Mike W

Hi all, I just turned in my notice to quit my full time job and venture into full time pressure washing! I'm excited and terrified at the same time. It's good to know that I have full backing of my wife and friends. To those of you who are full time, what made you decide to take the plunge?

Thanks everyone. For the past two years my wife has been saying to quit my job. There is too much unethical activity in big business. For a long time I feel that I may have compromised some of my values. Not any more. I am excited to build a company that people will want to work for and with.

I'm still working out of the back of a pickup w/ shell. 8' box supercab. I have 2 toolboxes & all of my gear in there. Had to build shelves for my wands, reels, etc... The sides of the topper open though. The back seat of the truck is full of the 'cleaner' tools, and the passenger seat is my office. Had to mount my sc to the inside of the roof. Every day whn I get home I have to attempt to make sure everything is in order. Otherwise it would be even more of a mess. Still new to the biz. I'm saving for a 14' straight truck, but I know I'll just fill that up too.

A customer asked me to wash her asphalt drive last week. Do not use any degreaser. It will break down the asphalt. I just needed to sweep it off and give it a good rinse. My M-5 came in handy. I was asked to reseal the drive as well. I think I may add that to my list of services... Not too much extra equipment needed, and no need for a lot of inventory.

The respirator I use is a simple cartridge style made for vapors. I think I paid $35 for it. It is designed for painters. I'll post a pic if I can figure out how.

I gave downstreaming another try today and love it. I'm not carrying a 5'er any more! I applied my chems with a 0040 tip and got the same distance as my xjet! I have a question for the seasoned vets out there. When downstreaming, how do you rinse up high? Today I just pulled the hose out of my chem tank. Is there a more efficient way to do this without walking back to the rig? I was thinking some kind of remote control valve. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

My pump is 4@3800. If I use my m-5 to rinse, it would still have enough pressure to stop the soap draw? I'll give it a try today and see what happens.

I use f-13 in my house wash mix. A little goes a long way. For really bad gutter I have a seperate mix of dilluted f-13 that I spray on seperately. Brushing is almost never needed. I do have problems when it is below 50 though.

Go with the whisper wash. A far as the turbo... I bought one and now it takes up space in my toolbox. John - I would like to know a little more about that home made machine you got. Part suppliers etc...

Try Univar. I get it a for about 2.83/gal. I will go to the local pool supply when in a pinch but end up paying about $4/gal. There should be one in your area. Univar USA

I have a house to clean that was egged in January. I was wondering if there is anything special I need to do beyond a strong mix and maybe some brushing? Thanks

Thanks for the help. I think I'll play it safe and get out the extension pole and scrub brush.

I did some more research. Vinegar is supposed to break down the protiens in eggs. I'm wondering what spraying acetic acid with a sufracant on the affected area will do. Just neutralize afterword and commence with the housewash. Would a light oxalic mix have the same effect?

Aluminum/vinyl/brick/wood. It is the duckbill platypus of homes.

I informed the customer that a shadow from the egg would still remain. I was just wondering if anyone knows of a better technique than good old fashioned elbow grease and strong cleaners?

I would stay away from the whirl away (personal preference). They don't seem to hold up very well, and it is hard to get parts from the supplier. If you are doing flatwork get a good surface cleaner. My next one is going to be a whisper wash.

I use a total of 40'. I carry my chemicals in square 5'ers. The biggest drawback that I have with my setup is that it is really easy to tangle your hoses if you aren't paying attention. I still love my x-jet though. i'm thinking about trying that dolly setup with some 15 gallon containers. My only concern is getting them off of my truck. I like to have everything premixed for the next job.

Another newbie question. I was wondering if there was a way to adjust the tint of WTW? I could not find the info on extreme solutions. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I love my M-5! I don't use the proportioners though. It almost seems like too much hassle. I just mix to what I want the final application to be. It is sooo worth the money. You may want to add some extra hose though.

Always protect surrounding areas. I usually use 4mil plastic on house and rinse the vegetation before and after. I have had to cover some plants though. I did not wet down before hand to prevent burning. The customer let me know (many times) that he had a very expensive and rare rose bush, and that he had to dirve 350 miles to find the specifc hybrid. Also don't forget to protect yourself. SH does not feel good on your skin.

The only complaint I would have about the X-jet would be lugging the chemicals around. Although it is very nice to get a strong mix on the surface quickly. If you are looking to buy one spend the little extra and get the M-5. With the adjustable spray, it is great for close range. I have one and love it. I just added an additional 25' of feed hose to it so I don't have to move my containers around as much. You can get almost a 1:1 draw ratio with it as well.

I've only had four jobs this year, but heavy advertising starts next week. I have a few decks lined up in late April. The weather is just starting to break up here. I mostly do residential, but have a huge building lined up 70,000sf. This is my first year in the biz and have a decent amount of work lined up all from word of mouth. Hope to increase the momentum through the season!

I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with casters on their surface cleaner? I used my new whirlaway for the third time, and one of the wheels fell off it looks to be a manufacturing defect. has this ever happened to anybody else? Do you more experienced pros keep spare parts like that in stock? I'm just looking to cover myself in the future in case another similar incident occurs. I had to finish the sidewalk with my wand. No fun. At least I only had three more sections to go.

Thanks guys. I'll get some spare casters for this unit. I don't really do much flatwork. Mostly just driveways and patios. I think next time I'll get a floater, or maybe just buy a bigger rig and a 30" steel eagle. lol

Tried gutter grenade today and love it! I just x-jetted it on to the gutters. by the time I went back to the truck to get out my Surface cleaner and switch to house wash mix, it was ready to rinse. I only had to brush one spot because there was some pine sap in one of the joints.