Softwash equipment wtf

« **on:** April 28, 2017, 11:03:12 pm »

What the heck is the cost to build difference on these two items...

The original X-jet M5 http://www.bonnymans.co.uk/products/product.php?categoryID=1928&productID=8782

Quick release detergent injector http://jetmac.co.uk/products/detergent-injector-quick-release

Ok first one has a longer hose, adjustable spray and some bits of plastic.

Second could have a longer hose fitted and could also fit an adjustable spray thingy! Buy some bits of plastic and stick them in your ears or something...

« **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2017, 11:17:51 pm »

Using my super softwash hoe today I thought about rebranding it but can't make my mind up on a name. It's down to X-Hoe, Clever Hoe or Pro Hoe. Followed by that will be the Carbon 2.0 model which will increase productivity by 40%.
My tattie picking ancestors spent a couple of hundred years developing it for me so will be priced accordingly!

« **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2017, 11:49:26 am »

X-jets are imported from the states whereas like most things you can coble together something yourself that will do near enough the same job.

« **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2017, 03:48:22 pm »

Detergent injectors operate at low pressure...x jets at high pressure.

« **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2017, 04:37:55 pm »

Spent too much time yesterday applying softwash so need something half decent, but not wanting to fork out at the moment. Hence the moaning about price.

« **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2017, 11:03:18 pm »

You will moan about the price of chemicals if you use a x jet to apply them. A chemical injector is not ideal for softwashing.

« **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2017, 11:34:55 pm »

Quote from: chris scott on April 29, 2017, 11:03:18 pm

You will moan about the price of chemicals if you use a x jet to apply them. A chemical injector is not ideal for softwashing.

Chris

What equipment do you use for Soft Washing?

Andy

« **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2017, 07:57:36 am »

Quote from: chris scott on April 29, 2017, 11:03:18 pm

You will moan about the price of chemicals if you use a x jet to apply them. A chemical injector is not ideal for softwashing.

I agree with this statement, I use an X-jet and the is a massive amount of solution put out, on a roof clean 90% would go down the gutter. We use it for pre-spraying F&S/gutters and luckily TFR /hard surface cleaner is relentivly cheap and dilutes well down so is not too expensive.

When I bought my X-jet I also purchased a 'sniper' jet which fires a pencil jet a big distance (further than the X-jet) it cost £15. I was thinking I could have just put the chemical in my water tank and fed it through the pump at 50-1 (its not really corrosive) I don't think it would have caused a problem.

« **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2017, 10:14:40 am »

0.5/30lpm

« **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2017, 11:04:13 am »

I remember AC saying at Ashford "Anything with a pull cord or key is not a soft washer" I must be doing something right. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/55-Litre-Quad-ATV-Spot-Sprayer-System-60psi-SHURFLO-/141393008062?hash=item20ebae15be:m:m-1urVaza-FNNziItFGnXJg#

Well everyone has to start somewhere. lol

« **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2017, 12:01:33 pm »

"Anything with a pull cord or key is not a soft washer"...and then starts his 5.8 petrol engined truck to charge his " Environmentally friendly" battery powered softwashing system . That sprays 18lpm of bleach where 1 lpm would clean...

« **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2017, 01:52:46 pm »

Think we agree AC's softwash systems maybe highly productive in the states as that is how they like to work spraying bleach onto buidings. However they are not ideally suited for the UK regards to the fixed flow rate shooting high volumes of chems from the ground.

I'm sure he is also well aware that his delivery systems need to be tweeked for the UK market. That being the main concern for most UK softwash guys as they want a versatile system to be able to tackle all jobs and types/sizes of properties. Peeps like myself need a system that can treat all types of surfaces at a variable flow rates.. Also have the choice of treatments they want to use be it bleach based, ddac, tfr, weed killer or whatever is required for the job in hand..

Even that simple cheap atv spot sprayer I bought to have a play with I had to add a pump flow controller to the 8lpm pump as was wasting too much chems , creating too much runoff/ drift even when doing render cleans via wfp spray method.

« **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2017, 09:22:13 pm »

Quote from: Smurf on April 30, 2017, 11:04:13 am

I remember AC saying at Ashford "Anything with a pull cord or key is not a soft washer" I must be doing something right. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/55-Litre-Quad-ATV-Spot-Sprayer-System-60psi-SHURFLO-/141393008062?hash=item20ebae15be:m:m-1urVaza-FNNziItFGnXJg#

Well everyone has to start somewhere. lol

I've started here too. thanks to your suggestion.

