Hi folks, I just finished reading all of the posts on the message board. Many thanks to all who have taken the time to post. A special thanks to Rick for his information, candor and good humor. I think this system is the best thing to come down the pike in a looong time.

We completed our first large encap job this past weekend. The facility was 35,000 sf total. approximately 25,000 carpeted, with an additional large ceramic tile foyer. Common areas and cubicals were low level loop nylon and the executive offices were low cut pile nylon. The carpet was five years old and had never been cleaned (it had not been abused and still looked pretty good). The job took approx. 35 man-hours. This included cleaning and sealing the grout. The times include one person vacuuming and gophering, one man cimexing and one man doing odd areas with a rotary machine. No, we didn't "fly" through the job, but we were very happy with the end results and the profit. Also because I don't care for the "swirlies" left by the Cimex on the cut pile carpet, I don't try to convince my client that they are really beautiful. We aggressively rake all of the cut pile. A small price in time to leave a product that looks finished. The bottom line on this job is that the client was thrilled and continues to receive rave reviews from the company owners several days later.

A few tips that some may find useful(or not).

For those of you who are proud of your muscles, save 'em for a more worthy opponent than the Cimex.Build the ramp!Rather than building one using welded brackets, I simply assembled one from 2x8x5' (2) using the 8" ramp top kit from HighlandRamparts ($19.95 at Ace Hardware). Their website is www.HighlandUSA.com .The kits are available in several widths at most stores like Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Works like a champ. Total cost of ramps, $35.00. savings in wear and tear on your back...priceless.

If you lose your measuring cup, poke around the janitor's closet or your van and find an aerosol can with full size cap. The cap holds approx. 5 ozs. Two and a half caps of realisit DS is just about right for a 3 gal. bucket.

I always carry one of those rubber shower hoses with a flexible cup (pull the shower head off)that fits over a bathroom sink faucet. They are about five bucks and a great emergency water access device. Perfect for the 1:00 am locked janitor closet fiasco.

I love this business. I love getting stuff clean. God bless you gentlemen. Take care.

good post stan.
good info on the ramps too. that is a must for me. I pinched a nerve in my back this week, muscling a ditch witch while digging a new water line. OUch. I have never been down on my back before in 38 years. needless to say, 24 hrs. later and back to work, picking up the cimex to get the job done. my back again is paying the price. people who havent hurt your back, trust me, it is OUCHING. Damn it.
It totallly imobilized you.

continued success Stan.
Good report above on your job.


Steve Dobson
ProFloor
Custom Cleaning Services

Stan,

What an excellent post!

I hope you will continue to share your experiences. Because you're obviously a sharp guy.

I especially appreciated your comments about the ramp kit. I just ordered a new Chevy 1-ton van with a box (arrives Tuesday) and I've been contemplating what to do about the ramp arrangement. Thanks to your advice I just ordered a Ramp Kit online from Ace Hardware. Super! Thanks a bunch.

A paragraph worth quoting...
"For those of you who are proud of your muscles, save 'em for a more worthy opponent than the Cimex.Build the ramp!Rather than building one using welded brackets, I simply assembled one from 2x8x5' (2) using the 8" ramp top kit from HighlandRamparts ($19.95 at Ace Hardware). Their website is www.HighlandUSA.com .The kits are available in several widths at most stores like Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Works like a champ. Total cost of ramps, $35.00. savings in wear and tear on your back...priceless."

Hope you enjoy your new Cimex




Rick Gelinas

welcome Stan

good info, thanx!

the "swirly" marks are liked by some of my clients. i've never had even one tell me they dont like them. personally, when i started Cimex'ing i hated that finish. but all the women i have come across seem to love it. now after several months of leaving swirly marks, they are growing on me. i never try to push them on anyone. i really dont bring them up at all or even think about them....it's just the finish they get if they want me to clean their carpets i guess lol.

i cant imagine lifting the 'Mex into my van without a ramp....some of you fellas are brutes!

but up here in the north, ramps arent too practical either. with HEAVY snow and ice season approaching, my ramp will make for a good bobsled course. i have already slipped and nearly fallen with just rain (Cimex took a nice crack on the asphalt), cant imagine snow. i will soon be looking into some type of wheel chair lift or some such thing with a hydraulic lift....gonna be pricey but hurt my back once and it could cost me tens of thousands of $$$.

take care and enjoy your new toy --- Derek.

I needed a long ramp with less of an incline due to putting 20" auto scrubber or propane buffer in the van that also holds the truck mount and to use with a pickup. I took an 4'x8' 3/4" piece of plywood, cut it in half and and made into to 2 29" wide by 4' long pieces. Butted the ends together, put a piece of 2x4 on each end and hinged it together. then took 2 8'metal fence posts, cut them in half and mounted them on each side of unfolded ramp. I over extended the posts on the each end so when the ramp is unfolded they butt against each other and the over extended part adds support and keeps the ramp from folding in the other direction. Put saftey chains on the end to keep it from sliding away from the vehicle. I have had about 600 pounds on the ramp, seems to hold up fine. Back pain sucks.

Steve Frasier
Drew and Steve's Floor Care
www.drewandsteve.net