(04-03-2013, 11:03 AM)encapman Wrote: Welcome to our message board Harold. I am the owner and I heartily want to encourage you to participate. I too have been around this industry for a few years, 30 to be exact.
And I also used LST in the past like you, and spent a fair amount of time getting to know it's original promoter Ed York. LST is a great product. However it is not a true encapsulator as compared to newer polymer based products like Releasit.
And as you can see from my comments above, I agree with your position that straight encap alone is not the best choice for most residential settings. On the other hand, encap blows the doors off HWE in a commercial setting, especially if you're planning to do any serious amount of commercial work.
Methods are like tools in the toolbox. No sane person would ever be inclined to build a house with a hammer alone. Yet using appropriate tools for their intended task makes the job flow efficiently. And when it comes to commercial carpet cleaning (what encap was designed for) encap has proven to be a mighty solid hammer.
So like I said, WELCOME aboard. Please feel free to jump in and participate. Even if you have a differing view. An open discussion is always good!
Good old Ed, great guy. Throw in Lee Pemberton, the Paulson Brothers and their are the pioneers of our industry. ( I started out working for Rod and Darrel)
You speak of tools in the toolbox, I know exactly where that comes from. You and I know we can get a carpet clean with a squirt bottle and a shop vac.
I agree with you absolutely 100% My main concerns are the rub and run guys. They don't even carry an extractor. Of course they don't get called back, but they affect us all in the long run. People get tired of it and put down laminates and tile. (which I service as well) but we just need to educate the customers.
You are right, chemistry in this industry has come a long ways from LST. I applaud the work the manufactures and distributors are doing with the chemicals and the process.
I am frustrated that persons entering this profession today do not seem to have the Ed York's we had. So they "research" on the internet and become "experts" They don't seem to be compelled to learn, the "right" way to do things. Heck most CC's don't even carry a repair kit.
We will always have hacks and scampooers. Not many offering the old Von Schrader system anymore. As for encapping commercial, I have no problem with that, and as you know the mills suggest HWE to rinse that periodically as well.
Thank you very much for the welcome, I appreciate it.
HP
(04-03-2013, 11:26 AM)David Edwards Wrote: Welcome to the forum, Harold. I, too, have been around carpet cleaning for quite a few years (since about '93). I used to be one of those cleaners who believed that if it wasn't cleaned with a truckmount then it wasn't really cleaned.
However, I started messing with encap back in ... 2004? Anyway, chemistry has come a long way in those years in the cleaning industry and encap is no different. A quality encap product will leave no residue.
If you don't currently utilize VLM aas one of your methods, I encourage it. Not to replace your TM, but, as Rick mentioned, to add to your arsenal. Once you learn it, I promise you won't regret it.
Thank you David...Can an old dog learn a new trick? I'm a stubborn German. I remember the first bonnets I bought, was never impressed but they had their place, and used properly worked wonders.
My concerns are the opportunists, that don't buy quality chemicals, they buy liquid tide and go to town.
Many of you will say, "don't worry about what others are doing" well darn it, their in lies the problem.
Thanks again for the welcome.