« **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2017, 08:23:05 am »

Quote from: trafficjamz on May 02, 2017, 09:22:13 pm

Quote from: Smurf on April 30, 2017, 11:04:13 am
I remember AC saying at Ashford "Anything with a pull cord or key is not a soft washer" I must be doing something right. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/55-Litre-Quad-ATV-Spot-Sprayer-System-60psi-SHURFLO-/141393008062?hash=item20ebae15be:m:m-1urVaza-FNNziItFGnXJg#

Well everyone has to start somewhere. lol
I've started here too. thanks to your suggestion.

No probs. It's certainly not the most productive set up by any means compared to what you can get but is cheap and will pay for itself on day one any many more times over.

I found it was best to add a wfp pump controller to it so you can adjust the flow for the job in hand. That way you have full control so to help reduce run off, chem drift and chem wastage.

.

« **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2017, 08:23:17 pm »

For sale £675 tel 07973216502 New engine, new frame,recon pump.

« **Reply #15 on:** May 03, 2017, 09:29:40 pm »

Quote from: Smurf on May 03, 2017, 08:23:05 am

No probs. It's certainly not the most productive set up by any means compared to what you can get but is cheap and will pay for itself on day one any many more times over.

I found it was best to add a wfp pump controller to it so you can adjust the flow for the job in hand. That way you have full control so to help reduce run off, chem drift and chem wastage.

.

I'm sharing the pump controller with my wfp pump, using a switch

Then I used a couple of T connectors and some valves so that I can switch from ddac (that's in the small tank it came with) to pure water from my main 650L wfp tank, so that I can flush the system after using it. and also acts as a 3rd reel if I get desperate lol.
I was thinking of getting another tank for the SH with another T connector and valve, then switch to whatever I want.
I need to think about rinsing now and I'm currently waiting for Ben to reply with his recommendation. Was thinking maybe of getting a high pressure washer for rinsing, which I could then use for paths and driveways.

« **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2017, 03:09:08 pm »

Quote from: chris scott on May 03, 2017, 08:23:17 pm

For sale £675 tel 07973216502 New engine, new frame,recon pump.

Nice one, Seen the Cooper Pegler version but where did you find that berthound tank ?

« **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2017, 06:41:55 pm »

Bought it a while back from ebay fr.

« **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2017, 10:19:50 am »

Ordered one of these spray nozzles for the Gardiner pole to apply biocide and hypo but it wasn't sent as they never had a fan jet I had ordered as well

So the PW gun has a large outlet which works for rinsing and I used it yesterday to apply the antiungal wash on two roofs between 1530 - 1800 the second roof I arrived at 1730 and was well chuffed at how quickly I setup and sprayed it, rinsed the over spray with a garden hose and off home.
With the rain forecast for next week I had to get them finished but used 300 litres in the process.

« **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2017, 04:11:09 pm »

Quote from: chris scott on April 30, 2017, 10:14:40 am

0.5/30lpm

That's one heavy duty setup. What's the spray attachment on the pole.
I was looking at something like this - http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=208070.0
Or - https://www.softwashtechnology.co.uk/products/comet-mc18-230v-motor-pump-softwash-unit-viton-acid-resistant
Or even cheaper - https://www.softwashtechnology.co.uk/products/shurflo-5000-series-diaphragm-pump-12v
Using a wfp setup with microbore and pole hose and the following - https://www.softwashtechnology.co.uk/collections/lances-and-jets/products/benz-spray-nozzle-push-fit-type?variant=19326961157 I'm not sure if it would be restricting the above pumps.

« **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2017, 08:53:14 pm »

Nozzles

« **Reply #21 on:** May 13, 2017, 09:00:51 pm »

I've never seen the angles for sale or even being used. Is that just a pole hose fitting or is it bigger.

« **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2017, 02:33:14 pm »

The mad Frenchman sells them Alan. But you know Chris he probably got them from somewhere else.

