Last night, I encapsulated my dining room with my R38 Cimex, using the 3807(soft) brushes. I concentrated on the heavy traffic lanes but was uncertain about dispensing the solution. I seem to have overwet the carpet.

I have a flat pile 100% nylon. Is there some technique, as well as practicing, that would help me know how how to corrrectly dispense the chemical from the solution tank?

I was using one gallon of ProsChoice "Brush and Bonnet". The carpet looked much brighter as I worked, but I am going to wait 24 hours to dry vacuum it and see the visual results.

The CTI Bonnet Brush is a good product. I'd recommend Spin Vac for this application. Bonnet Brush is a good product for bonnet/encap cleaning. With Spin Vac we just look for slight whitening of the surface to indicate that there is enough product on the carpet. First time operators allways have to get accustomed to controlling the flow but you'll quickly get the feel for it. With encapsulation cleaning, using less product is usually better than using more.



Rick Gelinas

I find my most effective and conservative way of using the Cimex is to lightly spray the area first with the encap product, then periodically (every 5-10 seconds about) sqeezed the juice handle just enough to keep the pads wet. I use half as much product this way than if I just went without the pre-spray.

steve

Steve,

I find that using Spin Vac as the pre-spray helps me to use less product through the solution tank too.

The tips shared on this board are excellent.
Thanks guys!




Rick Gelinas

Time is money, does the time it takes to pre spray offset the little bit extra detergent you might use, if you didn't prespray?

Good question Don. I haven't broken down a comparison. As a rule I only pre-spray the encapsulator where I see a need for some additional dwell time. And as a bonus we use less product in these pre-sprayed areas, as commented above.

Here's my formula: On cleanish carpet I clean with just one pass. On most moderately soiled carpets I do two passes; one quick wet pass, one slower dry pass. The wet pass allows some dwell time with some agitation. Then the second dry pass adds more agitation. On filthy carpets I make additional dry passes and sometimes I'll use the pre-spray too.


Rick Gelinas

That makes sense to me Rick. Match the cleaning strategy to the soiling conditions.
The one thing I have found with encap cleaning is what you see when you clean is the way it will look when dry

If you have a good battery operated sprayer it only takes a minute or so to prespray 4-600 square feet and that saves me about a gallon of solution I would guess. If I ever get a monster encap job like youse guys I will be better able to make some comparisons.

steve