Looking into buying a pressure washer. I have one that I got at Home Depot but someone said that wouldnt work (1800 psi) Is there a difference between an industrial one (gas powered) vs a home improvement store one??
It will work with cool and cold water. Warm water wears out the diaphragm. These are light duty units not designed to be used every day - so they have a life span, just like cars and humans. Eventually it will start to leak, (they all leak except the $US700 ones that can handle hot water), don't be surprised and go buy a spare. Look for a tray to put under it now rather than when it starts to leak.
500 psi will work (5 times average city water pressure) so who would tell you that 1800 wouldn't work?
Low tension mesh with vibrate like a speaker, because even the spray of water is pulsating as the internal pump, pumps.
High tension screens will stand up to the spray better than low tension mesh.
Hydro-Blaster in Utah taught the world that with tight mesh and 3,000 psi, you don't need chemicals, the spray will remove the stencil. It was a selling point that you could pay for the pressure washer lease with your chemical budget.
Properly exposed stencils melt out of the mesh when you apply stencil remover and you should, should only have to use high pressure on tough spots, if that.
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How are you measuring? Ulano Technical Product Manager - NYC
1800PSI? I have a 1200PSI pressure washer from Karcher ($100 at Lowes) and I've found that I barely need half of the pressure it provides, especially when washing out screens. If you have a good quality reclaimer and a "scrubbie" (scrubbing mat from the dollar store works just as well), pressure a little more than an everyday garden hose should essentially work. Don't use too much, though. Nothing sucks more than blowing a hole in that brand new $25 screen.
Georgia is in a drough, so I purchased a lower volume pressure washer. If water usage is important where you live, be sure you consider water volume as well as pressure.
Your not trying to wash a house, just a little piece of cloth.
1800PSI? I have a 1200PSI pressure washer from Karcher ($100 at Lowes) and I've found that I barely need half of the pressure it provides, especially when washing out screens. If you have a good quality reclaimer and a "scrubbie" (scrubbing mat from the dollar store works just as well), pressure a little more than an everyday garden hose should essentially work. Don't use too much, though. Nothing sucks more than blowing a hole in that brand new $25 screen.
I've been using a 1400 psi job from Home Depot, and I use it full blast . . . not the needle-sized spray, but opened up to a fan spray about 2-3" across about 8-12" from the screen, and I've never blown out a screen. I also use it wide-fan spray, full pressure, about 12 - 18" from the mesh to develop the stencils after a couple of minutes of gentle wetting down. It really gives you a sharp stencil, halftones and all, but you're emulsion has got to be fully-exposed.
pressure washers 
