Dan Stapleton

Going steady. Thats crazy, Ken. Using terms like PressurePacker I don't blame you one bit. Well, thats ONE reason.

Are any of your wives/girlfriends jealous of the time you spend at the Grime Scene?

That was Pressure Packed not Pressure Pros. Just lookin out for ya Ken.

You guys are hilarious. For the ones whose wives are into sharing it,APPRECIATE IT. I was just curious as my wife has no problem with my time here.Seriously.......she does'nt............Whew. Kory and Scott, thats funny.

Thanks Lance and Russ. Ken, I get the same with a 0010. 1.8 60 psi.

30 ft? What size orifice and spray angle tip?

The missing words should be not like and spraying.......Geez.

Yeah, my bad, I thought I used the full term and then started abbreviating. I'm glad you brought that up. Would to hear of a bunch of newcomers running around mixing 4gallons of sodium hydroxide with e-plus it all over houses and windows!

The s.h. I was referring to is sodium hypochlorite not hydroxide. And yes it works very well mixed. I found that you don't need nearly as much e-plus as e-spec recommends (surprise) especially on painted aluminum that isn't a paint prep. If I used store bought bleach I would up the ratio by 40-50% as I use 10.5. Sorry for the confusion.

Jarrod, Yes, I do use e-plus w/s.h. on aluminum. The condition of the paint dictates what I use. I have found e-plus and s.h. hard to beat when you have heavy pollutants including mildew. It seem to activate and give the s.h a kick. My basic mix for stucco, vinyl, aluminum with good paint etc. is 4 gallons s.h. 1gallon of e-plus (powder mixed 12 0z. to a gallon) and a healthy squirt or two of foam and shine which is a quality car wash soap. Downsteamed. It puts the s.h. on the side at around 1.5% which is ideal. Sometimes I'll soap twice and rarely need to x-jet. Never had a problem with windows using e-plus at this ratio, actually they shine! Car wash soap may contribute to that. p.s. No offense on the "cleaning trex" thread.

Mike, I would like to add: I did the house next door(aluminum siding) the same day and used e-plus and more s.h. The paint was newer and there were more cocoons, dirt and mildew so the job called for that mix. It's good to have a variety and soon you'll know what the job will call for. As a general rule, if the paint is old, fading, oxidized etc. be careful with butyl and use the weakest s.h. mix to kill the mildew.

It can wreak havoc on weak paint on aluminum(so can s.h. if too strong) your rinse water will be the color of the paint, so if/when you see that change your solution. Better to not get every little thing off the siding then weaken, remove the paint or strip it with pressure. Don't be scared of cleaning aluminum just take the precautions. I did one yesterday using simple cherry and s.h. downstreamed 1gallon s.c. 1 gallon of s.h. rest water in a 5 gal. It wasn't very dirty though and very little mildew. I like e-plus for most washes but use simple cherry for cleaning around vinyl windows, aluminum and other situations where a stronger cleaner isn't neccessary. I also use it for ceilings on entry ways and porches that are painted drywall. Let us know how it goes

Simple cherry and light s.h. if needed. Always be careful using butyl based on aluminum (p.h. and e-plus). Low pressure, don't go in close with pressure spray.

Does anyone know of a supplier that has a good selection of high pressure rated stainless steel fittings, reducer couplings, barbs etc.?

Yeah, it's a get what you pay for thing. I've talked to suppliers that sell both and say that the guy's that order hansen don't order nearly as often. I lube mine with lithium grease lightly and they stay lubed a long time. I've heard the same thing about cheap stainless and have resisted the temptation to buy them. Bob at pressure tek or dultmeier sells hansen at the best prices I've found.

Thanks Nichole. I'll keep that in mind when I need more.

Less corrosion, longer lasting. For example stainless couplers hold a lubricant longer and are smoother, easier to open and close. Stainless does'nt turn green from chlorine. Of course the more expensive one's are better. I use Hansen.

Thanks guys. I use some of the above mentioned suppliers. I was talking more of a specialty supplier for stainless. There are plenty online, was trying to avoid weeding through them. Thanks

I want to switch from a pressure actuated to a flow unloader. I usually run my surface cleaner at between 3000-3500. Since the most popular one (k7) is only rated for 3000 I am reluctant to buy one. The zk1 is rated for 3600 but has 1/2" outlet and bypass. Can anyone recommend a good, durable one that has 3/8s plumbing. Seems like the zk1 is built for bigger machines with the 1/2" plumbing and gpm ratings up to 10 plus. I run 4.5gpm and max 3500. Thanks.

Don't know of any local chem companies but if you need bulk try the chemistry store. Shipping is reasonable and included (I think )its 60-65 bucks for 55 lbs. Jeff had mentioned jbs industries out of S.Carolina.Ask for Andy Higgins. $42 for 55lbs. If you need it in a pinch Ace hardware sells 1 lb. and 4lb. tubs. 5 and 18 bucks. Snowcap brand.

Dultmeier or local janitor supply for quality brushes.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Thanks, Don. Being fickle and those bugs are what concerned me about reducing. Makes sense though if the inlet is 3/8s. My elbow needs relief from that pressure kick. Keith is working on a new logo for me. Gonna do before/after postcards or flyers, new cards and am gonna hammer the nice developments around here. Hope your staying busy and all is well.

I thought of that, Don, I'm trying to find out if the 1/2" flow is needed for proper operation. Seems like it might be with the 10 plus gpm capacity. I dread calling general and jumping through the hoops to get to the right tech. guy. Thats what I'll do if I don't get any info here.

For anyone else needing help with this, I did a stucco house on a lake today and the soffits and eves were loaded with cocoons and webs. Soaping one side,rinsing the windows then soaping the cocoons again and letting it dwell for a few minutes worked like a charm. To test the double soaping's effectiveness I tried one section with just one normal soaping and it wasn't nearly as effective. Give it a shot. I was downstreaming.