# Fred # wrote:

"Walter R." wrote in message
...
The daily rental for a 3000 psi pressure washer is $ 65. It has a gasoline
engine.

A new pressure washer from Harbor Freight costs $ 89. It is a 2 hp
electric unit and puts out 1,300 psi at 1.7 GPM.

I need a PW for cleaning stucco paint, removing spalling paint from my
concrete foundations and for cleaning up some lightly peeling paint from
my concrete patio, prior to painting.

If I owned a PW I would also use it for general cleanup around the house.
I could probably find lots of things to wash around the house, including
the dog.

Never used a PW before. I would appreciate any advice/opinions regarding
buying or renting.
--
Walter
www.rationality.net
-


Don't know about Harbor Freight but my electric Karcher with the plastic
compressor lasted only about 5 hours. Funny I had my Karcher in the trash
can at the same time my neighbor had his electric Karcher in the trash. Same
problem, his plastic compressor broke too and he seldom use it either. Spend
a little more money and get the gas model with a Honda engine good a
compressor.

Um, it's a pump, not a compressor. Water is (essentially) non
compressible.

I've not looked closely at the Karcher units, but I tend to doubt the
pump is actually plastic as plastic is rarely used at high pressures and
indeed the plastics that could handle those pressures are likely more
expensive than case metal. Might be cast aluminum pump housing with
paint that could look like plastic at a quick glance.

Don't spend the extra $ on the Honda engine unless you really need the
quieter engine. Other name brand engines will run just as well if a bit
louder and save a fair amount of money.

Another recommendation is to wear safety glasses when pressure washing.
While you're not likely to point the nozzle at your eye, it's quite easy
to get a spray back that contains debris which would not be fun to get
in your eye.

Pete C.