Cimex newbe

Louis

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Louis
So I finally bought a cimex. Tried it out on a janitorial account I do. Trying to get the hang of putting down the juice. Played with the solution valve below. I kept creating Mr. bubbles shampooing the carpet.
So how do lay down the juice?
What parts should I keep in stock?
Does anyone use the brushes instead of the pads?
I have to say it was better than being on the wand.
Thank you.
 

Mikey P

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On average it's one trigger pump for every step.

Always run a quarter of water with thr drivers off after each job. Dried pixies in the plumbing are a royal pita.

Use a quarter pump up or a IPS sprayer to pre spray 100 feet ahead of your self on filthy, spotty carpet

Post pad the gooey areas with a 175/rotovac and OP pads

Keep a spare (black) plastic elbow on hand. Where the hose connects to the head

Damon's brown pads are my fave.

Congrats!


and when in doubt, double up on the pixies.
 
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encapman

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If you're seeing lots of foam, you're using way too much solution. If you happen to be using Releasit with FiberPlus pads, you can expect to cover about 300 sq ft of carpet per gallon of diluted product. All you want to see is a very light whitening on the surface (on your second pass).

Mike's method of tapping the solution trigger is one option. That's the mode to use for slow walking with the Cimex. I like to make a single slowish tap the trigger pass method for cleanish carpet. But for normal soil loads, we use a 2 pass approach (works best in most settings).

Here's the most common Cimex method:
Make a fast wet-pass, followed by a slow dry-pass.
1. To make your wet-pass, walk at a moderately fast pace, squeezing the solution trigger the entire time. You shouldn't see much foam on this pass.
2. Double back and make a mostly dry-pass. On your "dry" pass you can tap the trigger occasionally to keep the pads damp. You should start to see a light whitening layer of thin foam on this pass.

Time delay:
Keep in mind - you're working with a gravity fed machine, so there's a slight delay in the flow. The flow is not instant. It takes a couple of seconds for the juice to flow through the pads, after you pull the trigger. And it takes a couple of seconds for the pads to dry up, once you let the trigger go.

Your Passes:
On account of the time delay factor, you'll want to adjust your trigger squeeze. Figure on a second or two delay when you start a pass or finish a pass. This will allow the pads to fill up; or to spin out.
1. Let go of the trigger a couple of steps before the end of the wet-pass.
2. Squeeze the trigger a couple of steps before the end of the dry-pass.

Stopping the Cimex:
There's a fair amount of juice inside the head of the machine. So make sure you spin out the pads, before walking away from the machine. You'll leave 3 wet spots on the carpet if you fail to do this. Spin out the pads by running the machine dry for a couple of seconds.

Pads vs Brushes:
Pads spread the juice more evenly than brush bristles can. The pads fill up like a sponge and disperse the juice smoothly to the carpet. Using pads will allow you to apply less solution. The pads also connect more tightly with the carpet, so they produce better agitation than brushes.

Your New Dance Partner:
As you become comfortable with the Cimex, you'll get a feel for how to move her across the floor. You'll get your dance steps down. Be patient and follow the suggestions above. In no time you'll be a Cimex pro!

Enjoy your new Cimex!
 

Desk Jockey

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We clean like Rick, two passes. Comfortable walk laying it down, when you get to the end, spin around and come back over it scrubbing it in.

Rick explained it great detail! :cool:

I'll add, always wet your pads, don't start out with dry pads. Start up is easier and no worry waiting on solution for lubrication.

*Follow Rick's Stopping. It will keep you from a call back.

I'd get BBC's from Rick for those times you need more aggressive scrubbing.

We only use brushes for rugs. Then only the soft set.

Parts- A spare tank filter, they get knocked off and lost. Clean out plugs. Pretty much it.

Good luck! Congrats! :rockon:
 

Russ T.

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What an excellent choice Louis!

Nothing to add to Rick's tutorial. Enjoy it!
 

encapman

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Thanks for posting a great question Louis. We normally send our customers a "Getting Started" PDF document with their new Cimex. It covers all the basics of how to encap with a Cimex.

But to help the folks who might have got their Cimex from a different source - I've gone ahead and turned this info into an EncapBlog post... https://www.excellent-supply.com/Tips-for-Running-the-Cimex_b_32.html

This will make it easier for everyone to get a clear overview of how to run their new Cimex, regardless of where they got it from. :smile:
 

encapman

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I also added an additional paragraph that I forgot to include above...

Starting the Cimex:
It's recommended that you lubricate the pads before running the machine on carpet. Lift the head of the Cimex slightly and turn on the motor. With the pads spinning above the carpet, squeeze the solution trigger for a couple of seconds. This will dampen the pads. Now that the pads are moist, gently ease the pads onto the carpet and begin moving the machine forward. Lubricating the pads before you clean carpet reduces the strain on the belt and motor.
 

Louis

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I bought it at excellent supply. I read all the material but reading and doing is two different things. The place I was cleaning was confined in some areas. I only had two hallways that I could really get a walk going. The rest was in small areas, this is where I ran into my difficulties. between the Cimex and the zipper I feel like I'm learning carpet cleaning all over again.
 

encapman

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If you're working in more confined areas "feather" the trigger. Simply tap the trigger repeatedly.

Avoid over-wetting the carpet. You don't need to apply a lot of solution. Less is best when it comes to encap!
 

Cleanworks

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Cimex will probably be my next purchase. There is a guy that has a lightly (he says) used one with the big wheel kit, brushes, pads and 4 cases of juice. He wants 2675.00 for it. New in Canadian dollars, it would cost me almost $4000. by the time I pay the exchange and shipping costs. I am watching for when his price drops to something a little more reasonable. Maybe $1800 or so.
 

encapman

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If you're working in more confined areas "feather" the trigger. Simply tap the trigger repeatedly.

Avoid over-wetting the carpet. You don't need to apply a lot of solution. Less is best when it comes to encap!


Just added another paragraph to the blog post...

Confined Areas:
When working in confined areas, it's not usually possible to use the wet-pass / dry-pass approach. In tight areas, for example, working around furnishings, "feathering" the trigger will be necessary. Restrict the flow of solution by tapping the trigger repeatedly. Never hold the trigger wide open in a confined area. Apply the solution gradually, being careful to avoid over-wetting the carpet.
 
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Desk Jockey

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Go in with solution and you shouldn't need to trigger. Then just scrub.

If it needs more solution clean in the open areas and then go back into the cube or confined area.
 

Louis

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Louis
The big wheel kit is a must. Going to do some free cleaning for marketing and practice. Now I get to try all of different juice flavors out there. Anyone try the new hot knife yet? I know that was grease eating juice of the past. The ds2 works good but just like my presprays you need a variety for the good the bad and the ugly.
 

Russ T.

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I just cleaned a bunch of very long hallways and a huge conference room today. I told Mel it would be a big, full day of work.

I drove our minivan down with Big Yella in the back. I listened to a few episodes of a new podcast during the clean and before I knew it, I was done. It's just so quiet and easy. The carpet looks great after maintaining it this way for the last 4 years.

I was home by 4:30 and I took at least 30 minutes for lunch.
 

Desk Jockey

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I just cleaned a bunch of very long hallways and a huge conference room today. I told Mel it would be a big, full day of work.

I drove our minivan down with Big Yella in the back. I listened to a few episodes of a new podcast during the clean and before I knew it, I was done. It's just so quiet and easy. The carpet looks great after maintaining it this way for the last 4 years.

I was home by 4:30 and I took at least 30 minutes for lunch.
Our crew including myself listen to music while cleaning on large projects. Time flys by and as you said before you know it you are done. :cool:
 
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