Gavin

So I've been doing new-construction clean up. That includes; garage, driveway, all porches and sidewalk (in front, if any). Sometimes there is a deck. I've been running at about 200 degrees and cleaning with mostly pretty low pressure (which seems to work much better than hi pressure) with no chemicals. Really, the only time I use full pressure (in my case about 2700psi at 6000 ft altitude) is to blow a lot of dirt or trash off the surface. I guess this is my question. Just because you have a Ferrari that doesn't mean you have to drive it 180 mph everywhere you go. Besides.... control is everything no matter what you are doing. Just as I learned that I will use a multitude of pressures for different situations I'm also wondering about heat. I only want to use enough heat to get the job done efficiantly....no more, no less. Besides, deisel is getting expensive!! The other question I have is in regards to my temp control. It says 300 degrees on it. I have a hard time believing it really gets that hot. I've never seen any one post on these boards saying they use over 220 - 230 (unless they are talking steam, I'm not). So what is the hottest temp I would use for what I am doing? I realize all situations are different but I'm talking in general terms. Thanks! Gavin

When I get one it won't be any newer than a 72. My wife wants me to get one but won't even let me look at anything even close to new. I love that hot-rod era of cars anyway. like 64 - 76. Seems like ANYTHING made in the 80's was crap! Doesn't matter what car or brand.

Thanks Mike, I'll give that a shot. Thanks to Tom and everyone else for their replies! "the more you know, the more you grow!"

Actually she isn't on the title but I ain't even going there :sonic: Nice ride Dave!! I was looking at a beautiful forest green 69 last year. Once the business gets rolling that's one of the first things I want to get. Was it the 69 or 70 that was the last year of the 454 big block?

Hi Tom, Only about 10% of the new construction stuff even has a lawn so that hasn't been a concern but I have thought about that before. I wish they did have lawns..... my hoses gets soaked in mud and I constantly have to wash them down. Mud gets in everything. I'm also using hot for the paint on the porches. I do the garages too and these guys are SLOPPY! The other day I spent an hour on a garage that should have taken me about 25 minutes. Of course, using hot in there too. I usually only have to use hot on the first 1/4 of the driveway. The drips usually trail off by then. Do you use a flat surface cleaner for garages? Just wondering if I should make the investment?

Hey Mike, I was thinking about droping the temp to about 140 and seeing what kind of results I get. My concern is speed and I realize that hot cleans a lot faster than cold. I guess I'm trying to figure out at what moment it becomes useless to go hotter because it has no effect on speed. I also found that I don't like using hot on decks (or wood for that matter). Seems to really soften the wood a lot faster and it seems like it's easier to damage. I'd be interested to hear what temps/pressures guys use for various applications. Might be a good pole question?

Yeah, I know I'll lose some gas mileage but there is something to be said for a decked out truck. I think apearance does matter in business and when you look like you've got it together.... then you usually do. You can throw wheels & tires on a piece of crap and it'll look cool. I keep my 98 really clean (I actually wax it every 3 months). The mechanic I just had it in to for a general check up told me he ate his lunch of my engine. Now that's clean! I still get asked "what year is that?" all the time. Most people don't take care of their vehicles like they should. There's a reason my truck runs as good today as it did the day I drove it off the lot. The other thing I want to change is my running boards. I want to take off the flat ones I have and put on the round tube shaped ones. My wife likes the flat ones because it makes it easy for her to get in and she like the "sandpaper" grit on them. But it IS my truck :p

Tony, So true man. I just had my 98 hooked up to the computer and they told me they couldn't believe how good it was running. Said it was at 100% efficiancy. At 85,000 (I just past it) I put all new wires, rotor, cap, and plugs. I put in those Bosch Platnium +4's......man, what a difference! The power increase was obvious right away and I'm getting better gas mileage with a smoother running engine. I almost don't notice my trailer.....almost ;) I was telling my wife that since my truck is paid off and I don't really NEED a new truck that I'll just put some bigger tires and new rims on it. Jokingly, I told her I was also going to add some "naked girl" mud flaps and curb feelers too. I really do want the tires and rims though.:cool:

Tony, I've got the same thing. A 98 Silverado 4x4 Extended Cab short bed. I get about the same mileage as you also. I've never had a problem with my Chevy. Runs very strong. Am considering moving up to a 4 door 2500 on the next one though. Do you like the 2004's? I too use mine for personal and business. Also considering a box truck, I would love to have that much room. That inclosed trailer gets tight.

Anything in the Colorado area?

Hey guys, Haven't seen much posted about pw at high altitude and adjustments that would have to be made. Of all the boards I've checked on, I haven't really seen anyone from Colorado on them. I'm guessing the higher you are (I'm at 6000 ft.) the more open the airbands should be?? My machine (3000,4.5,13hp honda) was built and assembled in FL (below sea level) and shipped to me here in Colorado. Needless to say, it hasn't been running very well and would bog down when I would first squeeze the trigger. I bought it from USA (pwmall) and they are sending me a new burner head to change out. He is also sending me a new nozzle (current one is a 2.0) but doesn't think I'll need to change it out. Any comments? Thanks!

Last year Castle Rock got hit with 50 inches worth of the white stuff and still got over 300 sunny days over all. the Springs are only 35 minutes away. From what I can tell, there are less then 30 pw companies in the entire state. With 5 million people, there should be plenty of work to go around. Burner went completely out on me today while doing a driveway. Worked great for about an hour and then just quit lighting up.

Hey Reed, Thanks for the welcome. Actually, the drought did not affect me as I just started my business this summer. I have a friend who owns a water-feature business and they got hit real hard. Unless you have fish (which he did) you couldn't even run your pumps at all (due to evaporation). And he has a 50,000 gal feature! Thank god, most of the water restrictions in Colorado have been lifted due to a lot of rain this last spring. Car washes that recycle weren't affected too badly but only 20% of the car washes in Colo have a recycle system.

put that new head on my burner and opened up the air bands and now it runs great. Left the 2.0 nozzle in (although they did send me a 2.5). running clear smoke now! Didn't have to adjust the honda at all, the whole system is running much smother and lighter if that makes sense.

thanks Alan, great to be here! thanks Jon, I will check with them