[gaz1984mcc]

Hi i recently purchased a used but in very good condition truvox hydromist champ plus supreme its cost me £575 for the machine + £60 for an upholstery tool with hose. the thing is im just starting out in carpet cleaning and im not sure if ive made a mistake with buying this machine im mainly planning to do residential work as i plan to go canvassing as soon as ive had some more practice (ie. pestering my family to let me do there's for free). i just need to know will this machine do the job if i buy a wand just to get me started. i do wanna keep my current machine as i know it could be used for some commercial work in the future 

heres what im thinking should i.

A> keep the machine and buy a wand which is gonna cost me about £150 - £200 extra and give it a go using the machine

B> buy a second machine again it will have to be used as unfortionately i only work as a health care worker at the hospital so im not flush with cash but i really wanna give this a shot ive been looking on ebay at something like a Extracta Carpet Cleaning Machine or a prochem steameasy both are old especially the prochem i only have about £500 for a second machine i may even be able to push to £600

so what should i do guys or will my current machine be just as good as the two machines ive seen on ebay.

heres the specs for my current machine:
HYDRO MIST CHAMP SUPREME CARPET CLEANER:

With a 21 litre capacity and 40cm brush, the Hydro Mist Supreme offers a high power cleaning performance but is silenced to suit it for use in quiet environments. This cost effective machine is very popular with contract cleaners who appreciate its superb manoeuverability, and the speedy deep–down dirt removal provided by its high brush pressure.

   
Features:

Easy to use all–in–one machine
40cm cleaning width
Speedy, deep down dirt removal provided by its high brush pressure
Silenced for use in quiet environments
Bigger vacuum allows faster cleaning and one pass drying
Superb maneuverability
Cost–effective and very popular with contract cleaners

Specifications:

Motor:   1500W Ametek–Lamb
3 stage
Power supply:   230 AC 50Hz
Width:   40cm
Solution capacity:   21 litres

[urlhttp://www.midlandvac.co.uk/products/carpetcleaners/supreme.htm][/url]

i could only find the specs for the hydromist champ supreme. mine is the champ plus supreme so it may be a bit better but im not sure.

Thanks i will really appreciate your advice guys

[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

Just try it out like you said on family and friends if your happy with the ease of use and the results stick with it if not try something else.
It's all trial and error and what suits you.

[Phillip Mold]

gaz, where are you? your profile does not say.
Might be an idea to get someone to have a look over it. Speaking personally from the pictures of the machine, assuming its the 3rd onbe down on here, 

http://www.gbradbury.org.uk/truvox.html

it is not going to be easy to manouvere, and how would you do a light of stairs?

[Robin Ray]

You could do with getting some form of training before trying any paid work. When I started I thought that I could just pick things up however training will enable you to avoid some very expensive pit falls.

On the training course you will also get an idea of the type of machine you need for the work you think you will be doing.

I think I would advise selling your machine and seeing if you can pick up a second hand prochem steempro 2000 or a ashbys ninja as you will be able to do most work with that type of set up. Ideally you need a machine with two 3 stage vacuum motors and at least 100psi pump pressure, heat is also a major advantage if not essential! If you are really sure about getting in to this most manufacturers offer finance for a new set up.

All this said though all the machinery is useless unless you have the work. This is the hardest part!

Hope this helps
Rob

[homenclean]

Where are you based?
I have an old prochem cheyenne with heat and recent new pump and vacs (2x 3 stage vacs 160psi pump).

This was my back up unit and is in good condition the machine would come with wand and i`ll see what hose i have got.

It is an old unit but looks in good condition and it would suite someone starting out.

It does a good job and theses are solid reliable units.

If any good leave me your contact details or email me homenclean@yahoo.co.uk

John

[garry22]

I'm going to go slightly against the others here.

You CAN use that machine. It's not perfect but it will do until you can afford something bigger.

I have an old Windsor Passport which is almost identical. It was the first machine I had many years ago. It still gets used on some jobs.

The agitation brush does a good job on dirty carpets (no need for a separate rotary machine yet.. Carpets are left quite dry as the vacuum only has to move the dirty water about eighteen inches to the waste tank.

I use it with prespray and then plain water or acidic rinse in the tank.

Edges, awkward corners, stairs etc are done with the handtool and pipe. Stairs will take a long time as the pump is not very powerful. You may have to half with the machine sat on the landing and the other half with it at the bottom of the stairs. Not perfect but it will get you by.

As the other chaps have said, get some training and learn everything you can about marketing and selling.

[gaz1984mcc]

Hi guys thankyou all for the replies im based in cannock, staffordshire im very interested in any other machines if anyone has anything for sale thats suitable to start me off. My email address is matebaypp@yahoo.co.uk

phillip mold my machine is the fourth one down on that site youve posted thanks

Garry22 do you think its worth me buying a wand for the machine i already have an upholstery tool for the stairs thanks

[garry22]

Maybe.

The problem is that the pump is not very powerful so it does not flush well compared to much more powerful machines.

If however, you can get one cheap enough it's worth it.

I started with a wand from a Numatic extraction machine (the extraction version of the Henry). You need a rubber sleeve to make up the difference in diameter but it works quite well.

They do plastic or aluminium ends (fishtails) here... http://www.numatic.co.uk/products4.aspx?id=74&r=6&sr=6

As I said before, not perfect but it will at least get you going. You will be surprised at the results you can achieve with the pull along machine - provided you use the right chemicals. That is why training is so important.

I hope that helps, Garry

[gaz1984mcc]

Well thanks for the advice guys i still think i might get a second machine just in case however today i tried out my machine on my own carpets and ive gotta say im very pleased with the results. First i tested it out on my rug in the garage and all went well so i thought id give it a go on my bedroom which is a cream carpet which did have a stain on it from when my daughter spillt her ribena out of her bottle which way back i used the old vanish foam which didnt bloody work like they say on the advert lol it just made it worse.
So this is what i used i presprayed the cream carpet with prochem powerburst then i used a brush to agitate the stains. Then i rinsed with chemspec formula 90 and ive gotta say the carpet looks mint genuinly so im well pleased with the result. Also the carpet was really dry after and has already fully dryed.
Then i did the same with my dining room which is a very light green colour and once again im very pleased with the result not quite as good as the cream carpet but it hasnt dryed as much as my bedroom yet.
All together it took me 6hrs to do a very large rug and 2 fair sized rooms which considering its my first time i dont think ive done too bad considering i was absolutely crapping my thinking i might ruin them.

Thanks for the advice guys and if anyones got a machine available for sale which would be suitable let me know my email address is matebaypp@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks   en i did the same with my dining room which is a very light green colour and once again im very pleased with the result not quite as good as the cream carpet but it hasnt dryed as much as my bedroom yet.
All together it took me 6hrs to do a very large rug and 2 fair sized rooms which considering its my first time i dont think ive done too bad considering i was absolutely crapping my thinking i might ruin them.

Thanks for the advice guys and if anyones got a machine available for sale which would be suitable let me know my email address is matebaypp@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks   

[gaz1984mcc]

My last message was posted strangely i think it because i posted it on my phone so sorry if it was double posted.

[Bedfordshire Oven Cleaning]

My last message was posted strangely i think it because i posted it on my phone so sorry if it was double posted.

Not an issues, we know what you meant!!
I am an ebay addict and always post what I think is a bargain on here first.
If I see anything I will give you a shout, keep checking in.

Regards
Paul

[Phillip Mold]

Gaz
Have emailed you.