Simpson MegaShot 3000 PSI Pressure Washer with 15-Inch Surface Cleaner Review: Fast Driveway & Patio Cleaning

If you want a pressure washer that gives you strong cleaning power plus a tool that makes driveway cleaning much faster and smoother, the Simpson MegaShot 3000 PSI Pressure Washer with a 15-inch Surface Scrubber is a very smart package.

Many people buy a powerful pressure washer, but then they struggle with:

  • uneven cleaning lines on concrete
  • slow cleaning on large driveways
  • messy overspray on walls and windows
  • too much effort cleaning patio

That’s exactly why this combo is popular:

  • MegaShot 3000 PSI for power
  • 15-inch surface cleaner for speed + cleaner finish

What is This Combo Package?

This package includes:

  1. Simpson MegaShot 3000 PSI cold water gas pressure washer
  2. 15-inch surface scrubber/surface cleaner attachment

This combo is designed mainly for:

  • driveways
  • sidewalks
  • patios
  • garage floors
  • pool decks
  • large flat outdoor areas

Who Should Buy the MegaShot 3000 + 15-Inch Surface Scrubber?

This is best for you if:

  • You have a medium to large driveway
  • You clean patios and walkways regularly
  • You want faster cleaning without lines
  • You want professional-looking concrete cleaning
  • You hate water spray going everywhere with a normal wand

It may not be ideal if:

  • Your main task is only car washing
  • You clean only the small balcony and the small areas
  • You want the lightest machine possible
  • You don’t want gas engine maintenance

Why the 15-Inch Surface Cleaner is a Big Deal

A surface cleaner changes everything on flat surfaces.

What a surface cleaner does

Instead of spraying a single jet line with a wand, the surface scrubber:

  • spins water jets under a round housing
  • cleans evenly
  • covers a wide area fast
  • reduces overspray
  • prevents zebra lines on concrete

What you get in results

  • faster driveway cleaning
  • cleaner uniform finish
  • less effort on the shoulders and hands
  • Less water splashes on walls and windows

If you clean concrete often, a surface cleaner is one of the best upgrades you can add.

Cleaning Power: What 3000 PSI Means Here

This MegaShot is in the sweet spot for home users.

PSI (Pressure)

3000 PSI is strong enough for:

  • concrete grime
  • mud stains
  • algae film
  • general driveway buildup

GPM (Water Flow)

Flow can vary by MegaShot version, but generally it provides enough flow for:

  • stable surface cleaner performance
  • quicker rinsing than electric washers

The biggest performance boost in this package comes from the surface cleaner doing wider, faster coverage.

Best Use Cases (Where This Combo Dominates)

1) Driveway Cleaning (Top Use)

This combo is made for driveways.

Removes easily:

  • dust and mud layers
  • surface grime
  • algae and green buildup
  • traffic dirt
  • old stains with repeated passes

Why the surface cleaner is better than a wand

With a wand:

  • You clean in thin lines
  • risk of stripes
  • water splashes everywhere

With the 15-inch scrubber:

  • wide coverage
  • smooth uniform results
  • much faster cleaning

Perfect for long driveways.

2) Sidewalks and Walkways

This combo gives a great result on sidewalks.

Benefits:

  • faster coverage
  • less overspray to walls
  • cleaner look with fewer passes

3) Patios, Tiles, and Outdoor Floors

Works great for:

  • patio stones
  • outdoor tiles (careful with grout)
  • terrace floors
  • outdoor steps

 Tile caution:
Surface cleaners are excellent on tiles, but:

  • Weak grout can be affected
  • test first
  • Do not stay in one place too long

4) Garage Floors and Workshops

This is a hidden strong use.

Perfect for:

  • garage floor dust + oil film
  • mud from tires
  • workshop grime and stains

If you clean garage floors often, this combo will save you serious time.

5) Pool Decks and Outdoor Areas

Great for:

  • pool decks
  • outdoor corridors
  • wide flat areas

Just be careful on slippery, wet surfaces.

