Soft water solution

[JustMe]

For those who can't/don't have a water softner onboard, would it be wise to maybe fill a 50 gal drum at your shop and use that for rinsing windows and such to avoid spotting if your area has hard water or is there a better solution that is not so expensive to get by? I would think for siding and stuff it would not be a big issue, but maybe you could even fill a sprayer with the soft water from your drum and finish by spraying the windows down?

Maybe I am not explaining this right and it may sound stupid as well

 

[Aplus]

I mix a sheeting type wax in my house wash mix that helps reduce spots on the windows. Also, I tell my customers there may be some spots on the windows after they dry. I've never had a complaint.

 

[EXTREME]

you can also add a rinse aid.

 

[the_GUNN_man]

I would just go with the water softener on board. You can do it two ways. Put your brine tank and softener on or just the softener and leave the brine tank at the shop and recharge when you get back. Unless you have the all in one unit. Also if you are using an open trailer I wouldn't suggest you getting a elctronic head for the softener since weather will probablt ruin it. You will have to get a manual head. I like the water softerer for many reasons. Fewer spotting, soaps work better, less hard water build up in your coils, and stuff rinses easier. I do car lots so I carry a softener and a DI tank. Most softeners run between $600 to $800. It depends on your area. You can get most of those places to do a 3 to 6 month payment plan.

 

[EXTREME]

Steve, why would you need a water softner with a di set up? wouldn't the di set up work without the water softner??

 

[JustMe]

Any suggestions on a sheeting wax and is the rinse aid just the dishwasher kind or something specific that works well.

Not wanting to go with the water softner just yet until I know for sure I need it.

 

[the_GUNN_man]

When we wash cars or anything for that matter we use soft water. My main purpose for the DI is to be used for the spot free(final) rinse for the cars. DI water cost me about 5 cents a gallon so I monitor closely how much I use of that. I run two 275 gallon tanks on my rig. One is setup for the soft water and the other is for the DI. I have them hooked together so if I am not using DI I can use both tanks for soft water. Soft water alone is not the answer for spot free cars. Soft water will still leave sodium spots. They just come off way easier then hard water spots. You can wipe off soft water spots with a towel quite easy, not the case for hard water.

 

[EXTREME]

so you could use plain di water with no softner, it would just be more expensive? did I read that right?

 

[Aplus]

I buy wax in a 5 gallon pail from a local shop. It is the same as used in car washes. I don't care to buy liquid products via internet because the shipping is usually too high.

Also, I did forget to mention the rinse aid. Yes, it is the same you use in automatic dishwashers. Just a little squirt in a five gallon pail is all you need.

 

[JustMe]

Good deal, I have a friend who also owns a car wash localy and he may be able to hook me up with the right person, now is that a big squirt or a little squirt

Somehow word has been getting out around my area and I have had a couple people call and want to schedule estimates for work and I have net even started up yet. I just went ahead and told them I was not open for business yet and I would return their call when we open operations. I suppose that is a good thing as the interest is there already, but how the hell do people find out about this stuff? <---- Stumped

 

[WashWagon]

I am using a spot free filter. It is a portable water softener. It works great, recharges easily for a few pennies worth of salt, and completly ends the hard water spots. I have mine mounted on my rig and can take it right off and take it to boat docks or other areas I might be working that require "soft water". The price for a small 1000model (which is all you need) goes for less than $400. They will last for many years. Every powerwasher should have one of these. The results of softwater washing are awesome. You can call me for more info. 252-342-5556. (Eastern time!!)

 

[oneness]

JustMe:

Just ask them how they got your number.

 

[JustMe]

Originally posted by WashWagon
I am using a spot free filter. It is a portable water softener. It works great, recharges easily for a few pennies worth of salt, and completly ends the hard water spots. I have mine mounted on my rig and can take it right off and take it to boat docks or other areas I might be working that require "soft water". The price for a small 1000model (which is all you need) goes for less than $400. They will last for many years. Every powerwasher should have one of these. The results of softwater washing are awesome. You can call me for more info. 252-342-5556. (Eastern time!!)

Hmm, never heard of this, does anyone else use one of these and do they work as advertised? How hard is the water in your area and how is it recharged?

Oh and one more question, does it cut down the flow at all?

 

[WashWagon]

I have mine hooked up BEFORE the tank. So I fill up with soft water from anywhere. I have not noticed any flow reduction. I live at the beautiful NC coast. Beautiful yes, but, our water is rough. If I am not using filtered water, washing a black car in the sun is almost impossible not to get spots. Recharging is done whenever you notice the water getting bad.(ranges from 1000-5000 gallons). You just use water softener salt(available at Lowes) and flush the unit out with a regular water hose hook up. Takes about 5-10minutes. I only brag about this unit because I use one every day and I love it.

 

[Gwas]

Soft water HMMMM, I love it..... I have mine hard wired through a generator on one of my machines.... (Smart)... All I have to do is add salt....

 

[JustMe]

Washwagon, would you mind emailing the name and manufacturer or whatever contact info you might have like a web site and such, I would like to look into this as well.

 

[AFountain]

WashWagon, we have hard water here in OKC too, could you please let me know who the manufacture is or who to contact? Thanks much!!