RPetry

Jarrod, I disagree on most wood jobs. Two workers, in my experience, are better than one. And two girls stripping will outperform a battalion of guys.

Charlie, I assume your previous post is a response to mine so here goes. You said: Yes and No. Depends on perspective. For you being new, I think your mindset and approach is impeccable. After a while, you want to contribute to the betterment of the business. Think about NASCAR for a moment. When I was a kid, car racing was for mechanics. Aside from Indy, car racing was for car mechanics. As that sport slowly gained popularity, good management and PR took it to another level. After that, the marketing pros took over and made it into a national phenomenon. PW will never be NASCAR. My point is that by being in this business, you are by default part on this small time fledgling industry. You say: Wrong, and you may see this in time. Being a contractor involved in this business is by default being part of the PW industry.

Krpalex, Test your stripper on a small spot of spindle. Use a shield to protect the aluminum from the NaOH when applying to the wood. You should be fine.

Ken so rightly said: I don't know but its probably better than me. I tried to clean a foul home sidewalk last year with a turbo tip as a throw in "thank you" on a wood job. Friggin' concrete particles or what not nearly took the skin off my shins. Think I'll stick with wood, it doesn't hurt.

Charlie, With respect, you may be somewhat new to the business. Go around the block a few times and you may see what other more experienced PW contractors are saying. Most here on TGS are very good contractors that do their best for their customers, their business, and this small, infant industry. Get involved, get some time in the business, do the best you can for your accounts, and try and stick with it. You'll see soon enough.

I only do wood so I'll back up Jarrod on one point. He clearly stated "wood washing". By this I assume he means a percarb clean and acid treatment or bleach mix maintenance before staining. Unless you have 2 washers and 5000 sq. ft., this is a one man job.

Philip said: Hear, Hear, and Hallelujah! Does not matter if you are into flat work, wood restoration, or other PW specialties. This small industry has image and quality problems that many are trying to mend in consumers minds. And companies such as the example on "Dreg's List" do not help the cause.

Just googling around, trying to find a long range weather forecast for temperatures. Getting itchy to flush the equipment of antifreeze, do some servicing, and project out this springs work schedule. Anyway, came upon this site...Long-range Weather Claims to be somewhat accurate, projecting out days with precipitation. Boy would this be invaluable if it was as it claims but I have my doubts. Here is another link that may be more credible. Climate Prediction Center - Forecasts & Outlook Maps, Graphs and Tables

What a great thread to start a Wednesday morning, I'm laughing my *ss off from some of these posts! I like the prominent red 5 gallon plastic gas can. Never thought to take a picture of mine. His is much nicer.

Ken, With what I'm putting into this new truck, that will be August! Westgate Pub sounds right up my alley. One last detail if you please. Do they allow smoking in Pa. bars? A beer is just not a good beer without a smoke.

Jamie's right, he said: Most of you guys don't do a lot of wood. I think Jamie hit it on the sweet spot. Wood is a tough road, and a good helper is a blessing.

Ken, Le Bec-Fin would not let me in the door. Joe's Bar and Grill would. Your call, its your turf. Best that can be hoped for, make the decision on the fly. Just wait till you meet and see me. K. Fenner's marketing expertise is worth more than pig knuckles in a jar.

KC, I hear you. Pricing is a difficult thing. On the one hand, you look at a job and think, "what's it worth to the customer". On the other, you just know there is more work around and you know the cost of doing business. Whats the job worth to you? Taken me 5 yrs. just to get a feel for my local market and pricing. And I still do not know much. But I do know now what it costs to be in business and what a reasonable return should be. Now not so sure about letting 75% of decent paying jobs support the 25% marginals. The past two days the shoe was on the other foot. Been looking and pricing out truck lettering and logos. Three separate small local companies. One is $2500, one is $900, and am awaiting a quote on the third one I visited this afternoon. Know what? I'm leaning half way towards the highest at this point. You do get what you pay for. Point is, good customers will pay for quality work. Marginal customers will not. Kinda simple in a way but hard to folow when the chips are down and the job schedule is short. I'm becoming convinced that good marketing is one key to overcome this flaw in human nature. Finding the right customers and more importantly, getting the right customers to find you is paramount. Meeting with Mr. Fenner later this week and I'm hoping he has the the lockpick to the holy grail! Hear that Ken? Lunch at Joe's Diner or Le Bec-Fin? My credit card. Blue jeans and good beer mandatory.

Philip wisely tells us: Does anyone know what sodium hydroxide (NaOH) bio-degrades into?

Hey Ken, Do you mean there is a PW board that allows *alls to the walls, no holds barred, extreme bare fisted fighting? No mother Beth to keep us posters in line? Where is this place, and what is ***? Sounds like fun for a change of pace. Do you need a proxy to defend your honor? I'll help 'ya buddy, I can readily identify and comprehend disturbed psychopaths, don't ask, but its no psychiatry degree. Comes with practice. Who is this dunce anyway? Now you have me curious. Ah, the *ell with it. I've got a quick fix. Send him this picture in an email. Little Johnny here is right.

Rich, You asked: Yes. If you have the nature for it, be a B. Cojones and all.