« **Reply #23 on:** May 15, 2017, 04:16:32 pm »

I'm try to put together a list of parts to build a 12v softwash system and after measuring the reduction in flow rates with narrower hose it seems pointless having anything bigger than a 11 lpm pump.
The comet pump is around 11.5 lpm but when you consider the cost difference to power it compared to an Everflo EF3000 12-Volt Diaphragm Pump at £106.70 which has around the same flow, is there any need to have the extra expense.

Chris is using a 30 lpm pump so that's obviously needing more power and bigger diameter hoses. With good tap pressure coming out at around 25 lpm and using standard 30m garden hose with a couple of connections it takes it down to around 17 lpm, a length of wfp pole hose connected to the tap reduces the flow to around 7 lpm and with 100m of microbore on a reel I'm only getting 3 lpm! So unless the mirobore hose is knackered somewhere it would be a complete waste using my old 100m microbore with any pump over 5 lpm.

« **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2017, 09:52:03 pm »

We generally soft wash at around 2 lpm...we use Tricoflex hosepipe 1/2 no back pressure build up or resistance.

« **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2017, 12:41:54 am »

I've had enough of spraying roofs with slow flow rates. For the edges it's good to reduce the flow but it's a killer for the whole job.

« **Reply #26 on:** May 16, 2017, 06:36:38 am »

We use clear braided hose at 1/2" - so you can see what is coming through your hose.....

« **Reply #27 on:** May 16, 2017, 08:56:33 am »

Quote from: Alan Ritchie on May 16, 2017, 12:41:54 am

I've had enough of spraying roofs with slow flow rates. For the edges it's good to reduce the flow but it's a killer for the whole job.

Do you spray roofs with a lance, wf type pole or both?

As Darren has mentioned the softwash gear he sells has 1/2 clear braded hose and uses a 1/2 in ball vale type gun. Also matched (Six shooter) flow tips for the job. For high flow pole work you can buy I/2 clear braded hose wfp gun adaptor and other parts listed on his website https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/spare-parts/ If you want reels then they are show on his home page https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/softwash-chemicals/

If building a system myself for roof cleaning I would go with 1/2 in 100 ft reel for applying chems and a separate high volume bulk rinse pump using a larger 3/4 hose and reel for rinsing down.

Mind after saying that trying to cobble all the bits together if you are really busy business wise you just might as well save all the agro, bite the bullet and buy one of theses. lol https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/shop/softwash-equipment/blend-rinse-modules/

My only issue with those systems for the UK market is they are not fitted with a chem pump controller so could vary the flow of chems being applied if need be. Especially for when wanting to apply chems via wfp in a very controlled way to help reduce chem drift, runoff and chemical wastage.

« **Reply #28 on:** May 16, 2017, 12:55:17 pm »

Quote from: Smurf on May 16, 2017, 08:56:33 am

Quote from: Alan Ritchie on May 16, 2017, 12:41:54 am
I've had enough of spraying roofs with slow flow rates. For the edges it's good to reduce the flow but it's a killer for the whole job.

Do you spray roofs with a lance, wf type pole or both?

As Darren has mentioned the softwash gear he sells has 1/2 clear braded hose and uses a 1/2 in ball vale type gun. Also matched (Six shooter) flow tips for the job. For high flow pole work you can buy I/2 clear braded hose wfp gun adaptor and other parts listed on his website https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/spare-parts/ If you want reels then they are show on his home page https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/softwash-chemicals/

If building a system myself for roof cleaning I would go with 1/2 in 100 ft reel for applying chems and a separate high volume bulk rinse pump using a larger 3/4 hose and reel for rinsing down.

Mind after saying that trying to cobble all the bits together if you are really busy business wise you just might as well save all the agro, bite the bullet and buy one of theses. lol https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/shop/softwash-equipment/blend-rinse-modules/

My only issue with those systems for the UK market is they are not fitted with a chem pump controller so could vary the flow of chems being applied if need be. Especially for when wanting to apply chems via wfp in a very controlled way to help reduce chem drift, runoff and chemical wastage.

surprised if Darren can still walk

« **Reply #29 on:** May 16, 2017, 01:55:48 pm »

Smurf, I'm using old wfp setup for spraying roofs, fsg. For fsg it's perfect with a fan jetted brush but for what I'm wanting it to do it's not. For rinsing I'm using the pw lance or garden tap depending on pressure.
I'm keen to have the rinsing done working at gutter level and using the wfp extended to the top and angled down to avoid water entry. I'm not so keen on using pencil jets (sniper, assassin) from the ground as you could end up with sh dripping into the attic and onto a victorian wedding dress or something.

