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trafficjamz

  • Posts: 103
Softwash absolute newbie
« on: March 20, 2017, 03:02:01 pm »
One of my window cleaning custies asked if I could clean all of the 'red and black' swirly patterns that have developed on her walls.  I said I'll have a look next week when I'm there.

This will either be a one off, or if I like it, a beginning in softwashing.

So I've got van kitted out for wfp, using gardiner poles.  And I have also got some hypo from a previous tinkering.  I have also got an electric pressure washer.

After reading some threads here I thought of maybe getting a cheap battery backpack like Darran's, use some rectus connectors to connect to one of my poles and apply the hypo that way.  If I had this backpack, it would also come i handy when prepping gutter, facias and soffitts in the future.

Would this be ok to start out on this job?
And what procedure should I take?

Really appreciate your help
Mark

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2017, 05:27:55 pm »
First off I would say specialist work such as render cleaning in my book commands a high price so should not be done cheap. After saying that I'm suspecting the custard in question wants it done for next to bugger all.

Good luck with that one. lol


trafficjamz

  • Posts: 103
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2017, 06:00:28 pm »
She offered £250 for a 4 bedroom detached.  Everyone starts somewhere

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2017, 06:29:55 pm »
What she offered? lol...That's way too cheap bud.

trafficjamz

  • Posts: 103
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2017, 06:59:51 pm »
See, I did say I was a newbie.  ;D


Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2017, 11:25:19 am »
Think you will be wanting to charge a lot more after that one some how as it will be hard work and more time consuming than you think.  Not to mention cost of chems etc that is especially if using the likes of DDAC and other chems required to get the job done.

Using a backpack on that size property will also be quite slow and  a ball ache having to keep stopping to filling it up.  Maybe instead of getting a backpack you could build yourself or buy a chem pump box instead. That way you have the option to us it static in the van with whatever chems you want to use or just stick it on a trolley if need be.


trafficjamz

  • Posts: 103
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2017, 04:59:14 pm »
Thanks Smurf  :)

The electric consumer power washer that I own is a Nilfisk E103.2.  Would I get away with it to start off, and is there a nozzle I could get for it that would let me rinse from the ground, like I can see in the videos?

I would obviously invest in better equipment if after this initial job I want to expand.

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2017, 10:52:38 pm »
You would be probably better off just using an outside tap connected to your wfp pole for rinsing down rather than trying to use your washer even if you could get a long range tip for it. From experience I've found gable ends are generally the worst walls on rendered properties  to clean so you would defo need a long enough pole to reach the very top including any render chimney's etc.

trafficjamz

  • Posts: 103
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2017, 11:32:08 am »
Many thanks again.

The house is exactly like this photo with a conservatory around the back.


Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2017, 11:54:23 am »
DDAC springs to mind on that one instead of using hypo.  Speak to the likes of the mad Frenchman at Algoclear for advice.

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2017, 01:23:08 pm »
Lots of orange lead - me thinks. She offered £250 - who runs the business ? You just about cover the chemicals with £250

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2017, 04:21:38 pm »
Indeed...sometimes hypo is not the best choice especially where lead is concerned.

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2017, 08:01:39 pm »
Especially for a beginner  ;)

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2017, 08:06:45 pm »
OP where you from ? Why not tag along on a job with someone ?

trafficjamz

  • Posts: 103
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2017, 10:50:38 pm »
Yes I saw another post on here with orange running down from the lead.
I think I'm gonna pass on this one.
I definitely need to know more about which gear to get first.

The reason she offered £250 was because next door had theirs done by somebody else the other week and charged them that much.  I think I'll warn her of potential dangers and tell her she's more than welcome to call them to do the job (if they're still operating!)

@BDCS: North Wales

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #15 on: March 25, 2017, 06:32:06 am »
Tell her £600 , we will travel down and do the job with /for you. I will supply all the gear and chemicals. We keep the money , you keep the  experience.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #16 on: March 25, 2017, 11:13:52 am »
Tell her £600 , we will travel down and do the job with /for you. I will supply all the gear and chemicals. We keep the money , you keep the  experience.

Sounds a good deal to me Chris. But I'm guessing the custard would not snap his hand off at that price somehow. lol


chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #17 on: March 25, 2017, 12:09:06 pm »
Let here get somebody else to wreck her house then. 8)
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Smurf

  • Posts: 8538
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #18 on: March 25, 2017, 12:52:02 pm »
How's that new machine holding up Chris?

trafficjamz

  • Posts: 103
Re: Softwash absolute newbie
« Reply #19 on: March 26, 2017, 08:15:08 am »
I might suggest that to her  ;)
I could do with some training