Those portable pres...
 

[Closed] Those portable pressure washers?

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Anyone doing a cheap one?


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 2:33 pm
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Do you mean Dirt Worker?


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 2:53 pm
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Is that what it's called they seem to be more expensive than ever! Thanks


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 3:43 pm
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Um, actually Dirt Worker is now rebranded as Mobi Washer or something. I've started using my DW again as having to drive to ride now and could really do with something with higher pressure to cope with the filth.

If I'm using DW immediately after ride, I really don't want to get home and continue cleaning!

If I were you, I'd research thoroughly.


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 3:48 pm
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CRC do Brand X which looks like a DW. Cheaper than Mobi and Nomad washers.


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 3:55 pm
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cinnamon_girl - Member
Um, actually Dirt Worker is now rebranded as Mobi Washer or something. I've started using my DW again as having to drive to ride now and could really do with something with higher pressure to cope with the filth.

I think that Dirtworker are rebranded as Nomad now, not Mobi. Mobi were around when Dirtworker were still, erm, Dirtworker.

Anyhoo, do you use a brush CG as well, or just try to blast the bike clean?
I find that it is much more effective if you have a bit of an initial spray, then give it a good brush down and then rinse off. Otherwise you can often be left with stubborn bits that won't come clean.....

The Nomad ones look to be £130 on their website for the corded 12v one. That's quite a lot to pay - I thought £80 was a lot when I bought mine ages ago!


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 4:00 pm
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As stumpy said, Dirtworker are now Nomad. I have an original Dirtworker and if I was in the market for a washer now I'd probably still buy an original one off eBay (there's a new one on there at the mo for £70+£15P&P), as I can't really see the advantage of a Nomad at £130 and spare parts are available for the original still.

The customer service from Dirtworker/Nomad is unbelievably good. In the past they have sent me replacement o-rings free of charge and last week I contacted them as I thought I might need to buy a new pump for mine. Rather than sell me a pump they emailed a huge list of things to check first to try and avoid me having to spend the £35 on a pump!

CG - there's a pressure regulator behind the face plate of the Dirtworker that you can tweak with an allen key if you want to adjust the pressure.


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 4:10 pm
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Another thing that help with pressure is to have the engine running. So you can pre warm the car and get a bit more umph out of the DW.


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 4:14 pm
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Oooh, some good suggestions, thanks! Bike was incredibly muddy a few times but unfortunately it was left with a film (due to soil).

Agree about Dirt Worker service - they've been excellent with sorting mine out.

What do you do if there isn't a handy tree nearby to lean bike against? Wondered about an Andy Stand for bike washing duties, any opinions?


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 4:33 pm
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If I have my Dirtworker with me then I will try to park near a fence/tree so I can rest the bike up....otherwise, I either let the back wheel sit against the rear bumper of the car or just lay the bike on the floor (not that easy to clean though) or you could always turn it upside down....?

I know what you mean about a muddy film left on the bike. It is hard to get it spotless with the DW, as you can't be as thorough as you might be cleaning the bike properly at home.
Do you dry the bike down afterwards? I got some microfibre cloths from Tesco - 4 for about £2. I keep a couple of them with the DW as well as making sure I have GT85 and some Finish Line wet lube.
I try to dry most of the water off the bike, then the chain, pedal springs, front mech & rear mech get a spray of GT85 and then the chain gets some Finish line too...


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 5:48 pm
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I either let the back wheel sit against the rear bumper of the car or just lay the bike on the floor

You can place the rear wheel inside the rear wheel arch to keep the bike vertical. Anyway, I use a garden manual sprayer to good effect. 6L just about washes three bikes.


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 6:20 pm
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Would the dirtworker not send out pressurised air when empty which would dry it?

Why not turn it upside down CG.


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 6:22 pm
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stumpy - good idea re microfibre cloths. Always keep a bucket with Muc-Off, brushes, gear brushes, dental floss stuff (which is pretty nifty), GT85.

tails - trouble is sometimes where I park there is nothing for bike to lean against. I could turn it upside down but have a leather saddle!


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 8:27 pm
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Last weekend I cleaned mine using a plastic container, brush (Asda, as in the thing that comes with a dustpan) and water from a pond (after breaking the ice) Does that make me a heathern?


 
Posted : 04/02/2012 10:39 pm