or oil involved...
I'm finding machines between 4000 and 4400 psi with pricing between $789 for a 'consumer duty' 4000 Simpson/Honda, to $989 for a Belt drive 4400 Simpson/Kohler, or $999 for a direct drive 4400 Simpson/Kohler ('industrial/contractor' machines) -For those who use these things, is there much difference between 4000 and 4400 psi? I'm assuming so, but I'm wondering if it's worth $200 extra to go from the consumer-Simpson to the contractor-Simpson? And is belt drive a plus or minus? And what about brands? All the above are courtesy of 'All Pressure Washers'... FWIW I can get a 4200 Generac from their website for $989. Warranty's seem to be 3-5 years motor 3-5 years pump depending...
Thanks !
The story: We have a 50' steel bottom SkipperLiner houseboat. About 12 years ago (ironically) I was able to borrow this beast from a friend-
406434406435
It had diesel fired water heater, and IIRC the specs were 210° water, 4200psi and 4.5gpm. This thing was wonderful for cleaning the bottom, and finding hidden rust; if there was ANY rust hiding under the bottom paint, this thing uncovered it. It had enough power that, when I was dumb enough to see how well it might wash my truck, with the nozzle about a foot away it stripped the clearcoat right off...!
So present day, the short version is I've been doing hull repairs, and I've found all the obvious rust and I'm at the point I need to again find any hiding rust. The steam cleaner is gone now, so I've been searching out a rental. Can't find one, at least not from 'normal' sources and/or near me. The closest to me I've found is a 5000 psi cold water machine, but they want $300 a day to rent the thing. I'd rather buy...
SO- I'm finding that the 'affordable' machines end at 4400 psi, above that seems to triple the price and go from there. Other than 'the beast', the only other pressure washers I'm familiar with are 3000 psi or less machines. I currently have a 2700 Generac, about 6 years old and haven't even changed an o-ring yet. What I needing to know is, did the hot water in the steam machine help much, or was brute water force the biggest factor? There's no grease or oil involved...
I'm finding machines between 4000 and 4400 psi with pricing between $789 for a 'consumer duty' 4000 Simpson/Honda, to $989 for a Belt drive 4400 Simpson/Kohler, or $999 for a direct drive 4400 Simpson/Kohler ('industrial/contractor' machines) -For those who use these things, is there much difference between 4000 and 4400 psi? I'm assuming so, but I'm wondering if it's worth $200 extra to go from the consumer-Simpson to the contractor-Simpson? And is belt drive a plus or minus? And what about brands? All the above are courtesy of 'All Pressure Washers'... FWIW I can get a 4200 Generac from their website for $989. Warranty's seem to be 3-5 years motor 3-5 years pump depending...
Thanks !