JEAPAINT

I plan on getting a 3600psi 4GPM unit. I have read that changing the nozzle size is better then adjusting the pressure on the machine. I found a nozzle chart on a website but not sure if I am reading it correctly. The way I read it is that if I use a size 6.5 on a 3500psi 4gpm it would drop the psi to 1500. And if a size 11 is used it would drop it to 500. What psi and nozzle size would be good for house washing and decks? Thanks in advance, Doug

I really didn't take a close look at the deck. She mentioned it to me as I was leaving. I was on the deck months before and I didn't see anything. Then again I wasn't examining the deck. Should I e-mail you with my address so you can send some brochures my way? I know sunbrite sells WTW. Do you have a distributor close to me in NJ? Doug

It isn't carpenter bees. They look more like a wasp. Like I said I did not witness this myself.

Boy lots of good info here! I'm a painter, mostly interior with minor exterior. I take pride in my work and offer top quality workmanship to my customers. It has been a few years since I have done a deck and plan on offering deck refinishing/restoration in 2006. In the past I have used Cabots, which was and may still be, a very reliable product. No problems with it lasting 2+ years. I am always on the lookout for newer, and hopefully, better products and methods. I am very interested in the wood tux line and would like to try it out. Is it possible to get samples to try or just buy a gallon instead of 5 gallons? Do you have brochures of your product line that I can show customers? I was talking to a customer of mine that wants to have her deck redone. She was telling me that she has a problem with bees or some other insect. She stated to me that the bees are eating or stripping off layers of wood. I did not observe this myself. She was told that to stop this from happening the wood needs to be completely sealed. Right now the deck is stained. Would WTW help with this problem? She was thinking of having the deck painted, even though she knows that the paint would crack and peel and need to be redone every year. Doug

Hello! I am a painter and looking to offer power washing to my customers. I have 2 possible jobs lined up for springtime already. I have been doing my research on pressure washers and have decided to get the Karcher #HD 4.0/36P 13 hp 4 GPM 3600psi. I have not ordered it yet and would like to know if anyone has had experiance with this unit? I will mostly be doing houses, concrete, pavers, etc... One of my first possible jobs is cleaning alumminum siding that is oxidized. I have read about a 2 step chem application to clean alumminum siding. What are the actual chems used? Brands? where to buy? I would practise first on my house which has the same problem with alumminum siding. Any help and info is greatly appreciated Doug

Where do you buy your nozzle's? I have only found the more common sizes. Doug

I did that but the websites don't have the info about the chemicals. Most of the websites there are for decks and vehicles.

I couldn't seem to find the info I was looking for in the FAQ's or at the vendor sites. I have seen some chems that seem to be what I am looking for but they are sold in LARGE quantities. Is ther someplace that sells them in gallon size so I can try it out without having to spend $100's ? Thanks Newlook! I do some minor exterior work (front doors, garage doors, etc...) I'm looking into getting back to doing decks. It has been a few years since I did decks. My father and I did decks the old fashion way. Want to try more modern and quicker methods of deck refinishing. Right now I am concentrating on learning about PWing. Deck ??'s will come later. :) Doug

Would that be a 65 deg. 10 orafice? I didn't know they made that. I have only seen a 65 deg. soap nozzle. Right now I am doing my research. Whenever I do something new I want to learn everything I can before doing anything. You will most likely be seeing lots of posts from me asking many questions. I learn rather quickly and absorb lots of info. I will mostly be doing res. house washing (which will include gutters, roofs, siding), patios, steps, walkways, decks, garage floors. I will eventually invest in a surface cleaner. Doug

I haven't been doing exterior painting. Thank you for all the advise and info! As I stated before, there is a Karcher dealer about a mile from my house, so getting service/parts is not an issue. What are the actual chems used? Muriatic acid? sodium hydroxide? I would try this on my own house to get experiance before doing a job for the customer. Also what would be a good chem/cleaner to use to clean up cement and brick on front steps? They are a bit stained from dirt and what could be mildew. I was thinking of using bleach to kill the mildew. Not sure if bleach would help to clean the rest. Thanks again, Doug

I like the classic Karcher model because it is compact. Being a painter I have a lot of stuff (paint, ladders, etc..) in the van already and this model will fit in when I need it without having to take too much out. There is a Karcher dealer in my town if it needs servicing. Having non-standard fittings could be a problem. They have a good warranty, 1 year parts and labor, 5 year pump warr, and I belive a 2 year warr. on the Honda engine. I was looking at a Troy-Bilt model from Lowes, same specs as the Karcher, but if it is used for commercial it only has a 90 day warr. What other brands are good? As for practising.. I live in an old house. There are tons of things around here to learn on. Aluminum siding, concrete, stone and concrete patio, shingle siding, and the list goes on:wave: Any info on the chems for alum. siding?

Why wouldn't you recomend a Karcher? I heard that they make a good unit.