Power Washer

kitchen table legs · October 8th, 2007, 05:13 PM

What kind of power washer should i be looking at? what is the minimum psi that will get the job done?

Greg hamrick · October 9th, 2007, 06:58 AM

A power washer is an invaluable tool for proper screen care, so don't be skimpy when buying one. Name brand doesn't matter as much as pressure...but if you need a name, Karcher is a good one.

kitchen table legs · October 10th, 2007, 07:37 AM

Right, that's what I was thinking. I'm not worried about name brand, I was just wondering what pressure is adequate. I don't want something so strong that it blows holes in my screens, what is a normal psi for a power washer? Are the electric ones ok, or should I be looking at gas?

Greg hamrick · October 11th, 2007, 08:24 AM

Although 1200 psi sounds like alot of pressure, it can leave you really having to work at a screen to get all the emulsion off. I would look at something along the line of 2200 psi, give or take a few hundred pounds.
It's not going to blow any holes in your screens and they will come cleaner. My power washer is 2400 psi and I've used a 1200 psi washer and the difference is night and day. Any residue left over from the emulsion will cause your next print to suffer and your screens life to be short lived.

Hope this helps.................

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Jaxx Shirts · October 29th, 2007, 02:08 AM

I have a Troy-Bilt 2500 PSA with a Honda gas powered engine and it's great. I would not recommend the electric ones. They don't last very long. I can reclaim a screen very quickly. Actually it's so strong that I could clean the screen without chemicals if I wanted to :-) but it takes longer. Just don't point it at human flesh. Trust me on this one.

select1 · January 5th, 2009, 09:41 AM

Does anyone use a pressure washer to washout the screen after exposure? We find fine lines are a little hard to get out sometimes with our little trigger-hose.

Ian

Greg hamrick · January 5th, 2009, 07:40 PM

If you do use a power washer to get those fine lines and half-tones...better make sure the screen is exposed good. Also hold back on the distance between the washers wand and the screen. I wouldn't recommend doing that as a everyday thing.
You might be better off getting a ( low volume-high pressure ) garden hose nozzle and stick with the old regular way of doing it. You'll get alot better pressure but not enough to blow out the screen. That's the way I do it. You get almost twice the pressure with one of those nozzles.

Hope this sheds alittle light for ya Ian.

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