Upstreaming......a different question

B

Big Dog

Member
Ok I read the poll question on which is better but I have a different question.

When you upstream, say for example a garbage truck ( since I am washing some this weekend), do you try to do the actual cleaning while upstreaming or are you just applying the soap, etc. and then doing the actual grease cutting with the rinse?

I have been applying the chems with a flojet and then washing with just the hot water but always looking for a better way.

Thanks

Greg
 
Yes,your cleaning as you go when upstreaming soap and just using cold water to rinse the soap off.I do not like cleaning without hotwater,hot soapy water cleans faster under psi.
 
so if you are downstreaming arent you then appling with hot soap?? or just hot hot and warm soap???? i know i know but it is a good question that was already answered..........
 
There are advantages to downstream, and some to upstream.
Upstream advantages:
1. Soap is applied under pressure to clean the trucks.
2. It is a faster cleaning process
3. Requires less brushing
4. Simple system

Disadvantages
1. Requires two pressure washers
2. Really hard for solo operations.
3. If you use the same pressure washer, you have to run back and forth, unless you are a techie guy like Dan

Downstream
Advantages
1. Easier for a one man operation
2. Lets the soap soak in more
3. Uses less soap

Disadvantages
1. More brushing
2. Hard to do pressurized soap, unless you time it just right.
3. Uses more water
4. More Expensive stuff to break, injectors and Dual wands mostly.

I am sure that there are others, and I have never used a flo Jet, so if you have something to add to the upstream downstream debate, list them and I will add them to the list.

Scott
 
I certainly appreciate all the quick replies.

I think what I am going to do is mix up my soap and the correct dilution in the two 85 gal tanks I have and give the upstreaming a try this weekend.

I am trying to get back to being a one man show as I am having trouble with the two guys that help me part time (I won't even get into that).

As for Dan being techie, I assume he uses a remote control. I have put alot of thought into building a system (I have a little bit of electronics experience). And if the upstreaming works like I hope it will I won't have any problem converting to that.

I am hoping to cut about 10 min off of my wash time and have already made some steps to help me setup/teardown faster. Now I need to get my wash process refined.

The trucks are getting easier to wash as they were not cleaned regularly before I started this. I am now on my second rotation through the 5 sites and the process is getting quicker.

I really appreciate all the help and sincerely welcome any more replies.

Greg
 
""mix up my soap and the correct dilution""

It may take you awhile to get it right,pumps have different draw rates as to the size chemical line,hight of chem tank,ect.You may want to start out with 10 gals of mix and add or take away from your dilution.
 
Personally

I like the upstreaming better dont really know why but I work mostly with houses and commercial buildings that may make a difference. Best Of Luck!

Andrew/Safe Clean
 
This is as you all know not my forte but I saw Scott mention Flow-jet, like the Shur-flo pump I use to lay down degreaser it is a bit slower but it does not run though the pump as upstream does and no need for dual lance in down streaming.

Ok I have a dual lance wand and have used it a few times, guess I am just used to shur-flo pump. Mine is a small one so if you guys doing fleets plan to use one get a high gpm pump.

Negative with shur-flo, you have to premix all chemicals to desired strength.

You also need a generato to run the pump with, it does take a bit more time till you get a technigue down pat.

Not going where I ain't no nothin bout.

Big Dog since your new just wanted you to know I do flat work, this monsters with wheels I stay away from, heck I hardly wash my own car and truck, what I pay car wash for! Ok I have done mine but am lazy, happy Scott, Bigboy and Danno?
 
