CLASSICPW

I'm building a trailer and looking for another cold water washer. What does everyone like the best? CAT pump or Comet? Gear drive or belt? I'm doing 4000 psi @ 4.0 gpm and definetely a Honda engine. I have a direct drive unit now, but people insist on the belt drive. I had Bob from pressure tek give me a quote, but it was a little out of my price range. I might still go with him just to have a custom built washer. I also had my eye on Pro-jet's Bulldog series. I also saw a unit at Delco that I liked. Opinions?

Thanks Alan.

I saw a 3000 psi, 5.5gpm belt drive unit that I liked. One Tough, I'm 90% decks and siding, is the gpm that much more important? I want to use a 300 gal tank, but I'm afraid the higher the gpm the less time I can get out of the tank. Confused.

What does Snoop Dog wash his clothes with?...........................BLEAAATCH!

Do high quality work. I've noticed that I've been getting alot of referrals lately. I take my time to do quality work to make sure the outcome of a job makes the customer's jaw drop. After 2 referrals I clean their gutters for free(whether they need it or not) and that makes them run their mouth about me even more. BTW, just because I'm thorough doesn't mean I'm not making money. I always make sure that I'm profiting an average of $100/hr. I run a little high, but they get what they pay for. Read the hell out of these boards and take notes. It helps to learn from other's mistakes. If you don't have alot of dough for advertising, make up a flyer on your pc w/coupons on it. When your not doing jobs you can hike through potential neighborhoods and stick them in the front door. I spot green siding or dirty decks and I hop out of my truck, run over and smack a flyer on the door and I'm gone. Every little bit helps. I also scope out my customer's neighbors when I'm there. I'll knock on their door and explain that I'm doing work to your neighbor's house and while I'm here I noticed that your deck/siding/patios whatever need restoring, would you like a free no obligation estimate? I've never been turned down. I did a huge job in a suburb on a Sunday, I scored jobs on the neighbors in front, on both sides, and in the back, $2,345 worth of work. High quality work attracts attention.

That answers my question. I'm happy with my mix, but I'm always looking to make my life a little easier, I might order a drum.

I've just gotta ask. Are you citriclean guys INSANE? $35 + shipping for 5 gal? I buy bleach in bulk paying around $1/ gal. An average house wash uses about 4 gal. That's $4 + detergent and jet dry. That's about $9 in material, and every customer has been amazed with the results. Is citriclean that much better?

It's probably more expensive. Their exterior paint is way overpriced, but I know a guy who uses it for it's high quality. I used Cabots for the first time last week and surprised at the $30 gal price. It was extremely user unfriendly, fought me the whole way going on, but in the end it was breathtaking.

I've got a job washing and sealing a 1 yr old deck with trex flooring and handrails. Does Semi-trans sealer wipe off trex with mineral spirits or does it stain it?. I'm sure that I can't spray it and I already added in the fact that I have to hand apply it. Basically does Trex soak up sealer or repel it?

I found this site while surfing the web looking for info. Silicone based sealer that can be used alone or added to your current sealer. Hmmmm http://www.pro-tect.com/faqs_water_shield.shtml

I'm bumping this post because I need to know if an oil based semi can be used on trex. I see that it can be stained and painted, but Trx is 50% plastic and 50% wood byproduct so you would think anything oil based would repel off plastic. Trex is not responding to my e-mail and the job is very soon. Does anyone have any insight?

I got a call from a pool company that needs concrete removed from vinyl siding. I haven't seen the job yet, but they said they were shooting the concrete into a pool form and some sprayed up onto the siding. I don't know why they didn't remove it then, but apparently it's dried up. Any ideas?

Hot water for dried concrete?

I took the (WOW) comment as being sarcastic. The x-jet is, by far, my most valuable tool so I guess I took his post as an x-jet bashing. He could just be asking for help, but I didn't read it that way. If so, my fault. :)

Sorry, no pic. They're in the office supplies aisle in any of the 1 billion WalMarts across the US.

So could this be a safer way to use pool chlorine on vinyl siding?

Your fault.

BTW, I,ve said it before, but Walmart sells these HUGE thumbtacks that are great for setting tarps on the neighbor's decks on townhouses and other uses. You just tap them in w/ a hammer and pull them out when your done.

WOW, pretty intense thread. All I can say is that no matter how much you know there is always someone who knows more. Life is a learning experiance and this applies to EVERTHING.

I also use cardboard sheets, and always carry a box of rags and mineral spirits. I hate using plastic because of the drips, also because it comes in a small roll and rolls up into a huge sticky bundle. Canvas tarps are the way to go for concrete and such under the deck, they can be expensive but well worth it.

Does anyone have any special tricks for removing sealer off your skin at the end of the day. Hot showers just don't seem to cut it and swabbing your skin w/rubbing alcohol just sucks. I've heard suggestions like coasting your arms, legs and face w/ a light coat of vaseline or wearing long sleeves and pants, but when it's 90 degrees plus that's just not happening. This has plagued me for awhile, just thought I'd bring it up. My legs have been orange for 3 days.:irritated

I personally have gotten almost no jobs for roof washing and the estimates that i've gotten I've referred to other companies. The main reason.....i have no idea how to do it. Do you use lifts or can you x-jet a solution of chlorine onto the roof from the ground and rinse?

I've never used citricleen, but my house wash consists of 1.5 gal of bleach, 1 cup of dish detergent(just for the foaming action to keep the bleach on the siding longer) and 1/2 cup of jet dry to keep the windows spot free in a 5 gal bucket. The x-jet is the tool of the century, buy it now. As far as TSP, it just goes in my deck clean mix, that is until my efc-38 comes in.

This is my second year in the business. My first year, even though I researched it thoroughly, was a learning experience, but I did great work, didn't low ball and had no complaints, only praise. This year, however, is driving me to quit. It's been a little over a month and already Ive had 2 customers complain and almost not pay me, even though the work looked fantastic and one possible lawsuit. It's driving me crazy. Are people all of the sudden just very picky or what. Is anybody else experiencing this?

Could a light mix of hd-80 achieve the same effect as a efc-38 application and be not as caustic? Or is it always caustic now matter what?