How to avoid etching concrete?

JDhomeservices

JDhomeservices

New member
Luckily, this has not been a problem until now, but I was washing a driveway that already had exposed aggregate, after I was done, I noticed a couple perfect circles in the driveway the size of my surface cleaner. I don't remember sitting in one spot not moving with the trigger pulled for longer than a second.

I have a 4000 PSI 8 GPM setup. The only change I have made lately, is I went from a 21" Mosmatic with 2 2504 nozzles to using my old BE 20'' surface cleaner with 4004 nozzles, because I wanted to try 40 degree tips, and couldn't get 1/8 nozzles for the Mosmatic locally. I I think a larger surface cleaner with three nozzles would be the best answer, but a new surface cleaner is not really in the budget right now. I have never heard of anyone using 65 degree nozzles on a surface cleaner, but should I give it a try? If I'm etching concrete with 40 degree tips I don't see why a 65 degree tip would not clean thoroughly. Or should I just move up to 4045 nozzles to reduce the pressure?
 
JDhomeservices said:
Luckily, this has not been a problem until now, but I was washing a driveway that already had exposed aggregate, after I was done, I noticed a couple perfect circles in the driveway the size of my surface cleaner. I don't remember sitting in one spot not moving with the trigger pulled for longer than a second.

I have a 4000 PSI 8 GPM setup. The only change I have made lately, is I went from a 21" Mosmatic with 2 2504 nozzles to using my old BE 20'' surface cleaner with 4004 nozzles, because I wanted to try 40 degree tips, and couldn't get 1/8 nozzles for the Mosmatic locally. I I think a larger surface cleaner with three nozzles would be the best answer, but a new surface cleaner is not really in the budget right now. I have never heard of anyone using 65 degree nozzles on a surface cleaner, but should I give it a try? If I'm etching concrete with 40 degree tips I don't see why a 65 degree tip would not clean thoroughly. Or should I just move up to 4045 nozzles to reduce the pressure?
Click to expand...

40045 nozzles I mean. Not 4045

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
You will notice some concrete is more porous and "soft" youll just have to hit them with some strong love before cleaning and drop your pressure. 4000psi is great to clean with but most rresidential driveway and sidewalk concrete is rated at 2500psi. Any higher and your knockin the baby fat or smooth finish off it. Thats why we dont sit still with the s.c. or wand cause we are stronger than the concrete. Try to carry a bigger flow tip like 4060 to bring your pressure down while still being capable of moving fast with the s.c. and let the chem do the work. .some stuff is so week ill just wand it. Some s.c have adjustable heights to back away from the Crete. .definitely a scenario where that would be good. Hope this applies to the situation and im not just pissin in the wind for you...lol
 
greg/sd said:
In florida any concrete that's been poured in the last 10 years is crappy, your lucky if any of it can handle 3000psi. You don't even find commercial concrete that's up to spec. you just need to lower your pressure and use stronger chemical.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. I was wondering why middle class houses around here seem to have really hard driveways that can take a lot of pressure, but the expensive houses in gated communities have driveways that are so soft. It's because the cheaper houses have been there 10+ years. It all makes sense now.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
Definitely a third bar. You're getting 1 and a half times as many 'sprays per minute' which cleans great and even. 4 gallons a minute an inch from the sidewalk is harsh! Can you get just a spraybar?
 
tomtucson said:
Definitely a third bar. You're getting 1 and a half times as many 'sprays per minute' which cleans great and even. 4 gallons a minute an inch from the sidewalk is harsh! Can you get just a spraybar?
Click to expand...

Possibly. I don't know if they make three bar replacements for my surface cleaner or what they cost. I was looking at surface cleaners on powerwashstore.com and Southside Equipment this morning and I didn't see anything like that.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
Great advice Nick very educated post,Josh go to the barrons nozzle chart and plug in what you have and try to achieve around 2500 psi with the two nozzles with the gpms you have you will be fine.Lay a good coat of cleaner down let it dwell a bit and go over it with the surface cleaner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top