Forgive me if this is a stupid question. I’ve been trying to figure this out for about a month now.
Goal: apply chemical (SH, degreaser, whatever) with a relatively strong mix (2-4% for SH) to cover large areas quickly (parking garage) or shoot it high on a building (4 story apartment complex).
After researching down-streaming, softwashing, and the x-jet, I’m left a little confused. I don’t want to go all in on a Softwash system just yet, especially because we already have a 3000psi/10gpm pressure washer. So down-streaming seemed more interesting to me. However, as we most all know, down streaming significantly dilutes your chems.
Intro, the x-jet, which supposedly allows for a 3:1 ratio when wide open. I have ZERO interest in carrying my chem around in a bucket, and I watched Doug Rucker’s video on modifying the XJet. My plan is to make this modification, BUT, instead of positioning it right in front of my trigger, I want to install it at the hose reel and run to a chem tank (just like a normal DS setup).
I have two questions:
Will this setup still allow for the 3:1 ratio of water to chem?
If it does, are there seriously no DS injectors already doing this? Why should I have to buy and modify an X-Jet in order to create a DS injector that pulls larger amounts of chem?
If it was possible I think @dperez would have already figured it out… but I could be wrong. I thought the reason an x-jet pulled stronger mixes was because it didn’t have to be pulled through 200+ feet of pressure hose… if you move it back to your reel, and it pulls, I would imagine it wouldn’t be nearly as strong… you pretty much would just have a downstream injector for 10X the price. I also don’t believe the x-jet will shoot 4 stories, but I guess that will depend on your machine. If you don’t want to go full hog on a soft wash system why not just build a 12V pump and batch mix at whatever desired ratio you need?
Judging off of images and videos, I was assuming the x-jet pulled stronger mixes because it had a larger orifice and hose for drawing the chem. I.e. it looks bigger lol.
I’m also incredibly thick-headed lol. As I’ve been researching the last several months, I’ve found myself interested in two different options:
Go super simple - connect a DSI and intro chem into our current rig.
Buy a gas softwash system and get the BatchBuster from Southeast Softwash to avoid pre-mixing and adjust the blends in real time.
Anyone with down streaming experience, I’m super interested to hear if you like it, find it effective, and what situations it works and doesn’t work in.
As of right now, our company deals mostly with grease/oil anyway. Parking garages, loading docks, dumpster cages, grease pits, sidewalks, etc. So we just use pump sprayers right now to apply degreaser. I’m hoping the DS or SW can help us get into more vertical and high up jobs while keeping us on the ground.
I’ve been sitting on an idea for a design for a few weeks now. Too many projects currently cooking to find time to model it in CAD and start prototyping. It should net you pretty close to a 1:1 injection. You’ll likely only want to use it in conjunction with a 4gpm pump so you don’t have to go to 1/2" hose
No, you will not net those results with a DS injector installed at your hose reel. The issue is the SIZE and LENGTH of the outlet hose connected to it. I could machine you an injector that pulls over 30 gallons a minute and only requires 4 gpm to operate but the kicker is it would require you to run almost a 2" outlet hose!
I’d dare say nearly 99% of the people on here DS, so obviously it works fine. Why would you not already have. I do a lot of commercial concrete, there’s no way I could pump spray the degreaser before hand. I might hit the random really bad spot and a xjet would be find if you needed a stronger mix, but you won’t get 4 stories with it.
You need to go watch my video on the Ryobi sprayer or my commercial dumpster pad video… But that’s really only for 1000sq ft or less mainly
My dad started the company in 1999 (I was born in 92). I didn’t really have much interest in it most of my life, but experienced a bit of a 180, and now I’m on my 3rd year of taking over so he can retire. Due to an unexpected move to Florida and a lot of medical issues, I’ve ended up completely taking the wheel wayyy earlier than expected (we’re in St. Louis btw).
On top of that, my dad did not leave me with a trustworthy management team, so I’ve quickly found myself running a million dollar commercial pressure washing business that’s stuck in the stone-age (something I’m discovering the more research and education I’m able to scrounge up), and trying to become a professional as fast as possible before I screw this whole thing up…
Short answer: we use pump sprayers cuz “that’s what we’ve always done” and we’ve failed to innovate for a long time.
