dfox99

Here is a pic of my rig where the burner is exhausted out the back of the trailer using large diamater round duct (stove pipe). The engine has a flex pipe that is routed into this larger pipe through a hole in it. The large duct is flush with the edge of the door. Hope you can see it in the pic and I hope I attached it correctly. Sorry for the shameless "promotion" but this rig is for sale on ebay...Item 7587964303. Doug

For less than twice the amount that Larry B mentioned for a Mighty M, a complete rig in an enclosed trailer is for sale on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7587964303&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting or item 7587964303 if that you have trouble with the link. FYI, it is my rig. Doug

Above (this thread is so long) I wondered why not use them in the wash when some said not to, and Paul explained it. Got to go back 2 or 3 pages. Maybe debate was not the best word to use. Doug Fox

A small ranch would be right at my minimum of $150. If they were elderly I would probably say $125. Doug Fox

Thanks Paul that explains the debate on rinse agents. Yes, I use the mix prescribed by the supplier along with the recommended rinse aid. The one in my rig in one of the downstream tanks is Zep's product. I have only used that in washing cars and it works well. I want to try that on vinyl whenever it quits snowing! The fisrt house you showed would probably bring $200-250 for me and that includes a quick brushing with the gutter cleaner. I'd still be out of there in about 2 hours or so as long as there were no surprises. Flatwork isn't very popular so upselling that is rare. Has anyone done any deicing such as large ice buildups on houses? If so how do you do it? I think there could be some huge demand for it around here. This might make a qood question for a separate post. Thanks. Doug Fox

Great thread, here's my 2 cents... Rinse Aid, wonder why if soft water cleans better, and a rinse aid assists in softening water by suspending the minerals, why not put it in the soap mix? Keep in mind bleach or at least the liquid form of sodium hypochlorite loses its potency after a few weeks. Don't buy more than you can use. I use the Xjet and citraclean, clorox (because I can't justify buying a 55 gallon drum before it would go bad), rinse aid, wet wax and some foamer. This does a good job but I really haven't tried anything else...only been doing this one season. I too do two sides then rinse. I rinse the windows before I move and keep them rinsed. I have an onboard softener in addition to using the rinse aid because I live in the NE and the water runs hard. I even final rinse the windows with a liquid cascade mix with the xjet. Windows aren't bad when finished but they're not perfect either. I constantly test my water hardness coming into the tank to determine that the softener is working properly and keeping it charged. I prefer to apply the soap and rinse with the xjet close up tip...as high as I can reasonably reach and soap. I do this as not to force water under the siding since sometimes that will cause weeping and yellow stains that you can rinse and rinse but still need to go back and wipe. I don't use a lot of soap mix either. Approximately 5 gallons of mix for a ranch. Maybe two jugs for a typical 2 story around here. I also have a downstream setup with my rig. What I was thinking of doing was still using the xjet for the wash, but then using the dual lance to apply the onboard rinse aid I have mixed up (usually used as a final rinse when washing cars). I would do this in hope of a shinier finish on the siding but don't know yet until I try it. I also want to try a couple of other soap products just to compare. Questions... Rob Fitz, what size of nozzle to you use for the rinse? Doug Fox Upstate NY

I am going to wash a wood sided house with EFC-38 and would really like to be able to do it with an xjet instead of a pump up or my Deckster. Is this possible? If so what would the mix be like as far as proportions? Thanks. Doug Fox

jhawk, it has a regulator on it to adjust pressure, along with a pressure gauge, all the necessary plumbing for supply and separate return, quick connect for hose. It is expensive but does work well. I ran HD 80 at full strength through it and had to replace pump parts the first time out! Sunbrite said to use their stripper...EFC 38 and other chems work well. It doesn't do well with thicker full colored stains (like gray). I haven't used it much as I don't do much wood but am glad when I do as pump-ups on a deck is self defeating especially when the sun is shinning. Doug Fox Upstate NY

Thanks that helps alot. Ron I have been impressed by all of your information on the different boards I've read over the past 3 or 4 months in starting this biz and really want to thank you and all the other selfless people who contribute. I wish I could come wash with you for a day or 2...NJ is closer to me than TN... I really haven't used my Deckster yet except to spray a little water. I'm not sure if it has the reach I need without climbing up a ladder, that's why I wondered about the xjet. Do you use the Hang Time (not sure if that is the right name) when you do vertical surfaces like that? Also, the house I am doing has been maintained with proper staining on a regular basis. If I am just going to wash it in prep for resealing, will I need to brighten too? Is there a need to balance the PH with the EFC-38 like the HD 80? Doug Fox Upstate NY

I did my first strip/brighten and seal this week on a small deck. It is probably around 16x20 with a small landing. It took me over 20 hours in which I seriously underestimated my price. I used HD 80 at 8 oz/gallon. Here is where I suspect some of my problems are from: First, I didn't do a test spot so I didn't know (and still don't) know what I was dealing with...latex or what? Some of the trim and rails had at least 3 coats of white or gray on them. Stripping took all of the first day and some of the next. I used too much pressure out of desparation in a couple of spots and had to sand the next day. In fact, I had to use more pressure for the whole deck than I wanted. Second, sunny day, pump up sprayer on entire area having to run back and mix up several 5 gallon batches. I suspect the mix did not stay wet enough. I am going to mix 20 gallons at 8oz/gal in the future so I don't have to fire up the burner, and all that running around. Plus, I am going to use my deckster to apply. I didn't get it out this time because I thought the deck was too small. Maybe I should do less area at a time? So, can anyone else point out something that I didn't learn but need to before I give up wood restoration and stick to house washing??? Also, is there any adjuvant for helping HD 80 cling to vertical surfaces? That was the hardest! Thanks. Doug

Thanks to everyone that contributes to all of these boards. I am new and ready to try both HD-80 and HD-38. How do you actually apply these...backpack/sprayer, downstream? Thanks. :confused: Doug Fox