Softwash How-To - Where to Start? I have the kit, looking for more info

Residential
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Hey all, just jumping over here from a thread I started at WCR.

I have purchased the kit for my Softwash setup (4gpm 4000psi system). I am looking for any help on finding a how-to, or list of instructions, a video that is highly recommended…anything that will help.

Need info on drawing up the solution and applying it, dos/donts, etc.

Just don’t know where to start. I’ve purchased some SC and ran a test run using soapy water through my pump, everything seems to be good so far.

Thanks,

Chet
SEWC

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what “kit” did you purchase and who from?

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[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]4gpm/4000psi must be a regular power washer. You mentioned running soap through your pump,if it’s a pressure washer stop doing that, it’s not necessary and not too good for the pump. Here’s how you softwash with a pressure washer. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]1. You have a water supply to the pump. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]2. The pump takes that water and pushes it out the outlet side at a static pressure amount, you should not change this by messing with the unloader. This goes to your pressure hose, you can have a reel there too it doesn’t matter.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]3. After the unloader you add a downstream injector. Water passing through the hose and through the injector creates a venturi and sucks the soap through the tube from your separate container of soap and adds it to the water in the pressure hose. This happens after the pump so only fresh water goes through the pump.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]4. How much pressure comes out at the end of the hose depends on the tip you put at the end of your gun or wand. Different size tips (by diameter) being larger or smaller, allow more or less water out the end . Larger (diameter) tips allow more water out so the pressure drops, smaller (diameter) tips restrict the flow creating more pressure. The degree of the tip only controls the spray pattern not the pressure, a zero degree tip gives you a tight pattern almost like a straight line, while something like a 25 degree tip give a wide fan. In order for the venturi to work, lower pressure is required, so a large (diameter) tip is necessary.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]You have a few choices of when you draw soap.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]A. Wide diameter tip lowers pressure enough for the venturi and you draw soap, change to a smaller diameter and you stop drawing soap, this is done with a quick connect at the end of your gun or wand.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]B. Just pull the tube out of your dedicated soap bucket, nothing to draw from anymore so just water comes out.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]C. There are dual wands with a throttle grip that raises and lowers pressure at the wand. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]This is just the basics there are variables like hose length, etc.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]Finally, don’t get confused, soft washing has nothing to do with the pump, it refers to the amount of pressure hitting the surface you are cleaning.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

3 Likes
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We softwash all day long with our 8-10.5gpm @ 3800 psi Powerwasher. Even soft washed before with our Powerwashers set at 180 degrees. Like JD says, Softwashing is nothing more then what amount of psi the water is hitting the surface at.

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You should forget every word that was said to you by the salesman that sold you your “soft wash kit”. And remember every word that these guys^^^^ told you.

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Hey guys, thanks for the responses. I unintentionally used the term “through my pump”, I bought a downstream kit from Bob at PressureTek, and am feeding the soap after my pump.

The kit included the tips and the downstream injector. Your posts were exactly what I was looking for.

I’ve been pressure washing awhile, today was my first official job using a lower pressure soft wash. I used the Simple Cherry mix with 10% SH and water. Went very smooth, and I’m already a fan of the process.

Thanks again for the help

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Now order some spare injectors. They will leave you stranded at the most inopportune times.

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I just bought the tips and down stream injector this morning. I’ve been running the X Jet for two years now and have loved it. However, after reading several post on here for the last couple days, I thought I should give it an honest shot.

Clay Doggett
BlueLine Pressure Washing

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Hi, what do i need to make my power washer 4000 psi, 3.5 gal gpm, in to a soft washing setup i got the mix and all that but what tips do i put on my ball valve, to hit high onto roof with out standing on it some roofs that i will be doing are 70ft long 45 to 50 high

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Hi Jimmy, welcome to the PWRA.

Most guys here use a separate roof pump as the bleach used for the roof cleaning will tear a pressure washer pump up in no time. There are a couple of different suppliers that you can get SoftWash tips from to wash siding. I use PressureTek Bob for my tips. Bob also sells a roof cleaning rig called the FatBoy Bandit. PressureTek.com

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I’m a newbie and strongly looking in to a Softwashing business. Is there a machine system that provides roof and house washing? Or is one simply modified to do the other. Thanks.

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Hey Chingle Please take my information with a grain of salt because I am not a pro power washer like these guys! but from my understanding with soft washing houses and roofs the difference is chemicals, you pretty much just apply the correct chemical at a low pressure and let it do the work, then rinse.

Roof cleaner is stronger then house wash, I have read that you can get house wash over spray on a roof and it will not be strong enough to discolor the areas you over spray.

also I dont think there is any certain required machine for soft washing, you just need a down stream injector on your washer and a low PSI nozzle to apply the chemical and rinse, I think the higher GPM machines will apply the chemical longer distances better.

As ive said I have never soft washed a house so im not 1000% positive, this is just information I have gathered from here and various youtube videos, I recommend looking up Alex Curry on youtube, I really enjoy his videos.

if my information is incorrect please let me know and I will change it so nobody else is misinformed.

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Thanks Shaggins for the help. I am joggling a few things to get washing. Logo, marketing material, equipment, website. I’m eating this elephant one mite at a time. I am pretty settled on a 12v system and entertaining educational material from Doug Rucker. I’m soaking it all in from anywhere. Lets stay in touch.

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After doing some more readings on here I am seeing there is a difference when doing roofs you need a separate roof pump because when you downstream chemicals the pressure washer dilutes the chem too much to clean the roof properly. maybe another person can chime in with a little better info. sorry I didn’t mean to steer you wrong I am learning myself.

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