Brand new business

L

LCI WASH

New member
Hi everyone
I have been reading through alot of posts and have learned alot from it all. I started my powerwashing business last year with out much planning involved . I mostly got into it to make an extra buck and keep busy while starting something of my own. Soon to realize just how much there is to powerwashing and how little I really know. It turns out I really enjoy getting dirty and making iron clean . I am quite busy as of latley cleaning some heavy equipment and alot of logging trucks which are quite muddy most of the time. I am wondering if anyone else out there is washing log trucks or anything of the sort and can give me an idea of what the general going rate for something like that may be ( I understand that every area is different) . I spend approx 2 hour per truck removing all mud from truck and trailers washing cab and degreasing engine. The customers are quite happy with my service and have been keeping me very busy. This is my first post on here and I appreciate any incite..........LCI
 
No. It would probably take us 15-20 minutes. But keep in mind that I would show up with 2-truck mounted pressure washers and all the right chemicals. I've been doing it a long time so as you go, you'll learn and get better and become more familiar with the chemicals and methods of cleaning.

I'll help with what I can. Take a picture of what your cleaning and let me know how much volume and pressure you are using and whether or not you have heat and soft water.
 
Two Rigs

Even with two rigs on site....15-20 minutes per truck is pretty dog on fast. Justin please let us know your tricks....
 
I have let you all know my tricks. A few times. We use soft water for one which we've found by far is much more important than hot water. Along with that we use great chemicals that we've used for many years. Combine the two with a low pressure injections system and hot water and you'd be amazed at the results.

Having two machines cuts down your washing time by more than half. Having soft water versus hard water also cuts down wash time. There you have it. I've posted pictures of my equipment on these boards and of my softeners but it seems like few listen.

The bottom line is, if you are in the fleet cleaning business and you are using plain old tap water without cleaning it first and removing some of the hardness, you aren't doing the job you could be doing. What more can I say. I've preached it for years and I continue to preach it. The people who have soft water know what I'm talking about. The people who don't use soft water, don't know what they're missing.

1st step is softened water. Next, chemicals. Then after you have those two, a heated pressure washer.

Hope this helps.
 
15-20 min seems very fast to me , If thats the case I am in for a huge eye opener. These are severe service trucks that work in heavy mud clay and gravel every day. I have a 3000psi 4 gpm machine 13hp honda with an lp burner . I use very good degreaser from zep and it works great . I don't use anything but cold water on the iron but use some soap and degreaser for the cab and engine. These guys aren't wanting iron cleaned to shine just cleaned to work on and reduce the tare weight. I wonder if hot water would be worth using to blow off the heavy mud or if the cost of burning the propane would be to great for the advantage it would give .I appreciate the comments.
 
ok Let me ask you what your objective is when you are cleaning the trucks that you are talking about. My objective is not to make things shine although I always do just because I take pride in my work. These guys are not interested in that as much as the fact that I put on gear and crawl under these units with wand in hand blowing mud off the inside frame rails and under carraige. Would the soft water and chemicals help with the heavy mud removal on iron??
 
You never told us how much you're charging for a truck that takes you two hours.

I use 3500 psi at 6gpm and yes it makes a huge difference. Zep has chemicals and some are ok but if you are using them for commercial cleaning of rigs, I'd suggest you look into some other chemicals. Also, a turbo nozzle would help with the removal of mud and clay.

But, if you are using 4 gpm, it's not enough for what you are telling me. Let me know how much you are charging them for two hours of you crawling around they're trucks.

I'll get back with you.
 
I charge the same 100 bucks per unit 50 an hour(for this customer others are more) . I am thinking that I am putting out about 4.8 gpm ( its a 13hp honda) I use the turbo nozzle it does help alot especially on the lowbeds. Mybe I need more gpm. I'm not sure. Is there a chemical or anything outthere that will knock mud off other than elbow grease and big power.
 
That's fair as far as the price. More gpm will speed up your process. As far as a softener, if you are cleaning just mud then you don't need a softener. However a softener will keep your equipment lasting longer. Unloaders are damaged by hard water. Your coils in your burner will have to be cleaned because of hard water. You pump will wear due to heat and contaminates in water. Personally, I don't run hard water through my equipment at all. Whether I need it or not, it's prevenative maintenance.

As you get more business, you'll want more gpm and a diesel fired burner and possibly a softener.

If I can be of any assistance, I'll do my best.
 
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