A Clean Fleet Is An Easy Feat

cleaning cement truck with power washer
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A Clean Fleet Is An Easy Feat

Imagine this. You have a small fleet of 8 commercial vehicles used for hauling gravel. You rely on these vehicles daily to keep your business operating and generate income for your family. But you don't worry about keeping them clean since they’re dump trucks, mainly hauling gravel. They’re only trucks; they’ll get dirty again, right?

Wrong. 

Here’s why keeping your fleet clean is essential. 

  1. Branding: A clean truck represents your company brand by reflecting a better image of professionalism which is meaningful for creating new and repeat business. 
  2. Extends the life of your asset: A clean vehicle will operate longer and assist with keeping repair expenses down because there should be no dirt and grit grinding away at any moving parts.
  3. Safety: Clean windows, mirrors, headlights, and taillights allow your operators to see pedestrians and other vehicles (and vice-versa), possibly preventing accidents.

What’s the best way to wash a truck or commercial vehicle?

Pressure washers are hands down the most efficient way to clean commercial vehicles, as they allow you to cover more square footage and remove residue faster. Hot water pressure washers are recommended to break down the oil and grease associated with vehicle engines. 

There are typically two methods to pressure wash vehicles. 

1) Pre-soap by hand.

The first is utilizing a vehicle wash detergent with a fair amount of suds and a pressure washer. This method requires wetting the vehicle down, applying the detergent, manually brushing the entire surface, and then doing a final rinse to ensure you remove the suds and detergent residue. This method is time-consuming, doesn’t make the most of the pressure washer, and is more appropriate for washing a single, small vehicle.

2) Use brushless detergent first. 

The second method is what we refer to as a brushless vehicle wash. This process utilizes a brushless detergent and a pressure washer. Even with low foam, it produces outstanding results and takes the least time to complete. It’s perfect for small or large fleets of any type of vehicle. The process involves applying a low-foaming detergent to the dry surface of the vehicles through the pressure washer, allowing for the direct contact of the detergent with the dirt and soil and quickly breaking them down. The detergents work fast, so by the time your operator applies the detergent around the entire vehicle; the vehicle will be ready for a high-pressure washer rinse. This process is highly cost-effective and sustainable (as the water consumption is lower than conventional methods), and the results are undeniable.

Powerful yet gentle chemicals to prologue the life of your fleet

The right kind of chemicals reduces the need for harsh brushing and scrubbing, which can damage the surface of the vehicles.  When choosing commercial-grade detergents, consider ones that are:

Things to consider when purchasing a commercial pressure washer to clean your fleet.

The selection of a suitable pressure washer is essential. Sure, there are always low-price units in the weekly local flyers, and who is not attracted to a low price? But you need to do your homework before selecting any for commercial use. Most of these lower-priced units have a shorter lifespan, as they contain plastic pumps that tend to break over time. (You can learn more about the differences between commercial and home-use pressure washers in this post). 

The main things to consider for pressure washers for a clean fleet are:

Power Source:  Will you have access to electricity, or will you have to clean in remote areas?  Gas and diesel-powered units allow cleaning in any outdoor (or properly ventilated) location.   Electric models can be used in indoor settings with correct drainage.

Types of Dirt and Debris: Hot water pressure water works better at breaking down greasy residue and oils.  Cold water pressure washers used alongside the correct chemicals, including the brushless detergents, will perform on most cleaning problems.

Frequency: No matter what your fleet handles, it needs to be cleaned regularly.  Residential pressure washers are not made for high-volume use and have shorter run times.  Commercial washers have metal pumps and re-inforced hoses to withstand more frequent use.

Explore commercial vehicle washing solutions from Swish

Swish has a variety of pressure washers that will suit your needs, and we'd love to help you choose one to elevate your fleet cleaning or other cleaning processes. As fleet owners (we operate a national distribution network), we understand how important it is to keep them clean with the right tools.   You can shop our range of chemical products or pressure washers online or request a call for advice from one of our representatives.

 

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