Customer Reviews

NorthStar Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner - 20in. Dia. Size, Model# FCL520BEM22M0NS

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I borrowed one of these to use on my (long) driveway. I have cleaned it before using a standard wand and it took 6 hours. This cleaner did a better job and it only took an hour and a half. The price tag can cause sticker shock, but if you have to clean large decks and/or drives, I highly recommend it.

I reluctantly purchased this pressure washer device because I have had shipping and customer service problems with Northern Tool in the past. However, this product proved to be of excellent quality. My driveway is shaped like a "Y" and it took me about 4 to 5 hours to properly clean it with either my electric surface cleaner or 2700 PSI pressure washer. With the NorthStar, I was able to do the driveway in an hour. It was quick and easy to use. Later I did my neighbor's driveway which, unlike mine, had a rough stone cement surface and the results were not as positive. Simply, this machine seems best suited for a smooth cement type of surface. I would also recommend that the user have a pressure washer with at least 3000 output.

I've had one of these for several years now. I've used it with a 3000 psi washer and a 4200 psi washer. In both cases, it saved a lot of time. It contains a rotating wand with nozzles on the end that are tilted to induce the rotation. It actually levitates slightly. It works best when you make a conscious effort to keep it level.

As far as time savings using the same washer, I would say up to 50 percent with the 3000 psi unit but as much as 75 percent with the bigger washer. The big washer that I now have is a DEWALT DPW4240, which I highly recommend. The North Star surface cleaner comes into its own with the higher-pressure unit. With that unit, the cleaner's internal wand is rotating faster, but not too fast to clean extremely well. With the weaker washer, I found that I could go back over places and they would get cleaner. With the stronger washer, one pass was enough -- even a turbo nozzle held in place indefinitely wouldn't typically get the surface any cleaner. Of course, if I'd gone slower with the weaker pressure washer, it would have ultimately achieved perfection in one pass as well.

If you clean a horizontal surface by just using a wand and nozzle, you have to constantly move the wand and maintain the optimum distance from the surface. With the surface cleaner, it's more like using a buffer or an upright vacuum. You don't have to think about anything but maintaining the right speed and getting the right overlap (an inch is enough). Using a wand with the big washer can be like wrestling an anaconda. By comparison, using the cleaner is a relaxing experience (especially if you wear ear protection, which tends to reduce fatigue). It is very easy to control and move, so long as you keep it level.

There are brush bristles that stick down around the edge. They eliminate most outward spray from the machine, while allowing it to breathe. Do expect that your feet and ankles will get wet, however.

One thing to consider is that with just a wand and nozzle, you can swap out nozzles and adjust the distance to the surface to control the effective pressure. With a surface cleaner, it is what it is, and the only option is to throttle down the pressure washer motor. If, for example, you were cleaning a painted floor, you might need to throttle back, which, of course, would slow the cleaning. On concrete, or doing pre-paint prep on a deck, you'd just let it rip at full force.

Another consideration is the fact that you can't apply soap with the cleaner attached, and you must turn off the engine to go back and forth between the cleaner and a wand. Starting and stopping a pressure washer motor is no fun (unless you have electric start). When pressure washers get hot, they can be harder to start, even when you relieve hose pressure between every pull. If you run into trouble, have someone get a grip on the cleaner or the wand and hold the trigger down while you pull the engine. But NEVER tie a trigger down on a pressure washer!!!

This is obviously not an inexpensive item. When you unpack it, you may think it's overpriced. Mine has the trigger and hose attached to the handle with two plastic zip ties, which look cheap, to say the least. The newer ones may have changed that. I gave the unit five stars, because, after a lot of research, I found no better option for price, and the performance of the North Star has been flawless.

Good luck!
Tim