by Dean Dean

SOFT WASH SKID

SOFT WASH SKID

This SOFT WASH SKID setup from Doug Rucker Store is the result of a customer request.  We provide custom builds for professional pressure washing and would be glad to assist you with any particular need you might have.  While our physical location is in the Houston area, our online store is open 24/7 and we ship all over the United States.  This particular build is heading to ALASKA!

SOFT WASH EQUIPMENT

This SOFT WASH SKID begins with the KINGSLINGER soft wash system.  It has the industrial air compressor, tsunami air water separator, and the GF valve blend setup with 10 GPM pump.  There is a bleach tank and a water tank, and the complete plumbing package is included.  It has the fill hose as well as a vent hose.  Both tanks are 55 gallon tanks.  At approximately 3:00, I provide a little insight into the mixing ratio procedure.  Another option to consider is our SOFT E, which a battery powered or electric soft wash mixing station.  Notice also the bands bolted down around the tanks to keep them secure and prevent swelling.

SOFT WASH HOSE REELS

Finally, the SOFT WASH SKID comes with a Kings hose reel stack kit.  You select your own hoses but this one has ½ inch Flexilla soft wash hose with the Udor Poly Spray Gun.  The JROD nozzle kit is also part of this setup.  There is also a flexilla garden hose to fill up the water tank.  The two Kings hose reels are hand crank, but can also be electric as an option.  This is a very nice complete, compact system that you could put into a truck with a fork lift or 2-3 people helping to move it.  It’s a great for roof cleaning or anything you need a dedicated pump to work with.

CONTACT US

Send an email to Info@DougRuckerStore.com if you have any questions or would like your own custom rig build tailored for your specific needs and desires.  Stay up to date on all our training events at www.PressureWashingSchool.com/events and don’t forget our online video school is a great way to get started in this business.  For any training questions, you can email PressureCleaningSchool@gmail.com.

 

by Dean Dean

SOFT WASH PLUMBING

SOFT WASH PLUMBING

This SOFT WASH PLUMBING video post is a follow up to an earlier post.  In the earlier post, I feature an introduction to the SOFT E electric soft wash system.  This is simply an electric version of the Kingslinger, which relies upon a gasoline compressor.  But in this video post, we focus on the SOFT WASH PLUMBING aspect of the SOFT E.  It is a fairly simple set up, so be sure and let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

TWO VALVES

There are two valves on this system.  One is for water, the other is for bleach.  If you are batch mixing, you could plumb both valves to one tank.  I have a ball valve set up for my bleach hose, and in this video I have two tanks set up.  After showing how to hook up the hose at the 2:00 time stamp, I also detail the tank end of the hose with PVC for added weight.  The banjo cam lock makes SOFT WASH PLUMBING hassle free as well.

PRIME THE SYSTEM

This is an important step to not overlook when using the SOFT E.  You will want to turn on power to the pump before before turning the valves to allow water and bleach to flow.  It’s best to prime one valve at a time for the best SOFT WASH PLUMBING results.  While you will need to order the hoses from us when purchasing the SOFT E, you’ll need to pick up PVC materials from Home Depot or similar store.  At the 6:30 mark, I also go over important factors to consider relating to venting your bleach tanks.  The entire video is over 20 minutes long, but contains other vital tips and tricks for SOFT WASH PLUMBING.  Be sure and stay up to date on all the training events that you can take advantage of to help grow your pressure washing business.

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

KINGSLINGER DRAIN KIT

KINGSLINGER DRAIN KIT

This KINGSLINGER DRAIN KIT video post contains instructions in detail for installation.  The Kingslinger Soft Wash System is ideal for metering your bleach, water and soap mix.  In this video, extensive instructions are provided by my build partner Edwin who has a shop next to mine.  Ed is with High Performance Lubricants and assists with all of my builds and other manufacturing and fabrication tasks.  There’s no better person to walk us through installing the KINGSLINGER DRAIN KIT than Ed!

COMPRESSOR DRAIN PLUGS

The compressor comes with two barrel drain plugs already installed on each barrel.  It’s best to install the KINGSLINGER DRAIN KIT on a new compressor with no oil inside so that the unit can easily turn on its side for installation of the drain kit.  The very first step is to remove those drain plugs with a crescent wrench or 9/16 wrench.  You want the drain valve side to be on the same side as the regulator side or the side with mixing GF mixing valves.  This side is also the same side as the compressor regulator.  Ed shows in detail how to loosen fittings and then how to prepare them to ensure they are good and tight.  A 5/16 wrench will also be in use for this step.  Pay close attention to getting them snug but also making sure they are pointing in the right direction.

