Best way to scrub traffic lane? Grocery store entrance

[GJR]

Hi guys,

What's the best approach for getting best result for dealing w/the traffic lane on this kind of track-mat entry-way carpet?

before:

I think the issue maybe is with the agitation method I've been using.

I pre-vac, spray heavy, scrub with red pad and extract on my highest TM setting.
Is there something better than red pad for this?

This regular customer is a busy store on a busy street and their entry gets trashed. They are always complimentary and overall seem happy and I think it comes out pretty good ... but deep down I know I can do better on that traffic lane.

after:

While we are at it, what's this stuff called officially? Track-mat?

 

[BIG WOOD]

What was your water pressure set at?

 

[GJR]

500

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You could do a green pad if it's really trashed. It want hurt since you "prespray heavy. Especially on carpet tile.You might want to run it on cement wet a little, but not a lot.

 

[GJR]

You could do a green pad if it's really trashed. It want hurt since you "prespray heavy. Especially on carpet tile.You might want to run it on cement wet a little, but not a lo

I tried green once and it tripped the fuse on my 175. But maybe with more lube it could work. Maybe worth a second try I mean.

 

[GJR]

What was your water pressure set at?

500. Too low you think?

 

[BIG WOOD]

500. Too low you think?

Too low

When I cleaned those types of entrances, I went up to 900. There’s layers of parking lot crap that needs more aggressive pressure.

You won’t hurt it. It’s plastic carpet with rubber backing glued to a concrete slab

 

[GJR]

Too low

When I cleaned those types of entrances, I went up to 900. There’s layers of parking lot crap that needs more aggressive pressure.

You won’t hurt it. It’s plastic carpet with rubber backing glued to a concrete slab

Thanks! I'm going to crank that next time.. I wasn't thinking about it that way.

 

[jessi]

What’s in your prespray?

 

[Nate The Great]

It brings me joy to see Matt W. speak on this matter!

Cheers mate!

 

[GJR]

What’s in your prespray?

Last time I think it was 10 Below boosted with MaxFlex and a squirt of odorcide.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Either way, crank the psi or do as I said heavy on the prespray and green pad scrub. You might try ProChem Ultrapac Extreme.

 

[GJR]

Either way, crank the psi or do as I said heavy on the prespray and green pad scrub. You might try ProChem Ultrapac Extreme.

I might give that Ultrapac a try. I'm getting a little low on powder and will have to shop soon. Thanks for the tip

 

[frank fratto]

I might give that Ultrapac a try. I'm getting a little low on powder and will have to shop soon. Thanks for the tip

Is ice melt being used on the parking lot?

If so, keep cleaning the same way?

Try taking your 175 with a microfiber bonnet.

Spray somewhat heavy with" BROWN OUT SOLUTION" then use your 175 on it? At the end of the cleaning.

 

[GJR]

Is ice melt being used on the parking lot?

If so, keep cleaning the same way?

Try taking your 175 with a microfiber bonnet.

Spray somewhat heavy with" BROWN OUT SOLUTION" then use your 175 on it? At the end of the cleaning.

Ice melt doesn't seem to be a big factor here surprisingly. I'm sure it's present, it just doesn't seem like it's as much as I would have thought.

When I come across ice melt in other places, I turn up my acid rinse and spray straight on with my sprayer then extract that (again with the acid rinse up high) then clean it a second time the "normal" way with an alkaline pre spray after most of the salt has been removed.

Brown Out at the end is an interesting.
Definitely not something I would have though to try.
I've never used a microfiber bonnet for any reason before. Been curious but just haven't pulled the trigger on one. I know they are really absorbent but I can't get around the feeling that they are swirling the dirt around and not extracting much.
But I know they must sell them for a reason and I know they are popular for a lot of people so I'll keep it in mind.

 

[frank fratto]

Ice melt doesn't seem to be a big factor here surprisingly. I'm sure it's present, it just doesn't seem like it's as much as I would have thought.

When I come across ice melt in other places, I turn up my acid rinse and spray straight on with my sprayer then extract that (again with the acid rinse up high) then clean it a second time the "normal" way with an alkaline pre spray after most of the salt has been removed.

