Ok guys I'm new to the game but have been watching, reading and researching a lot. I'm getting ready to order the SoftWash System Cert Applicator Program (for education, sorry if I'm asking ?'s the modules will answer), I'm also ordering the High reach delivery system (from JRacestein), a 50 gal poly tank (for 1 batching), bleach wash, plant wash and green wash and I've found a local SH supplier. I read here that green wash can weaken the SH if left together to long T/F? If so how long will it last or how can I inject GW to keep separated? I will be towing on trailer until I can get my truck. My goal is to be up and washing March 1. Im on a small budget so I might be able to get a few more things if anyone things Im missing something.
How does this all sound to the pros out there? Thank you all for helping out I know Im learning from the best!!
Roney Conca said
Feb 10, 2016
Welcome Gary. That's a beautiful city you live in, i'm sure it will only get more beautiful with each project you complete!
As I am very new to this business myself, I am looking forward to the replies from the Pro's to your questions.
John Aloisio said
Feb 10, 2016
Gary,
Welcome!! Typically once you mix SH with anything it will start to dilute. Many factors will come into play like sunlight exposure, temperature, etc... I know some people have had Green Wash in a mix tank for over a week and it really did not affect the mix. Even if the mix weakens slightly, you will notice when you start to clean and can just adjust with a little bump of SH. Try to only mix what you need for the job at hand. You do not want to have a 50 gallon tank left over and sit for a while, because it might start to separate as well.
Bob Riddick said
Feb 10, 2016
Hey Gary and Roney, John is one of the most knowledgeable guys in our group and will never steer you in the wrong direction.
I've heard of bleach and Green Wash maintaining strength for up to four days, but as John said, try to mix only the amount you need per project.
BTW, this question is not covered in the SWS classes.
Troy Layman said
Feb 11, 2016
GW does weaken the SH over time, sort of like when a pharmacist tells you not to mix a prescription with alcohol. For example if you mix a medicine that should work with 1 pill and last 12 hours, if you drink alcohol with it the alcohol will act like a catalyst and spike the medicine, acting like you may have taken 2 or 3 pills, but instead of lasting 12 hours, it may only last 3-4 hours. The same basic principle applies to SH and GW. The GW has a catalyst that spikes the bleaching power so you can use a lower concentration of bleach and still get the job done, enabling you to use less bleach (saves you money, cuts down on the amount of salt you spray around the property etc.) I cannot speak on how long the SH remains good because I use CH and it tends to degrade much faster than SH.
I added http://www.jracenstein.com/item/150-08046/softwash-gun-ball-valve-style/default.asp?sort=5rcd4 and http://www.jracenstein.com/item/74-5995/4-tip-soft-wash-0020-1520-2520-4020/default.asp?sort=524fe That is the same rig I have and mine is set up on a small trailer as well until I am able to upgrade to an enclosed utility trailer. You don't need to get the 2-6volt 230 AH golf cart batteries that they recommend though, that will be overkill, and they are beasts if you need to carry them anywhere. You can definitely spray a long time using those two batteries. I think most people would rather have 1 or 2 12 volt batteries because you can still connect them in parallel for 12 volts (and twice the amp hours), but if you have a battery die, it won't leave you dead on the job site because the pump won't work with a single 6 volt battery.
For a new person (including me), I find this pump sprays a bit more chemical (gallons per minute) than someone new to the profession needs, but it does have a good reach and a long hose. You'll need to wind the hose up neatly for the entire length of the hose or it will not go back on the reel before the hose starts to jam. I'm probably going to cut off about 20 fee of hose because even when you wind it up neatly it doesn't take much imperfection to cause a jam (they were very generous with the hose length). I found that after a few months the hose crimps where it rests across the 4 poles in the center of the reel so you will end up having to pull out all the hose or your flow will be restricted. Overall I'm happy with the system for the price. You will want to keep a few hose clamps on hand as well in case the spray wand pulls loose from the crimp connection at the end. Mine was a demo unit so I didn't know how much use it had before I received it, or if they pulled the hose by the wand instead of the hose iteself, but on my 2nd job the barb that connects the spray wand to the hose pulled loose (probably a fluke). I had extra clamps and I was working at my brother's house so it wasn't a big deal, but you'll want to be prepared. The system does not have an accumulator either so you'll want to buy one to cut down on the on/off cycling of the pump.
Best of luck!
-- Edited by Troy Layman on Thursday 11th of February 2016 04:15:28 PM
Gary Ensminger said
Feb 15, 2016
Roney, Thanks for the encouraging words. A lot of valuable info form the members. Glad to be a part of The Revolution!
John and Bob, Thanks for insight. I can't wait to get my modules and start learning.