DRAIN KIT LONG PIECE

It’s important to note there is a long piece and a short piece in the drain kit.  The short piece will go on the same side as the mixing valves and compressor regulator.  This is how the KINGSLINGER DRAIN KIT valve itself ends up on the right side.  The last step before tightening all the fittings is to make sure the entire unit is in place properly on your truck, trailer, or van.  You want to ensure the valve has ample space to move.  Do not overtighten but make sure it’s good and snug.  If you are new to this business, here is another post you might be interested in.  It’s a piece I call Pressure Washing VS Soft Washing.

 

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

WINTERIZING PRESSURE WASHING EQUIPMENT

WINTERIZING PRESSURE WASHING EQUIPMENT

One of our loyal YouTube Channel viewers requested we provide insight into WINTERIZING PRESSURE WASHING EQUIPMENT.  This particular trailer rig has a 9 GPM cold water pressure washer along with our KINGSLINGER soft wash system.  It is not often that we need to winterize equipment here in the Houston, Texas region.  RV antifreeze is what we use here because it’s not as strong as regular antifreeze and it’s more affordable.  But in more northern extreme climates were certainly recommend using regular antifreeze.

WATER INLET

There is a water inlet that comes off of your water tank into your machine.  While we use cam lock fittings, some might have a hose barb on the water inlet.  Inserting antifreeze into the system helps prevent water from freezing inside the machine.  This could cause damage to the machine, which is what we are preventing.  Another option is using an air hose to blow all of the water out of the system.  That’s certainly worth considering as well.  But we prefer anitfreeze because we find it to be an easier process and requires less time and effort.  It also gives me a little more confidence knowing the anitfreeze inserted throughout the system, including the hoses.

THE PROCESS

First it is important to let all the water drain out from the tank.  Then we will install another hose to the cam lock fitting.   That hose is then run to a 5 gallon bucket with the antifreeze solution.  You are then ready to fire up the machine and run the antifreeze up into the system.  Your ball valve should be open when you start the machine.  You will eventually notice a difference color once the antifreeze has penetrated the entire system.  Once you see this, you’ll want to turn your ball valve to the closed or off position.  This way the antifreeze gets into the bypass hose as well as the tank.  Here is another great post for those interested in choosing the right pressure washing equipment for your business.

Winterizing Equipment

 

 

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

PRESSURE WASHING VS SOFT WASHING

PRESSURE WASHING VS SOFT WASHING

This PRESSURE WASHING VS SOFT WASHING post and video examines the difference between these two cleaning strategies.  This is from my perspective as I got started in the business over 40 years ago.  But it also addresses changes in the industry over the years.  My very first pressure washing job was in 1979 as a junior in high school.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

When I began there was no pressure washing vs soft washing debate.  However, we did soft wash, but without using that specific terminology.  Basically, we would apply the mix gently.  In other words, when using gentle pressure we would downstream.  We would use the black, green and yellow tips, applying the stream or mist from a distance back away from the surface.  So to me personally, down streaming is the original soft wash method.  Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing did become more relevant about 10 years later.  A franchise power washing company began using, promoting and marketing soft washing as a service alternative.   ‘

SOFT WASHING DEFINITION

I define soft washing the following way.  Soft washing means applying mix to any surface softly with a dedicated pump.  It also always includes a light rinse.  This approach allows applying a stronger mix than what down streaming can deliver.  In the video, I explain that the original dedicated pump is a pump up sprayer.  Be sure and watch the entire video as I provide an answer to the question many people ask me about this.  That question is “How do I know what my mix ratio is when down streaming or using a downstream injector?”

NEW PUMP OPTIONS

Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing gains quite a bit of traction once new electric pumps take the place of a pump up sprayer.  12 volt pumps were first, which were wired and hooked into systems and tanks.  In addition to new pump options, tank sizes grew well beyond the pump up sprayer size.  This allows a new approach we call “batch mixing.” This means creating a cleaning solution with bleach, soap, and water.  Then air diaphragm pumps such as the FLOWJET pump came along.  This is what we have on our KINGSLINGER soft wash system.  Booster pumps and gas operated systems also became more and more prevalent over time.  We sell all of these systems and options through the Doug Rucker Store.  The full video is 23:00 so I encourage you to take the time to view the entire video.

