Team-BHP - Buying & Using a Pressure Washer

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX007 (Post 2833192)

I bought a Bosch aquatak 100 plus for 9000/-rs last week. But it is not giving the expected results. Now its almost one month since I washed my car and along with the rain here in kerala my ride did have some good amount of dirt on it. Dirt had formed a small layer on my cars surface. But when I tried the aquatak on that I was surprised to see that it was not able to clean it. Later I used a cloth to clean it off. Now after 3 days of trying the aquatak I used it again on my car today and found that it is able to clean the car. But still dirt on the lower portions of the car (on the stone guard and portions below the door beading) still requires me to clean it. What could be the issue? I experience sufficient recoil on the gun and when tried on the walls (using the roto nozzle) it did peel off some paint which shows that it is producing adequate pressure. I use a nozzle called flexi jet on the car. Should I use a different nozzle (like the roto nozzle). I am afraid whether it will damage the paint! Guys who own this please let me know whether it can clean hardened dirt easily without having us to wipe it off?

Actually there could be 2 things. IT might be as simple as clogged up pipes and filters OR a problem with the unit itself. First check if 100 BAR is being generated at the nozzle or not. Clean your pipe and filter and this will add some more pressure at the output. IF it still fails, take it to the service station.

IF you aim the water Jet straight at the paint, it would chip off. I am sure while washing a round / circular motion was used. Point the Gun and move the gun as if you were writing the alphabet "O". Move the gun closer/farther away from the car to change pressure. Try a top to botton approach.

You might want to use the foamer and a satchet of car shampoo (30/- at any store like big bazaar / hyper-city).

My Suggestion:

Pre-wash the car with a water mist.
Use the foamer and foam / soap the entire car
Use a sponge and slightly rub the dirt off (Sponge costs Rs 10/-)
Finally was off the soap using your nozzle, from top down approach and the motion I suggested above.

Hope this help you. Please update with your experience.:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajanpt (Post 2809338)

Did you get it repaired at the Bosch dealer ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX007 (Post 2833192)

I bought a Bosch aquatak 100 plus for 9000/-rs last week. But it is not giving the expected results.

Guys who own this please let me know whether it can clean hardened dirt easily without having us to wipe it off?

I have owned the Bosch Aquatak 100 plus for more than three years and have got addicted to it (It does a very good job).
I have now bought a new one (exchanging the faulty old one) for Rs.7,500.

I use only the flexi-jet (the one with the foldable tip).
This gives slightly less pressure but gives a wider spray.
I think the 'pencil'-jet with its very thin/high pressure will damage the car.

For a thorough wash after very long drives I do the following:
1) A quick flexi-jet spray to wet the full car and remove large dirt.
2) Spray shampoo using the Detergent-nozzle.
3) Wipe the car with cloth with the shampoo-foam to loosen the fine dirt/stains/oil, etc.
4) Spray again with the flexi-jet.
5) Hand wipe with cloth to dry.

The end result is a sparkling clean car!

I just completed washing my two cars with Bosch Aquatak 100+ unit. My procedure is slightly different.
1. Using the detergent applicator, apply foam over the car and thus soak the dirt.
2. Use the fan jet and wash the car thoroughly. Avoid pointed jet. All the grit particles that may scratch will be gone.
3. Prepare about 5 litres of shampoo solution and wipe the car with a 3M microfibre cloth. since the car is clean, it wont create swirls.
4. Rinse with jet fan again.
5. Wipe the car with chamois
6. Car sparkles.

I am quite happy with the unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialist1968 (Post 2833446)

#3 means one manually has to run the cloth over the entire body of the car right?

Problem with the Bosch is the rain soaked and dry mud stain on the paint of the car is a little tricky to remove completely unless manually done by hand.

And by doing it by hand, the purpose of the car wash is negated :Frustrati

It is OK as a daily car wash but needs to be better..the detergent applicator is useless IMO

Sudden idea and application of my Bosch Aquatak 100 Plus:

Spent half the morning trying to clean the baffle filters of the kitchen chimney, with an assortment of cleaners like soap, vinegar, and finally methylated spirit. The muck loosened, but it was a frustrating experience over 1.5 hours to remove it and get a clean surface.

Finally, bright idea. Pointed jet of Aquatak left the surfaces sparkling clean. A wipeover with old newspapers did the final trick.

Moral of the story: Clean kitchen chimney baffle plates more often! Leave them alone too long, and the mess is too tough to clean. :D

Am glad I came across this thread. Am in the market for a Pressure Washer to wash my cars. Am unable to do it manually without dirt swirls. I have never washed underbody and dirt etc. Usually my watchman would clean my cars and so I never got the hang of this. Moved home recently and am kinda thinking of starting to do it myself with the right tools :)
I saw the recommendations on the Karcher and am tempted by it. Earlier was considering Bosch or Eureka Forbes.
I also wanted a Steam Vacuum and if Karcher has this, will go for it too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by diyguy (Post 2865196)

I saw the recommendations on the Karcher and am tempted by it. Earlier was considering Bosch or Eureka Forbes.
I also wanted a Steam Vacuum and if Karcher has this, will go for it too.

KArcher is expensive but worth the money in the long run. Bosch & eureka forbes are not as good in quality.

Steam wash is a professional job and please be careful while using it as paint and rubber beading would fade with prolonged usage. steam wash is best for AC Vent cleaning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scopriobharath (Post 2865215)

I wanted the steam vacuum for my upholstery, mattresses, bathrooms actually. I have just dropped an email to a local dealer to find out prices of the Karcher equipment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT500 (Post 2903263)

Guys,

If I have an option to go for a karcher 2.110 and bosch Aquatak 100 plus, with same price of Rs.7.2k and more or less same tech specs ,which one should I go for?

The bosch has 4 more attachments as compared to karcher, the vario jet is not there in the karcher at all ,a simple jet with no adjustments !, whereas bosch has a plethora of attachments.

The bosch is chinese made whereas karcher is german.

Any views ?

Cheers

GT

Definitely the karcher though you have to accept that you get less value for money. The plus is the karcher will last a lot longer than the Chinese made Bosch

Quote:

Originally Posted by rm_arjuna (Post 2905214)

Finally bought Karcher Pressure washer K3.550 at Metro yesterday , costs 12k with 1 yr warranty.

It was a simple setup job and ready to go in 20 mins . pressure is pretty good ,cleaned by kids bicycles to get an hang of it .Have to install 16amp socket at parking area to start cleaning my cars .

Arjuna - how is the water connection from Tap. Is there any specific tap that we must use or does the hose connect to any tap?

Secondly, Does Metro have Karcher accessories like under chassis cleaner, wheel brush etc ?