Troy, I am getting that same unit and comforting to hear you have the same. Thank you for all the side info to adjust my learning curve. I was wondering if I should buy a smaller pump 3gal/min and use the one that unit comes with as back up.
I was reading other post from you and I have the opposite problem of you. I write very little, but enjoy reading your post learning a lot from them :)
Gary
Tim Teed said
Feb 15, 2016
Just use the pump that comes with it. In my back up unit, I made a wood pallet and attached it to that and put my 50 gallon mix tank on the pallet, that way I can take off of the truck easily. Don't put too much into the little rig, as you will want to get a softwash systems rig with some modules in it by the end of the year.
Troy Layman said
Feb 16, 2016
Gary Ensminger wrote:
Troy, I am getting that same unit and comforting to hear you have the same. Thank you for all the side info to adjust my learning curve. I was wondering if I should buy a smaller pump 3gal/min and use the one that unit comes with as back up.
Gary
Gary,
I used the spray gun that came on the unit and did some cleaning around the house, then tried the ball valve spray gun I linked and liked it better. That spray gun I linked was enough to enable me to adjust the ball valve to reduce the flow. I carry the original spray gun with me as a back up. Run to the local big box store and buy a couple spare ball valves and such for back replacement parts too.
I wouldn't bother with the smaller pump if you have the ball valve spray gun because you'll want the power available for the extra reach for 2 story homes doing house washes to reach the peak. However you may want to reach out to Steve and get a spare pump to keep on hand as a back up so if you do have a pump failure you won't be 100% dead on the job. I think the pump from JRacenstein is ~$100.
AC Lockyer said
Feb 16, 2016
Gary,
Good to see you starting off on the right foot. Start small and boot strap yourself into a debt free company!
AC
Troy Layman said
Feb 16, 2016
AC Lockyer wrote:
Gary,
Good to see you starting off on the right foot. Start small and boot strap yourself into a debt free company!
AC
AC - Billionaire Mark Cuban said almost the exact same thing - "Only a moron takes out a loan to start a business." :0)
Roney Conca said
Feb 20, 2016
Well, the top of the 1 percenters tend to believe that because they are so wealthy their words should be not questioned, i.e., calling someone an idiot for doing something, right or wrong. That would be Mr. Cuban (I watch shark thank). Mr. Lockyer seems to speak from humility rather than from being self-center, such as Cuban.
Gary Ensminger said
Feb 21, 2016
Going a new route with system. will this pump (12v Diaphragm Pump, 2.1 gpm / 60 psi / 8 Amp) reach the top of a 2 story home? Will it help with 4 banger tip set?
Michael Derose said
Feb 21, 2016
I would not go under a 5 gpm pump. Try the delavan 5850 or the fat boy 7800 7gpm at 60 or 100 psi
John Aloisio said
Feb 21, 2016
Like Mike said, do not go under even 6 gallons a minute. You will experience friction loss as the chems travel the hose and by the time you get to the wand, you will not have the strength to spray effectively. That 2.1 gallon number is at the pump and will reduce with 300' of hose.
All,
Ok guys I'm new to the game but have been watching, reading and researching a lot. I'm getting ready to order the SoftWash System Cert Applicator Program (for education, sorry if I'm asking ?'s the modules will answer), I'm also ordering the High reach delivery system (from JRacestein), a 50 gal poly tank (for 1 batching), bleach wash, plant wash and green wash and I've found a local SH supplier. I read here that green wash can weaken the SH if left together to long T/F? If so how long will it last or how can I inject GW to keep separated? I will be towing on trailer until I can get my truck. My goal is to be up and washing March 1. Im on a small budget so I might be able to get a few more things if anyone things Im missing something.
How does this all sound to the pros out there? Thank you all for helping out I know Im learning from the best!!
As I am very new to this business myself, I am looking forward to the replies from the Pro's to your questions.
Gary,
Welcome!! Typically once you mix SH with anything it will start to dilute. Many factors will come into play like sunlight exposure, temperature, etc... I know some people have had Green Wash in a mix tank for over a week and it really did not affect the mix. Even if the mix weakens slightly, you will notice when you start to clean and can just adjust with a little bump of SH. Try to only mix what you need for the job at hand. You do not want to have a 50 gallon tank left over and sit for a while, because it might start to separate as well.
Hey Gary and Roney, John is one of the most knowledgeable guys in our group and will never steer you in the wrong direction.
I've heard of bleach and Green Wash maintaining strength for up to four days, but as John said, try to mix only the amount you need per project.
BTW, this question is not covered in the SWS classes.
