Acquired new account of about 25 tractor/trailors. Company is big on public image and after my first wash or two I had quickly found out that this account isn't like your normal soap,broom, and rinse type. I have another account of 40 tractors only ,that I charge 20.00 a piece and it takes me abot 3 hours with two laborers. Not bad money but going into this new acount I decided to charge 25.00 per tractor and 25.00 trailor because of extra time involved with getting them clean to company standards. Also company compares his wash standard to Blue Beacon. So it's taking me longer to clean and my profits aren't where I need them to be! So basically I need a new chemical/detergent to take care of BUGS,GRIME,DRY STREAKS,ETC...and some really good brushes. Any advice on my picky acount problem re: Chemicals and BRUSHES?!
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Mark
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http://powerwashnetwork.com/showthread.php?t=9733
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http://www.powerwashdirect.com/shop/category.asp?catid=11
Scott Stone
New Member
I dont like eaco chem. I had some trucks that they did a demo on, and it did not even touch the filth on them. I ended up using a turbp nozzle and upstram soap to get them clean. As soon as I did, they let me go because someone elses thought that they could do them. cheaper... He went out of business shortly after, and they still think that this idiot had the right price for washing trucks.
Larry L.
PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
Its not real hard to beat blue beacons standards plus they charge more than what your charging the picky account.If you can you need to start looking for a replacement for the picky account,they are not worth the extra your trying to give them.
Try making your soap mix a little stronger and see if that helps in its cleaning power.
Try making your soap mix a little stronger and see if that helps in its cleaning power.
Dont what chems you are using, have you tried 2-stepping? Its quick and cleans good. You have to be careful around polished aluminum. 2 step with a brush is even better. Dultmeier has a good acid resistant brush, part #1209 (I just ordered more this morn). They also have a 14" brush that would be good for trailers. I agree with Larry, picky accounts are usually more trouble than their worth.
One of the first accounts I ever had when I started was a picky account. It's been my experience that they are more trouble than they're worth and they're real tight with money. They've never heard of the phrase, you get what you pay for. And, as Scott said, this company I had went out of business shortly after. They're plenty of fleets out there, you just have to find them. Not trying to discourage you, but I would start looking for a replacement.
Larry L.
PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
You can learn a lot on how to clean a tractor and trailer from a picky account *LOL*
Speed can come in many forms,one is knowing where to start and where to finish on any given tractor and trailer.Also keeping the wand pointed at the surface at all times with no backup to reclean a missed spot,clean as you go.At the start of the wash as soon as the spray pattern touches the surface it should not be pulled away from the surface until the wash is done.When you lose cleaning contact from the surface being cleaned you lose speed,chemicals and water.It takes time to learn all the hidden spots on all the makes and models running up and down the roads.A picky account will help you learn most all those spots faster then anything I know of.
Speed can come in many forms,one is knowing where to start and where to finish on any given tractor and trailer.Also keeping the wand pointed at the surface at all times with no backup to reclean a missed spot,clean as you go.At the start of the wash as soon as the spray pattern touches the surface it should not be pulled away from the surface until the wash is done.When you lose cleaning contact from the surface being cleaned you lose speed,chemicals and water.It takes time to learn all the hidden spots on all the makes and models running up and down the roads.A picky account will help you learn most all those spots faster then anything I know of.
Scott Stone
New Member
But then again, I would rather do a picky account than someone that swears that they are not picky. It is a huge red flag because it is often someone that has been accused of being too picky in the past and is trying to make nice to get a better price.
Larry L.
PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
I wash for several cowboy truckers,chrome hanging on every nut plus polished from head to toe.Over the years I have learned to tellem yeah I know I missed a spot and its b/c I want you to think about me while herding the big rig down the road.
Had one real picky and I begin to miss spots just for the sake of it,I'd leave a spot in the middle of the hood about the size of a half dallor.It would drive him crazy looking at the spot day in and day out,it would bug him big time.He stopped being real picky the day I left the front of the fuel tank dirty on the driver side,he called and ask did I know I missed a another spot.I said yeah if your talking about the front of the fuel tank I did it so you would think about me every time you get in your truck.
Funny he hasn't said a thing about me missing any spots in a long long time,he said he was afraid too.
Price,My average is 30 for trucks,30 for trailers if done aleast every two weeks.
If not done on a weekly or every two weeks My price will depend on how dirty,runs from 40 to 55 a tractor and 40 to 55 on the trailer,usually totals around 90 to 115.Even the ones on a weekly and every two weeks (price) wash if they miss a week or two my price will depend,I charge 5 to 10 dallors more until they get back on every week or two.I try to treat everybody the same,no special pricing....
Had one real picky and I begin to miss spots just for the sake of it,I'd leave a spot in the middle of the hood about the size of a half dallor.It would drive him crazy looking at the spot day in and day out,it would bug him big time.He stopped being real picky the day I left the front of the fuel tank dirty on the driver side,he called and ask did I know I missed a another spot.I said yeah if your talking about the front of the fuel tank I did it so you would think about me every time you get in your truck.
Funny he hasn't said a thing about me missing any spots in a long long time,he said he was afraid too.
Price,My average is 30 for trucks,30 for trailers if done aleast every two weeks.
If not done on a weekly or every two weeks My price will depend on how dirty,runs from 40 to 55 a tractor and 40 to 55 on the trailer,usually totals around 90 to 115.Even the ones on a weekly and every two weeks (price) wash if they miss a week or two my price will depend,I charge 5 to 10 dallors more until they get back on every week or two.I try to treat everybody the same,no special pricing....
cleaner image
New Member
Just wondering are you using hot water? I personally use the 2 step method and almost never use a brush on trailers. One of my accounts has black tractors so I do brush them b/c they don't want acid on them I just use a standard 14" brush I bought somewhere on the internet, probably the cheapest I could find good luck.
Jerry B.
Cleaner Image Powerwashing
920-740-6100
Jerry B.
Cleaner Image Powerwashing
920-740-6100
cleaner image
New Member
2 stepping is appling acid to the truck followed by a soap and then rinse. I don't have time to go into alot of detail right now but do a search there is alot of info on 2 stepping here.
BrighterLook2
New Member
Two step
Question on two stepping. I hear that it eliminates brushing, is that true?
Also how do I get the process started?
Question on two stepping. I hear that it eliminates brushing, is that true?
Also how do I get the process started?