Help me choose a pressure washer for my new deck!

Hey folks, just finished building a 500 sq ft composite deck and it's already got some grime from construction. I need a pressure washer to clean it thoroughly before sealing. I've got a budget of around $300-400. What do you recommend? I've seen some electric ones but not sure if they're powerful enough. Any advice is appreciated!

Hey Derek, congrats on the new deck! For composite, you don't need a crazy powerful gas washer. I'd go with an electric unit, 1800-2000 PSI is plenty. Keep the nozzle at a wide angle and don't hold it too close or you'll etch the boards. I've used my Sun Joe SPX3000 on composite and it worked great. Plus, it's in your budget. Just make sure to use the right detergent for composite.

I gotta disagree with Paul on this one. Electric wimpies are fine for light duty, but for a deck that size, you want the power of a gas unit. I've got a Honda-powered Simpson 3200 PSI and it eats through grime like nothing. You can dial down the pressure if needed. Yeah, it's louder and heavier, but it's a workhorse. And you can use it for other stuff like your driveway or siding. Spend a little extra and get a gas one, you won't regret it.

Newbie here, but I just used a gas pressure washer to clean my driveway and it was awesome. But for composite, be careful – even low pressure can damage it if you're not careful. I'd suggest starting with a wide fan tip and testing on a hidden area. Also, don't forget to use a surface cleaner attachment if you get a gas one – saves time and gives an even clean. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the input, guys! I'm leaning towards the gas one now since I'll have other projects. I'll pick up a surface cleaner too. Appreciate the tips – I'll test on a small spot first. Cheers!