truck/equipment cleaning

[treevet]

Saw a post a while ago by jeff lovstrom (sorry if miss sp) about having a service come into their property and steam or power wash all their trucks and equipment for an average of $12. a piece and gone in a half hour or so.

This has stuck in my mind and today I called around and found a company that will come into my property off hours and wash everything for about $18 ea. I have some big stuff so I don't mind a little more cost. Total cost less than $200. for me

Anybody else try this? Any negs such as damage to hyd hoses or wiring?

Seems like a great idea as we have a lot of smog and get dirty quickly after painting and looking new. Priced going to a big truck wash and found it to be about $55. per piece.

 

[tree MDS]

I'll bet that smog sticks to the textured paint-rollering job especially well! lol.

:msp_biggrin:

 

[treevet]

I'll bet that smog sticks to the textured paint-rollering job especially well! lol.

:msp_biggrin:

you guessed right.....:msp_sad:

 

[Bigus Termitius]

We had an outfit come through and do that years ago when I worked for a farming/trucking outfit. They did excellent work, never had a problem.

If you do have a lame paint job on something, you might mention that to them or you might end up repainting.

 

[treevet]

We had an outfit come through and do that years ago when I worked for a farming/trucking outfit. They did excellent work, never had a problem.

If you do have a lame paint job on something, you might mention that to them or you might end up repainting.

Nothing lame about the roller paint jobs we do on our stuff. We sand em, degrease em, primer anything that needs it, then put 1 or 2 coats of expensive enamel on. Probably better holding than a shop would do, just not a smooth surface.

If mds'es mom or anyone was looking out their window and saw a fresh paint job of ours with new signs, tire shine and gloss black wheels and gas tank etc. they couldn't possibly tell the dif. from a new paint job. Would wash up well with less chance of damage imo too; Newly bought crane has a less than 1 year old pro paint job but we are gonna add a little orange ofcourse and some signs.

 

[tree MDS]

you guessed right.....:msp_sad:

Just teasing ya vet.

Smog.. never thought about that. that's probably what all the black streaks I get on the booms of the bucket are, huh..

Nice to have stuff, but it really does become quite a chore keeping up after it, the more you get, that's for sure!

 

[treevet]

Just teasing ya vet.

Smog.. never thought about that. that's probably what all the black streaks I get on the booms of the bucket are, huh..

Nice to have stuff, but it really does become quite a chore keeping up after it, the more you get, that's for sure!

We got a blacksmith shop (real one) right next to us and upwind from us too.

It is so competitive out there you need every little edge. We got Davey infiltrated our city with one of their "deals" and lBartlett just sent out mailers for the first time ever to everyone in our city. Not to mention the door knockers.

This may sound stoopit, but it is real important how YOU look too imo. If the wife can imagine bangin ya....you got an edge that won't easily be taken.:msp_cool:

 

[Bigus Termitius]

Nothing lame about the roller paint jobs we do on our stuff. We sand em, degrease em, primer anything that needs it, then put 1 or 2 coats of expensive enamel on. Probably better holding than a shop would do, just not a smooth surface.

If mds'es mom or anyone was looking out their window and saw a fresh paint job of ours with new signs, tire shine and gloss black wheels and gas tank etc. they couldn't possibly tell the dif. from a new paint job. Would wash up well with less chance of damage imo too; Newly bought crane has a less than 1 year old pro paint job but we are gonna add a little orange ofcourse and some signs.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't saying yours is lame because of your application style, or at all for that matter, just saying if you do have anything sub par that the high pressure can easily take it off if someone isn't aware of it.

In fact, I've seen plenty of factory paint taken off because the factory cut corners, usually on frame rails and what not..

BTW, what rollers did you use to keep the roller hairs from becoming an issue. If I'm not using a pro gun, I try to stick to brushes and rattle cans. However, I moved last year and any big paint project might need the speed of a roller. Any tips are welcome.

 

[Grace Tree]

When I was in trucking we had a mobile wash come in every week unless the temps got down into the teens. They'd switch companies every few years; probably when they wanted a rate hike. Performance was pretty much the same with all companies. It was a miserable job, especially in NE Ohio in the winter. Clean trucks with soap scum on the widows and mirrors. They'd spray brightening acid on anything aluminum. Didn't matter if you'd just spend a day shining it. They'd turn it white. 'Couple areas of concern or common sense. Most of the washer types are kind of "fringy" so keep temptation out of sight and out of reach. Also, they'll pressure wash anything and everything including controls and exposed bearings on chippers etc. Turnover with most of the outfits is pretty high so you can try telling them but the best idea is to self protect.
Phil

 

[treevet]

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't saying yours is lame because of your application style, or at all for that matter, just saying if you do have anything sub par that the high pressure can easily take it off if someone isn't aware of it.

In fact, I've seen plenty of factory paint taken off because the factory cut corners, usually on frame rails and what not..

BTW, what rollers did you use to keep the roller hairs from becoming an issue. If I'm not using a pro gun, I try to stick to brushes and rattle cans. However, I moved last year and any big paint project might need the speed of a roller. Any tips are welcome.

Yeah my worry was blowing signs off and damaging hoses Biggie.

We just use low nap high quality expensive rollers. I sprayed for years and had enough of worrying about inhaling fumes which I am told are stronger than they used to be. I do not have a booth or I would still be spraying. We almost had one last year but deal fell thru.

