ls1cameric

Well after some thought, I think this machine is the best route to go. I'm actually just waiting to get a check in the mail any day now before I call Paul and order it. I e-mailed them asking a few questions about the warranty and stuff just for more info but I'm pretty set on it as of now.

$1500.00 compared to a 3000 psi @ 4gpm for $2500.00

Would this be a better machine for my needs? Paul from Envirospec sent me an IM about his machines and I can pick one of these up for about half the cost of the other machines I have been looking at. Does anyone have first hand experience with one of these machines? I'm just curious about the quality and reliablity since it's pretty inexpensive compared to the others. 2,600 PSI, 5.6 GPM General TS-2021 Triplex plunger pump, Powered by a Honda 13HP GX390 with oil alert, Featutes Include: Deluxe powder coated frame Patented cooling technology Cool ait ventilation slots Perm-A-Line belt tension system Laser aligned pulley fanning system Quick release belt guard knobs Belt drive system Adjustable unloader Exclusive Allison HI-Heat shudown system Safety relief valve EZ start feature 13" premium wheels Downstream chemical injector 50' steel braided rubber coated non marking high pressure hose 5,000 psi rated trigger gun 36" insulated lance 5 quick connect spray tips Soap,0,15,25 and 40 degree

Thanks for the advice but I'm mainly going to be doing residential areas. If i can get a commerical job, i wont turn it down but thats not my main focus. However, I want to be able to do any and all residential type work wich may include driveway and sidewalk cleaning and or grafitti removal. So again, if the 4gpm and 20" surface cleaner wont cut it, What will? And I'm sure those folks who have 15K worth of equipment didnt start off with all that! You gotta start somewhere and thats what I'm trying to do. I'm sure that i'll find my nich on wat I want to specialize in but wont know what that is until I get my feet wet.

I actually just checked out the machines that pressure tek has and tehy seem to be great set ups using quality parts. Does anyone have personal experience with either the 5.5 gpm, 3500 psi or the 8 gpm, 3000 psi machines that pressure tek sales? It seems like it might be a better buy than the Mi-T-M or Hotsy cold water machines...

Hey all, I have never worked with treating or finishing wood but I would like to learn. I live on a pretty large corner and just recently had a new fence installed with treated cedar pickets. I really dont like the look of them and want to get into decka nd fence refinishing so what better way to get some experience than by doing it on my own fence right? Half of them are partially covered with green mold and so I'd like to know what would be the best technique for me to clean the pickets and then coat them with a light stain finish so they look nice. I know that I need to use low pressure and cold water but what about chemicals? How long do i let a certain chem set on the wood? Do i rense the wood first before applying and chems? ect.. ect.. Thansk for the tips and advice, Eric.

I'm so new to this business that I dont even own a pressure washer and never have. I've used them a few times on various things but I never really knew that you can do so many things with them until recently when I started thinking of small business ideas to get me away from corporate americas crap. I'm tired of working my butt off for big companies only to get layed off because IT jobs are all being outsourced overseas for dirt cheap labor. I've been lurking this site with a few other forums trying to gather as much info and knowledge as possible so that I can try my best to start up a successful power washing company. I will have to start off working nights and weekends until it hopefully picks up enough to where I can actually quit my It job and doing this full-time. My plan is to do anything and everything from residenital exteriors, commerical jobs, truck fleets, parking lots, deck and fence refinishing and whatever else I can get my hands on. I live in an area where there are not very many companies like this that i know of and only 1 other that does everything I want to do (minus the deck and fence restoration). Problem is, I have 0 experience and a full time professional job. The bright side is, I do have about 8 grand that I can spend to get started and have received a quote from a local Mi-T-M supplier for a cold water rig that would run about half of that but I'm wanting to get opinions from the pros on my decisions. Am I thinking too big for just getting started in the biz? Should I go with a smaller portable setup until i get my feet wet and gain some experience and then upgrade? My thinking is that, I have the funds available to where I can afford a decent hot rig trailer set up with pretty much everything i might need to tackle any job. I would just hate to get the cold water portable machine and then get a offer to do a larger job where it will not be sufficiant. What are your thoughts? can anyone reccomend a decent Mi-T-M setup for me to get started on what I'm wanting to do?

I do plan on doing work around my own house and doing things for friends and family, maybe some nieghbors just so I CAN get some experience. There arent a whole lot of companies like this around my area so working with a one man crew for a few days might be hard to come by but I can look around to see if anyone's willing to let me. After reading your replies, I'll definately take the advice you all gave and start off small. Traciy from Sunbright sent me a PM with a good deal on a Black Knight model 413# cold water portable machine. I've never heard this brand so I'd like to know if anyone of you have any experience with it. It seems to be a good setup. Belt driven, 13hp Honda, general pump, 4000 psi at 4gpm and it's 1499.00 with free shipping. This is about 400.00 cheaper than machines I've found with similar specs. If this were to be a good choice to get me started, what would be a good surface cleaner to go with it?