I currently just do window cleaning, gonna start pressure washing. Did it 4 years after high school so not completely new.
Would a 3200 psi Simpson with surface scrubber ok to start out. Mainly looking to do primarily driveways, and occasional deck, wall and solar/safety screens.
Is 3200 an ok psi to get away with or is a 4000psi really that necessary to do driveways?
I used to just use a ACID MAGIC back in the day and that worked well so as far as solution, it’ll probably be that.
Don’t buy a Simpson. Look into a washer built for professional use. As far as psi 3000-3500 is a good psi but gpm is more important. GPM is what you want to be looking for. I wouldn’t get anything less than 5.5 gpm if you’re going to concentrate on concrete but and 8 gpm would really speed things up.
As far as the Acid Magic stuff that’s probably made for cleaning rust spots. It’s not something you want to just use for every driveway. Most of the time concrete is just covered in dirt and organic stains. You want to use SH (Sodium Hypochlorite) to get rid of organics. That goes for concrete, siding, or anything else that has organic stains.
Ok that is very good info, thanks for that. If Simpson is lame, I’m assuming Harbor Freight 4gpm is also out of the question.
And as far as SH, mix with water and ?Dawn? Any ratio you recommend. I’m in Vegas, a lot of stucco homes, not much vinyl at all. SH and Pressure washing is ok on stucco? I can still do house washes and it’s window safe if over sprayed?
I gallon dawn, 1 gallon Acid Magic, 1 gallon SH, 2 gallons water. Windows need to haze over before rinsing to allow for sheeting effect.
Use a surfactant like Elemonator from Pressuretek or Slo-Mo (have to add your own bleach stable scent). Do not use dawn.
Typical ratios for surfactant vary per personal preference but for elemonator seem to be .5 oz per gallon of water. Slo-mo use their guidance as it’s thicker.
I would research for a while before purchasing equipment. Good luck.
He was being sarcastic, please don’t do this.
But anyway congrats on adding PW, I did window cleaning for decades and finally realized how much I’ve been spinning my wheels.
Start with a 5.5 GPM if you can, it’ll really be a time saver. As for the windows, find out what your TDS is in your area, best I can come up with is 270 which is pretty bad.
One thing I use as a ‘workaround’ is spraying pure water on windows right after rinsing with my washer. It doesn’t clean them, but prevents the hard water spots.
Yea I know, there’s always one keyboard comedian who has too waste people’s time.
Yes thx, I’ll be cleaning windows after just making sure chemicals didn’t mess up windows, in Vegas we got as high as 700 ppm but I’ll be sure to clean immediately after. Thank you.
Read lots on here. It can be scary to find a place to start but I recommend clicking the icons under the titles like “residential” commercial” “management”. Those are categories. That will organize your research so you can focus on a specific set of threads for what you wanna learn. I’d start in the residential category
Hey, I heard they clean the Luxor pyramid constantly, is that true?
There’s more than one of us lol. But, so you don’t waste our time, ask good questions and do some research. Welcome aboard
What is you budget to start with? Why do you want to buy junk
I’d like to keep it under 1000 if possible for starters and as I get a feel for the business. Not willing to spend 10k right off the start though… I just have an HHR right now as far as vehicle and if like to start adding pressure washing for all my window clean jobs.
Sell that thing and buy a truck dont even think about it until you do
Surprises me how many people want the freedom and glitz and glamour of a successful business yet when asked how much they are willing to spend, oh only $1000 lol. Think bigger
Not looking for the glitz and glamour. Just being smart with my money when going into something I’m a bit new too.
Most people dont understand what it takes to run a legitimate business
Yea I got you. Thank you all for your input. I’ll be following along on here more often
Hell most people dont k ow what is was like to start a business without the internet
I don’t mean to discourage you, but have a decent crack at it and throw some money towards getting it off the ground. The initial start up is the hardest and costs the most. $1000 these days ain’t what it used to be.
I see what you’re saying and I definitely got the cash. Just looking to add to windows. EDDM, contract work, residentials, storefronts are all set up, just looking to add another service to try it out. Not looking to buy a trailer, truck with a proportioner, 50 gal barrels of SH or anything like that. Just a trying to get my feet wet at this point.
