I want to use a small pressure washer to wash cars. I was wondering if it was possible to use a 55 gallon drum as my water source? I only want to wash cars and dont require alot of pressure or water. Do I have to have pressure from a water hose or is their some way to syphon from this drum? I don't know much about pressure washers. Can anyone help?
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water source
- Thread starter jsheppard
- Start date
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
I think that would work........mount the drum slightly higher then the washer intake..........gravity will take care of the rest.
the_GUNN_man
New member
If you are going to do car lots I would suggest a few things first. #1 you will need a water softener. The hard water spots will be hard to get off when washing in the beating sun. #2 How will you get the cars spot free? Ro water? DI water? Towel dry? #3 what time of day are you going to do these? can't do it very good unless you work very early in the morning or late at night. We wash our cars at night. Just for your information cars is about the number one thing I use the most pressure on. The reason for that is it blows off the dirty water faster. I bet I don't even get closer then 1 foot to the surface. I use about 7 gallons of water per car. I use two tanks and two machines. One machine and tank is my soap and soft water rinse. The second machine and tank is my DI (spot free) rinse. Lot more then meets the eye with washing cars. Just ask and I can help.
If your pressure washer is not located right next to the 55 gal
drum then gravity wont work. You would need a water pump.
I have found the simple way for me to get a good water pump is look in a marine/boating store (boatersworld or west marine). You can find them in 12 volt DC or 120 volt AC pumps.
Because you said you don't need much pressure, Some the High Flow Pumps might provide with enough pressure that you don't need a pressure washer.
If you explain what your trying to do, maybe we can help you better.
PS on the pumps in a marine store you don't want bilge pumps you want water pressure/wash down pumps normally made by shurflow
drum then gravity wont work. You would need a water pump.
I have found the simple way for me to get a good water pump is look in a marine/boating store (boatersworld or west marine). You can find them in 12 volt DC or 120 volt AC pumps.
Because you said you don't need much pressure, Some the High Flow Pumps might provide with enough pressure that you don't need a pressure washer.
If you explain what your trying to do, maybe we can help you better.
PS on the pumps in a marine store you don't want bilge pumps you want water pressure/wash down pumps normally made by shurflow
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I have a small pressure washer 1900 psi 3.75 gpm. I want to put this pressure washer on a small trailer with one or two 55 gallon drums. I want fill the drums with water and use that as a water source instead of trying to find a spicket or something at every stop. I want to wash cars for individuals at their residence or office. I will hand wash the cars so I only want the pressure washer to rinse the soap off. This isn't a full time ordeal I wanted to see if I could earn some extra $ in my spare time. Thanks for all the posts and for any additional advice.
Justin
Member
You can do that. You have to be creative with your plumbing. You will need a bulkhead fitting and drill a hole in the bottom, side of your tank. How are you going to fill this tank? Most of us have hose reels that reach the spigot and then we install shut-off valves in the tank. Anyway, you'll need to run a hose to your pressure washer. If it's mounted on a trailer then you should probably have a high pressure hose reel. so you can reach. It's not needed but it is a convenience.
That's about all I can do. You're going to have to get the right parts to do this. If you are washing these cars with hard water, maybe you should consider towel drying otherwise you will leave hard water spots.
That's about all I can do. You're going to have to get the right parts to do this. If you are washing these cars with hard water, maybe you should consider towel drying otherwise you will leave hard water spots.
I do just what your doing. You start small and work your way up. Start or target offices. There your best bet. If you have to buy the 55gal drums try getting a water tank instead. Try THE TANK DEPOT.com.
You can check out my Website at www.shoreperformance.com. It is kinda crude, but I have a new one on the way.
companys or groups get discounts. my wash rate is high beacuse I want people to buy details.
You can check out my Website at www.shoreperformance.com. It is kinda crude, but I have a new one on the way.
companys or groups get discounts. my wash rate is high beacuse I want people to buy details.
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