Can You Wash a Car With This Combo?

Yes, with the normal spray wand, but remember:

  • Surface scrubber is NOT for cars
  • Car washing needs gentle nozzle use

Safe car wash method

  •  Use 40° white nozzle
  •  Keep a distance of 2–3 feet
  •  Avoid strong tips on paint
  •  Do not spray directly into sensors and seals

This washer is strong, so always stay gentle on cars.

Spray Tips (What You Should Use and When)

Most Simpson MegaShot models support standard spray tips:

0° Red Tip

  • only for hard concrete spots
  • dangerous for cars/wood/paint

15° Yellow Tip

  • deep concrete cleaning
  • heavy driveway grime

25° Green Tip

  • best general cleaning tip
  • patios and walkways

40° White Tip

  •  car wash, walls, gentle surfaces

Soap Tip (Black)

  •  applying detergent

How to Set Up and Use This Combo Properly

Step 1: Connect the water supply

Use a good garden hose with a strong flow.

Step 2: Connect the high-pressure hose and gun

Tighten connections properly.

Step 3: Purge air

Before starting the engine:

  • press trigger for 20–30 seconds

Step 4: Start the engine

  • Fuel ON
  • Choke ON
  • Start engine
  • Reduce choke after warm start

Step 5: Connect the surface cleaner attachment

Once your washer is stable, attach the 15-inch scrubber.

How to Use the 15-Inch Surface Scrubber (Correct Technique)

Best technique:

  • Place it flat on the ground before pulling trigger
  • Move slowly and evenly
  • Do overlapping passes (like mowing grass)
  • Keep a steady speed

What not to do:

  • Don’t lift it while spraying (water will splash)
  • Don’t stay in one place too long (can create a clean patch)
  • Don’t go too fast (won’t clean properly)

Pros and Cons

 Pros

  • very fast driveway and patio cleaning
  • Surface cleaner gives a uniform finish
  • less overspray and less mess
  • strong 3000 PSI power for home concrete
  • great value combo (washer + scrubber)
  • saves time and effort

 Cons

  • Gas engine needs maintenance
  • heavier than electric washers
  • not ideal for very small spaces
  • surface cleaner is only for flat surfaces
  • Deep oil stains may need degreaser + multiple passes

Maintenance Tips (To Protect the Washer + Surface Cleaner)

After each use

  • Turn off the engine
  • Turn off the water supply
  • Release pressure from the gun
  • Run clean water briefly (if needed)
  • Store the scrubber clean and dry

Engine care

  • Check oil level regularly
  • Use fresh fuel
  • Clean the air filter when dusty

Surface cleaner care

  • Rinse it after use
  • Store it flat
  • Keep the spinning bar clean

Common Problems and Fixes

Surface cleaner is not cleaning evenly

Causes:

  • moving too fast
  • clogged nozzles underneath
     Fix:
  • slow down
  • clean jets under a scrubber

Stripes on concrete

Cause:

  • uneven speed
     Fix:
  • overlap passes
  • keep constant movement speed

Low pressure

Cause:

  • air in system / clogged tip
    Fix:
  • purge air
  • clean nozzle
  • ensure strong water flow

Who Should Buy This vs. a Normal Wand Washer?

Choose this combo if:

  • You have a medium/large driveway
  • You clean the concrete often
  • you want speed + uniform finish
  • You want less mess

Choose a normal washer if:

  • Your cleaning areas are small
  • You mostly wash cars
  • You don’t need fast driveway cleaning

Final Verdict

The Simpson MegaShot 3000 PSI Pressure Washer with 15-Inch Surface Scrubber is one of the best combos for homeowners who want faster driveway and patio cleaning with professional-looking results. The surface cleaner makes a huge difference by removing lines, reducing overspray, and saving time.

If your goal is to clean concrete areas efficiently and neatly, this package is an excellent choice.