GW does weaken the SH over time, sort of like when a pharmacist tells you not to mix a prescription with alcohol. For example if you mix a medicine that should work with 1 pill and last 12 hours, if you drink alcohol with it the alcohol will act like a catalyst and spike the medicine, acting like you may have taken 2 or 3 pills, but instead of lasting 12 hours, it may only last 3-4 hours. The same basic principle applies to SH and GW. The GW has a catalyst that spikes the bleaching power so you can use a lower concentration of bleach and still get the job done, enabling you to use less bleach (saves you money, cuts down on the amount of salt you spray around the property etc.) I cannot speak on how long the SH remains good because I use CH and it tends to degrade much faster than SH.
Is this the rig you ordered from J. Racenstein? www.jracenstein.com/item/150-0767/high-reach-delivery-system-250ft-hose/
I added http://www.jracenstein.com/item/150-08046/softwash-gun-ball-valve-style/default.asp?sort=5rcd4 and http://www.jracenstein.com/item/74-5995/4-tip-soft-wash-0020-1520-2520-4020/default.asp?sort=524fe
That is the same rig I have and mine is set up on a small trailer as well until I am able to upgrade to an enclosed utility trailer. You don't need to get the 2-6volt 230 AH golf cart batteries that they recommend though, that will be overkill, and they are beasts if you need to carry them anywhere. You can definitely spray a long time using those two batteries. I think most people would rather have 1 or 2 12 volt batteries because you can still connect them in parallel for 12 volts (and twice the amp hours), but if you have a battery die, it won't leave you dead on the job site because the pump won't work with a single 6 volt battery.
For a new person (including me), I find this pump sprays a bit more chemical (gallons per minute) than someone new to the profession needs, but it does have a good reach and a long hose. You'll need to wind the hose up neatly for the entire length of the hose or it will not go back on the reel before the hose starts to jam. I'm probably going to cut off about 20 fee of hose because even when you wind it up neatly it doesn't take much imperfection to cause a jam (they were very generous with the hose length). I found that after a few months the hose crimps where it rests across the 4 poles in the center of the reel so you will end up having to pull out all the hose or your flow will be restricted. Overall I'm happy with the system for the price. You will want to keep a few hose clamps on hand as well in case the spray wand pulls loose from the crimp connection at the end. Mine was a demo unit so I didn't know how much use it had before I received it, or if they pulled the hose by the wand instead of the hose iteself, but on my 2nd job the barb that connects the spray wand to the hose pulled loose (probably a fluke). I had extra clamps and I was working at my brother's house so it wasn't a big deal, but you'll want to be prepared. The system does not have an accumulator either so you'll want to buy one to cut down on the on/off cycling of the pump.
Best of luck!
-- Edited by Troy Layman on Thursday 11th of February 2016 04:15:28 PM
Roney, Thanks for the encouraging words. A lot of valuable info form the members. Glad to be a part of The Revolution!
John and Bob, Thanks for insight. I can't wait to get my modules and start learning.
Troy, I am getting that same unit and comforting to hear you have the same. Thank you for all the side info to adjust my learning curve. I was wondering if I should buy a smaller pump 3gal/min and use the one that unit comes with as back up.
I was reading other post from you and I have the opposite problem of you. I write very little, but enjoy reading your post learning a lot from them :)
Gary
Gary,
I used the spray gun that came on the unit and did some cleaning around the house, then tried the ball valve spray gun I linked and liked it better. That spray gun I linked was enough to enable me to adjust the ball valve to reduce the flow. I carry the original spray gun with me as a back up. Run to the local big box store and buy a couple spare ball valves and such for back replacement parts too.
I wouldn't bother with the smaller pump if you have the ball valve spray gun because you'll want the power available for the extra reach for 2 story homes doing house washes to reach the peak. However you may want to reach out to Steve and get a spare pump to keep on hand as a back up so if you do have a pump failure you won't be 100% dead on the job. I think the pump from JRacenstein is ~$100.
Good to see you starting off on the right foot. Start small and boot strap yourself into a debt free company!
AC
AC - Billionaire Mark Cuban said almost the exact same thing - "Only a moron takes out a loan to start a business." :0)
Going a new route with system. will this pump (12v Diaphragm Pump, 2.1 gpm / 60 psi / 8 Amp) reach the top of a 2 story home? Will it help with 4 banger tip set?
Like Mike said, do not go under even 6 gallons a minute. You will experience friction loss as the chems travel the hose and by the time you get to the wand, you will not have the strength to spray effectively. That 2.1 gallon number is at the pump and will reduce with 300' of hose.
Gary try this, http://www.jracenstein.com/item/150-0892/5-gpm-12v-pump-in-a-bucket-starter-kit/default.asp?sort=9kwhu
Thanks,
AC