The best beginner spotting kit?

Discussion in 'General Carpet Cleaning & Upholstery Discussion' started by Shane C, Sep 24, 2008.

  1. Shane C New Member

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    Whats the best beginner spotting kit? I bought the Spotting Professional dvd from jondon and I like the ideal of having a simple spotting kit(start with bottle 1, then 2, and so on, until the spots gone). But, is there something even better for rookies like myself?

    Also, do you guys just look at a spot and know exactly what to do? How often do you hit a brick wall? Daily, Weekly, Monthly?

    I'm trying to get a feel of "real world" carpet cleaning.

    Thanks again, Shane.
  2. locko-fabara TMF Portable & VCT Specialist

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    Shane, I will recomend pro's choice because it has a really good spotting guide,and also it has safer rust remover than the rust remover from prochem.
    I also have prochem, I like it also, more options, but a terrible spotting guide.
    I already start to like different products from differents brands, and you can make you own spotting kit, but the spotting guide from pro's choice is easy to useand explained by steps.

    Shane, I have questions for you: How is your truck mount?, which Panther is it? How powerful is?.

    Thanks
  3. Ara Klujian Moderator & TMF Repair Expert

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    I was impressed with the Matrix spotting Kit. I think it comes with a video but not sure. Jon-Don has it.
  4. topnotchman Elite Member

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    Interlinksupply has a spotting kit. Has all the basics, and comes with a spotter guide. Also has a spray bottle, towels and brush. I've never ordered it, but it looks like something that would be of good use.
  5. locko-fabara TMF Portable & VCT Specialist

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    yes, interlink has a spotting kit that cost over $180, but prochem is over $130, same with pro's choice over $130
  6. locko-fabara TMF Portable & VCT Specialist

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    spotting from interlink $199.11
    spotting kit matrix from jondon.com $ 147.76
    spotting kit prochem from jondon.com $141.52
    spotting kit pro's choice from jondon.com $137.50
    spoting kt prochem from prochem.com $134.44
  7. RC Eden Carpet Cleaning New Member

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    I bought a few of my new techs a Pro's Choice spotting kit. Seemed to work well they didn't complain.

    As far as the second part of your question, I usually get the spot out first time. Most things can be taken out with just a general spotter (ie Spot Out, Avenge) however there are things that I look at and just know it won't come out with a general spotter. So yes I can look at it and have a pretty good idea as for what chem to use. I haven't hit a brick wall in a while, maybe once a month.
  8. TheEyeball Well-Known Member

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    Don't buy a spotting kit. Get a bottle of Urine Stain Remover, Red Relief, Stain Magic, Pro-Solve Gel, and Power Gel from Pro's Choice (proschoice.com), and a bottle of rust remover from anybody. You will spend $70 to $80 and have full sized bottles, not a bunch of little samples. With these chemicals you can do almost anything you will ever encounter.

    Then go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy some white terrycloth towels and some trigger spray bottles. You are ready to rock for under $100. Also, I got the Pro's Choice stain removal and spotting guide free from my local distributor when I bought a bunch of chemical one time.

    I don't want to step on any toes, but the spotting kits and dye kits are overpriced and contain things you don't need or can buy cheaper separately.
  9. Aaron Richards New Member

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    I agree with the eyeball. I have an interlink spotting kit that looks real nice and professional to carry into the custy's house, but have never used most of the stuff in there! A good general spotter(i use Avenge), gum gel, rust remover, stain zone or stain magic, red remover and urine remover and you should be all set. Maybe some pig also.
  10. Sunwest New Member

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    I like the Prochem potting kit, but like it was already stated, has terrible spotting guides.
  11. jwellsii Member

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    eyeball said it perfect. Also from Lowe's or Home Depot you get a nice deep tool box to carry your spray bottles in.
  12. Shane C New Member

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    Thanks everyone.

    I downloaded the Pro's Choice spotting guide and that is exactly what I was looking for. Very beginner friendly.

    As far as the products, I like Eyeball's suggestion, I want the full size bottles. I have already started ordering supplies.

    locko-fabara, I have a Panther 15. As far to how powerful it is, that is difficult for me answer because I do not have anything to compare it to. I am very new to this industry. I can say this, I cleaned our rental properties tile and grout (it was bad) and I was shocked, it looked like it did when I first installed it. The carpet is next, I'll keep you posted.

    Also, I did a lot of research before I bought the Panther and found good and not so good reviews. I know there are better machines out there, but none were in Houston and one thing I have learned (the hard way) is if you can stay local, do it. My shop is 15 minutes from Chem-Tex.

    Thanks again all, Shane.
  13. locko-fabara TMF Portable & VCT Specialist

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    Thanks Shane for the answer, and the reason i asked you that is because i use portables and I want to go to the next level, and panther 15 might be good for me, but for some reason I like "POWER" , so thanks again for the answer and I will wait for panther 15 review.
  14. KenRaddon New Member

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    I agree a "kit" is rediculously over priced. Get quart bottles of the stuff you need and be done with it.

    Ken Raddon.
  15. Scott W Preferred Vendor

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    I am currently working on a new spotting guide that will be available with the Bridgepoint Spotting kit or separately. It will include video and photos, MSDS PowerPoint training and other helpful information. Should be available sometime next month.

    When selecting a spotting kit, be sure to get an insulated kit that will protect your chemicals against the heat inside your van.

    Scott Warrington
  16. sally New Member

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    Been in business for over 22 years, have dry cleaning experience (access to many spotting chemicals and techniques). Pro's Choice has made it simple, and we get better results more often than with anything we have ever tried.
    As with any spotting kit, pre test in an inconspicuous area first, and rinse.
  17. eagle New Member

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    The Eyeball has it. I did the same thing, same products. Also from Pro's Choice and good to have on hand is FSR and Pro-Zyme+. Be carefull on natural fiber like wool, for that add Red Relief for Wool, Stain Magic for Wool, and CSS.
  18. Caesar New Member

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    There are some great kits out there...

    But EYe Ball is spot on,one thing you should keep is a refrigerated lunchbox cooler...

    Many spotting agents should be kept in a colder atmosphere for better performance...
    I learned this from John Holibaugh back in 86..

    But I have multitudes of kits,each arranged per type of spotter made .An for individual items...The coffee and tea kit,the red dye -synthetic,the red dye-natural,ink removal kit...

    Each bottle is specifically color coded even down to matching draw tubes in the sprayers. The each kit is color coded,brown for coffee. Red plastic kit for synthetic,red wooden kit for natural,blue kit-ink...

    But one thing you should have is water absorbent polymer crystals...As in the stuff in baby diapers...They make it in powder form for spills...It is adsorbent and works great in conjuction with lots of cleaning agents...

    It draws ink to the top into a gel where you can easily extract,need area dry sprinkle on an let it gather the moisture...Costs very little also...

    You can sell it to clients for animal accidents does a great job...One ounce will gel a 2 liter bottle of water...

    Also you should have some pva towels ,extremely absorbent for mishaps,not iron removal spotting...If you have some crevices that need drying in furniture cleaning.Insert towel wait a minute take out and wring out...The colors do not matter ,they are all dye stable...

    You can find them in walmart or target,under absorber car wash towels...Target carries a white one ,the only place i know off...
  19. Frank DiGi Administrator

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    Cti makes a nice kit.. great web site for info too.
  20. Brian Luddy New Member

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