The Most Basic Soft Wash Setup

Supplies & Equipment
1

I’ve seen dozens of threads on here asking about a basic DIY SW setup. It really isn’t too complicated once you get into it. This is my first rendition and it was literally cobbled together 2 hours before I needed to use it on a Dryvit home. I believe total price was just over $400 so its definitely done on the cheap but it works surprisingly well for now.

MATERIALS:
(1) Marine Deep Cycle Battery
(1) REMCO Fatboy 7.0 GPM/60 PSI Pump
(1) Set of Battery Post Clamps
(2) 1/2" Hose Barbs
(2) Large Battery Boxes
(3) 50’ Sections of 1/2" Water Hose

It’s so simple and ugly but it does a great job!

15496848320667203976827157182465
154968483206672039768271571824653024×4032 3.75 MB

20180922_135846
20180922_1358462138×2851 2.35 MB

20180923_160218
20180923_1602182138×2851 2.36 MB

11 Likes
2

Everything came from the local Atwoods so it can be easily acquired in a pinch.

1 Like
3

And the wand? What did you use? Got a pic?

4

$25 for for a garden hose sprayer with a 1/4" adapter and a 1/4" quick release?

5

I would get better hose and probably a 5.5 vs the 7 gpm but it’s a winner either way!

6

I didn’t even get that intricate! It’s just a plain old hose nozzle and it’ll shoot at least 25’ vertically. Likely more but I haven’t needed to go that high.

154968793150892797832742192601
1549687931508927978327421926013024×4032 3.41 MB

It does require some attention to ensure that the hose connections and the cheap nozzle don’t leak everywhere. Like I said, it was made in a pinch and paid for itself on the first job. I will likely invest in the Bandit version 3 for this season and keep this setup on a small cart to haul around to hard to reach places. I believe @squidskc did something similar but I can’t find it now.

1 Like
7

There’s a version 3?

8

Excuse me. It may not be the Bandit. Here’s the link: Generation III Twin Pump Soft Wash System w/ Titan Reel for Roof Cleaning | Soft Wash Twin Electric| Green Cleaning Alternatives | Flojet Versajet | Power Wash Store

3 Likes
9

Nice! Why didn’t you remove the rust stains?

10

Oh, believe me I wanted to. I also wanted to do his flatwork but he said he’ll do those himself. He swore by some rust remover product that he bought at one of the big box stores. I told him good luck with it and thanked him for his business. He was next door to one I was already doing and I had just bought this stuff the day he approached me so I got up early and threw it together, checked for leaks and rolled out. It would not be my first choice though!

3 Likes
11

What rust stains?

12

I assumed he was referring to the stains near the skirt of the house. They’re not actually rust stains, though. They are clay/red dirt stains. The same chemicals would do both jobs.

1 Like
13

Gotcha! I didn’t zoom in on the pictures…they looked like rust stains. I stand corrected! True, same chemical works for both; assuming you’re talking about oxalic acid…

3 Likes
14

Yes or even F9 BARC. Both have produced excellent results for me so far.

3 Likes
15

Yes, I’ve used both but OA is cheaper…same results.

1 Like
16

MUCH cheaper. I did have to use F9 to get some Ironite stains out of a driveway and sidewalks once. That stuff is wonderful but boy they’re proud of it.

1 Like
17

For sure!

1 Like
18

I believe they charge $150 for their instruction manual! :flushed:

1 Like
19

That’s because red clay has iron in it. So technically he’s kinda right.

1 Like
20

That’s true. However, most red dirt or clay also has aluminum oxides which contribute to the red color.

2 Likes