Cleaning Trucks

Fleet washing with the units on the company’s site is perhaps the most profitable method of cleaning trucks. The cleaning unit is set up in one position and the drivers bring the trucks through as though it was a car wash.
The many variables involved, including mileage to the site and types of trucks (i.e. mild tankers, gasoline tankers, asphalt tankers, freight haulers, or garbage trucks) present a problem in pricing. Other factors are the interval between cleanings, types of cleaning solution required, whether any callbacks are factored into the original bid, the degree of cleanliness required and the number of units to be cleaned.

The number of personnel involved in cleaning depends on the type and number of units involved. One operator would in most cases be adequate for cleaning asphalt tankers and garbage trucks, as they would normally not be cleaned as thoroughly as a milk tanker. A minimum of two workers is required to obtain quality cleaning on milk tankers, gasoline tankers, and freight haulers. The low range of $40 per hour and a high range of $90 per hour are within the industry’s standard, although this varies from city to city and sate to state.

An acidic cleaning solution is used to clean the tractor and trailer on trucks, except trucks with stainless steel or aluminum trailers. The acidic solution is applied and scrubbed with a fiber bristled brush, after which an alkaline solution which neutralizes the acid is applied before the acidic solution dries. Both are then rinsed with clean water. Rinsing should be done before the surface dries. Acidic solution on stainless steel or aluminum surfaces causes black stains, which are very difficult and at times impossible to remove.

On Stainless steel and aluminum trailers a soap solution is applied, then scrubbed with a fiber bristled brush, and rinsed with clean water before the surface becomes dry. Should the surface dry before rinsing, apply water and rescrub, then rinse with clean water. There may be evidence of streaking although it is rinsed while surface is wet. If allowed to dry before rinsing, streaking becomes more apparent and difficult to remove.

Mobile Homes
Pressure washing is not necessary, and can cause leakage problems when directed on windows. Pressure washing removes mud and dust, but the film cannot be removed without scrubbing with cleaning agents. Pressure from a water hose is adequate for rinsing. If a pressure washer is used, use caution when siding on the mobile home is wood. Excess pressure applied to wood siding damages the wood and the paint.

A long handled brush, as all-purpose cleaner, a bucket and a garden hose with spray nozzle are the only equipment required to clean mobile homes, patio, or carport covers. Brushes and cleaning agents can be obtained at janitorial supply centers or chemical companies. Never use a cleaning agent that contains acid.

The low end of the scale for cleaning a single twelve (12) foot wide unit is sixty ($60) dollars. Two operators can clean a 12′ x 60′ in approximately one hour. The low end of the scale for cleaning a double wide twenty-four (24) feet by sixty (60) feet long is $120. Cleaning time for two operators is approximately two hours.

Roofing Tar
Do not attempt to remove roofing tar with kerosene or gasoline. Use of gasoline for a cleaner of any sort is foolhardy when taking into consideration gasoline’s low flash point. Kerosene has a petroleum base and if it did remove tar, the oily residue left from kerosene would present another stain to remove. Instead, with a CO-2 fire extinguisher, freeze a section of tar and pop the tar off with a putty knife. This leaves a slight stain that can be removed by brushing on an emulsifying agent and washing it down with water. Emulsifying agents are available at most chemical companies. As with most emulsifyingagents, water is a neutralizer, so commence cleaning at the bottom of stain and work up. Rinse cleaned area before it dries.

As with other stains, if an attempt has been made to remove it with an incorrect cleaning agent, the stain may set and become impossible to remove. This leaves the choice of replacing the surface that is stained or to paint over the stain. Sandblasting the stain may remove it sufficiently on exposed aggregate walls without casing noticeable damage to the surface. A portion may be removed in cold weather with hot water and a pressure washer.

Rust Stains
To remove rust from concrete, use a paste or mix one pound of oxalic acid crystals to one gallon of water. Pre-soak with water, apply solution, scrub with stiff fiber brush and rinse with clear water. Rinsing, when required, should be done before surface becomes dry.

Several applications of cleaning agent may be required on tough stains. Rust remover jelly used on metal may be used also. If manufacturer’s instructions for rust removal do not remove stains, experimentation will be necessary.

One other alternative is to mix seven parts lime-free glycerin liquid with a solution of one-part sodium citrate granules in six parts hot water. Mix with powdered whiting to form a paste or poultice; (see poultices – under "Removing Various Stains" Article).

Paint Stains
Apply commercial gel paint remover with paintbrush and work gel into paint stain. On brick or similar porous surfaces, rapid absorption of liquid removers prevents any action on stains. Gel removers remain on the surface and emulsify stains. Remove gel with either hot or cold-water pressure before it dries.

The same basic procedures remove spray paints, crayons, and graffiti from brick masonry and stucco. Water neutralizes paint removers, therefore allow surface to dry between each application. On heavy stains, more than one application may be necessary. Read and follow the manufacture’s instructions for proper use of products.