Brown Out at the end is an interesting.
Definitely not something I would have though to try.
I've never used a microfiber bonnet for any reason before. Been curious but just haven't pulled the trigger on one. I know they are really absorbent but I can't get around the feeling that they are swirling the dirt around and not extracting much.
But I know they must sell them for a reason and I know they are popular for a lot of people so I'll keep it in mind.

Use whatever pad you already have?

It doesn't matter that much for this situation. {It does not take much ice -melt for there to be a problem? }

If it was me, I would get that pad wet with water and brown out. [But spray brown out first ]

I would want to pad-cap for the last step before drying. [Remember brown out stinks ]



[ Please don't take my advice without checking the EXPERTS? ]

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You could use the microfiber to extract additional soil after you extract or absorb as well. Not a bad tool to have.

 

[they live]

Hi guys,

What's the best approach for getting best result for dealing w/the traffic lane on this kind of track-mat entry-way carpet?

before:
View attachment 133663

I think the issue maybe is with the agitation method I've been using.

I pre-vac, spray heavy, scrub with red pad and extract on my highest TM setting.
Is there something better than red pad for this?

This regular customer is a busy store on a busy street and their entry gets trashed. They are always complimentary and overall seem happy and I think it comes out pretty good ... but deep down I know I can do better on that traffic lane.

after:
View attachment 133664



While we are at it, what's this stuff called officially? Track-mat?

For something like that I like this type of brush on a 175. I use a tank for the cleaning solution so I can add it as I go using more where needed and save a step.

Save the odorcide for residential.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Don't invest in too much for projects like these. It's never a profitable job. I'd just consider it a cash flow job, so treat it with a high ph chemical, give it a little scrub scrub, and rinse with high pressure. Leave a fan behind, and collect your money. Get in, clean it, and get out, move on to the next job

This is your business, not hobby.
These types of jobs are what I call the "fill in" jobs. When a job cancels, this type of job fills in the slot. If you have a light day, this type of job fills in for that day. No need to focus too much money and time on it

 

[they live]

Don't invest in too much for projects like these. It's never a profitable job. I'd just consider it a cash flow job, so treat it with a high ph chemical, give it a little scrub scrub, and rinse with high pressure. Leave a fan behind, and collect your money. Get in, clean it, and get out, move on to the next job

This is your business, not hobby.
These types of jobs are what I call the "fill in" jobs. When a job cancels, this type of job fills in the slot. If you have a light day, this type of job fills in for that day. No need to focus too much money and time on it

They dont keep having you back neither.

But that brush comes in handy. I like it better than pads for jobs like that. It doesnt hold the sand and debris cutting fibers like pads or bonnets can do. Digs deeper too making the job easier to rinse.

 

[GJR]

They dont keep having you back neither.

But that brush comes in handy. I like it better than pads for jobs like that. It doesnt hold the sand and debris cutting fibers like pads or bonnets can do. Digs deeper too making the job easier to rinse.

This is the answer. At least my next stop in this place. It's what I'm trying.

I have a brush like this. Never used it because I wasn't sure if it is mainly a stripping tool and I've been scared it would shred a carpet.
But this mat is made tough and digging deep is whats needed I think.
This brush and a higher PSI is my strategy next time I'm in there.

 

[GJR]

Don't invest in too much for projects like these. It's never a profitable job. I'd just consider it a cash flow job, so treat it with a high ph chemical, give it a little scrub scrub, and rinse with high pressure. Leave a fan behind, and collect your money. Get in, clean it, and get out, move on to the next job

This is your business, not hobby.
These types of jobs are what I call the "fill in" jobs. When a job cancels, this type of job fills in the slot. If you have a light day, this type of job fills in for that day. No need to focus too much money and time on it

I hear you.

I break even on these but I keep this customer as "high priority" for a couple of reasons.

1)they are a very popular small local chain with a fanatical following and wealthy skewing customer base.
2)I advertise in their monthly mailer, the cost of those print ads is even with what I charge them. Roughly.
3)the more people who see my van outside this very visible store the better.

The association with this store is valuable.

Plus it's like a 5 minute drive from my shop. For the 8 hours a year I go and pull 30 feet of hose at the local grocery store I get 12 months of "free" advertising to their rich, fanatical customers.

I think it's worth giving them great service in case anyone asks about me to the manager etc. It's really like that at this particular grocery store.