Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Neil Mc Anulty on January 08, 2005, 10:03:59 pm
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Hi All
Got my first run with the Dry fusion machine. I ran out of activator during the job (I have the portable also). Took a brainwave and mist sprayed with soloution no 2 and used the dry fusion rotary system on the last corridor. The results were perfect.
I know I may have taken a risk, but is this method viable?
Customer was happy as they booked me for more work.
nr_neil
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Neil,
You could have saved a fourtune and used microsplitters with charlie pads ;)
Paul
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Paul are you on commission from Nick ;)
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I wish ;D ;D ;D
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nr neil, did you get any satisfaction from the Activator supplier since or are they still short of the product.
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Fintan
It wasnt that they were short of the product, they told me straight out they were not supplying me. I am going to order up some of the craftex equivalent instead. Problem solved.
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Nr Neil
By using the micro-splitter, you are just bonnet cleaning. No problem with that as good results can be achieved by a skilled technician.
Problems in use could arise though. All the Dry Fusion components are balanced to work safely, quickly and effectively together. Because of the unique properties of tha Dry Fusion chemicals, they permit the safer use of higher RPM with the machine. By changing to a more conventional detergent or detergent free micro-splitting solution, the lubricating properties of Activator are lost so there is a higher risk of fibre/yarn damage to the carpet being cleaned. I can't remember the actual speed of my "Fire Engine" but, as far as I'm aware, there aren't any other comparable machines on the market. If you must use other solutions with your D/F machine, turn the heat off to minimise the risk of heat damage and keep your concentration high, proceeding with caution.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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re charlie pads
did i see somewher you get them from columbus
are they any good with dry fusion m/c please
regs.bryan
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You get them from Solution you need a different drive plate to use them with df machine which Solution also sell.
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Hi Guys
Their is no issue at all using a micro splitters to bonnet clean as it is a neutral on drying, I would for obvious reasons suggest it work even better when used with Super Pad Charly. Due to there internal suction core.
Best Regards Nick
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Hi Neil,
I would agree with all that Ken said above about using detergents other than Activator with a DF machine as it runs at 290 rpm and not 180rpm which is normally associated with rotary systems....BUT. I have used the Craftex equivilent you mention for 2 years and I find it just the same and has caused absolutely no problems. It is formulated for use with a heated rotary machine and as such has all the lubricating properties required. I would personally prefer a 180 rpm machine I think it would clean better, in fact Columbus (the makers of DF machines) do or did make the 'Thermomachine' as it's known in a slow speed, I often wonder why that was not the machine used by DF.
Regards
Nobby
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Dry Fusion cleaning solutions are unique. There are natural, orgainc components that are exclusive to Dry Fusion, and produced by the parent company in Australia. If you are using your "Fire Engine" for anything but The Dry Fusion System, keep an eye on the underside of the machine. If there is the slightest hint of rust, there will also be damage being caused which you cannot see. If in use you have steam being produced by non D/F products, you will also be causing problems for the future with your machine. Other chemicals are not the same :o
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
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Dear Ken,
Activator is without doubt a great product which has revolutionised cleaning with bonnets. I have the data sheet in front of me, I'm no chemist but I can't see the natural organic ingredients that are unique to Activator, which are they?
Regards
Nobby
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Though I’ve no experience the DF cleaning agents but I will make an assumption is it used neat? (Yes I can be a prat at times) but on the other hand if one needs to dilute with water would not this also cause rusting.
Organic components don’t they = some type of salts another great rusting property.
Len
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Len,
Yes Activator is diluted 1:4 with water and thinking about it I think the machine is made of aluminium (at least the part in contact with moisture) ie non rusting.
Regards
Nobby
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Nobby
Thanks, but I don’t know this machine had a look at one of my buffers the female/base plate and the male connector on machine are an alloy bit of plastic cover between it and metal workings, rest of machine mainly metal apart from motor cover plastic, I assume this is the standard format of this type of machine of what ever speed
I only used the word rusting in general terms, as don’t know the correct word for pitting in an alloy.
Len
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Yes you do Len, it is called pitting!
Nobby
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Nobby
Thanks again!
Just tying to get to the bottom of what Ken posted rusting on the DF machine, have to say, that would be applicable to any machine that one uses, regardless of what cleaning agents one uses even h2o on its own!
Len
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Referring to the different speeds and the lubricating agents in Activator, are Super Charly Pads and m/s safe to use with the Dry Fusion machine?
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You need a rubber plate from Solution to use with your dry fusion machine but you cannot use the heat.
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I've used Charley pads with DF drive plate and even with some heat (not high temperates though). I've had no problems using the DF grippers and Charleys.
Nobby
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Hi
Yes Neil thay are but not with full heat you may need to site the pad initail to allow the grips to work, on older drive plates you may need to renew the grips or try the replacement drive pad attachment we can supply.
Best regards Nick
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The Safety Data Sheets, with all products, only usually tells part of the story. Not all ingredients are listed. I presume that the only legal requirement is to list harmful or hazardous ingredients or compounds.
On Wednesday, I was speaking to a Welsh colleague who runs a T/M and Dry Fusion. On occasions, he had used his "Fire Engine" to speed up drying. Because he wasn't going over carpet with the lubractive properties of Activator or Bactoshield, it a) put an unnecessary strain on the machine 'till it burnt out and b) the drying process was generating a steamy mist which had found it's way into the machine and perhaps accelerated or maybe even caused it's demise. There were visual signs of a rust coloured nature present within his machine. During the discussion, there were anecdotal cases quoted of people using their "Fire Engines" with non-Dry Fusion consumables. They too were said to produce a steam mist and again visual rust coloured staining could be seen on the machine. Nobody reported any such problems with D/F branded solutions. Yes, it was a Dry Fusion event, Shaun Bradbury was present and his experiences supported what others had told.
Because of the unique lubricating properties of the Dry Fusion solutions, the machines can safely run at a higher speed than most, if not all, rotary carpet cleaning equipment. If the balance isn't right, pile damage will result. In most cases, rotary pad cleaning tends to flatten cut pile wool carpets. Brintons Carpets in Kidderminster have a reputation of being very demanding and setting very high standards. Below is a testimonial from them which many of you may have seen before:
Sue Cook,Brintons Carpets
Although Dry Fusion uses a system of rotary bonnet buffing not normally recommended by Brintons, we did not see any evidence of pile flattening on the carpet sample cleaned. We are happy for it's use on our carpets, as long as the work is carried out by a competent cleaner, in accordance with the Suppliers' instructions using the correct fluid.
As far as I'm aware, this is the only rotary pad cleaning system that has been given the OK by Brintons, but I stand to be corrected.
I have no experience re. the use of Super Pad Charly on a Dry Fusion Machine. My logic tells me that apart from the risk of pad damage if used at full heat, the pad itself may retain the heat and not allow much of it to pass through to the carpet. Also, at the higher RPM, there is the risk with any micro-splitter, or other cleaning solution, of carpet damage. This is why the industry accepted norm for rotary carpet cleaning is about 180rpm, with upto 230rpm in smaller diameter machines. I believe that the machine sold by Solutions UK for use with Super Pad Charly is about 180rpm. The 290rpm quoted above for the Dry Fusion on it's 18" diameter pad is far beyond these accepted safe guidelines.
Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken