Some basic info for pressure washing contractors from Sun Brite Supply:
* Always soap from the bottom up and always wash from the top down.
* Add powders gradually to liquids, never add liquids to powders.
* Bio-Barrier and Wet Wax are both terrific 'up-sell' treatments for house-washing and similar work.
* Always carry something whenever you travel between the truck and the job. It will save you time and trips during every job.
* When doing flatwork with a surface cleaner, watch your effluent (used water). If it has a milk-ish look, then you are moving too slow and abrading the "cream" right off of the concrete. If you are moving too fast, you will leave obvious stripes.
* Use a Nozzle Chart to figure out the proper tips for your surface cleaner. Divide your GPM by the number of nozzles, and then look up the proper size. Make sure your nozzles are on a 15-degree angle. Your surface cleaner will then operate at peak efficiency.
* When doing house washes, set your equipment up so that you can get two sides of the house from one position. Then you only relocate once to finish the job.
* When pouring any liquid from the spout of a 5-gallon pail, pour with the spout at the top of the pail rather than the bottom. You will eliminate "glugs".
* If the soil you are cleaning is oily or contains atmospheric dirt, use an alkaline cleaner. If it contains minerals (such as rust) use an acid cleaner. If you don't understand alkalines vs. acids, call us and ask.
* Wet Wax added to rinse water will make the cleaning job last longer and look better. This can be an extra-charge item if you prefer.
* Carrying spare O-Rings in your toolbox will keep you working when one fails or blows out.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Cleaning Composite Decks
Most consumers who opted for composite lumber for their decks did so with the idea that it would be maintenance-free and free from the kind of aging problems (warping, cracking, splitting, etc) that are often seen with pressure-treated lumber. Hindsight is always 20-20, as the old saying goes. Most of these customers are realizing that no wood or wood product exposed to weather is going to be completely maintenance-free. Even exotic woods like Ipé require periodic cleaning and sealing as the natural oils within the wood dry out.
Composite lumber varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it appears that all of the popular ones contain wood particles (these ground particles are called “wood flour” by the industry). That means that any of these particles on or near the surface of the board, no matter what they are mixed with, will react to Mother Nature the same way all wood does. Graying and staining are common problems – and the stuff of nightmares for deck owners. Manufacturers are getting calls every day from end users about these issues, and deck restoration contractors are stepping in with the fix.
Cleaning composite decks is important to keep the material looking its best. Properly cleaning composite decks should be done with a composite wood cleaner that is designed specifically for these unique materials. Most pressure washing contractors who do deck renewal are finding success through products made especially for this problem, such as EZ Off Composite Wood Cleaner. The key to this particular product is in the surfactants and cleaning chemicals in its formula.
This guide will give you the basic steps that should be used to get the best results when cleaning composite deck materials.
Preparing the composite deck:
Sweep debris like leaves, twigs and dirt off the deck first. Then rinse off the composite lumber to cool it off and remove heavy built up deposits of dirt and mud. Rinsing off the composite deck first will cool the surface and prevent the possibility of flash drying the composite cleaner when it's applied. Also wet down plants and grass around the deck and if necessary, Cover plants, grass, concrete and any other areas you don't want the composite cleaner getting on.
Remove any stains on a composite decks first!
Use oxalic, citric or phosphoric acid-based cleaners to spot-treat rust stains from metal furniture. These will also help remove leaf stains.
Use commercial degreasers containing sodium hydroxide and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains.
Spot removers or mineral spirits may be used carefully on stubborn grease or oil stains but should be washed off quickly with water, as it can damage the grain pattern. Spot removers normally include petroleum distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone, or other organic solvents. Use caution if the composite lumber has embedded color, as some solvents may affect the appearance. As always, test your cleaner on an inconspicuous spot.
To remove mold, mildew, and months of accumulated dirt, wash the deck periodically with EZ Off.
The cleaning process:
Apply EZ Off on the railings and floor in manageable sections. Cleaning too large of an area at a time may allow it to dry on the surface which can cause discoloration in some materials. Once the composite cleaner has sat on the surface according to the directions, carefully power wash the surface in the direction of the grain, using less than 800 PSI. Use the pressure washer to “rinse” the surface. Avoid holding the nozzle too close to the composite surface or holding it in any one spot too long. Hold the pressure wand about 8” away from the surface and “sweep” it off in a rinsing motion. Use a “golf swing” motion, and avoid washing each square inch of the surface. Keep the wand moving smoothly over the surface to avoid leaving marks. Proper technique determines the results, so take some time to practice when you are able to. Once you have completed that section, treat the next area and continue until the job is completed.
For regular maintenance, rinse off your composite deck periodically with a hose. Even if your deck appears clean, it is important to prevent build-up of pollen and other debris. Mildew stains may occur where moisture, pollens, and/or dirt are present. Mildew needs a food source to grow, which can be grass, pollens, dirt, debris, wood and wood resins.
To repair scratches, nicks, cuts and grooves in some (un-colored) composite decking materials you can try using a wire brush. Brushing will need to be consistent with the grain of the composite material and the brushed area will weather back in approximately 8-10 weeks. Make sure you try this in a hidden area first! Some materials could become discolored or damaged from wire brushing!
High-pressure washing of composite decks is not necessary or advisable. Instead, use the proper-strength composite lumber cleaners like EZ Off to do all the work for you. Then you simply RINSE using your pressure-washer. Doing it the right way means using your pressure washer to agitate slightly with MODERATE pressure and HIGH water volume. Use the pressure washer responsibly. Too much pressure on the surface of composite lumber can cause damage.
If you need more information on composite cleaners, give us a call at 877-5-SUPPLY or visit www.sunbritesupply.com.
Composite lumber varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it appears that all of the popular ones contain wood particles (these ground particles are called “wood flour” by the industry). That means that any of these particles on or near the surface of the board, no matter what they are mixed with, will react to Mother Nature the same way all wood does. Graying and staining are common problems – and the stuff of nightmares for deck owners. Manufacturers are getting calls every day from end users about these issues, and deck restoration contractors are stepping in with the fix.
Cleaning composite decks is important to keep the material looking its best. Properly cleaning composite decks should be done with a composite wood cleaner that is designed specifically for these unique materials. Most pressure washing contractors who do deck renewal are finding success through products made especially for this problem, such as EZ Off Composite Wood Cleaner. The key to this particular product is in the surfactants and cleaning chemicals in its formula.
This guide will give you the basic steps that should be used to get the best results when cleaning composite deck materials.
Preparing the composite deck:
Sweep debris like leaves, twigs and dirt off the deck first. Then rinse off the composite lumber to cool it off and remove heavy built up deposits of dirt and mud. Rinsing off the composite deck first will cool the surface and prevent the possibility of flash drying the composite cleaner when it's applied. Also wet down plants and grass around the deck and if necessary, Cover plants, grass, concrete and any other areas you don't want the composite cleaner getting on.
Remove any stains on a composite decks first!
Use oxalic, citric or phosphoric acid-based cleaners to spot-treat rust stains from metal furniture. These will also help remove leaf stains.
Use commercial degreasers containing sodium hydroxide and various detergents for removing grease and oil stains.
Spot removers or mineral spirits may be used carefully on stubborn grease or oil stains but should be washed off quickly with water, as it can damage the grain pattern. Spot removers normally include petroleum distillates, xylene, methanol, acetone, or other organic solvents. Use caution if the composite lumber has embedded color, as some solvents may affect the appearance. As always, test your cleaner on an inconspicuous spot.
To remove mold, mildew, and months of accumulated dirt, wash the deck periodically with EZ Off.
The cleaning process:
Apply EZ Off on the railings and floor in manageable sections. Cleaning too large of an area at a time may allow it to dry on the surface which can cause discoloration in some materials. Once the composite cleaner has sat on the surface according to the directions, carefully power wash the surface in the direction of the grain, using less than 800 PSI. Use the pressure washer to “rinse” the surface. Avoid holding the nozzle too close to the composite surface or holding it in any one spot too long. Hold the pressure wand about 8” away from the surface and “sweep” it off in a rinsing motion. Use a “golf swing” motion, and avoid washing each square inch of the surface. Keep the wand moving smoothly over the surface to avoid leaving marks. Proper technique determines the results, so take some time to practice when you are able to. Once you have completed that section, treat the next area and continue until the job is completed.
