[the red carpet]

Hi all,
I am going to start offering protector very soon, as its somthing i have never done and i keep getting asked for it and i know im missing out on £££££££££

Problem is i dont know were to start

Am i right in saying Scothguard is no longer available?

This is the one i always get asked for, so whats now considered the best on the market?

Also want one that can be used on everything wool, man made, and fabrics. Any ideas?

And lastly a good aplicator? i liked the look of the Extracta one, but a lot of people seemed to not like them when i asked before

[the red carpet]

Forgot to say a protector that comes with a leaflet to help sell it would be good

[Jason Hedges]

Hi redcarpet,

Applying protectors is an art in itself! Firstly knowing which to apply and when and what to charge!!!

Applications include fabric type, wet/dry, conditions etc. to name but a few.

I'm like you and avoid recommending / applying protectors because of the complexity. Luckily enough I'm busy enough not to worry but would be interested in some advice for an add on.....

Kind regards,
Jason.

[carpetclean]

you will find plenty on this subject in previous posts  use the search also on the other site at cleaning pros. regarding sprayer i personally use the multi pro from nick at solutions which is portable and easy to carry. it charges in the  cigarette lighter of the van. i aslo have a gloria i use both water based and spirit based i have used several makes and find they are pretty much the same.  i use water based after a clean and spirit based on new carpets after trials hope this helps

[fibresafe]

Can never understand why people don't offer this on every clean, it's such easy money compared to cleaning the carpet and only takes a few minutes at the end of the job.

Like Peter, I apply water-based after wet cleaning and normally solvent-based on new carpets (after pre-testing for colourfastness).

Be careful of applying solvent-based on anything that involves latex, glue, bitumen etc. Also be careful of overspray on furniture - use a mask like an estate agents board.

I prefer a pump-up sprayer for applying protectors as I think the electric ones put too much product down too fast. I like Stainshield Professional and Craftex Solvent-based. Craftex do a good leaflet too.

[carpetclean]

hi fibresafe glad we agree though i prefer the battery  sprayer to the gloria as i avoid all the pumping . i change nozzles between solvent and water based and find coverage ok

[the red carpet]

Just realised i have a bottle of the Alltec one in my shed from a chemical pack i brought of them when i started, its the water based one for carpet and fabric, one of the pro-mite ones.

So i guess i may as well start with this.
Any one know if they do a leaflet?

[John Kelly]

If its been frozen in your shed it might not work. Protectors are the most prone to feezing damage.

[the red carpet]

Thanks for the advice John,
Im sure its okay though its one of those sheds just by the door you get in flats and it backs onto my boiler so its usually warm in there, i keep all my chems in there and have never noticed anything freeze before.

Im gonna have a play first to see how good they work anyway, my local carpet shop has a load of samples outside for 50p a piece so i am gonna go buy a few this week and protect half so i can use them to demo to customers. Also gives me a chance to chat to the owner of the carpet shop because hes bound to ask why i want 10-15 samples might even pick up a bit off work from him.

[Ken Wainwright]

Hi "Red"

On Tuesday next week (18th) at the Alltec premises, there is a Technical Roadshow which may be right up your street

There will be Technical Seminars on how to make money cleaning carpets, Tile and grout cleaning, Communications for Small Business and Carpet protection Treatments.  Although thess will only be short and not totally encompassing seminars, the information and enthusiasm gained, and just talking with and learning from like minded colleagues from around the country will be invaluable.

If you're interested, call the NCCA Office to reserve your place on 0116 271 9550

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[the red carpet]

Cheers Ken
Got the flyer in front of me now, i will prob be calling Alltec in the next couple days to book this and there discovery day

I belive it starts a 9am though and i aint gonna be able to make it till about 11, do you reckon thats ok?

[Ken Wainwright]

"Red"

Obviously it's preferable to be there earlier to get best value from the day.  Arriving later, you'll probably miss out on the "Sales Talk" seminar.  You can be the best CC in the world, but that's useless if you can't sell your services.

Hope to see you there.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[the red carpet]

Booked in today, will be there on the 18th for the roadshow and again on the 19th for the discovery day

[the red carpet]

Been doing tests today

and

it aint working why not?

on the kitchen towell it does wonders, on the carpet samples i got today nothing

[craigp]

just use kitchen towel for custys demo then lol

[carpetclean]

red carpet if its water based it will penetrate the paper and protect where as the carpet it will not penetrate the whole of the fibres unlike the solvent type. it will make the carpet easier to clean though, but no good for demonstration purposes

[the red carpet]

I dont understand the pros and cons of the solvent or water based ones to be honest

the only things iv picked up so far are

water based is cheaper

you have to be carefull of solvents if theres any wood furniture present

anyone care to point out anything else for me?

[the red carpet]

Right iv been carrying on with my testing and have found if a spray down a bit more and leave it longer to cure its actually working quite well

I now have a book of 100% wool carpet samples, with half of each sample protected and the other half not
Armed with this and a small bottle of blakcurrant im gona try and start selling the stuff

Got a few quotes to do later so think i will start tonight

Two questions though
Is there any type of carpet i shouldnt apply this to?
And also not to sure if its best to offer at the time of the quote or once iv finished cleaning, what do you find works better?

[fibresafe]

Solvent-based protectors goes down better if the item is dry, water-based better if wet. Water and solvent don't mix.

Water-based also safer to work with and probably less risk of damage to paintwork etc.

As with any other chemical pre-test before applying. Be aware that solvent based can damage latex, bitumen etc.

I find it best to offer packages during the survey, one which includes protector.