Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: tom20001 on May 11, 2023, 06:56:18 pm

Title: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 11, 2023, 06:56:18 pm
I do a little bit of softwashing as an add on to my gutter, window and pressure washing work. My set up is a barrell with an outlet , I simply connect to my shurflo pump, same type of pump as window cleaning set up. It does the job but what's an upgrade to this? What do you guys use. Not looking to spend silly money as don't do enough to justify that so just wondering about options. Thanks lads
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 11, 2023, 10:31:14 pm
I do a little bit of softwashing as an add on to my gutter, window and pressure washing work. My set up is a barrell with an outlet , I simply connect to my shurflo pump, same type of pump as window cleaning set up. It does the job but what's an upgrade to this? What do you guys use. Not looking to spend silly money as don't do enough to justify that so just wondering about options. Thanks lads

Next level up is a roll tech pump or comet pump on a petrol engine
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 12, 2023, 01:18:53 pm
I do a little bit of softwashing as an add on to my gutter, window and pressure washing work. My set up is a barrell with an outlet , I simply connect to my shurflo pump, same type of pump as window cleaning set up. It does the job but what's an upgrade to this? What do you guys use. Not looking to spend silly money as don't do enough to justify that so just wondering about options. Thanks lads

Next level up is a roll tech pump or comet pump on a petrol engine

Could I use my old honda gx 200 for that? Or too powerful. It's just thrown in shed unused
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 12, 2023, 03:09:28 pm
I do a little bit of softwashing as an add on to my gutter, window and pressure washing work. My set up is a barrell with an outlet , I simply connect to my shurflo pump, same type of pump as window cleaning set up. It does the job but what's an upgrade to this? What do you guys use. Not looking to spend silly money as don't do enough to justify that so just wondering about options. Thanks lads

Next level up is a roll tech pump or comet pump on a petrol engine

Could I use my old honda gx 200 for that? Or too powerful. It's just thrown in shed unused

Yes but would need a pump  of some discription 
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 12, 2023, 07:32:24 pm
No he doesn't - just a chemical injector to mix

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 12, 2023, 07:34:26 pm
No he doesn't - just a chemical injector to mix

Darran

Do you mean an x jet type of thing ? We found the amount of drift was horrendous ok with water but not hypo mixes
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 12, 2023, 07:36:02 pm
Yes but make my own..

no drift if you use the correct nozzles

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 12, 2023, 07:38:25 pm
Yes but make my own..

no drift if you use the correct nozzles

Darran

We didn’t get on with them this type of set up is what we use works well and will supply up to 40 ltr per muinit for rinsing (http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1683916701_IMG_0153.jpeg)
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 12, 2023, 08:06:52 pm
And what do you use to apply your solution?
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 12, 2023, 08:23:38 pm
And what do you use to apply your solution?


Same set up if it’s a large building you can adjust the flow rate from around 3 ltr to 40 ltr per muinit or a trolly with WFP application if smaller houses or mid terraced.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 12, 2023, 09:40:15 pm
Didn’t really answer the question

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 12, 2023, 10:13:22 pm
Didn’t really answer the question

Darran

Not sure what you mean ?
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 12, 2023, 11:19:40 pm
so you pump 40 litres a minute of hypo solution and apply it how ? nozzle maybe ?

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 12, 2023, 11:25:08 pm
Just to remind you - OP asked for an upgrade that was sensible in price - so your answer was to point out something nearly 3 grand in price.

Darran

Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: zesty on May 13, 2023, 08:11:49 am
I didn’t like the p40 at all.

Prefer the rolltek.

Found the p40 cumbersome and bulky, not good for domestic. Guess it would be good for commercial though, I just don’t do much commercial at all.

Sold mine and stuck with the original rolltek Ben did for me years ago. It’s on a trolley and still pumps out 25 LPM (rated at 30 but i don’t think you’d get that)

I’d get a rolltek Tom, you’ll get years of service out of it.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 13, 2023, 02:27:10 pm
Just to remind you - OP asked for an upgrade that was sensible in price - so your answer was to point out something nearly 3 grand in price.