For regular maintenance, rinse off your composite deck periodically with a hose. Even if your deck appears clean, it is important to prevent build-up of pollen and other debris. Mildew stains may occur where moisture, pollens, and/or dirt are present. Mildew needs a food source to grow, which can be grass, pollens, dirt, debris, wood and wood resins.
To repair scratches, nicks, cuts and grooves in some (un-colored) composite decking materials you can try using a wire brush. Brushing will need to be consistent with the grain of the composite material and the brushed area will weather back in approximately 8-10 weeks. Make sure you try this in a hidden area first! Some materials could become discolored or damaged from wire brushing!
High-pressure washing of composite decks is not necessary or advisable. Instead, use the proper-strength composite lumber cleaners like EZ Off to do all the work for you. Then you simply RINSE using your pressure-washer. Doing it the right way means using your pressure washer to agitate slightly with MODERATE pressure and HIGH water volume. Use the pressure washer responsibly. Too much pressure on the surface of composite lumber can cause damage.
If you need more information on composite cleaners, give us a call at 877-5-SUPPLY or visit www.sunbritesupply.com.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Black Knight Pressure Washers - Cold Water
Black Knight Pressure Washers by Sun Brite Supply are professional grade pressure washers. We offer many different choices for the power washing contractor. Starting from direct drive portables and ending up at high volume hot water skids, every Black Knight Pressure Washer has been tailor made to fit the rigors of daily, professional use.
We add up grade to every Black Knight Pressure Washer. These upgrade include 50 feet of gray non-marking hose, a Relaxed-Action Sutner trigger gun, a tach/hour meter, and an air-inlet valve to allow for easy winterization of your machine. In addition to all these upgrades, we also off FREE FREIGHT on any Black Knight machine. Black Knight machines also include the wand, quick connects, tips and chemical injector.
We begin the line up with the Black Knight 313 cold water, direct drive portable pressure washer. This machine is rated at 4000 PSI and 4 GPM. Made with a General Pump and a GX390 Honda motor.
Next in line is the Black Knight 413 belt drive cold water portable pressure washer. The Black Knight 413 is also rated at 4000 PSI and 4 GPM. The difference with the belt drive pump is that it runs at a lower RPM than a direct drive pump. There is less wear and tear on the pump since it runs at a lower RPM. The most useful benefit of a belt drive pump is that allows the pressure washer to pull from a tank.
Third in the Black Knight series of pressure washers is the Black Knight Ultimate. This pressure washer is made for serious contractors. Still running at 4000 PSI and 4 GPM, the Ultimate is powered by a poly-chain cogged belt. It also has a powdered coated frame that includes a hose hanger and has a lifetime warranty on the coating and the frame.
We add up grade to every Black Knight Pressure Washer. These upgrade include 50 feet of gray non-marking hose, a Relaxed-Action Sutner trigger gun, a tach/hour meter, and an air-inlet valve to allow for easy winterization of your machine. In addition to all these upgrades, we also off FREE FREIGHT on any Black Knight machine. Black Knight machines also include the wand, quick connects, tips and chemical injector.
We begin the line up with the Black Knight 313 cold water, direct drive portable pressure washer. This machine is rated at 4000 PSI and 4 GPM. Made with a General Pump and a GX390 Honda motor.
Next in line is the Black Knight 413 belt drive cold water portable pressure washer. The Black Knight 413 is also rated at 4000 PSI and 4 GPM. The difference with the belt drive pump is that it runs at a lower RPM than a direct drive pump. There is less wear and tear on the pump since it runs at a lower RPM. The most useful benefit of a belt drive pump is that allows the pressure washer to pull from a tank.
Third in the Black Knight series of pressure washers is the Black Knight Ultimate. This pressure washer is made for serious contractors. Still running at 4000 PSI and 4 GPM, the Ultimate is powered by a poly-chain cogged belt. It also has a powdered coated frame that includes a hose hanger and has a lifetime warranty on the coating and the frame.
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