Kärcher K2 pressure washer?

Nod

Nod

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Anyone got one? Any good for occasional patio and car washing? Read the Amazon 1* reviews to get the worst case scenarios, now after a couple of first hand experiences if possible! Patio isn't huge.
 
I used to have one. It was my third karcher and broke yet again.

I've got a Nilfisk this time, see if it lasts a bit longer.
 
Is your Nilfisk the C110 (which seems to be the equivalent to the K2)? Both have 2 year warranty and seem to be about the same price from Amazon (with the patio washing attachment.)
 
Got a Karcher with patio attachment but not sure which model.
Used it for years and not managed to break it yet.
 
For patio's, or any flat surface/walls etc (just in case you don't know about them) you can't beat these; http://www.wickes.co.uk/Karcher-T250-T-Racer-Patio-Cleaner/p/104101
MUCH quicker than jetting alone & do a thorough job. You can even use it with ordinary shoes/trainers without getting wet through.

Note- other manufacturers make similar, as they aren't usually interchangeable between different systems. Although I believe you can get converter/attachments.
 
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Nod i can help here with your question

The problem you will come across is the stupid length of the hose that comes with it. you have to keep moving the K2 power cable and garden hose. it is a right pain as the machine keeps falling over as well.

However I found a solution there is a company in Ireland that sells different lengths of hose and i bought one of 10 metres which solved the problem

Link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230780863130

about the cheapest i could find.
 
Both the kits I'm looking at (Karcher K2 and Nilfisk C110) come with patio cleaning attachments. Hard to choose between them so might just go for the cheapest option and see if it does the job! Both sets of specs are pretty much identical as are the warranties. Nilfisk is a few quid cheaper...
 
NOD

link to another sites in your start conversation section in profile about my K2. If you go for the K" on bit of kit I have which is great for doing car roofs is this.


Karcher 360 Degree Vario Power Jet (K2-K4)
 
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Cheers for the advice, all. Have decided to go for the cheapy Nilfisk and if it breaks down, Amazon can have it back and I'll work my way up the ranges!
 
I think the nilfisk ones have metal internals instead of plastic so they're much better.
 
before making a final decision do check the pressure the machine works at. I have to say if I didn't have my 601 commercial machine I would go up the range to a k4 or k5
 
Suz
I admit I don't know anything about Nilfisk only that i have the K2 domestic and an Karcher HDS 601c commercial hot water pressure washer
 
realspeed said:
before making a final decision do check the pressure the machine works at. I have to say if I didn't have my 601 commercial machine I would go up the range to a k4 or k5
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Both are 110psi. If it was a real need rather than (basically) a useful toy, I would be looking at something a bit bigger but for what I want it for, the baby ones should do.
 
Nod said:
Both are 110psi. If it was a real need rather than (basically) a useful toy, I would be looking at something a bit bigger but for what I want it for, the baby ones should do.
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They most definitely do. I used to have a more powerful karcher before my K2 before my Nilfisk and actually you had to be careful using it for a car wash. For car washing and patio cleaning they are absolutely fine.

I can't remember the model of mine, think it was the alto c110. Very cheap around £70'ish if recall correctly.
 
Pretty sure that's the one, JP. Now ordered, so I'll bet I think of other things I want from Amazon now!!!
 
Both karcher and Nilfisk kept breaking for me, they had plastic inlet tubes. I got a Mcalistair which has an aluminium inlet and it's been flawless for over a year now. Also has an aluminium induction motor unless karcher which I believe uses a plastic one. The more expensive ones may be better?
 
I've a Karcher K2. Had it for a couple of years and it does its job pretty well.
It's not brilliantly made though. Plastic body, plastic handles (Which broke early on).

I got mine from an outlet online (Might have been the Karcher outlet?) for half price of a new one.

I believe Nilfisk are better though
 
I've had one form Halford for 5-6 years with no issues. Used mainly for washing cars.
I've just replaced it with a Stihl as is has loads of accessories for cleaning patios, wet blasting etc.

Halfords one still in the garage as a backup. Cost around £80
 
I've had a Nilfisk one for about 3 years and it's been faultless. I've never had much success with the patio cleaner attachment, I've found it more efficient to not use it, but it probably depends on what your patio is like.
 
Nod said:
Anyone got one? Any good for occasional patio and car washing?
Click to expand...