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

BUILD YOUR OWN SOFT WASH SYSTEM

BUILD YOUR OWN SOFT WASH SYSTEM

Do you wonder how to BUILD YOUR OWN SOFT WASH SYSTEM?  Traditional pressure washing remains effective for many concrete surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and pool decks.  But for cleaning roof and vertical wall surfaces, we always recommend soft washing.  This helps prevent damage to the surface and other aspects of the exterior property.  In this video, I teach you how to build your own soft wash system.

SOFT WASH PUMP STATION AND AIR COMPRESSOR

To build your own soft wash system, you will need a pump station and an air compressor.  We always ship the pump station separately from the compressor to prevent damage in transit.  In fact, we use an inflatable packing material to provide maximum protection.  The pump station is two 5 gallon per minute flow jet pumps stacked together.  So it’s actually a 10 gallon per minute machine.  You cannot get a higher gallon per minute machine, even though you may see advertising stating otherwise.

ATTACHING THE TWO

To BUILD YOUR OWN SOFT WASH SYSTEM, you attach the pump station to the air compressor.  Be sure and check out the full video for all the tools are steps in order to complete this step.  The cam locks can be tricky so I provide in depth suggestions for some of the complications that might arise.  We always recommend putting the cam locks on before installing the full pump station plate.

DRILLING HOLES

Drilling holes can be a challenge when you build your own soft wash system.  But the simple solution is to just remove the manifolds.  So I walk you through step by step how these come off very easily.  This will allow for drilling precisely straight holes after making a mark on all four holes.  My preference is to remove the pump station after making the marks before drilling the holes.  Slow and steady drilling is a key to this project.  Then you attach all four lock nuts to the back of the bolts and tighten.

OTHER SOFT WASH SYSTEM STEPS

There are several additional steps if you want to build your own soft wash system.  Connecting to the compressor, plumbing, and how to operate the pump station just to name a few.  Here is another great video for more information on the Kinglinsger.  I provide monthly training events in Houston that includes on the job training and classroom instruction.  It’s a great time to expand your skills and get to know a few new friends in the business!

 

 

 

 

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

XJET MODIFIED FOR DOWNSTREAM

XJET MODIFIED FOR DOWNSTREAM

Have you ever wanted to use an XJET but without all the mist and pressure that the XJET puts out?  The good news is that you can do exactly that!  I’m going to walk you through an XJET modified for downstream.  Remember that as you are evaluating a job, you are evaluating three things.  You are looking at the surface type and stain presence, which then helps you determine which application method to use.  Application options include downstream injector, dedicated pump, XJET, or even a pump up sprayer.  The XJET is just one application for applying your bleach mix.

XJET SET UP

Here are a few preliminaries before the XJET MODIFIED FOR DOWNSTREAM is executed.  The XJET comes with hose, nozzle and proportion attachments that help meter the mix coming out of the XJET bucket.  Its very important when using the XJET bucket, which comes separately, to ensure the back valve is open.  This allows for ample ventilation.  Otherwise, the bucket will collapse as a result of vacuum suction upon draw.  One end of the hose will attach directly to top of the XJET bucket.

XJET MODIFICATION

The main step for an XJET MODIFIED FOR DOWNSTREAM is to install the main part of the XJET in between the gun and the lance of the pressure washing gun.  For more information concerning the BEST SOFT WASH GUN, click here.  Remove the quarter inch plug fitting from the XJET nozzle and the spring and orifice from inside.  Install a quarter inch threaded fitting directly into the gun.  We always recommend using teflon tape with lock seal to secure the fittings.  Next, screw the XJET fitting directly into the threaded fitting now attached to the gun.  Then there is another quarter inch  fitting with threading INSIDE which screws on to the XJET nozzle.  After you reinstall the wand, place the quarter inch coupler on the end of the wand.  Now, using the JROD for downstreaming along with the XJET modification, you have much lower pressure.  The same down streaming distance of 40 feet can be acheived with this XJET MODIFIED FOR DOWNSTREAM process.

X-Jet modified for downstreaming

EXTRA HOSE

The XJET arrives with an approximately 15 foot hose.  This will require needing to move the XJET bucket every 15 feet.  This will add needless time to every project that the XJET bucket is used.  We always recommend purchasing a 50 foot hose to use in place of the 15 foot hose it comes with.

XJET XTRAS

One of the great advantages of this XJET MODIFIED FOR DOWNSTREAM process is that your bleach mix is not running through more equipment, which means this equipment will last much longer.  In addition, this method means you will use more bleach.  This modification allows you to use your XJET as a downstream injector, which is great for post treating concrete surfaces with heavy landscape.  Mist and overspray is greatly reduced and much more controlled with an XJET MODIFIED FOR DOWNSTREAM.  I have provided a detailed video on my YOUTUBE channel link here which provides further insight and details for this.

