How much pressure to wash?

[jafo9]

I'm looking at buying a pressure washer just for my pontoon. What PSI should I be looking for. I've read lots of posts about cleaning the carpet with a pressure washer but I haven't seen a recommended pressure. How much is too little, how much is too much. Lowe's sells a $99 electric that claims 1500 psi. is that enough. If I buy a bigger one, when does too much pressure hurt the carpet? I see many people recommend not getting the wand too close to the carpet. Is there an optimum distance so I won't harm the carpet? I don't have a trailer so I can't take it to the car wash. Thanks.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

Serious pressure washers have the interchangable tips. They are color coded for safety (white...green...yellow...red).

Get this grade of washer, and use the tips starting with the white (softest).

For reference:

White...cars, carpet, anything considered delicate

Green...wheels, painted wood, cars (if used with caution)

Yellow...driveways, engine blocks, your dirty pontoons, always use discretion

Red...very intense, can write your name in concrete, not even given to you if you rent....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

I would not use a pressure washer on the carpet. Carpet is not manufactured to take that kind of abuse. Shampoo it just like you would your household carpet. I use a mild soap and water solution and a bush to scrub it and then flush it with the garden hose. Leave it in the sun to dry. About the only thing I would use the pressure washer for is to clean the pontoons.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

really? dont pressure wash carpet? my neighbor pays me to clean his pontoon with it lol.


well if u do choose to buy one. my neighbor uses a 2200 gas one with 3 levels of nozzels. 2 r wide spray( i would use) the other is straight line. i use the middle one cause u have to go over it cuple of times with the 1st level. but there is the thing that the lawn mower engine has a speed ontrol. like half speed and full speed on it. he bought an electric one cause the other one stoppped working carb problems. i tryed to use it to clean my gas tnak at the time. sucked. it was 1500 also. even on highest pressure the rust was hard to come off. i didnt try it on the toon though?


do what u want lol i aint no expert though

 

[OldePharte]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

We bought a Bissell carpet shampoo machine and it works great. We relegate the Karcher pressure washer to the boat hull and the cushions, although we keep a fair distance back.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

What your neighbor pays you to do and directs you to do is certainly between the two of you. There are no carpet cleaning police. Have you ever tried to pressure wash cedar decking? Unless you are careful it will rip strands of wood out of the lumber. There are warnings all over the machine and in the manual against contact with skin! That should also be a clue that spraying cushions or carpet is not a good idea.

 

[jafo9]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

that's why i was thinking one of the less powerful electrics would do the trick for carpet. i've already got a hoover upright carpet cleaner. i thought about using it, but i was worried it wouldn't work on mold.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

as with any pressure washer the distance you hold the wand, from the surface you are cleaning is key. if you want to use the washer for other chores, buy a powerful one, with the interchangable tips. if you just want to wash carpet, there are many adapters that just screw on the water hose, that will increase pressure enought to blow carpet apart.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

the nozzle in the center top, will make a pressure washer out of an ordinary water hose.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How much pressure to wash?

I have a cheapo 1500 psi pressure washer and I used it last year for the first time to clean my pontoon carpet and it worked great. I though it was so stained that I would need a new rug but it cleaned right up. As TD says, the distance from the rug is the key. Those things have zilch pressure at 1 foot but at 1 inch it can do damage so wash accordingly.