Darran


That was reply to you not the op , I suggested to him to get a pump for his existing machine , and yes obviously we use a nozzle of some sort but it supplies droplets that are much bigger than a normal nozzle produces so minimal drift , unlike the x jets I have tried in the past also found the pick up tube restrictive and always in the way , each to there own but that’s what we find works best .
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 13, 2023, 02:52:21 pm
Fair enough i went from a to c however  I saw no po t in promoting a 3k machine - you also were quick to diss a far cheaper and very good option that would set the op back between 50 and 150 quid - with the nozzles I use there is no drift just like your Expensive machine 👍👍

Also it’s far far more flexible that pushing around yet another great big engine and pump setup

As you say each to their own 😋

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 13, 2023, 03:08:46 pm
Fair enough i went from a to c however  I saw no po t in promoting a 3k machine - you also were quick to diss a far cheaper and very good option that would set the op back between 50 and 150 quid - with the nozzles I use there is no drift just like your Expensive machine 👍👍

Also it’s far far more flexible that pushing around yet another great big engine and pump setup

As you say each to their own 😋

Darran

To be fair you don’t need to move it that often as it has 100 feet of hose so will reach a fair bit on an average house , on commercial if you put it 100 feet in from the end of the building you can cover 200 so it’s not bad .
If you are using a pressure washer to run your set up ime guessing that’s going to be fairly heavy anyway and will also need moving ? I assume the hose from your hypo mix goes to the end of your lance nozzle and acts as a venture ? What length hose do you have from the barrel to the lance ? Ime always ready to try new ideas if they save time and work .
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 13, 2023, 03:15:37 pm
I didn’t like the p40 at all.

Prefer the rolltek.

Found the p40 cumbersome and bulky, not good for domestic. Guess it would be good for commercial though, I just don’t do much commercial at all.

Sold mine and stuck with the original rolltek Ben did for me years ago. It’s on a trolley and still pumps out 25 LPM (rated at 30 but i don’t think you’d get that)

I’d get a rolltek Tom, you’ll get years of service out of it.


I bought the p40 beacause the roll tech wasn’t available during the covid period and couldn’t get even a remote delivery date , I haven’t used the roll tech one obviously but find the p40 very good for rinsing as it has a higher pressure especially on patios , as you have had both how have you found them could you do a bit of a review?. We are looking at getting another one so it might be worth getting the roll tech one if it’s any good as they are now back in stock .
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 13, 2023, 03:39:26 pm
My p/w's are all bolted in the van - each has a minimum of 150 meters of hose (450 ft) - so no moving at all

Yes it fits to the lance and we have 3 meters of feed hose - for the high stuff I have a converted CLX and that has the chemical injector just past the trigger as you don't want 10 meters of feed hose flapping around

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 13, 2023, 04:04:41 pm
My p/w's are all bolted in the van - each has a minimum of 150 meters of hose (450 ft) - so no moving at all

Yes it fits to the lance and we have 3 meters of feed hose - for the high stuff I have a converted CLX and that has the chemical injector just past the trigger as you don't want 10 meters of feed hose flapping around

Darran

Darran do you have a pic of set for p/w bolted into van if you dont mind. What way does that work for exhausts etc . I've just finished a massive grounds pressure washing job this week and my back is not too clever at all now. Pain in my bonnet moving that gx 390 around all week along with hose
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 13, 2023, 04:05:32 pm
My p/w's are all bolted in the van - each has a minimum of 150 meters of hose (450 ft) - so no moving at all

Yes it fits to the lance and we have 3 meters of feed hose - for the high stuff I have a converted CLX and that has the chemical injector just past the trigger as you don't want 10 meters of feed hose flapping around