LINKS TO NEEDED SUPPLIES

X Jet Long range Nozzle

X Jet Bucket Pail System

50 Foot Flexzilla 3/8 Air Hose

The quarter inch threaded couplings you can get at any building supply or plumbing supply store.

 

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

Pressure Washing Strainers

Pressure Washing Strainers

Hey, everybody! Real quick. I’ve see some post with people having problems
with their bleach tank getting degraded for various reasons.  Pressure Washing Strainers degrading bleach can be the biggest cause for this.

A lot of the time it’s caused by these metal strainers. Your bleach will degrade these pretty quickly.
It can cause your bleach mix to turn orange or black. All these metal shavings will get left down
at the bottom of the tank. Every time you put bleach in it, it’s going to continue to degrade it. We
use our bleach fast enough that it doesn’t have time to degrade.

Get rid of these! Don’t use them on anything that’s going to come in connect with bleach. We
don’t even use them with water. They come with the X-jet. Use the pail system on the X-jet and
get rid of this. You won’t have that problem.

PVC Pipes are great Strainers

If you’re downstreaming or using a dedicated pump, there are a couple of different ways you
can do it. These are two different types of PVC pipe. You have the female threads on the inside.
You can screw you pipe onto those. These are plastic, it won’t degrade it. I don’t like these
because I feel like these can starve your pump. I don’t think you get the flow you should. People
disagree with that and that’s ok. It’s what I feel so I don’t use these. I’ve had these sitting around
for years. If I ever did use them, I’d cut them off here.

Mainly, what we use, depending on if it’s a dedicated pump or if it’s downstreaming, we’ll use
something like this. It’s cut of and angled. We’ll actually run our dip hose or our braided hose
down through there. We’ll fasten these black strainers on if we’re downstreaming. That’s what
we use. There is a little weight in there.

I’ve never had a problem with these degrading our mix or the black causing it to turn a color.
They’re pretty safe. What you will have is the bleach will eat this cap our. The weight or
magnet will fall out. That’s why we have the pipe on there to keep it weighted down in the
bucket or the tank. We use those.

On our dedicated pumps, we don’t use a strainer. We actually use a PVC pipe and a 90. That
way we’re getting full flow.

Keep Your Pressure Washing Tanks Clean

One of the things we do is we keep our tanks clean. We have a bulk head that runs at the
bottom of the tank. We’ve been doing this for three or four years. It doesn’t hurt anything. The
bleach doesn’t hurt the bulk head fitting. At least, we’ve never had that problem. We run a hose
off of that bulk head fitting.

We use that for filling up X-jet buckets if we ever need to use and X-jet. Mainly we use it for
filling up pump up sprayers when we need to use pump up sprayers. We also use it to keep the
tank flushed out. It’ll get empty and about every 2 weeks we’ll take a water hose in there. We
don’t get a lot of grit in there. We keep it clean.

The other thing that could cause your problem is the type of soap you’re using. Sometimes
different types of soap can cause your bleach to degrade. It can cause it to turn colors. You
might switch your soap and see if that’s the issue.

Metal Causes Rust Issues

When you got a tank and bleach that’s degrading/changing colors, you’ve got to find out what is
different in that tank. What’s in my water tank(if your water tank is not doing it). Bleach will
attack anything.

I hope that helps you guys. That’s various different ways to get rid of these. You can use these if
you feel safe. We don’t sell them. I don’t recommend them. You can get them at many of the
other vendors around that sell those. This is what we use for downstreaming. Then just regular
PVC, we cut and angle or we put a 90 on it. We get our full flow. The key is keeping your tanks
clean for whenever you have a problem, isolating and figuring out what’s caused it. Using the correct Pressure Washing Strainers will help to solve this.

I hope that helps you guys!

If your just starting out in the pressure washing and roof cleaning business be sure to check out our online video school.

Also be sure to join and subscribe to my You Tube channel for more Pressure Washing Education.

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker No Comments

Tallahassee Florida Pressure Washing School

Tallahassee Florida Pressure Washing School

The Doug Rucker School of pressure washing and roof cleaning is on the road again.   Ray and Tonya Burke, owners of Spray Wash, and I will be hosting a Tallahassee Florida Pressure Washing School.  In addition,  we cover Roof Cleaning on July 28,29, and 30th, 2016.   Spray Wash is located at 640 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee Fl 32301. We will meet there at 8:00am, on July 28th, before heading out for training on a residential property.