 

[treevet]

When I was in trucking we had a mobile wash come in every week unless the temps got down into the teens. They'd switch companies every few years; probably when they wanted a rate hike. Performance was pretty much the same with all companies. It was a miserable job, especially in NE Ohio in the winter. Clean trucks with soap scum on the widows and mirrors. They'd spray brightening acid on anything aluminum. Didn't matter if you'd just spend a day shining it. They'd turn it white. 'Couple areas of concern or common sense. Most of the washer types are kind of "fringy" so keep temptation out of sight and out of reach. Also, they'll pressure wash anything and everything including controls and exposed bearings on chippers etc. Turnover with most of the outfits is pretty high so you can try telling them but the best idea is to self protect.
Phil

That is the kind of info I was looking for Phil. I suspected there could be probs with this guy wanting to come out whenever they wanted without notice and have a key to my locks. I would rather schedule them and be there when they flew thru my stuff.

We got enough stuff being stolen as it is....and we gonna have huge probs if they get solution in my dingo, crane, bc2000, buckets, or any kind of minor probs to them but big big probs from my perspective.

Try to do something positive and it turns into a neg. And if you got equipment down from eneptitude would make me homicidal.

 

[Grace Tree]

'just trying to keep you off death row

 

[treevet]

'just trying to keep you off death row

Thanks bro, I am pretty street smart. Part of that is asking questions.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Saw a post a while ago by jeff lovstrom (sorry if miss sp) about having a service come into their property and steam or power wash all their trucks and equipment for an average of $12. a piece and gone in a half hour or so.

This has stuck in my mind and today I called around and found a company that will come into my property off hours and wash everything for about $18 ea. I have some big stuff so I don't mind a little more cost. Total cost less than $200. for me

Anybody else try this? Any negs such as damage to hyd hoses or wiring?

Seems like a great idea as we have a lot of smog and get dirty quickly after painting and looking new. Priced going to a big truck wash and found it to be about $55. per piece.

Your spelling is spot on, TV! Just started reading this, so I just wanted to respond.
Jeff, my guy comes once a month on Saturday., or every fourth Sat.
Jeff :msp_smile:

 

[Blakesmaster]

Have you considered just buying a decent pressure washer and doing it yourself? A little more hassle but at least you know it's done right. I bought a nice Husqvarna 13 horse unit this winter when the car washes were packed and I needed to get the salt off the trucks before I put them up for the season. It cost $1100. Will pay for itself over and over again.

 

[jefflovstrom]

That is the kind of info I was looking for Phil. I suspected there could be probs with this guy wanting to come out whenever they wanted without notice and have a key to my locks. I would rather schedule them and be there when they flew thru my stuff.

We got enough stuff being stolen as it is....and we gonna have huge probs if they get solution in my dingo, crane, bc2000, buckets, or any kind of minor probs to them but big big probs from my perspective.

Try to do something positive and it turns into a neg. And if you got equipment down from eneptitude would make me homicidal.

Well, let me clarify.
I schedule it for every fourth Saturday at 8am and I stay until they leave. No interior done. They have that water that doesn't streak. They have a vacuum that catches most of the run-off. I sign off when they are done and I am happy with them. They don't have a key and they are done when I sign off. They leave and I lock-up. For $8 per service truck and chipper, and $12 for the chip trucks, is a good deal for me. If you are getting a lousy job it is because you are not there to watch them. It takes about an hour to do do 4 big trucks, 4 Morbark's, 6 service trucks, Boom truck and my truck while I wait.
Jeff

 

[Bigus Termitius]

Yeah my worry was blowing signs off and damaging hoses Biggie.

We just use low nap high quality expensive rollers. I sprayed for years and had enough of worrying about inhaling fumes which I am told are stronger than they used to be. I do not have a booth or I would still be spraying. We almost had one last year but deal fell thru.

Yeah, it's not hard for a newbie making peanuts to buger up signage and hoses.

Thanks for the info. BTW, those were some sharp looking rigs. I remember seeing the bc 2000 take new skin.

 

[treevet]

Have you considered just buying a decent pressure washer and doing it yourself? A little more hassle but at least you know it's done right. I bought a nice Husqvarna 13 horse unit this winter when the car washes were packed and I needed to get the salt off the trucks before I put them up for the season. It cost $1100. Will pay for itself over and over again.

That is another good idea I had not considered. I don't have a water source where my equipment is kept but I do have a tree spray rig that holds 300 gals. Do pressure washers spray heated water? Do you need to pre treat with degreaser?

 

[Jumper]

Well, let me clarify.
I schedule it for every fourth Saturday at 8am and I stay until they leave. No interior done. They have that water that doesn't streak. They have a vacuum that catches most of the run-off. I sign off when they are done and I am happy with them. They don't have a key and they are done when I sign off. They leave and I lock-up. For $8 per service truck and chipper, and $12 for the chip trucks, is a good deal for me. If you are getting a lousy job it is because you are not there to watch them. It takes about an hour to do do 4 big trucks, 4 Morbark's, 6 service trucks, Boom truck and my truck while I wait.
Jeff

Sounds like a good deal. That concept just would not work around here five months of the year as it is too cold. -35C most mornings this past week...... The way the keep trucks and equipment clean in Fort McMurray is at on site truck washes, or if one does not have access to those, in town. Bitumen is very sticky and getting it off trucks is a chore requiring HOT water, and some pretty heavy duty detergents.

 

[Blakesmaster]

That is another good idea I had not considered. I don't have a water source where my equipment is kept but I do have a tree spray rig that holds 300 gals. Do pressure washers spray heated water? Do you need to pre treat with degreaser?

I'm not a pressure washer expert by any means but I found with mine that it has enough pressure to not really need any detergents or heated water. It will blast through the paint if I put the right nozzle on it. It's set up to suck detergent/degreaser into it as I spray but I just use cold water and an aggressive nozzle and it takes all the dirt and grime off. Without the additional hassle of detergent.