Wax Application

[Trace]

Just wondering how you guys that apply wax put it on, do you use the x-jet? if so do you use a proportioner in it?

 

[Tim Smith]

I use the xjet.


buy some "Zep" liquid car wax from Wal-Mart.


Add a cup into your cleaning mix. Spray on vinyl with xjet - let set for 10 - 15 minutes and rinse.

The key is to rinse very good.



my special housewash brew: (5 gallon bucket) 2 gallons of bleach, a cup of soap, a cup of wax, fill bucket with water.

 

[Mike Hughes]

I've only applied a wax one time............at the customers request. I too used the xjet nozzle.

 

[spotless]

I use it all of the time. I run it through the down stream injector.

 

[Tim Smith]

In my area, wax and method of application sets me apart from my competition.

Wax really looks good on vinyl, especially a bright yellow.

The xjet gives me a competitive advantage. The contractors around here are using ladders and long poles with towels on them. A house that takes them 8 hrs, I can do in 2 hrs tops. This allows me to charge less, but yet make more money per hour than they do. An average home, I can wash for $175, takes 2hrs from start to finish. My competitors charge approx. $225, takes them 8 hrs. In one day, I can wash 3 houses and make approx. $525 in 8hrs and my competitors can make $225 in 8hrs.

Good Marketing of your product + Quality Services + Quality Equipment + Quality Chemicals = Competitive Advantage.

Competitive Advantage = $$$$$


sorry, leave it to me to turn the topic of housewashing into marketing.

 

[Trace]

This is my 1st year for applying wax as an extra, Do any of you charge for this, or do you just throw it in as a courtesy and selling point.

 

[Tim Smith]

I don't charge extra. A $4.00 bottle of ZEP wax will wash 10 or so houses.

What I do is use it as a sales pitch (if you will). I tell the homeowner that I will wash you home and apply a wax coating. I may have gave them a bid for $175 and another company give them a bid of $160 or so, they will go with me. I'm doing something that the other guy is not doing
- Competitive advantage.

 

[Mike Smith]

Wax, I started waxing houses last year and my business took off. I use a product from E spec and it works well. I also apply with x - jet and rinse. I just add it into my price and give them one number to look at. I run around 25 - 35 dollars higher per bid than alot of my compeitors but I win a majority of my bids due to my salesmanship. I educate them on how I wash, what techniqes and when they here I don't need ladders they are ready to schedule. It never hurts to have a picture book with before and after shots.

 

[Paul B.]

Any concerns from customers about wax yellowing on white siding?

 

[Tim Smith]

None. A lot of compliments.


Paul,

Have you had this happen to you?

 

[Paul B.]

I've had several customers not wanting wax for fear of it yellowing. Could not convince them otherwise.

P.S.: Wax is not an upsell for me, so that was not an issue, but I do tell them about it at time of estimate.

 

[Tim Smith]

I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[Trace]

That's a twist never heard of it yellowing, My old boss many, many, years ago used it on every house he did an never had a complaint that i heard of. We did a lot of alunimum back then maybe that was the difference. Maybe they didn't rinse it good enough, suppose?

 

[jon chapman]

Does wax make a difference on painted homes? theres not a lot of siding around here except mobile homes

 

[Mike Smith]

Ive used the wax for a full year now and haven't noticed any yellowing on my father's house(tested it there first). I do notice how he lives in the woods and the mildew hasn't come back yet. We had an incredibly wet year all through the summer and fall. Usually his house gets cleaned twice a year. I haven't touched since last Spring and it doesn't need it now except for leaf stains and just dirt from living in the woods. Seems to actually work in preventing mildew growth for an undisclosed period of time.

 

[Henry Bockman]

Hey Tidal,

In your special house mix of 2 gallons of bleach, a cup of zep car wax from walmart and a cup of what kind of soap? And, will this do the whole house usually. Is it also possible to mix the wax in with your soap and leave it in there for a while or does the mix loose its punch after a while?

 

[Tim Smith]

Henry

I use Dawn dishwashing for soap. I mix everything on site.


Depends on the size of the home. I normally use 2 - 3 buckets. I really put the chem on the home.


I use a xjet to apply and rinse - I do not use a proportional in the xjet at all.


rinse very good. especially on windows.




If you have a wall thats has a lot of mold. Add a 1/2 gallon of bleach to the mix.


This works great - soak all vegetation and around downspouts.

 

[Mike Hughes]

I haven't touched since last Spring and it doesn't need it now except for leaf stains and just dirt from living in the woods. Seems to actually work in preventing mildew growth for an undisclosed period of time.

This doesnt strike me as being "good for business". If the above is true, then you better offer it as an upsell and get some more money............since you will not be washing the house as often.