Looking to get into seal coating, know the basics but looking for more info

[brianslawncare]

i see you guys dont like the plastic totes but the people selling them say it recirculates like a dishwasher. the pump pulls from the bottom then sends it to the top. why wouldnt this work? im looking to start up and cost is a issue, not knowing what the business will bring. so i can get the totes for free and either build or buy a pump setup from one of the companies that sell the tote system they will sell the system without the tote for 800. i can take the tote and leave it in my pickup and not have to buy a trailer. tell me what you guys think. thanks

[Asphalt Kid]

Why i do not like totes even if they are FREE

Because you can not clean them on the inside & in this business you have to clean out your tank every year so no dried up sealer goes through your pump system & clogs every thing.

Because you do not get a good mix with just a pump. You need a hand mixer because you get build up on the sides of the tank & that will peel off & it will cause blockages & clogs. Don't try to put a stick in there & mix!

Because the plastic valve at the bottom of the tank gets stuck & it can crack very easy & if it happends while you have sealer in the tank OMG whatta mess! & waste of money!

Because it makes you look unprofessional & Ungly.

P.s. These are 272 gallons and sealer wieghs 11 lbs per gallon are you sure you want to put that much wieght in your truck. You need a 1-ton for this.

I am buying a tank from a local guy here in Connecticut if you want i can give you his info & you can talk to him. He is very very resonable and a lot cheaper then every one else. He has plastic horizontal tanks & steel tanks with HAND AGITATION he even sells tanks with pumps & attachments ready to go just add sealer & spray! He even has TRUCK UNITS. Mail me if you are interestes asphaltservice@hotmail.com

[JFGauvreau]

@ asphalt kid, what is the best product or method to clean out your tank at the end of the season?

[Asphalt Kid]

Well the only way i know how to clean out a sealcoating tank is to get in side the tank & scrap the sides & bottom of the tank. Use what ever works best for you.

I myself never got inside a tank before, I paid someone to clean it for me. & the best time to clean out your tank is when it's cold out side or when the sealer is solid not at a liquide state (So i was told)

[JFGauvreau]

Lol well that would be really tricky to do since the tank is 2X2X4 with a 4" opening, so it would be almost impossible lol. Maybe clean it up with varsol and let your pump and engine run? Don't know how varsol will affect the pump tho.

[donmac1970]

I use totes just for storage. Enough in my barn to hold 6000 gallons. As I pump the totes into my seal rig I clean them out with a small power washer. Circulate the tank for about 10 min, then I use the water for mixing my sealer. If you have a good basket strainer it is no problem at all. My 6000 gal storage capability cost me $1650.00 and i do not have a problem with it. and it didn't cost me $20,000 for the same storage capability. Plus if I end up needing more sealer toward the end of the year. I order another 6000 gal. I just store it in my heated barn. much easier to move around 275 gal totes for this purpose rather than moving a 6000 gal tank out of the weather. sealer actually has a 3 year shelf life when packaged this way. not that you would ever have the sealer that long. but start up is alot easier in the spring when you already have the sealer on hand. I agree though that it would be very difficult to use totes in the back of a truck for the purpose of sealing driveways. I have been using the same totes for my sealer storage for 7 years now and I am finally going to have to replace 4 of them and probably a few more next year. I like the way I do this. I will never lose alot of sealer due to a early cold snap like my competition did a few years back. 2000 gal gone!