Hey guys and gals

[Colorado]

Hi there, Newb here to the forum and the washing business. I'm 34 years in age, have a loving wife of 16 years and 3 kids ( 2 teenagers) one youngster. I guess that I kinda stumbled into the washing business by accident. My background for the last 15 years has been in surface mining and mobile concrete/asphalt crushing and recycling. I recently sold off my percentage of a mobile crushing company and started a mobile maintenane company to service the local quarry's and surface mines (I've lots of contacts in this field). Other than welding and maintenance, there seemed to be a need for somone to posses a mobile Hot washing unit. So I bought one.. I've aquired an Alkota 5505A (used), tandem axle equipment trailer, 600 gallon water tank, 35 gallon chemical tank, and 100' pressure hose and reel. I'm excited to learn about this industry and can already see that my future has a few turns in it. Anxious to read in the threads and learn what you guys are doing with your units. Also would like to get an idea of pricing for my customers. The few jobs that I've done on equipment have been @ $60/hr, is this even close?
Cant wait to hear from you guys and start learning. [whatup]
Josh

 

[Doug Rucker]

Hey Josh,welcome to PWN. Great to have you here. Will be fun to hear about your quarry work. $65.00 per hours is ehh, ok. But try to shoot for 85-100 and then build from there. Understand though that I am talking residential cleaning. Not sure what equipment cleaning standards are or what your market will bear. Every area is different depending on economy,competition,your processes, experience,etc.

Lots of useful information on this board can be found. If you cant find it or get tired of trying, just ask. We're all here to help each other out. We love the motto here, "the only stupid question is the one not asked" so fire away.

 

[Mark]

Josh Welcome To The PWN!

 

[archie_MN]

Welcome Josh!
Sounds like you're off to a great start, you've established the need for your services and you have the contacts.

I like to think of pricing as about 60/hr after expenses. Hourly isn't a bad way to bid starting out, but as you improve you're going to get faster. No sense in getting paid less for being better at your job.

Is your focus on cleaning the machinery, the grounds, or both?

 

[Colorado]

I'd like to get into cleaning more than just mining equipment. I'm doing house siding on Saturday, and need to strip some lose paint in the eve's. Any suggestions on tips or heat for the paint removal? As I stated, lot's of the paint is already peeling. I'm a total newb to washing, so all info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the pricing info as well.
Josh

 

[archie_MN]

Heat peels paint pretty easily. Remember that its wood, not metal, so 2500 psi is the max you want to use. For paint prep, depending on conditions, I typically use about 1000 psi and 150 degree water. You have 2 options for the paint flakes...tarp everything, or make sure the homeowners are comfortable with little flakes all over. Good luck!

 

[Calob]

How do you trap the paint flakes? Depending on how it comes off, there could be a bunch.

 

[Colorado]

Well, just finished my first two houses this morning. Aluminum siding washes great! Peeled the old flaking paint right out of the eve's with no problem on the older home. Home owners are stoked with the results, and easiest $400 I've ever made. I used Simple Green on the siding/gutters and it worked like a champ. I'm sure there are much better products available, but not sure where to purchase bulk in the Denver-Metro area yet. Are arid conditions in the state dont allow for much mold/mildew/ or fungus, but lots of baked on dust. Cant wait to land the next job, welding in 95 degree temps wearing full leathers isnt much fun. I'm liking the washing part of my company more each day.
Thanks again for all the suggestions from you guys, and keep'em rolling in.
Josh