maybe my first job - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Samuel Alan · Sophmore Member

maybe my first job

John Aloisio · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Samuel,

We typically use a 2% mix on wood, and give it a couple fan coats if needed. You will see how it comes out and if it is all uniform or blotchy. It will require a lot of rinsing and usually a neutralizer. You should up-sell them on using Wood Restore and conditioning the wood.

I am not quite sure what your question is in the original post??? Please let us know.

Bob Riddick · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Samuel, Have you gone through the SWS module on Surface Cleaning? You'll get some good responses, like John's, here on the BB. But the education modules offer so much good information by themselves.

You may need to hit the siding with a soft bristle brush as you're cleaning. That will help remove the lichens, as well as the streaking.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

It needs to be rinsed with a power washer using about 3-500 psi staying about 1ft away from the surface.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Is that 3,500 psi Mike? Not 3-500?

AC

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Yes 300-500 psi.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

It's pretty clear not to use 3500 psi.

Samuel Alan · Sophmore Member

I don't know if I should charge by the square foot by the house the lichen is about half of the house it's a two storey Cypress siding and he wants me to seal it I know that I need the neutralizer and green wash just I don't have the budget for it yet. I have a pressure washer its 2.7 gallons 2700 psi pressure washer. And if I can do a good job he has some Realtor buddies down on the Outer Banks it have Cypress siding Cypress roofs and decks driveways strip malls.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Samuel,

If your pressure washer has a downstream injector you may be able to downstream a bleach and Green Wash with some Terra Wash mixture onto the wood. Allow to dwell and then agitate with a brush. Then rinse with your soap tip in your pressure washer with less than 500 psi.

There is a tech bulletin on this on our web site for downstream injection.

AC

Fred Winter · Freshmen Member

AC

Where can I find this tech bulletin on downstreami injection using your products?

This would be very helpful untill I can afford an Authorized skid.

Fred Winter · Freshmen Member

Woops, lol :). Helps if I Look in the right spot.

Thanks AC!

AC Lockyer · Administrator

No problem Fred 😎

John Aloisio · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Samuel,

I would not charge by the SF, I would charge by the house. You do not want to get into showing a SF number to a owner or property manager. It could cause issues and discrepancies later on down the road.

I know you said you were tight on money, but I would not cut corners and do a job halfway. Get the owner to put a 35% deposit on the job and buy the necessary products with that. You want them to have that WOW factor and using the proper equipment and products is part of that whole package. If it wasn't, then why are they hiring you??

Basically I am saying do not sell yourself short.

Brandon Vaughn · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

Great post John. Getting a deposit on materials is certainly a reasonable request.

Leon Lapp · Freshmen Member

Samuel

I know you mentioned funds are tight but I would follow these guys advise. There are a lot of other people out there who try and tell you of other so called products to use as a substitute but with my experience it is not worth it.

I would loan money if I had to and get the correct product and do it right. Don't learn the hard way like I did.

Good luck and enjoy your soft wash career, I sure am!