Mark,
On here browsing and seen your question.
I've said this before and I will say it again an I firmly believe that I am 100% correct... but the fact of the matter is that 2-stepping with hydroflouric acid and soft water is by far superior to that of a 1 step soap. Furthermore... there is no, one soap or one chemical that will take the place of 2 stepping. I will bet anything, no one out here has one chemical that will replace 2 stepping with hydro-flouric acid. If you do then step up and I'll make us rich.... and no I don't want samples from some soap dealer that claims he has it when in fact he's no where close.
Another thing to all you pressure washers out there.. because everyone seems to worry about heat and chems and all the crap that really isn't nearly as important as the quality of the water in which you are using to CLEAN! Before you buy a hot water machine.... buy a softener. When cleaning trucks and trailer and houses and whatever, cold soft water will clean better than HOT, HARDWATER!!!! I feel like I have to shout to make this point clear. Those of you who are out there washing with just plain old tap water, are giving nowhere near the wash I'm getting with my soft water. It's always brought up on here so I'll repeat myself again.... You cannot effectively clean with minerals, and garbage in your water... YOU CANNOT EFFECTIVELY!! If you are out there washing with hard water after all I've talked about it on here... you're missing something. Facts are facts! It's been proven, it's been tested, it's been capitolized upon, and now it's been mentioned by me to help you all do a better job in the field. Of course we can argue that hot water, close up will emulsifiy grease and that is true, but the fact of the matter is soft water.. combined with heat and proper chemicals will mean no brushing.
I'm not sure what you all are brushing now but if you use hot, SOFT water and the proper chemicals, you won't need to brush. Now think about the time you spend brushing and then thing about the amount of time that you will save and then start crunching the numbers. All happens with soft, filtered water and the right chems. The softner will pay for itself 10 fold in less than 1 year. A softener should be on the top of all fleet washers and house washers... Cut your soap usage down 30%-50%; water cleans surface better and gets a better rinse; Soaps work 70% better even when using less; extends the life of all your equipment; Sells job; windows cleaner; cuts washing time which puts money in your pocket... Need I say any more about water softners?
Anyway back to the chems. From what I hear, no one has ever complained about the brown derby. I have not used that but I'd like to try it. Do I belive it or any one soap will replace my 2 step, NO! Do I believe my 2 step method, soft water, and my chems will provide a better wash for the customer then any of my competition, YES (hands down)... I've proven it! So that's my take on that subject.
You mentioned water and 2 stepping would require you to pick up your water or whatever... Listen, it's not the chemicals you are using that concern the EPA or our rivers and waterways. It's the stuff you are removing from the truck that is the culprit. Whats on those trailer and the trucks we wash is a petroleum product in the form of road grime and pollution. We wash that off and all the grease.. that's what they don't want in the ground.
Secondly, as far as the chemicals are concerned. Washing with one chem as a 1 step will often raise the ph in the ground. Using a 2 step helps to neutralize the ph levels in the waste water. So by 2-stepping, you are actually doing better for the ground water than you are just using an alkaline cleaner in a one step. Chems are not the problem, the petro on the side of the trucks is. Much of which comes from pollution in the air. As these trucks fly down the road at 70 mph, then are driving right through the exhausts of other trucks and cars. This collects on the surface of all vehicles and is tough to get off or nearly impossible without brushing it if you are using tap water.
This is what all the fuss is about. It's a petroleum product and they are not allowed to go into the ground. Hope this info helps a little.
I haven't been on here much lately and have been real busy in my own life so I thought I'd drop by. Seen Marks question and hoped I can help. I wasn't singling out Mark on any of these statements, I'm just passionate about my belief in soft water and chems and I'm trying to help the majority here to do better work in less time and earn more money. That's the name of the game correct?
Anyway hope I helped Mark.
Justin