« **Reply #30 on:** May 16, 2017, 07:17:50 pm »

Quote from: M Roberts on May 16, 2017, 12:55:17 pm

Quote from: Smurf on May 16, 2017, 08:56:33 am
Quote from: Alan Ritchie on May 16, 2017, 12:41:54 am
I've had enough of spraying roofs with slow flow rates. For the edges it's good to reduce the flow but it's a killer for the whole job.

Do you spray roofs with a lance, wf type pole or both?

As Darren has mentioned the softwash gear he sells has 1/2 clear braded hose and uses a 1/2 in ball vale type gun. Also matched (Six shooter) flow tips for the job. For high flow pole work you can buy I/2 clear braded hose wfp gun adaptor and other parts listed on his website https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/spare-parts/ If you want reels then they are show on his home page https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/softwash-chemicals/

If building a system myself for roof cleaning I would go with 1/2 in 100 ft reel for applying chems and a separate high volume bulk rinse pump using a larger 3/4 hose and reel for rinsing down.

Mind after saying that trying to cobble all the bits together if you are really busy business wise you just might as well save all the agro, bite the bullet and buy one of theses. lol https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/shop/softwash-equipment/blend-rinse-modules/

My only issue with those systems for the UK market is they are not fitted with a chem pump controller so could vary the flow of chems being applied if need be. Especially for when wanting to apply chems via wfp in a very controlled way to help reduce chem drift, runoff and chemical wastage.
surprised if Darren can still walk

Think you find them buildings called banks saves Darren walking about all lopsided. lol

« **Reply #31 on:** May 16, 2017, 10:19:49 pm »

Quote from: Smurf on May 16, 2017, 08:56:33 am

Quote from: Alan Ritchie on May 16, 2017, 12:41:54 am
I've had enough of spraying roofs with slow flow rates. For the edges it's good to reduce the flow but it's a killer for the whole job.

Do you spray roofs with a lance, wf type pole or both?

As Darren has mentioned the softwash gear he sells has 1/2 clear braded hose and uses a 1/2 in ball vale type gun. Also matched (Six shooter) flow tips for the job. For high flow pole work you can buy I/2 clear braded hose wfp gun adaptor and other parts listed on his website https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/spare-parts/ If you want reels then they are show on his home page https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/softwash-chemicals/

If building a system myself for roof cleaning I would go with 1/2 in 100 ft reel for applying chems and a separate high volume bulk rinse pump using a larger 3/4 hose and reel for rinsing down.

Mind after saying that trying to cobble all the bits together if you are really busy business wise you just might as well save all the agro, bite the bullet and buy one of theses. lol https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/shop/softwash-equipment/blend-rinse-modules/

My only issue with those systems for the UK market is they are not fitted with a chem pump controller so could vary the flow of chems being applied if need be. Especially for when wanting to apply chems via wfp in a very controlled way to help reduce chem drift, runoff and chemical wastage.

Or a 0.5-30lpm roller pump and some hosepipe.

« **Reply #32 on:** May 17, 2017, 12:33:40 am »

Quote from: chris scott on May 16, 2017, 10:19:49 pm

Quote from: Smurf on May 16, 2017, 08:56:33 am
Quote from: Alan Ritchie on May 16, 2017, 12:41:54 am
I've had enough of spraying roofs with slow flow rates. For the edges it's good to reduce the flow but it's a killer for the whole job.

Do you spray roofs with a lance, wf type pole or both?

As Darren has mentioned the softwash gear he sells has 1/2 clear braded hose and uses a 1/2 in ball vale type gun. Also matched (Six shooter) flow tips for the job. For high flow pole work you can buy I/2 clear braded hose wfp gun adaptor and other parts listed on his website https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/spare-parts/ If you want reels then they are show on his home page https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/product-category/softwash-chemicals/

If building a system myself for roof cleaning I would go with 1/2 in 100 ft reel for applying chems and a separate high volume bulk rinse pump using a larger 3/4 hose and reel for rinsing down.