Also, this school will be a special edition.  We will also be doing Commercial Pressure Washing and Soft Wash hands on training on Saturday July 30th.  Spray Wash is very active every weekend doing large commercial pressure washing project’s in and around the Tallahassee Florida area.  You’ll get to experience first hand everything that goes on from setting up on a commercial job, the cleaning, all the way to completion.

Logistics

Here are the particulars for the 3 day school:

Cost of the School: $950.00

Day One July 28th: 8:00am Meet at Spray Wash at 8:00am located at 640 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee Fl 32301

Residential Roof Cleaning and House Washing…on the job training as Ray and I teach you how to properly and safely clean a residential roof, house, driveway, patio, etc.  We will teach how we do everything from setting up on the job site, pricing the job, things we look for when protecting the property from damage, spraying techniques and application methods, house and roof wash mixing and much more.  Also plenty of time for questions and answers.

Day Two

IMG_3893

Day Two July 29th: 9:00am Class room time at Spray Wash Headquarters..  I have several power point presentations that I’ll go through that cover everything for Residential Roof Cleaning, House Washing, Protecting the Property, Driveway, Sidewalk and Patio Cleaning, Soft Washing and Pressure Washing, Mix rations for house washing and roof cleaning, Identifying Surfaces and Stains, Pricing Jobs, Quotes, Customer Service, and much more.

Ray Burke will also do an introduction and discussion on the Commercial Cleaning class that will take place on the following day. Oh and how he get’s these monster jobs.  You will not want to miss this part.

 

Day Three July 30th: Commercial Cleaning.  We will head out to a Commercial Cleaning job site that Spray Wash will have scheduled for on the job training.

 

This School is only limited to the first 10 that register and pay. You can do that by CLICKING HERE and reserving your spot.  Once the 10 spot’s are gone, this school will be closed.  All transportation to and from the school and also while in Tallahassee, as well as food, accommodations, etc are your responsibility and are NOT part of the school fee.

 

If you’d like more information please feel free to call me or text me at 2818833630.

 

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker No Comments

Pressure Washing Training

Pressure Washing Training

We are announcing big news that starts January 2014!  We will be offering Pressure Washing Training via the internet and web conferencing!  All you need is access to a computer with a camera and a microphone.  You will be able to take the same classes that we offer locally. Our Pressure Washing Training and Roof Cleaning School located in the Houston Texas area is now online!

Since March of 2011, we are glad to host over 1000 students from various parts of the United States.  But we also have had many others that could not attend due to scheduling problems and other issues.  Many of you have asked if we could offer something online, and up until now we have not been able to do that.  Starting January 2014 that all changes.

Class Logistics

All zoom web conferencing classes will be limited to no more than 3 students at a time so that I can assure that everyone receives the personal attention they deserve and the best value for their tuition. Classes will be no longer than 1 hour in length and once a week and scheduled as close to the students convenience as possible.

During these web conferencing classes you will be able to learn subjects such as:

Starting Up Your Business from a Legal Stand Point-Environmental Awareness and Concerns-Equipment Selection

Marketing and Sales-How to Bid and Estimate Jobs-Customer Service Skills

Different Methods and Applications for Soft Washing and Pressure Washing– When,Why and How to use the proper pressure for the surface  area you are cleaning

Driveway and Concrete Cleaning

Cleaning Techniques That Save you Time and Money

How to Work Smart and Produce more Profits

How to mix and use your cleaning solutions for Roof Cleaning and House Washing

Detergents, Soaps, and Cleaning Products used for Specialty Stain Removal

Developing Relationships with Distributors who will help you get your business started

How to Develop relationships with your competition

Building your Web Site and SEO

And Much More. We allow each student to learn and progress at his own pace.  You will also have access to me throughout the week or month at no extra charge via the phone or text messaging. In other words, once you have become a student of the Pressure Washing and Roof Cleaning School, you can always call me anytime for any help or advice you may need.

If you are starting your pressure washing and roof cleaning business, consider appropriate training!  Call or text me at 281.883.3630 and I will be happy to discuss a class schedule and subjects that will fit your business.

I have an awesome Online Pressure Washing School that is perfect if you are just starting a pressure washing business.  You can also get some great tips at my You Tube Channel.

If you have any questions about our products please use the CONTACT FORM

For all your equipment and supply needs please visit our store at DougRuckerStore.com.