Darran



Ok so I assume you have to keep moving the barrel of hypo mix around ?..
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 13, 2023, 04:05:38 pm
Thanks for all feedback lads. Looking at that rolltech on Rutland website it's about 1100 ex vat which looks reasonable to me.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 14, 2023, 12:15:43 am
I'll grab some pics Monday/tuesday

yes some times - its much easier moving a barrel with 10 ltrs of hypo in it than trying to manoeuvre that pump on and off the van then unwind hose and rewind it up

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 14, 2023, 07:11:04 pm
I'll grab some pics Monday/tuesday

yes some times - its much easier moving a barrel with 10 ltrs of hypo in it than trying to manoeuvre that pump on and off the van then unwind hose and rewind it up

Darran


Thanks always interested to see how others do it , the machine we use only weighs 30 kg so it’s not to bad , we have the hose on a reel it’s a bit of a faff but when the jobs a few hours it’s not ti bad it’s not like doing 40+ houses a day window cleaning .
If we were to use the pressure washer getting that in and out of the van is a nightmare it’s best part of 100kg as we don’t have dedicated pw in the  vans as it’s an add on for us , we have 20,35,50, 100 meter hoses for it and use what we need for any particular job , but again we don’t do small jobs as it’s not cost effective to load and unload all the kit for  a path 😂😂😂
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 14, 2023, 07:18:57 pm
Lads yeah have created a monster here.  I've been looking at van mounted set ups on YouTube all day . I love the set ups! Do you think it's possible to get a 500litre 2 hose reels for it for window cleaning, gutter vac, whirlaway,  and van mounted gx 390 with a tank of some sort into the back of a vw transporter 🫣
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 14, 2023, 07:20:36 pm
Oh yeah and a roll tech for softwashing 🤔
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on May 14, 2023, 07:29:42 pm
Lads yeah have created a monster here.  I've been looking at van mounted set ups on YouTube all day . I love the set ups! Do you think it's possible to get a 500litre 2 hose reels for it for window cleaning, gutter vac, whirlaway,  and van mounted gx 390 with a tank of some sort into the back of a vw transporter 🫣


If it’s all planed out possibly I would get the dimensions of all the bits and then look at a van and see if it will all fit ware you want it to , this is what I did with my vans before buying them , but if you are mainly window cleaning I wouldn’t bolt the pw in the van it’s unnecessary weight and taking up space that could be used for more frequently used stuff , if you use the pw a lot then it might be worth putting it in permanently, the roll tech is only small and very light that will fit in any ware .
Having two tanks in the van will be difficult but another thing to consider is payload not sure what that is with a transporter but doubt it’s more than 900kg ?. So would be pushing your luck maybe?..
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 14, 2023, 07:31:46 pm
Possibly - how long is a transporter ?

Transit jumbo fits it in easily - thats a 1000 litre tank for the 2 pressure washers - 500 upright for window cleaning - gutter vac and specialist steam machine

problems - its cramped and you cant have water in both tanks as its overloaded - I don't recommend it on any 3.5 ton vans - you would have to move up to a 5 ton IMO

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 15, 2023, 06:18:08 am
I'll check dimensions later. It's a lwb so it might just all fit. Payload would be an issue if tanks were filled but pw tank would only be filled at job. I took on big contract for pw earlier this year. Big grounds with paths spread out over 1/2 acres in some of the places. Dragging the pw around is back breaking I have to look at other options. Would prob have to be a key start is it possible to get gx390 with that?
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 15, 2023, 07:18:22 am
Yes you can,

but consider Lonchin and Lifan engines - both Honda copies but are reliable at half the cost and Lifan has more power

Electric start is great but a little delicate and easily broken - might be ok if your the only one using it - but with staff I'd keep to pull start

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: zesty on May 15, 2023, 03:33:54 pm
Go with Loncin over Honda, much cheaper and just as reliable, I’ve had Loncin for years and years and the engines are bullet proof.

Pull start is easy enough and less to go wrong. Plus no battery to maintain…
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 16, 2023, 01:26:31 pm
Jumbo...