Mind after saying that trying to cobble all the bits together if you are really busy business wise you just might as well save all the agro, bite the bullet and buy one of theses. lol https://purple-rhino-softwash-systems.co.uk/shop/softwash-equipment/blend-rinse-modules/

My only issue with those systems for the UK market is they are not fitted with a chem pump controller so could vary the flow of chems being applied if need be. Especially for when wanting to apply chems via wfp in a very controlled way to help reduce chem drift, runoff and chemical wastage.
Or a 0.5-30lpm roller pump and some hosepipe.

Does it come with a free black bucket, mango barrel and hobbit Chris?

« **Reply #33 on:** May 17, 2017, 04:06:49 pm »

Do you have a website?

« **Reply #34 on:** May 17, 2017, 04:48:42 pm »

Quote from: chris scott on May 13, 2017, 08:53:14 pm

Nozzles

Any chance of a link for the parts.... Please.

« **Reply #35 on:** May 17, 2017, 08:05:26 pm »

Got a list of parts in the basket to build a 12v softwash pump.
I decided to use snaplock fittings as they look safer and got from the pump feed (excluding filters) to the pole and ball valve which will be attached to the pole with Velcro or something.
I'll be using 1/2" hose from the ball valve and will hopefully run this up the pole and probably use a bore adaptor to reduce this down to pole hose which will feed (currently my only option) the Gardiner Water Fed Pole Application Nozzle Gardiner Push Fit Type with 8mm push fit and a size 10 nozzle.

I need an inline filter with 1/2" threads and some ideas for other nozzles. Hopefully get this ordered tonight on a next day and put it together at the weekend.

« **Reply #36 on:** May 17, 2017, 08:32:07 pm »

http://www.roofclean.co.uk/pdf/AlgoClear-Equipment-List-2017.pdf

« **Reply #37 on:** May 23, 2017, 08:28:50 pm »

Quote from: chris scott on May 17, 2017, 08:32:07 pm

http://www.roofclean.co.uk/pdf/AlgoClear-Equipment-List-2017.pdf

Emailed them last week and never heard anything back, also waiting wcw getting back to me regarding a complaint and still waiting on my softwash equipment order that I placed last thursday on a "next day courier".... Is it an English holiday or something?

« **Reply #38 on:** May 28, 2017, 08:50:35 pm »

Eventually I've put it together with a couple of temporary bits. The sprayer attachment I ordered hasn't bonded together and it's loose, not sure what they use but it looks like black sealant. Done a trail spraying with water to be sure I didn't have chems leaking out and all was ok but the head of the sprayer was spinning, I thought it must be on a thread but seams to be just sealant.
Question is what adhesive is used to bond these parts together.
It's the part connecting the angle adaptor to the main body.
https://www.softwashtechnology.co.uk/collections/lances-and-jets/products/dualtool-multi-head-water-fed-pole-application-nozzle-adaptor?variant=24959650181

« **Reply #39 on:** May 29, 2017, 11:31:12 am »

If you bought the nozzle from Ben at softwash technology then best give him a call to sort it out.

As for your order placed with algoclear contact FM directly by phone again.

« **Reply #40 on:** May 29, 2017, 04:49:32 pm »

Quote from: Smurf on May 29, 2017, 11:31:12 am

If you bought the nozzle from Ben at softwash technology then best give him a call to sort it out.

As for your order placed with algoclear contact FM directly by phone again.

I hadn't placed the order with algoclear as they didn't get back to me with any details on how to order.

« **Reply #41 on:** May 30, 2017, 01:44:30 pm »

Quote from: Smurf on May 14, 2017, 02:33:14 pm

The mad Frenchman sells them Alan. But you know Chris he probably got them from somewhere else.

The mad Frenchman right enough! As nobody returned my email I gave them a phone and he spat le dummie out as I don't use algoclear and refuses to sell his equipment to non algoclear users.

« **Reply #42 on:** May 30, 2017, 02:00:53 pm »

Sounds about right as FM only wants to support/sell equipment to peeps that buy/use his chems.
Which in a funny sort of way I can understand.

« **Reply #43 on:** May 30, 2017, 02:26:07 pm »

I do that with cony roofs, "sorry it's only an add on service for existing or new window cleaning customers" emphasising the NEW to give them an opportunity. I don't like cleaning cony roofs and I don't get many enquires for them so it's easy for me to say that.