Pump-up or Airless sprayers? Which is better?
Pumps up sprayers are inexpensive and lightweight. The tank capacities range from 8oz. up to 4 gallons. The most popular capacity 1-3 gallon sprayers are used for applying thin viscosity cleaners, strippers, neutralizers, sealers and semi-transparent stains. These also come in backpack models with either a pumping mechanism or a battery powered pump. Airless sprayer models vary and have variable psi settings and gpm’s relevant to the pumps capacity. Choices are either 115VAC or 12VDC models. These sprayers offer a wide range of flexibility in viscosity applications and nozzles to accommodate thicker bodied stains, coatings and strippers. Another benefit for the operator is lightweight operation without carrying the tank. Each has its place in anyone’s equipment arsenal.
I have a regular lance, what’s the benefit of using a dual lance?
Dual lances are a necessity for the operators who frequently need to switch between 2 different nozzles. Example: 1- nozzle = 15 degree, the other a soap nozzle. There are a number of combinations. The rollover valve in dual lances makes it easy to switch between the two nozzles by releasing the trigger and tilting the gun in the direction of the desired nozzle, listening for the ball to change pipes then pulling the trigger. Some dual lances also incorporate a pressure adjustment knob to regulate pressure as necessary. One other type of dual lance does not have a valve between the two lances. Full flow is allowed through both pipes simultaneously giving the ability to clean a wider path with 2 nozzles.
How much hose should I have for high pressure and water supply?
For those who have portable machines, 50’-100’ would be adequate for high pressure. Water supply hose 50’-75’. For vehicle mounted equipment, 200’-300’ high pressure hose. Water supply hose 75’-150’. These are for most situations, but there are exceptions to landscape and building obstructions which could cause the need for more. Many experienced operators carry 50-100’ spare high and low pressure hose for a back-up.
Hot/Steam water or Cold water machine, what should I buy?
This question depends upon the nature of the work you will be performing most often. Cold water machines are commonly used for wood restoration and house washing. While cold water works well in most cases, uses are limited to warm seasons. Cold water does not work well on oil, grease and soil. Hot water is a natural emulsifier. The natural cleaning power of hot/steam water lessens the amount of cleaners needed to do the job, therefore saving money. Hot/Steam water machines can help your business in the winter seasons as well. Hot/Steam water machines are used in fleet washing, flat work, environmental cleaning, and house washing. Hot/Steam water is not recommended for use on wood surfaces as it causes the wood fibers to soften and swell. This makes wood vulnerable to damage as it raises the grain.
Why should I winterize my machine?
Cold temps cause water to freeze. This causes the molecules to expand as they crystallize. The result is that it can cause hose lines to burst, unloader malfunction, pump heads to crack, pump piston packing damage, and shorten the pump life expectancy. By adding antifreeze to your pumping system, you are protecting from the effects of freezing and it also helps to keep parts from corroding.
Turbo Nozzles are expensive, do they really save you time?
Turbo nozzles use a high speed oscillating 0 degree beam that forms a cone pattern to cover a wider area but provide significant impact to remove unwanted materials from the surface being cleaned. The result is that you can clean more faster due to the coverage pattern a turbo nozzle provides.
What is downstream injecting?
This is how you can introduce of another liquid with the use of an injector mounted after the pump into the high pressure line side. (i.e. drawing a cleaner into your hose through an injector) This is mostly done while in low pressure mode. To do this in high pressure mode, you will need an injector designed to operate at high pressures. Some of which can be temporarily installed on the end of your gun lance.
What is upstream injecting?
This is another way to introduce a liquid into the high pressure line but in this case, it happens before the pump. The draw back to this is that whatever you put into the system can possibly effect or damage the pump and its internal components.
My pump spews water out of the side every so often, what causes this?
This is a thermal relief valve that has been installed on your pump to keep it from over heating. The thermal relief valve commonly is preset to discharge water when it reaches 145 degrees. Until you pull the trigger, the water is trapped in a loop, which is called by-pass mode. When in bypass mode, fresh cool water cannot come in. Trapped in this loop, the water takes on heat generated by the pump. The hot water can cause damage to the pumps internal components. You can keep this from happening by pulling the trigger every minute or so. If you will not be using the machine for extended periods, it is better for the machine to turn it off.
Why do I feel a strange vibration in the gun sometimes?
This is caused by a water shortage. The pump is being starved of water and begins to suck air into the system which causes a condition called “cavitation”. This can create stress in the pump and cause damage to the packing, pistons, and seals. Check your supply hose for kinks. Also check filters and inlets for obstruction(s). If you are using a tank supplied machine, you may have run out of water due to inadequate water supply for the machines demand. Still, you may need to check your filters. Sometimes water supplies are using outdated plumbing which contributes to debris collection. Also, well supplied water may contain more mineral elements and deposits from supply tanks in the home.
What does an unloader do?
Unloaders sense the flow of water and activate a valve which takes a pump out of by-pass mode. There are two types of unloaders. The first is called Pressure Actuated. This type senses a change in pressure and activates a valve. The second is called Flow Actuated. This type is activated by sensing the change in the flow.
Unloaders: Pressure Actuated, Flow Actuated, What’s the difference?
Pressure Actuated unloaders are known for the sharp pressure spike when the trigger is pulled. The Pressure type unloaders keep the high pressure line at or near full pressure while in by-pass mode making it rigid. While faster in the work environment the disadvantage to this type unloader is that it stresses the system causing the need for hose, swivel and O-ring replacement more frequently. Flow actuated unloaders allow the pressure to build up over a few seconds making the use less jolting. The Flow type unloaders drop the line pressure to near zero when in by-pass mode leaving the hose flexible. This unloaders disadvantage is that it has a shorter life span than its counterpart.
I have heard about the X-Jet or the M-5, what are they used for? Are they the same?
These are high pressure injectors which may be attached to the end of a gun lance. They allow the operator to apply cleaners to surfaces at high pressure that low pressure injectors set ups cannot reach with out an extension pole. This helps lower operator fatigue and shortens job time by keeping the injection process at the operator end by eliminating the need to walk back and forth from the machine to connect or disconnect the solution injection line to the injector. The X-Jet is the original version which comes with a short range tip for close proximity application. The M-5 is the next version which incorporates a variable nozzle for pattern changes without stopping when surface proximity changes.
On the label directions, it lists brush, roller, sprayer, pad applicators? Which should I use?
As with all tools, each has its place. Brushes are great applicators for thick consistency stains and paints. While often slow in the production speed, the quality of the project is determined by the technique of the user. Rollers are the next step up in speed application of stains and paints. While they may apply the product at a faster rate, the roller cannot change its shape to conform to the changes of the surface. Also, Rollers are notorious for leaving behind bits of fuzz and bubbles which create an undesirable result. Sprayers can cover a large area faster than brushes or rollers but the results on wood are uneven and cannot stand alone without working the product into the substrate. The tendency for overspray onto adjacent surfaces is higher and requires more preparatory masking or covering to avoid exposure. Pad applicators provide the benefit of a brush and the speed of a roller to cover larger areas. The drawback to them is the case where the product is spread out too thin which results in a shorter life span of the product. Applicator pads may also suffer from use of the product being applied which results in the pad’s adhesive breaking down and allowing the pad itself to come off its backing. Each tool requires its own technique in order to obtain the best results.
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