Polisher and Pressure washer - Aldi

[Skyedriver]

Hi, looking at the latest Aldi advert mag
Now I'm new to both items of equipment, I polish by hand and sweep the patio.

What are your thoughts on this polisher (will be used sparingly I think once the Caterham ali body gets a shine) Are the "bonnets" a standard size for replacing?

https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-1400w-car-polisher/p...

and this pressure washer (mainly for patio cleaning work) Assume I need to connect to a water supply; no water tank included/

https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-compact-pressure-was...

neither seem expensive, and three year guarantee

Thanks for any useful advice

[Davie]

You can go down a huge rabbit hole when it comes to this sort of stuff and you can spend a fortune in the process, plus there are endless trains of thought but as far as the polisher goes... a rotary (like the one linked) can be a bit full on for novice work and it can be easier to inflict damage given the potential for heat build up on the pad etc. For basic polishing, a DA / random orbital polisher is a bit easier and safer to use. As far as the power washer goes, can't comment but generally cheaper stuff is mostly plastic internals and not very durable so best suited to light / occasional use and it won't be that powerful.... but it's hard to gauge and hard to assess what you need. But yes, it'll be a case of connect to a water supply, pull the trigger and go as most are.

[donkmeister]

Pressure washers are one of those tools where it's worth buying one in that price range, seeing how you get on, then deciding in a year or two if:
A) that one will do
B) you want to upgrade to one with more ability or features
C) you don't really need one.

If you buy a £50 one, the worst case is that in a year or two you want to spend a lot more money on something bigger. In the meantime you've still had use of a pressure washer and figured out what you do and do not need. I did the same, I bought a cheaper Karcher and used it for probably 10 years before upgrading to a Nilfisk.

It doesn't look like it has a spinny-cleaner for the patio though - you really need something like this for patio-cleaning or you'll take an age and end up with a flood on your hands, so I'd investigate if one is available or compatible:

https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?...

[Skyedriver]

donkmeister said:

Pressure washers are one of those tools where it's worth buying one in that price range, seeing how you get on, then deciding in a year or two if:
A) that one will do
B) you want to upgrade to one with more ability or features
C) you don't really need one.

If you buy a £50 one, the worst case is that in a year or two you want to spend a lot more money on something bigger. In the meantime you've still had use of a pressure washer and figured out what you do and do not need. I did the same, I bought a cheaper Karcher and used it for probably 10 years before upgrading to a Nilfisk.

It doesn't look like it has a spinny-cleaner for the patio though - you really need something like this for patio-cleaning or you'll take an age and end up with a flood on your hands, so I'd investigate if one is available or compatible:

https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?...

Thanks for that, didn't know about the "spinny cleaner thing" Further investigation required here I think.

[Belle427]

I have one of their older workzone pressure washers and its been fine, some of their tools are pretty reliable.
I'd agree about the polisher, they can cause some damage in the wrong hands but as long as your aware of this and go steady you should be ok.

[E-bmw]

Skyedriver said:

donkmeister said:

Pressure washers are one of those tools where it's worth buying one in that price range, seeing how you get on, then deciding in a year or two if:
A) that one will do
B) you want to upgrade to one with more ability or features
C) you don't really need one.

If you buy a £50 one, the worst case is that in a year or two you want to spend a lot more money on something bigger. In the meantime you've still had use of a pressure washer and figured out what you do and do not need. I did the same, I bought a cheaper Karcher and used it for probably 10 years before upgrading to a Nilfisk.

It doesn't look like it has a spinny-cleaner for the patio though - you really need something like this for patio-cleaning or you'll take an age and end up with a flood on your hands, so I'd investigate if one is available or compatible:

https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?...

Thanks for that, didn't know about the "spinny cleaner thing" Further investigation required here I think.

Patio cleaners are only any good if they are good (if that makes sense) the ones that come with Karcher & cheap pressure washers are generally rubbish, the pressure washer needs to be up to the task of powering one for them to be effective & the Aldi pressure washer, although good for the money, won't be up to the task.

If the washer has a "fan" type nozzle, they work just fine on a patio.

[vikingaero]

I bought a Nilfisk Pressure washer in an Amazon sale years ago for about £45. For cleaning the car, and other odd jobs it is fine. For patio cleaning it's a bit pants and slow with the patio attachment that I resorted to cleaning the patio with the standard lance.

[Jaz2000]

The polisher will be fine as long as you keep moving on a panel it will not burn through the paint.

Just use it on a low speed whilst you gain confidence with it and dont use the wool mop as its very aggressive.
Start with a very soft pad and light polishing compound.

The main difference over an expensive polisher is it will probably be heavier and not so well balanced but is fine for occasional use.

[Skyedriver]

Still thinking, will probably get both although I note the power washer is the same price as the cheapest offering from Screwfix (titan).

[brattymerc]

polisher is a dual action. id not use a normal polisher as you if not experienced could do a fair bit of damage to your paint work.

[Skyedriver]

brattymerc said:

polisher is a dual action. id not use a normal polisher as you if not experienced could do a fair bit of damage to your paint work.

Dual Action?


Bought the pressure washer, experimented on the front steps, 22 years of grime.



Reckon I could remove any paintwork left after using the polisher....

[E-bmw]

Skyedriver said:

brattymerc said:

polisher is a dual action. id not use a normal polisher as you if not experienced could do a fair bit of damage to your paint work.

Dual Action?

.

Dual action means it spins the pad round & at the same time rotates on a smaller axis giving a pad action a bit like a "spirograph" drawing.

[Skyedriver]

Ah, I get it, thanks for that info.