Greg, Thanks so much for the reply. In my field experience, this seems to be true. I switched NaOH strippers some years back when still learning the trade and thought that my "new" stripper was superior. But with a few more years experience since then, pretty sure than any product difference was not the practical difference. Think it had more to do with stripper strength, dwell times, temperatures, wood species, and type of finish being removed than any real differences in products. And only time and experience will teach, as stripping is an art. Thanks again.

My family owned a trucking company in NJ. In 1970 when I was a wet behind the ears 17 yr. old, my father put me into the cab of a Mack with a 40ft. attached furniture van and told me to learn how to drive a tractor-trailer. Put one of our oldest Teamster drivers in the passenger seat and demanded he be my instructor. Poor guy, must have been scared to death. Four days later I was on my own. Never had to take a formal State driving test, just got an endorsement from our dispatcher, passed a written State paper test, and had the license endorsement for NJ. At 21, was able to drive interstate. No Federal CDL, any endorsed state license was good to go. Hit 47 of the lower 48 during college breaks and for periods after graduating. Best education and experience a young man could hope for. Still have fond memories and tons of interesting experiences during those too few years.

Greg, You stated: A question. In your manufacturing experience, could the same or similar be said about commercial NaOH strippers?

Charlie, Always the contrarian, I voted for #2. A square with block letters is a bit simple looking, but maybe with a wood grain background it would be better. BTW I don't know squat about design or any of this stuff.

Rich, Interesting conundrum. I'll take a stab, actually three, depending on the contractor. Contractor #1 - Relatively new in the business and just getting established. Or been around for awhile but just can't seem to make the mortgage payments. For both, the choice is A. New guy smells a strategic partnership with stain manu. to boost his credibility and gross sales. Probably does not know a lot about staining wood in general, and has no idea of future maintenance etc. More tested contractor needs the work. Maybe realizes his business marketing or sales skills are not up to par, therefore the lack of jobs. Figures maybe the stain manu. will eliminate these faults by proxy and keep him in the trade. Contractor #2 - Is an established, profitable business with repeat business and a book of customers. Believes in water-based stain for vertical siding/logs or would have not given his business cards to the manu. rep. Has built up a good local reputation for craftsmanship work using the best products available. But also knows that water-based stains do not perform well on horiz. wood such as decks. Unless he is late on the mortgage this month, his choice is C. Will not compromise his expertise and reputation just to make a buck on a lousy deck and knows he can outmarket and outsell a stain rep to consumers if it comes to that. Now we get to Contractor #3. This guy is focused, relentless, stubborn, and hates water-based stains. He wonders where the frick the manu. rep ever got his phone number and freaks out that anyone would associate his business with water-based stain X. He calls said stain rep and yells bloody blue murder, and berates said rep that he is selling crappy snake oil to contractors and consumers alike. He then contacts the customer and pleasantly requests an opportunity to submit a competing bid. This guy is a capital B with *alls.

Ken, Not sure, the truck is probably a gas pig with the 5.4L V-8. I want to get it logo'ed and lettered up ASAP if I can afford it. Need a design and a good local guy who does gold leaf work. Still don't have the final financing in place, should be done today. Ford Credit has a bit of a problem with Windsor WoodCare LLC. My little business has no credit history, having been self financing the past 5 years. Never had to borrow a dime on this business. I know my wife and I will have to sign as guarantors on the loan, and we have a stellar credit rating personally. But the truck is being registered as a commercial vehicle and I'd like to start establishing company credeit. Will finance the whole thing, including tax and tags if they allow. After all, 2.9 over 5 years is giving money away!

Ken, I'm just about done in the vehicle upgrade dept. this year. Will be picking up a new '07 Ford E-250 extended cargo van late today or tomorrow. Looked around for something decent used but with prices in the 15 - 20K range, thought it a better deal overall to go new. Up through I think April 7th, Ford Credit is giving money away. Can't beat 2.9% 60 month financing. With a round of negotiation, finalized on 2.5K off MSRP. Even got a fresh $87 tank full of gas from the dealer. I'm happy. As far as PW setups, you just have to hook up with Tom and Barbara Vogel of ACR Products. Tom's a wiz at this stuff, carries both new and used everything, and they are just a great team to help your business. They are close, almost local, and I drive up at times to give Barbara a hug or two! Seriously, ACR is a true partner in my wood restoration business. I don't think I would have survived the first few years without them.

Jeff, Even though you are a political junkie of the wrong stripes, we gotta' love 'ya. You have to be the most capitalist socialist ever encountered. But your constant enthusiasm and carefree attitude is refreshing for us older, "we're going to live off your children's labor" generation. Keep at it, and you'll soon be king of all the Carolina's! And well deserved. Go get 'em tiger!

Ha! Glad you enjoyed the costume, most others there looked scared when I walked through the door. John T. was reaching for his "peace piece". That last pic is shocking, do I look that bad? The only gal running off with me will have to be blind. Hmmm, now theres a thought.... The pig with the cig is right up my alley. Should have dressed the swine up with my respirator. Send it email if you have a chance. Also, found what you need and will snail mail today.