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Rick2

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Posts posted by Rick2

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Many years ago when I got into this line of work I bought an 11hp Honda with a direct drive Cat on it. Since then I have bought several other more powerful machines, several different trucks and trailers but I still have that old Honda with the Cat pump, the only difference is the unloader has been replaced. About 15 minutes ago I came home from acid rinsing a deck with that same machine. A very old direct drive pump but it still works perfect.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Ron's right, it is a great article. I never saw it until this morning.

    One thing that helps me it pictures, I take pictures of everything. Plants, overspray, damaged siding, you get the idea. You don't have to have them developed, just keep them on file until the job is paid for and signed off. I also write it in the "comments" area of my bid sheet and the customer gets a carbon copy of that. When bidding a job I always make sure the owner is there so that there are no misunderstandings. Keeping a lasar pointer with you is handy for pointing out "those spots" up high.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    New York Jets: Boeing had plans to build their jet aircraft in New York many years ago. The New York Jets jumped on this name but Boeing decided to relocate to the west coast.

    WD40: Water Displacement 40. The chemical engineers got it right on the 40th try.

    Grinders: Guys that used to smooth rivits in newly built bridges were not paid all that much but the lunch caters took pity on them and would throw together a quick sandwich of different types of scrap meats. The guys that smoothed rivits were known as "grinders." Some of you other guys might call them hogies, heros or subs.

    Here's my question: What does HD-80 mean? The correct answer gets a free hot water pressure washer and a surface cleaner along with 80 hours of free labor from Beth and Rod.

    PS. I don't know the answer so you'll have to check with them to see if you got it right.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    We do about the same amount of commercial washing as residential along with small things associated with both washings.

    We just finally got to where we say we wash anything outside. The funniest thing that we have been asked to wash and did so, was the underside of a 1973 MG to remove oil and grease and undercoating before he restore it

    Once I was asked to powerwash the lower parts of trees. I think that might have been my weirdest wash. Hey, that might be a good thread: What's the strangest you ever washed (or was asked to wash?)

  20. Posted · Edited by Rick2 · Report reply

    Far from being a novice, Rick2 had seen his share of mishaps and even though his experience had taught him much and his confidence was high, he never suspected he could have re-entered....The Newbie Zone...

    Rod!~

    Not the Newbie Zone! Anything but the Newbie Zone! It's been many years since I was there. The deck came out beautiful and the customer was very happy with it. Before I left I asked if they had any other estimates on the work before they chose me. She said she did indeed have other estimates and I was the most costly. She also said nobody spent the time describing the problems with the deck or the two step cleaning process involved. She also pointed out that the others who looked at the deck had no idea what using a base and acid had to do with powerwashing a deck, they just wanted to hit it with water and be done with it. It's nice to know where my competition stands.

    There was a discussion going on recently in one of the fourms about educating the customer about chemicals used on their property and the cleaning process involved. Here's proof for those that still want to keep it a secret. You don't have to go into the smallest details but at least let the customers know what your plan is and how it may differ from your competion's plan. As a bonus the homeowner is good friends with her neighbors on the street. Beautiful homes but nasty nasty roofs. Keeping before/after pictures in the truck of roof jobs is sure to land a few jobs.

    Well, gotta go fix that flat tire on the car (still haven't changed it). Driving this truck all over the place is just killing me on the cost of gas.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    It's a good size house but it's pretty straight forward, no crazy angles or lots of stuff in the way; In other words it's an easy job to wash just the house. Also don't put down the cold water wash, you wouldn't need hot water for this. You can get yourself into trouble using hot water on vinyl siding in you're not very careful. Cold water with the right chemicals will do a wonderful job.

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