Alright, let's talk about this 8 GPM Honda pressure washer I've been working with. It’s quite a step up, let me tell you.

Getting Started

When I decided I needed more power, more flow for bigger jobs, I landed on this 8 GPM unit with the Honda engine. Heard good things about Honda reliability, you know? Unboxing wasn't too bad, pretty straightforward. Bolted on the handle, checked the oil – always check the oil first, learned that the hard way years ago – and filled it up with fresh gas.

Hooking up the hoses was standard stuff. Water inlet, high-pressure hose out to the gun. I made sure all the connections were tight. You don't want leaks, especially not with the pressure this thing puts out.

First Fire Up & Feel

Pulled the cord, and that Honda engine rumbled to life. It’s got a sound, you know? A serious sound. Grabbed the wand, squeezed the trigger for the first time. Okay, yeah. This thing has some kick. You really need to brace yourself, especially compared to the smaller units I used before. It’s not uncontrollable, but you definitely feel the power pushing back at you. The 8 GPM flow is immediately noticeable. Water just pours out, not just sprays.

Putting It To Work

My first real test was a big, grimy concrete driveway. It hadn't been cleaned in ages. I hooked up my surface cleaner attachment – you pretty much need one for big flat areas with this much flow, doing it just with a wand tip would take forever and leave stripes.

• Filled the soap tank with my usual concrete cleaner mix.
• Did a pre-soak using the soap nozzle.
• Switched to the surface cleaner and started making passes.

The difference was huge. The combination of the high GPM and the pressure just lifted years of dirt right off. It cut the cleaning time down significantly. Before, a driveway that size would have been an all-day job. With this setup, I was done in a few hours, including rinsing.

I also used it on some wood fencing. Had to be careful here. Used a wider-angle nozzle (like a 40-degree) and kept my distance. You can definitely chew up wood if you get too close or use too narrow a tip. Started low pressure and worked my way up carefully. It stripped off the old gray, weathered look pretty effectively, getting it ready for a new stain.

Observations & Lessons Learned

It's thirsty. That Honda engine and the big pump drink more gas than the little guys, for sure. Keep extra fuel handy for big jobs.

It’s heavy. Moving it around isn't like tossing a small electric washer in the truck. The wheels help, but it takes some muscle, especially on uneven ground.

Nozzle selection is critical. With 8 GPM, the wrong nozzle can do damage quick, or just be inefficient. I spent some time experimenting to find the right tips for different surfaces.

Water supply matters. You need a garden hose and spigot that can actually deliver enough water to the machine. If it's starved for water, performance drops and you can damage the pump. I made sure I had a good quality 3/4 inch hose feeding it.

It's loud. Good ear protection isn't optional, it's essential.

Final Thoughts

Overall, stepping up to the 8 GPM Honda has been a game-changer for the bigger cleaning tasks. It's a serious piece of equipment. Definitely speeds things up dramatically, which means I can get more done. It demands respect – you gotta handle it properly – but the results speak for themselves. It just rips through heavy dirt in a way the smaller machines can't touch. Happy I made the move.