upstreaming
- Thread starter bears
- Start date
PressureWashE
New member
I cant answer your question, Im not even sure if its possible, But Why would you want to upstream?
Chris Tharpe
New member
I woulnd't think that is possible either, run open guns and no unloader. Remote start/kill switch on the unit if needed
I want to be able to upstream wax on some jobs. And degreaser on heavy equipment.
PressureWashE
New member
Down Stream it, or use a dedicated pump.
I dont think the dilution ratios are different between Up streaming, and down streaming.
Down streaming should give you enough percentage of chemical on the surface to provide effective cleaning, but for tougher jobs that require a stronger mix, or degreaser. I would set your self up with a dedicated pump.
1 person can apply, Soap , degreaser, and wax, with the dedicated pump while the other rinses with the pressure washer.
IndyExterior
New member
I think up streaming can increase the dilution ratios. But it's also running all that stuff through the pumps.
We have a couple of 8 gal loaf tanks with a 2gpm pump, 3/8 line and wand. With valves to switch back and forth from degreaser to aluminum brightener.
We up streamed soap but never degreaser or acid with open guns at one time but it became too much trouble when we added flat work and other types of washing. We had two washers on a trailer. It really required 3 people. 2 guys on wands and 1 guy pulling hoses, brushing as needed and cutting off the soap valves when ready to rinse. It was pretty efficient if you only do fleets. We down stream the few fleets we still do.
We have a couple of 8 gal loaf tanks with a 2gpm pump, 3/8 line and wand. With valves to switch back and forth from degreaser to aluminum brightener.
We up streamed soap but never degreaser or acid with open guns at one time but it became too much trouble when we added flat work and other types of washing. We had two washers on a trailer. It really required 3 people. 2 guys on wands and 1 guy pulling hoses, brushing as needed and cutting off the soap valves when ready to rinse. It was pretty efficient if you only do fleets. We down stream the few fleets we still do.
Scott Stone
New member
Upstreaming soap under pressure does increase the speed you can wash, in my experience. The disadvantages are that you will bypass back to the pump or the soap will go to the tank. You will also need to learn to meter your soap. The dilution ratios are actually less, in my experience for the same cleaning efficiency.
A lot of people claim it will damage your pump, or your packing. That has not been my experience.
A lot of people claim it will damage your pump, or your packing. That has not been my experience.
I think a electric clutch setup so when the trigger is released the pump shuts off would work. No unloader going into bypass. As for the degreaser being hard on the pump I think it will shorten the life sum but would be willing to give up some pump life for faster degreasing. I like to use a tiny bit of wax when I am doing car lots in the winter. No time for downstreaming and rinsing.
Christopher
Moderator
One way you can do what you want is with the "smart gun" or "chemex" gun which are basically the same.
You have 2 toggle switches, one for switching between the #1, #2 and no chemicals for rinsing. The other switch is for disengaging the clutch and slowing down the engine so you don't bypass anything back to the water tank but you have to get the hang of it.
I got to try one out a few months and it was nice but really different because you have 2 hoses, one for the pressure and the other is for the wires back to the unit.
I can post some links tomorrow or you can search the chemex system or red arrow, they are basically the same gun. It goes for about $600 for the gun and 100' of dual hose, you would have to rig up the clutch and solenoids and trottle solenoid, etc...
You have 2 toggle switches, one for switching between the #1, #2 and no chemicals for rinsing. The other switch is for disengaging the clutch and slowing down the engine so you don't bypass anything back to the water tank but you have to get the hang of it.
I got to try one out a few months and it was nice but really different because you have 2 hoses, one for the pressure and the other is for the wires back to the unit.
I can post some links tomorrow or you can search the chemex system or red arrow, they are basically the same gun. It goes for about $600 for the gun and 100' of dual hose, you would have to rig up the clutch and solenoids and trottle solenoid, etc...
Christopher
Moderator
Another way to do this is get Blaine's system Bio Clean where you downstream the chemicals at the gun then you would have to have a remote with solenoids to switch from the #1 and #2 to other chemicals like wax, degreaser, aluminum brightener (stronger strength), etc....
You don't wait for the line to clear with the 2-stepping but if you were to use this for other chemicals then you would have to wait for the line to clear from one chemical to the other but they would have to be somewhat compatible for what goes through the hose like the hose for the #2 could send the degreaser through that hose and the hose for the #1 could be used for the stronger aluminum brightener solution but the wax.......not sure about that one, maybe the #2 hose.
You don't wait for the line to clear with the 2-stepping but if you were to use this for other chemicals then you would have to wait for the line to clear from one chemical to the other but they would have to be somewhat compatible for what goes through the hose like the hose for the #2 could send the degreaser through that hose and the hose for the #1 could be used for the stronger aluminum brightener solution but the wax.......not sure about that one, maybe the #2 hose.