I just returned from the very enjoyable Fabricare 2012 put on by the California Cleaners Association in Long Beach, California. The weather was traditionally pleasant and the company even better. I always enjoy visiting with my friends and hanging out in the Cleaner & Launderer booth. You might call it a reunion of sorts. I don’t know the numbers yet, but it certainly appeared to be a well-attended show and most booths had a stream of visitors. A rare meeting of DLI, CCA, WSDLA and RMFA associations started at the beginning of the DLI board meeting Friday and we exchanged ideas to better serve industry membership. It’s a pity that the 80% out there who don’t pay dues cannot see the struggle that is made for plant owners by the 20% who pay, attend and participate in our great associations. In another rare decision, all enjoyed free entrance this year to the show and very low fees for the many seminars that were held at the Long Beach Convention Center. Mary Scalco of DLI and Nora Nealis of NCA had a great program and show of unity as did James Peuster, Trudi Adams of Cleaners Supply, Norm Korey of the Wyatt-Bennett Equipment Co., Brian Wallace of the Coin Laundry Association and my pal Mike Nesbit of the Men’s Warehouse Co. Mike is a fellow Houstonian and drycleaner and the crowd he drew was enormous. If you weren’t there, you missed a lot. Thanks to outgoing CCA President Bobby Patel for a great year and a great convention.
“The Ole’ Spotting Board And Upkeep”
This particular subject about spotting board maintenance is one I have never done before. This idea was brought to me by Jeff Schwarz the poker guy. Really, poker has nothing to do with it but I like poker, he likes poker and some of our friends out there like Bob Blacker and Joe Blaha like poker. Usually, it is the custom for us and a few select others to have a poker game one night at conventions around the country. Anyway, Jeff suggested I write about something that covers the disregard spotters (oops, sorry Doris Easley) “stain removal specialists” have for the tools they grow so accustomed to being their favorite friend. Disregarding cleanliness and organization on the board is common as a grasshopper in a chicken pen. I don’t have room to do a lengthy cover of the entire maintenance of a board here, so I will just highlight some of the few obvious issues.
I, for one, have had occasion over the years when I go to a plant to teach, to require that we break the board down completely and clean it. It takes about an hour and I consider it very important maintenance. The highly useful and regarded stain removal board is almost like the king of the spotting department such as the boiler is to the finishing equipment.
How anyone can stand there day in and out and work in slippery filthy surroundings baffles me. Usually, these iron kings are littered with red “stain tags” on the floor and board. I cannot work on a board until it is clean and functioning properly.
Why not tear the board apart starting by lifting the spotting table portion off the stand by loosening the setscrew and then one can pull the entire board portion off of its stand? Step two would be to take a large spoon and start scraping the muck out of the pedestal that has laid there for years awaiting removal. This, of course, prevents the board to drain from the upper part, through a little hole and a flapper valve down to a bucket near the bottom. This is hazardous waste to be sure so it must be put in the hazardous waste drum. Routine flushing every week with hot water will keep your board draining. Where else can it go if it is plugged up? It lies on your board table just under the metal or glass top, awaiting redeposition upon the next garment you work on. Just as sure as moss growing on the north side of a tree, this board is usually ignored as such.
“Are We Not Carpenters?”
A leaking hissing spitting spotting gun is also a nuisance. It reminds me of a carpenter trying to build beautiful cabinets without the right tools. Yes, I know you eventually get used to working on this malfunctioning piece of tortured metal that so blesses you with customers. Those customers sometimes will brand your business for you by announcing to everyone and the moon that you are the best stain removing drycleaners out there. So, fix that leaky steam gun with a new trap and a new gun if necessary. Not one of these cheap ones out there, but a good solid piece that replaces the old one – and be favorable to the original equipment, usually Cissell.
I also dislike the other types of boards on the market. Cold spotting boards have their place – just not in my heart. Better yet to have a decent retrofit that allows two pressure guns (one with cold water) to be attached to your board. Now you have the best of both worlds. Don’t forget to drain this glass unit at the mini boiler, to the right side that effectively acts like a boiler to convert water to steam and such, and by removing the half inch plug and draining this beast out, you flush your boiler and as well, you should flush your board’s steam apparatus. Bolt that sucker to the floor too.
Often these boards are only held in place only by the plumbing attaching them to the steam and the air. A slight bump will send it dancing across the floor and is very unstable to work on. Obviously, a handy garment reel near and above the end of the board is crucial for hanging garments. I’ve seen everything from hangers to cowboy lasso’s holding up garments to be spotted.
One other thing, treat your board – that is hopefully in the cleaning department and the laundry department – with respect. It earns you a living and a reputation. I love to show off a spotting board to someone and I don’t want it to be ugly, greasy or oozing from the bottom with Texas petroleum and muck. So, take care of this unit and though it can be a messy bugger, remember that sometimes a fella knows that if ya’ want the meat, you must take the fat!
I’m headin’ to the wagon now these boots are killin’ me!