I missed that part Luckyboy,I use the flo-jet for presoaking,its plumbed into 6 different ball valves,same ones going to pump.
I do not have no trouble with it,never run clean water though it,soap stays in it all time,,,,will unless freezen then I run anty though it and the 100ft. of hose.Even have it plumbed to where as ifen something happens to the main rig want start anything,I can pull clean water to rinse with,,,just in case,,,was a life saver one time.Its fast and easy for presoaking if plumbed to a hose reel,doesn't stop up like the hand pumps,saves time.
 
blue print

Hay bigboy your setup sounds nice do you have any pics, of it or any blue prints. all those ball valves sound confusing to me I have a up stream ingector and a daul lance wand. I also have a single lance but how do you pull the cemical with a single lance doesn't it have to be low pressure to pull the chem ?
 
Hey Slim, sorry Bigboy

My shur-flo is electric, does that clear my message up for you now?

So you downstream all your soaps etc.?

I seldom use a hand pump but have a few times and always have problems with it, however it is truly not made for what I use it for being metal etc.

Suppose I don't really have to run water though it since I only run degreaser though it, just like to keep things clean.

Gary you never seen pictures of his rig, will blow you away man.

Maybe he will post some here but I can tell you it is fantastic.

And I thought I had a nifty rig!
 
Luckyboy can you tell I'm a jack of all trades hahahaha.

""NO"" I DO NOT downstream NO soaps,,,,,,ALL my soaps are upstream.The ONLY thing I downstream is ACID,sorry for getting alittle loud but like talking to ya and want to make SURE ya could hear what I was saying.

Thats what I use my FLO_JET for ifen I want to DOWNSTREAM hahaha.

BOY I need to be in BED,got a big DAY to DAY,need to start at DAYLIGHT to even THINK about getting to ALL of them.Heck man I'm greared up ready to go right now just WAITING on dat LIGHT to get HERE.THAT stainless trailer was the last thing I washed Saturaday,BEEN greared ready to go EVER sc'ince.I'm fixing to CLEAN the heck out of SOME trucks TODAY.NO time FOR that BRUSHY BRUSHY today,TURNING another ONE of them VALVES on,will BOUT halfway anyhow..........sorry hummm HAD to to go get A bowl of ICECREAM,going to EAT all night cuzz I want HAVE time TODAY to stop and EAT but I'll snack though out THE day when washing TRUCKS only.

YEL I GUESS it cleared up YOUR message..................sheeeeee mine's a 12volt.
 
Two Stage Hose. The hose is kinda heavy but you can run two different soaps and 2 different kinds of water (soft & deionized) without running back and forth. You can also do it with vacume switches on the skinny hose without the wires. Bells & Whistles.
Chuck:p
 
I tried it.

Just wanted to let you guys know that I tried upstreaming yesterday on them nasty garbage trucks.

Only 1 problem though. I could not get enough fluid from my tanks so I need to replumb it. I think my line is too small.

I actually need to replumb my whole rig. Hey bigboy I would like to see that picture of your rig too. If mine did not look like a garbage truck I would post one of it but I'm too ashamed to take a picture right now.

So anyway I went back to the good ol' flowjet and just let'em soak. I averaged 30 min a truck not counting the downtime when my machine caught on fire again. I gotta adjust those electrodes (Thanks Wiz).

Well, it's bedtime.

See ya Guys, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Greg
 
Just mix your chemicals stronger in the chemical tank,,,you cann't be running one smaller then me,1/4,,most are 3/8's or bigger.

Sounds as tho your fuel nozzle is wore out on the burner,if it is,it will be shooting a stream instead of a fine mist.One way of checking it is take it out and take the electrodes off and rehooking it to the fuel line on the outside off the burner.After you have done that turn burner switch on,you'll see what kind of spray pattener it has,make sure its pointed away from ya are you could get fuel on ya.You can do it with the electrodes still on it but could catch something on fire when you turned the burner switch on,it'll shot fire several feet,its not advised but thats the way I check mine,yel the d-- a-- way.

I have a few pictures somewhere around here on one of these floppys of the valve setup and rig but which one I have no I deal,will look tho.I posted it somewhere on one of the bbs but which one I cann;'t remember,,,its been a long week man...C-ya
 
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