I just got an X-jet m5 and a new power washer 13hp Honda GX390 4gpm. I was testing it out in my front yard today and was pretty suprised that it puts out a lot of pressure. Even with the close range nozzle on I was 15 feet away from my house spraying it down and rose pettles were getting knocked off and flying everywhere. The questions I have are.
Am I supposed to be turning down the psi on my unloader when using the xjet. Especially when im up close rinsing, or do i just leave it open and just adjust the distance that im standing from the house.
Is this a true soft wash? Seems like there still is a lot of pressure. How do you guys normally wet down the area, without thrashing delicate plants?
Do any of you guys use the proportioners?
I know Dwight your a big fan of the xjet could you possibly help me out with these questions. Thanks in advance everyone.
In my opinion, the xjet is borderline soft washing. It’s all how you use it. It can be “softer” then a regular 25 degree tip, but if you turn it to a 0 degree and stand only 5 feet away from the house holding the wand horizontal, it’s not very “soft” at all. If you’re going to use an xjet, step a few steps back, even with it fanned out as far as it will go.
You don’t really want to mess with the regulator on the unloader. It will cut your pressure back, but also your GPM - that not only slows you down, but will mess up your ratios for cleaners and everything.
I’ve been downstreaming a lot more lately, and I like it. I know in the past I’ve been back and forth between downstreaming and xjet - but I believe that was because I was using some heavy duty chemicals cleaning concrete that just don’t mix well with the downstreamers. Now that I’m mainly doing residential and only using my house mix I haven’t had any troubles.
When xjeting, I think it was the white porportioner I was using. Without one, it’ll suck a 5 gallon bucket dry in no time.
I forgot to mention that with soft washing it’s great to be able to tell the customer that you’ll spray your hand with the pressure you’re spraying on their house.
Sorry for the low quality picture, but this is a 40 degree 10 GPM tip with a pressure washer like yours. You can spray your hand with it no problem.
your the bomb Micah. Thanks for the help. I dont think I would be able to spray my hand with the xjet. Thats why I was asking if it REALLY is a soft wash. Im gonna give it a go as well as trying downstreaming. I really need to research PWing more. Im still pretty green.
Check out the site ladder savers this is a tip that puts water up 3 storys or so. I used it for cleaning dirt dobbers nests and cob webs. Did the trick !! Stan
Big B, Bob at pressure tek hooked me up with a sweet softwash for my identical machine.
Adams injector, $15
4 way nozzle holder $15
0040- soap high nozzle $2
2540- soap low nozzle $2
0010- rinse high nozzle $2
2510- rinse low nozzle $2
Softwashing couldn’t be easier. Oh yeah, get a few orders of simple cherry, it’s great stuff. Used it on composite decks, real decks, houses of all siding, concrete, awnings etc. Mixes great with chlorine.
It’s obviously not the strongest cleaner, but it works well as a cost effective detergent.
Kris, thank you buddy for sharing that. I am going to call him first thing tomorrow morning. I washed a house late this afternoon and wasnt too stoked on lugging around the bucket and the extra hose. Downstreaming seems like it would be so much more easier. Thanks again Kris.
I use the X-Jet M5 with the red proportioner and it works great for house washing with Simple Cherry, bleach, and a shot of Dawn. As Micah stated, just stand back a bit if a softer spray is needed.
But I’m really tired of hauling the chemical bucket around and dealing with the extra (soap) hose so I’m switching to downstreaming so I can leave the chemical bucket and hose on my trailer and just run with the 200’ high pressure hose from the reel on my trailer.
I’m gonna keep using my X Jet M5 for rinsing though. You can’t beat it for the quick adjustment of spray that it allows as you pre-wet windows & vegetation and for the final over all rinse.
I forgot to mention that I have a 5 gallon enclosed X-Jet Pail (soap bucket) and 50 feet of soap hose on a reel all mounted on a small hand truck.
This is better than toting the bucket by hand but the chem bucket and hose have got to go. It’s just too much unnecessary aggravation. Downstreaming will eliminate this aggravation.
I think your ratio of chem when downstreaming is dependant upon many variables. The draw of chems can vary due to what GPM your machine is, how long your hose is, how strong your mix in the bucket is, what nozzles you’re using, how your downstreamer matches up to your machine, etc.
You have to match all of these things up correctly to acheive the desired ratio of chems for the job.
I do know that with the X-jet it’s much easier to get a stronger ratio of chems than with downstreaming. The X-Jet M5 is fantastic except for that bucket of chems and extra hose you have to haul around.