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684239845_Jumbo.jpg)


Maxus...

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684239951_maxus.jpg)



Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 16, 2023, 01:32:29 pm
Blimey Mystic Meg has gone and I reckon I would make a perfect replacement 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on May 16, 2023, 06:59:50 pm
Great stuff Darran, thanks. Do you have a separate van for wfp window cleaning or is that set up in those tanks too ?
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 16, 2023, 08:00:36 pm
Lol 🤣🤣🤣 state of that van I can’t look anymore I’ll bring on another Hernia lol.

Nigel
Lol.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 16, 2023, 10:26:05 pm
Yes window cleaning vans are separate

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Ascjim on May 17, 2023, 09:55:21 am
We have tried everything over the last 12 years and the best thing we found was a Dosatron.

We either run it from an outside tap or from our tank using a higher LPM pump. No more engines and no chemical running through pumps.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: james peters on May 17, 2023, 07:05:49 pm
Lol 🤣🤣🤣 state of that van I can’t look anymore I’ll bring on another Hernia lol.

Nigel
Lol.

YES ....  however my first thought was that I am looking at a van that is busy making profit ....
nice to see someone with two softwashing vans flat out

thats not 50 bags nigel... its a lot more lol
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 17, 2023, 07:48:22 pm
Busy making a profit if someone turned up in a van like that to do a job for me and I saw in the back I’d turn him round again,what’s all the talk about 50 bags as well that’s enough talk about the average weekly wage now people 🤣🤣,50 bags lol these days that’s like bobbing up and down at see in a life jacket.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: james peters on May 17, 2023, 08:53:10 pm
Busy making a profit if someone turned up in a van like that to do a job for me and I saw in the back I’d turn him round again,what’s all the talk about 50 bags as well that’s enough talk about the average weekly wage now people 🤣🤣,50 bags lol these days that’s like bobbing up and down at see in a life jacket.

you really are a mop head nigel.... put your drink down and go to bed ..... remember ... people are not laughing with you... they are laughing at you .
I think it is nearing a ban time on the forum . lets see ?
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 18, 2023, 10:03:23 am
Thankfully Nigel you are a freak of nature - not once in 7+ years has a single customer wanted to look in the rear of the van

all they carry about is the results .....

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684400541_567D39CC-77EA-4C14-BB03-24911EA08962.jpeg)

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684400550_F5257ADD-F5F9-480E-9E08-F0E96C748EE6.jpeg)



the old girl may be a bit dirty - but perfectly functional - unlike you  ;D

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 18, 2023, 10:17:21 am
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684401342_B62F54BD-999A-4D8C-9E41-4A1153247763.jpeg)

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684401352_33DD4FD7-DEE3-40E9-A652-030A43CED5A8.jpeg)

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684401360_44C9A76B-615D-4310-A371-C625EAD174C4.jpeg)

I doubt you would even know where to start of stuff like this Nigel - with your tiny water heater  ;D ;D ;D

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 18, 2023, 10:28:31 am
I couldn’t personally work from such an untidy and dirty  van imo it says a lot about how someone thinks.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 18, 2023, 10:35:46 am
dirty yes - untidy no - everything is accessible - all the nozzles and bits are the other side in a roller cabinet

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 18, 2023, 10:53:52 am
Maybe good luck to you and I know at the end of the day it’s what you earn but I couldn’t work in that environment daily I’m afraid,especially winter months.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: EandM on May 18, 2023, 12:59:51 pm
Thankfully Nigel you are a freak of nature - not once in 7+ years has a single customer wanted to look in the rear of the van

all they carry about is the results .....

