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pittsburghpainter · Guest

pressure washing and painting

Roof Cleaning Toledo Ohio (419) 265-3306 · Guest

Doug, I don't know if you'll find to many painting guys on here. I would assume it would be better to Pressure Wash before painting that way any loose paint would come off. We soft wash homes and it does remove all contaminants but it does not remove loose flakes or chips. Hope that helps a little.

Kendrick Services · Guest

Soft washing will work just fine. I've been painting 25 years and have grown to hate it. that is why I am pushing the cleaning. Soft washing is a lot neater because you don't have chips and other debris blowing all over the place.

Rsuds · Guest

You can use the soft wash for a lot of jobs but you are better off with having a power washer to do more things with at a job. Some areas may need a little pressure to remove some dirt. Do not use it on the roof.
We work with a lot of painters in our area, you should just get a company in your area that power washes only, and they have been around for years. They will be glad to give you a good price (instead of 300 they will do for 200) if you are doing 10-20 a year and you do not need to buy anything or send guys out that you have to pay and may not do it as well. They also should be able to refer your company and then you are networking with each other.

Jan 6, 2011

Even though most of the work we perform is Non pressure Roof Cleaning and Soft Wash Exterior Cleaning we are also are equipped to handle just about any and all phases of Cleaning.

We network with a few different painting companies and handle a lot of their paint prepping for them especially when they get backed up. Most painting contractors actually dread having to pressure wash. While some of the prepping we do for them only involves a good wash down and mildewciding there are many that are a bit more involved and require stripping of loose, flakey paint.

Here in Florida we have a lot of Painted Tile Roofs that require re-painting every so often. These Tile Roofs require a small amount of pressure to remove any loose flaking paint before they can be re-painted.

B.A. · Guest

Let us define softwashing (...and anyone please chime in here...) as I believe there are (2) methods that are acceptable to call softwashing.

1. delivery of cleaning agents to work surface via small pump either airflow, or delavan style 50-80 psi 5-10gpm

2. X-jetting or downstreaming through a standard pressure washer using a pressure reducing tip.

We X-Jet @ about 100psi throwing soap, SH, Wax, and rinse agent all at once, cold water all the way thru and rinse biggrin

The 100psi is also variable and can be less depending on the firing range needed i.e.:
35 ft up shoots 100psi, 6 ft in front of us fans and shoots at standard downstream soap injector tip. (does that make sense hmm )

I love my X-Jet. Standard 2 story colonial with (4) sided vinyl =1-1.5 hrs $425.00

RCIA Founder

Hey, I have a stupid idea ? With all the talk about Softwashing, how about a part of the forum dedicated to softwash exterior cleaning ?

Jan 6, 2011

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:

Hey, I have a stupid idea ? With all the talk about Softwashing, how about a part of the forum dedicated to softwash exterior cleaning ?

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Jan 6, 2011

Doug, for paint prep I normally go heavy on the chemicles and light on the pressure. You do not want to have neighbors coming out complaining about paint chips. If it's a wood house you're going to have to scrape it anyways. I know some guys try to do their scraping with the power washer not me you'll damage the wood. create a huge mess and still have to scrape it anyways. One exception is on poorly prepared aluminum siding or vinyl siding that is peeling.

pittsburghpainter · Guest

Did I open up a can of worms unintentionally?

pittsburghpainter · Guest

Hey Tom, Thanks for the response.

pittsburghpainter · Guest

Ryan

Thanks for your input. You are the second person that I've talked with that loves the xjet.

If I understand correctly, you would have three tanks on your rig. One for roof cleaning

(30-50% SH) the second tank for house washing (5-10% SH) and a backup tank with just water.

Doug

RCIA Founder

Roof Cleaning Palm Harbor FL 727 543 3276 wrote:

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:

Hey, I have a stupid idea ? With all the talk about Softwashing, how about a part of the forum dedicated to softwash exterior cleaning ?

OK, this thread has been moved to the NEW Softwashing part of the forum!

pittsburghpainter · Guest

This could be a good idea for some but I don't think it would work for me. I hate having to depend on others when dealing with business. Having employees is plenty of stress for me. See, I'm riddled with Adult ADHD, OCD, and I'm a control freak but my shrink and I are working on it.

Doug

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Jan 6, 2011

Doug you need to get an x-jet you'll love it. The x-jet is a tip for your pressure washer. It has a hose that you put in a pail of solution. Spray the soap on the house, let it sit, take off the tip, put on another tip or take the x-jet out of the soap and rinse. One side done. Call me if you have any questions.

TBD · Guest

I agree with ACE! You get the best of both worlds in your case.... soft wash or pressure wash
accordingly to the tip you use... x-jet is the best solution.

pittsburghpainter · Guest

Thanks for all the help. Sounds like the Xjet or M5 Xjet is the way to go.

RCIA Founder

ACE wrote:

Doug you need to get an x-jet you'll love it. The x-jet is a tip for your pressure washer. It has a hose that you put in a pail of solution. Spray the soap on the house, let it sit, take off the tip, put on another tip or take the x-jet out of the soap and rinse. One side done. Call me if you have any questions.

It is said that X Jet or M 5 shoots like a mother funker for softwashing ?
Great for you guys up North with 3 story homes that need sort washed!

B.A. · Guest

Used my x-jet yesterday AND cleaned a roof @ about 39-41 degrees. Was concerned about the bleach barrier, but went strong (real strong 10-15% dilution) and everrything came clean. ice was forming on the brick walkway!!

Doug: we run a trailer rig with a water tank, straightr SH tank, and a roofmix tank. House wash is made seperatly in a 5gal pail.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"