If the paint has penetrated the surface, as on bricks, the paint remover gel and most paint removers do not draw the paint to the surface. Therefore, they remove the paint from the surface only.

Cleaning Aluminum Window Frames and Screens
Mix one part 10W motor oil and two parts kerosene. Scrub metal with brush and coarse cloth, then wipe with soft rag. The film left after wiping helps to protect metal against pitting. Fine steel wool dipped in a cleaning solution will remove stubborn stains. Brushing or wiping with a rag and a solvent based paint cleaner removes tape adhesive from aluminum window frames or door hardware.

Parking Lots
The procedure for cleaning parking lots depends on whether they are in new construction, or have been used for a period of time. A new parking area can normally be successfully cleaned with water and pressure, with some scraping of mud and concrete splatters. A shot of acid now and again to completely remove the concrete stains is the only cleaning agent necessary. An hourly bid of forty ($40) to fifty ($50) dollars an hour is an appropriate bid. If a large area were involved, a square foot bid would be appropriate.

On an existing parking area, whether concrete or asphalt surface, the use of a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner is required for removal of the accumulation of oil and grease. Make certain the degreaser does not contain a solvent or other ingredient that may damage the asphalt. In addition to the aforementioned bid price, an existing parking area may also be bid per parking stall. One thing to consider is whether it is a one shot job. If under contract to clean it weekly, bi-monthly or monthly the above fees may not be appropriate. The cleaning must be done in the early morning hours.

Heavy Equipment
The use of the heavy equipment governs how clean it must be, and the type of cleaning agent to be used. If the equipment is used on construction sites, or highway construction, removal of the mud, oil and grease is generally adequate. For rental yards or equipment sales, everything including the oily film is removed.

For equipment used on construction sites and highway construction, the pressure washer should be self-contained unit. It should have a generator and water tank of sufficient size to provide at least thirty (30) to forty five (45) minutes running time for the washer. The probability of having a hose bibb, and electrical outlets in the middle of a cow pasture is slim to none. Heavy equipment engaged in constructing a highway is located in sites such as this. Other tools required include a scraper or a putty knife to assist in removal of the dirt and grease accumulations. The oily film presents no problem in this situation; the heavy accumulation of dirt and grease are the primary concern. Therefore, no cleaning agent other than water would be necessary.

If cleaning for a rental or sales yard, the oily film should be removed. In this situation hose bibs and electrical outlets are generally available, thus a self-contained unit would not be necessary. An all-purpose cleaner induced into the water or applied before the water is used to remove the oily film, and any grease, which may have accumulated on the equipment. A putty knife or scraper should be available for removal of heavy build-up of grease or other material.

The bid for cleaning may be either by the hour or for each piece of equipment. Unless the required time is known for cleaning each individual piece of equipment, it becomes quite difficult to compute the price per unit. Therefore the per hour price would be more appropriate in this situation than in most instances.

Service Stations
Thinking of cleaning service stations? If so, do not limit it to stations in one locale. It would be beneficial to clean an individual station to obtain the knowledge of what is involved in cleaning one, such as the type of cleaning agent required and the time required to clean it.

Once this knowledge is acquired, obtain the name, address and telephone number of the district manager from the station operator. Each oil company has a cleaning schedule for their districts, when they let bids to have various stations cleaned. Contact the district manager and obtain the schedule and the requirements for submitting bids. To submit and have the bid accepted may not happen the first time or with the first company the bid is submitted. But, if you’re persistent, eventually it happens.

Some of the factors to consider when bidding are:

1. Number of stations.
2. Locations of stations.
3. Starting date.
4. Time required for each station.
5. Travel time.
6. Cost, amount and type of cleaning agent required.
7. Completion schedule.
8. Cost of room and board.
9. Labor cost for employees, if any.
10. Fixed overhead.
11. Type of pressure washer required for optimum performance.
12. Profit margin required.
13. State license or additional insurance required.
14. Are all stations the same size and design?
15. Number of islands on different sizes stations.

This list is not exhaustive, and may contain one or two items easily over looked. A one or two-step operation may be used in cleaning service stations. The one-step procedure involves a pressure washer that has a downstream type injection system. The cleaning agent is induced into the water stream and both are applied to the wall simultaneously. The area is then scrubbed with a brush and rinsed thoroughly before it dries. If the pressure washer has the air-pressurized system, the cleaning agent is injected into the water stream and the area cleaned without scrubbing with a brush. By closing the chemical metering valve, clear water is available for rinsing. The two-step operation involves application of the cleaning agent only, and then scrubbing with a brush and rinsing the area with clear water. An all-purpose cleaner and a degreaser should be sufficient cleaning agents to clean the stations.