I've got a Karcher and have been pleased with it, on my 2nd one which is more portable and a better machine. Father in law has a cheaper one and other than it seems a little louder, no real difference i can see, similar outputs to both.

Hope the Nilfisk one works well - not used one - will be interested to see how you get on.

1 thing to remember if you're using it for washing the car, don't get too close with it to the car and especially take car around any parking sensors you have on the car
 
I'll report back on the Nilfisk once it's been used a few times. Might not be used on the car much, it's all the hard bits of car washing that put me off!
 
Lol I know the feeling. Wash it, take it out on one trip and its dirty again. Not much point this time of year.
 
£6 every few weeks is money well spent! They do a good job on it too.
 
I've had a B&Q own brand cheapie for years still works perfectly I think the attachments for the hoses are metal not 100% sure tho
 
I have had 3 Karchers - all broke with daft repair bills - even a new hose was something like £60 plus VAT and every repair has been £100.No More ! I bought a Ryobi Petrol power washer for £200, its more powerful, it has one hose so no tangles, no electric cable ( I don't like electric and water ogether as a concept anyway) and does a better job and I can be used anywhere, the hardware though more limited is much better quality and IMHO all the Karcher attachments are just a waste of money anyway. Petrol is by far the best option
 
Just been on the phone to an official Karcher retail outlet and what a supprise. I was asking about the karcher pressure washer dirt blaster lances.
The question I asked was the Karcher K2 machine although claimed to be 110 bar pressure they said was actually only 80 bar pressure. The K5 or K7 machine Karcher claim is 145 psi unit but this retail outlet says in fact it only produces about 120psi and they use and demo them all the time.
 
Al
I use a verio lance for that, this dirt blaster is for the patio and brick drive. Always nice to know someone is here to give reminders. Thank you
 
Anyone changing there washers every couple of years, save your money and buy a Kranzle. Brilliant machines.
 
There is a special on a Screwfix copycat that I saw when I was in there yesterday for £60, looked like a K4 copy
Not sure if store specific?
 
Well the karcher k5/7 dirt blaster lance came today so I tried it on my HDS601c commercial machine. Karcher say you can't, but they are wrong. What a difference this dirt blaster lance makes. So much more power than the K2 karcher machine and cleaned the drive in half the time. Just got to do the sanding the joints in when it gets warmer


Part of the drive but did do it all now cleaned before the new garage doors come tomorrow (friday)

Still drying out on some of the bricks



Close up




No weeds in joints now
 
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Nilfisk thing arrived this afternoon while I was out (Hermes left it on top of the recycling bin in the meter cupboard then stuck the key through the letterbox as requested) so have assembled it (managed to do it with my distance contacts in and no reading glasses, although I did check everything before doing any tightening of screws etc.!) but not plugged it in to water or electricity yet.
 
Nod

I do this drive every 2 years to keep it looking nice, pity the neighbours can't be bothered. The length of my drive is 63 ft so a big area to clean
 
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Not sure I'd use a blaster lance on a pavoir drive - seen lots where the pavoirs have been lifted by the pressure. Not planning on using a lance on the slabs - that's what the whirly attachment's for!
 
Think it depends on how well the drive was laid in the first place. This has been down since mid 1980's and not moved . I did also use a karcher T50 racer but although it cleaned the bricks the spinners underneath were not powerful enough to shift the greenery in the joints. So that is where the dirt blaster helped

T50 racer



the company sent 2 don't ask why I only paid for one. The jets shown are black but on the other they are grey which is what I used


Which Nilfisk did you get Nod?
 
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Bazza, got the 110 bar one, with the patio cleaning spinny nozzle thingy!
 
Sarg0r said:
Sanding the joints is the worst part, I hate it
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I don't mind so much as it is the end job to be done. It is waiting for a dry period first that I find is a nuisance

Nod

you will wonder how you managed before even washing the car is fun. It gets a car much cleaner with the chemicals (shampoo - wash and wax etc) added. if using them avoid spreying on the front window screen it can leave a slight smear and hard to get off. Also avoid and sensors you car may have as in reversing sensors - cameras ( mine has 5 )
 
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I'll probably only do the car a couple of times (if that!) since I find it a bore. 8 parking sensors which will be avoided. I always degrease the windscreen as soon as possible after getting the car cleaned since (as you say) it tends to be a bit smeary when (?) waxed. Any recommendations for some shampoo (car, not Head and Shoulders!)?
 
This makes washing the car a little quicker! Lol

 
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