MMI Enterprises

Far as the topic question goes.. I post on CL and it is good for business. I suspect much of it has to do with area and how the public sees or thinks of it. Perhaps it more popular out west as it originated out here..Trick is to use it like any other advertizing and not count on one solely. You have to link or innertwine all your advertizing in a marketing plan to project the correct picture to potential clients. I use CL to display projects and to point clients to my website which is more geared or suited to building a confidence and relationship away from the hacking lowballers. My best guess would put the combination of competitor shopper and cheap price shoppers at maybe 25%. Perhaps not that much different then Service Magic type lead programs or other advertizing methods. CL requires a bit more effort in keeping your ads up and in the spotlight above other posters. After doing for awhile now I can translate directly the hits to my website with the days I post my CL ads. To date my largest project would be 21k and I would not call that guy a bargain hunter.

you can assume a quik dose of oven cleaner or purple power or crud cutter or simple green will get it off. Likely won't harm the weber paint if done quikly as it is likely a baked, catalyzed, or powder coat type finish.

Ya seal them with oil as that is what they are.

If it been used heavily for latex and seems to not have been cleaned internally regularly I would suggest replacing the main line. I clean mine internally with mineral spirits then degreaser after each use that way it is ready for oils or waterbornes. Lacquer thinner or acetone should suffice on cleaning the outside parts. I don't trust using the stronger solvents internally as I seen way too many seals swell on pumpups even though they viton or whatever..

Question.. is the part that seemed to not turn out well the old sidewalk or the stuff you laid 4 year back?. Perhaps the old stuff has a bunch of aggregate showing through and tricking the eye. Sometimes such stuff will never look very good or bright as a huge percentage of the viewable surface may be of darker rock that can't be whitened or lightened. If it is all cement skim that your looking at then it usually only takes the acids oxalic or phosphoric to brighten unless it has been soaked with motor oil spills or has a bunch of tuff mold growing in it. If oil is the case then the degreaser, heat, and sun/weather/leach time is in order. Can't count on shadow coming out without constant maintenance and time working on them. If mold then the 10-12% bleach cut down to about 4 to 6% should work. Pics may help..

You could also check out Armstrong-Clark stain.. found around here at Sherwin or by mail order.

Cool deck and good job Matt!. If you do opt for the swing machine don't forget the most important part in finding the Hipro pads. Think Janitorial supplier. That thing is gonna look like a new interior floor by time your done.. :)

You may still want to do that before its all said and done. Sanding tons of acrylic off is no fun. Do you have one or would you have to rent? How much paper will you use up?. Will sanding remove acrylic stuck down between boards or in any porous or cracked spots? Is there rails that will prevent it reaching everything? Any verticle surfaces to be done or space between boards at all?..if so then ya have to wash and prep that wood anyways right? Plan to do both chemical strip and at least a strong defelting if not sanding.. :)

Everywhere gets old if ya eat there enough...Only reason I goto the MickyD's or BK is for chicken sandwhich or some such to take a break from Wendy's or JB. Around here nobody beats the ease, availability, and economy of the Wendy's or JB. This is of course all in respect to late night quikies while in middle of a route. During day (if with someone) it is sitdown restaurant for me. Once in awhile kfc or Adelbertos during the day but for most part I do my part in tipping waitress. Ya only live once!! :)

Looks to offer up the slight sheen look from feeding and oiling the wood yet it shows and contrasts the grain without darkening like some products tend to do. That common on the yellow pine? stain color is?

I agree..hire a pro especially if you need to strip. Don't even mention that Behr word around here..lol. Don't worry about time frame in regard to ordering in product. Those mentioned will likely have product at your door before your finished prepping let alone by time wood is dry. Stain choice doesn't have much to do with type of wood unless you have some exotic hardwood deck that wants a hardwood formulaton or it is junk wood you would rather cover over than look at. Usually it all looks better with a choice that shows off the wood grain..a toner or semi trans is a good bet. Some of us have pics up in various threads of all the stains mentioned. Latest good looking deck would be bigchaz using Armstrong cedar. Use the search function. Good luck if you choose to tackle yourself!

Yup...that is a sweet color. Can't wait to try that one out!

What the heck..Is TN like a dry state or somethin?..Is absolutely shocking to hear people having problems finding 10% or 12% local to them. I mean I never even have to goto a pool place for 12%. Ace carries right at the front door from a local chem company. Them 10% 2 gal boxes or one gal singles are like everywhere here. Walmart, Kmart, Osh, HD.., etc, etc... I don't get it!

FYI: Osh (least in my area) are having buy one get one free on the 2gal boxes this weekend.

And he has a good sense of humor too!!.. He sends me this today: Cell phones - New Law(2008) According to new law that goes into effect July 1, 2008 you will no longer be able to use a cell phone while driving unless you have a 'hands free' adapter. I went to Circuit City and they wanted $50 for a headset with a microphone for my cell phone. Having a friend in the cell phone business, I talked with him and was able to come up with an alternative, working through Office Depot. These kits are compatible with any mobile phone and one size fits all. I paid him $0.08 each because he bought in quantity. Then we tried it with Motorola, Sprint, Verizon and Nokia units and they worked perfectly. A photo is attached so scroll down & take a look and let me know if you want one. Also, forward this to anyone you know, who has a cell phone, and who may want one!

My first impression would be to recoat.

Doug, Probably a 3 or 411 on up...seems most go by which product they using and then application requirements such as overhead or close in work versus wide open decking. (first number dictates fan size x2 then the last two numbers is orifice/flow size. -i.e. 3= 6", 4= 8", 5=10"). You might like a 415 for Omax. This was a good tip selection thread : http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/wood-cleaning-restoration-decks-fences-etc/12668-spray-tip.html

Rick.. You asking if I think mpg will get better after breaking in?.. If so I have to say I have yet to see that idea work out on my vehicles. For me it seems that just the slightest use/wear on a vehicles emission parts results in canceling out of any efficiency gains from the tollerances of the valves or rings or whathave you settling in. I would guess that the ultimate would be to have a totally blueprinted engine and then have the emissions adjusted via computer chips, sensors, while hooked to flow equipment or dynos..etc.. Heck who does such stuff though in a world of $100 an hour shop labor on their everyday car or truck? Inflate tires, carry lite loads, put a block under the gas pedal only thing I got.. :)

All pumpup's or HOer's must not be equal...lol ..sorry, it cracks me up every time I get the chance to post that Omax Toner by a HOer pic.. :lol:

Ah see how you are...sunnin and funnin while we're all workin our tails off eh Carlos? Next up should be Fenner. Isn't he down South somewheres about now like Turtle island or such?

That's the 6cyl all wheel thingy right. Looked at them but went with the 4x4 Xterra.

Is many things but yesterday it was good times with family.... bbq franks, hillshires, burgers, tri tip, corn on cob, pepsi, bartles and james, mudslides, water balloon fights, watchin the teens frenchin in a cool spa and but then doin it up right with the o'le lady by sneaking away from the parte', ...2 liter water bottle rockets, insane amounts of firworks wired together for grandfinale (left bonfire burnin in the roadway).... yea baby!, and homemade ice cream worked too .. :)

Is that what she said?

That's what I said.. :)

PS- Jarrod forgot Hancock