Review - Staun/GMC Washer Setup.

Submitted: Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 11:56
ThreadID: 15596 Views:2949 Replies:3 FollowUps:2
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Ok, got my new toys, got home friday night and as we all know when you have a new toy, I could'nt help myself and went and plugged it all in to try it out.
Put the oil in the compressor as per the instructions, put the air filter on, checked all the connections, ready to roll.
Flick the switch, the unit makes a loud hum noise and the lights dim in the garage. Nothing else happens. Try it another 6 or 7 times before deciding I'm up the sht and I've got a dud. (not a great start). 7am Sat morning I drive to my local bunnings, take it in and explain what happened. Very friendly and helpful, two guys helped me out and took the unit to the service area. They explained how they have one each at home (the old storey) and how good they were, they turned it on and low and behold the flaming thing worked first pop!!! GRRR. Get it home, turn it on and away she goes.
They were right about one thing, it is good, it bloody works a treat, charges very fast and has a pretty good output pressure even without full charge in the tank.

Ok, now to the staun cleaner. It's really as simple as this, there is nothing like a yellow foam spunge, dertergant and elbow greese. LOL
The mud was thick and caked on, it was black swampy mud and it was not comming off easy. Just out of interest, I switchd the air off and just used the water, it wasn't even making it look wet. Reverted to the spunge, gave it a good wipe over, then another blast. Came up a treat.
I think really if you are going to wash your car with just water and pressure, you need to do it straight away, not leave it to dry out and cake on for a week in the garage...
I used the engine degreaser tool and filled it with hot water and carwash degergent, it was neat, it sprayed a hot foam like I was spray painting it. Again, would be usfull if the mud wasn't so caked on.
Now there was plenty of pressure comming out of the staun, enough to give me a little kick back when I turned the air on, and the air and water are adjustable on the handle, so you can turn the pressure down to a maintainable level so the compressor can keep up, or you can open er right up and give a tough section a good blast, however the air pressure guage on the GMC would drop like all buggery and probally only give you 30seconds to a minute on full power, then I would just switch the air off all together and wash off the loose stuff with plain water while it charged back up to 120psi.
The "u" bent under body washer is absolutally awsome, I thought it would be handy, but didn't realise how effective it would be. Mud and crap just comming out everywhere, and so easy to use, no more muddy water all over your tracky pants! The other REALLY USEFUL way to use the "u" bend adaptor with the staun is to clean out your home brew kit, did it on sunday, worked really well.
The small 24L air tank on the GMC has good and band points to it. It doesn't last real long when you are using pressure above the compressors capacity. At somthing like 204L a minute of air coming out of the tank, 24L only gives you a few seconds. However the good part about it is that it does not take very long to get right back up to full pressure. Even while using air on a low setting the unit was still building up pressure in the tank, then about a minute later I could crank the air back up to full for another few seconds.
It takes a little bit of mastering, but does work very well.

IMHO Opinion I'd give the whole kit a 9/10 for usfulness and value for money.
PS It also pumped my 10r Bridgstones up from 20 psi to 45 psi in about 30 seconds each. Not bad.
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Reply By: Jimbo (WA) - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 21:11

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 21:11
Thanks for the info Jeff, I have been trying decide between doing something ike this or getting a karcher myself. Good info!
AnswerID: 72855

Reply By: Utemad - Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 21:28

Monday, Aug 16, 2004 at 21:28
I have a homemade version of this but without the compressor. So it is just the bit of bent pipe with plastic tubing to cover it with a cap on the end with some little holes in it and a tap and fitting to attach it to the hose. It is a direct copy of the basic Staun.

I find that this also has enough pressure just from the tap to remove mud (that awful sticky clay stuff). It even kicks when you turn the tap full on.

I agree with you about how it can get everywhere though. I cleaned my car completely after a trip to the beach and then used this wand and it got a heap more sand out from under the car.

Utemad
AnswerID: 72859

Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 17:04

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 17:04
Sounds like this might be the way to go. I've got a Karcher, but the wand is straight and it's hard to do the chassis and up underneath where the REAL mud gets stuck. I wonder if I can connect the Staun to the Karcher so I still get the excellent pressure along with the "U" shape head? I already have a small home compressor that would do the job you're talking about.
Good report mate; thanks.
AnswerID: 72963

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 17:17

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 17:17
Well it has a standard hose fitting and a std (larger) air fitting, if you can some how convert either one of those to fit your Karcher you'd be right, because you can just close off the side you don't use. (if that makes any sense!?)
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FollowupID: 333101

Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 17:33

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 at 17:33
Yep Jeff, That makes sense. However, given that I have the Karcher already, I'd probably opt for one of the original Staun units that doesn't have the air attachment; just plugs into the hose.
Cya mate
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