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684400541_567D39CC-77EA-4C14-BB03-24911EA08962.jpeg)

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1684400550_F5257ADD-F5F9-480E-9E08-F0E96C748EE6.jpeg)



the old girl may be a bit dirty - but perfectly functional - unlike you  ;D

Darran

That is hugely impressive!
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: zesty on May 18, 2023, 01:03:44 pm
Is that center parcs Darran? The log cabin roof pic?
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 18, 2023, 01:26:27 pm
Not center parcs

but a holiday centre - we have a few around here  ;D

maybe not Nigel - but it pays the BIG bucks  ;D

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 18, 2023, 02:16:43 pm
There’s more than one way to skin a cat Darren and it ain’t by working hard everyday pal,I thought you would know this the most important muscle is the one between your ears the one between the legs comes a close second 😂 m8.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 18, 2023, 02:41:08 pm
Yes Nigel - that’s why I have staff mate -  no hard days for me…

How about you - 35 years in and still on the tools out in the cold winter days  - brrrrr  ;D

Rich wife kicks you every day does she  ;)

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 18, 2023, 03:35:44 pm
For the last 10 years I’ve been trying find a woman as dirty as your van and I give up it’s an impossibility,I used to go round this kids house after school sometimes and his mum used to let her Pony and chickens 🐓 walk through the house 😂 they had a van like that too lol.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Smudger on May 18, 2023, 09:27:16 pm
And what  did you do with this Kid?

Darran
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: NWH on May 18, 2023, 10:32:01 pm
We were the 2 youngest performers in animal farm.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on June 12, 2023, 09:14:40 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1686600873_Screenshot_20230612_210306_WhatsApp.jpg)(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1686600873_Screenshot_20230612_210319_WhatsApp.jpg)(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1686600873_Screenshot_20230612_210254_WhatsApp.jpg)
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on June 12, 2023, 09:16:11 pm
Lads I'm in Ireland so getting rolltech is awkward. What do yeah think of the specs on machine below. Obviously not same 30litre per min high pressure of rolltech
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Slacky on June 14, 2023, 09:11:28 am
I'll have my Softwash set up for sale at the end of the year sometime. If anyones interested.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on June 27, 2023, 08:15:46 am
Lads I'm in Ireland so getting rolltech is awkward. What do yeah think of the specs on machine below. Obviously not same 30litre per min high pressure of rolltech

Bump.

Anyone?
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on June 27, 2023, 05:44:06 pm
Lads I'm in Ireland so getting rolltech is awkward. What do yeah think of the specs on machine below. Obviously not same 30litre per min high pressure of rolltech

Bump.



In my opinion  11 ltr per muinit is no ware near enough for  rinsing but would be ok for  applying mix

Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: EandM on June 27, 2023, 05:59:20 pm
Lads I'm in Ireland so getting rolltech is awkward. What do yeah think of the specs on machine below. Obviously not same 30litre per min high pressure of rolltech

Bump.



In my opinion  11 ltr per muinit is no ware near enough for  rinsing but would be ok for  applying mix


Looking at our transatlantic cousin's videos, they reckon 5-7 GALLONS per minute for application and rinsing.
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: Splash & dash on June 27, 2023, 06:48:04 pm
Lads I'm in Ireland so getting rolltech is awkward. What do yeah think of the specs on machine below. Obviously not same 30litre per min high pressure of rolltech

Bump.



In my opinion  11 ltr per muinit is no ware near enough for  rinsing but would be ok for  applying mix


Looking at our transatlantic cousin's videos, they reckon 5-7 GALLONS per minute for application and rinsing.


Typical yanks 😂😂😂
Title: Re: Soft wash set ups
Post by: tom20001 on June 28, 2023, 07:26:58 am
Lads I'm in Ireland so getting rolltech is awkward. What do yeah think of the specs on machine below. Obviously not same 30litre per min high pressure of rolltech

Bump.



In my opinion  11 ltr per muinit is no ware near enough for  rinsing but would be ok for  applying mix


Thanks Splash. I was wondering about that 11 Litre per min compared to 30 Litre with Rolltech.  Money is pretty much same gor each  so just need to try get rolltech over from UK , Rutland won't send much to Ireland anymore