Choosing a machine for my business

1

Found this forum a few days back, and have been lurking, reading and learning and decided to join to get some help.

I guess my situation is a bit different than most here as I don’t plan on opening a pressure washing business, but rather purchase a capable machine to keep my car wash businesses looking clean!

I own a few car wash sites, and need a capable power washer to bring around to them to clean the premises. I’ll be cleaning mostly concrete and interior walls made of PVC. Also, the occasional cleaning on such exteriors. ** I would like to keep my budget under $2000**

From my reading here, I’ve seen a few machines mentioned, and was wondering if I’m on the right track, or if you could please suggest alternatives? I know I’ll need a surface cleaner, so the last link includes one in the kit, just unsure of it’s quality. Also, to clean the chemical buildup on my PVC walls, is a higher PSI more advantageous than GPM? Here are a few that I’ve seen mentioned here and are considering:

http://www.powerwashstore.com/P/2831/EagleSeriesBeltDrive4.0-4000NoEB4040HA

There was also a 5.5gpm 2500psi machine I saw mentioned, but the forum won’t allow me to post more than 2 links.

Thanks a lot for any and all help!!

John

2

With the amount of soap film, O & G, and general other grime I’ve seen @ car washes I would think you would definitely want a Hot Water unit, which would bust your 2k budget. So something to consider;

Since the locations have a pressure washing system in place could you put in a 3 way vale (@ each location), downstream of the systems unloader, that would allow you to isolate the car wash & divert to another output. Then buy a hot box, a reel with enough hose, and the surface cleaner that could be trailer mounted for portability. Should be doable for your budget.

Does that make sense?

3

1st one is fine in my opinion. Even though it comes with an AR pump, I’ve never had any issues with AR pumps.

2nd link —I don’t believe you need all that stuff for a car wash business.

4

Thanks for the reply!

My wash is actually pretty clean compared to many other competitors I’ve visited! My locations are in more affluent areas, and I get less grease and heavy mud. Most of the cleaning will be accumulated rubber marks from the traffic, and cleaning the walls/ceilings.

I’ve thought about building a dedicated electric machine from the pump room, and your suggestion of adding the hot box is a new dimension.

My biggest dilemma is that I also have some commercial rental properties that the machine will be used at and hence my reasoning to having a portable unit.

5

We run all CAT pumps at my Self Serve locations, and they are the industry standard with the exception of perhaps Armitsu having some following.

I think I’d prefer staying with CAT.

Also, although it would blow my budget, but would spending $3000 on a 5.5GPM/3500 machine be foolish or prudent given my requirements and usage?

6

If you got the money always go with the --,best equipment .

7

There is another option to consider. Pay a local cleaning contractor to do it. You buy the equipment you get a right off but you hire it out you get a bigger right off. Besides when you factor in your labor rate it might even be cheaper as I’m sure your time / cost per hour isn’t cheap.

8

I hear ya, and I usually go big. I think this time I’m gonna try to keep it reasonable. By the time I add the surface cleaner, wand, etc, I’ll be pushing $3500. Not undoable, but I’ll probably only be using the machine 4x a year @ each location plus the occasional personal use.