D_Tagr

I started going green right from startup. My very first purchase was my pressure washer and I specifically specced it for a low flow rate. I know this sounds odd to a lot of you, but for graffiti removal at most I'm only cleaning a couple hundred square ft. Most jobs the run time of the machine is under 15 minutes. I run 3.0 GPM. Hot water to maximize my chemical efficiency. Compared to a 5.5 GPM machine I am preventing approximately 37.5 gallons of water being used and 37.5 gallons of contaminated runoff from potentially entering the storm system during a typical job. I haven't yet worked out a feasible (cheap) reclaim system yet. Any advice, please PM. As for chemicals, wherever possible I use the corn and soybean based strippers. I have recently begun to investigate the possibility of manufacturing my own chemicals and milk based paints. Of course I use recycled paper in the home office.

Most of you will probably LMAO, but this is true. A home and property service that's been in business for over 40 years just cleaned my 108 unit strata with two 2.5 GPM HD machines and a brush. I considered buying one myself for a backup unit to my trailer rig. They were on sale for $285.00 at Home Depot in January. Took them 3 1/2 wks with 3 guys and they were paid $13000.00. As they used a 24' flat surface cleaner you can imagine how our concrete looks. Not to mention the rust stains, mildew,gutter streaks,scuff marks, bird droppings, leaf stains etc that were left behind. The contract predates my position on the strata council or it would not have happened. I have been butting heads with my property manager bigtime over this. I guess the upshot is: 1. You can make money or at least win large jobs with cheap equipment. 2. ACS is now moving into the residential pressurewashing market under the name of A.C.E.(All Clean Exteriors)

Even the "Pro's" are doing it. Although "Pro" is a generous term for this bunch. No insurance and the employees aren't covered by Worksafe. I may be wrong but I believe that the homeowner is now financially liable for the workers deaths. Carpet cleaners found dead at work

When do they hit the market and for how much? And do you export?:)

My guess is baking soda and water. Mildly caustic but with a twenty minute dwell time and a HPW (Hot Pressure Wash) might work. When are you going to "reveal"?

Try "Tagaway". It'll destroy any bond and won't harm the vinyl. I recently did the side of a vinyl house. The neighbour had rented an airless sprayer to stain his fence and didn't mask off properly and covered the vinyl with tiny droplets of stain. This happened back in October 06 and I took it off in June 07 using Tagaway. If you have ever sprayed any Raid on yourself it feels kind of oily. That's probably what the stain is, some kind of oil.

Need some recommendations and help tracking down a Canadian supplier of a clear deck sealer. The wood would be PT pine for the fence and Cedar for the deck. I'll be using a linseed oil semi-transparent stain for both. I need a good quality clear sealer that will last for 2 or 3 years. I could use some recommendations for the brand and for who distributes it in Canada. This will be my first deck strip and re-stain and I really want to do it right from the start. Most of you know that graffiti is my main thing so I'm a total noob at this. Also this is I believe a one time thing so I don't want to go back next year. This is a house of a tenant in a commercial property with lots of graffiti and I hope it will lead to a recommendation to the commercial property manager. I know I can use Thompson's but I don't think it will last very long. Please advise.

OK I'm moving. Just got a quote from a large national supplier with a local outlet. I asked for a 5 gallon pail he shot back with $25/pail-50gallon minimum+ $10 deposit per pail + $3.20 surcharge per pail + 6%GST + 7%PST and I am over $440.00 for 50 gallons. Please ask GWB to invade. I can't wait to leave this dump country.

I have some questions about maintenance contracts for everybody. First off I only do graff removals. When I bid(commercial or city) for a maintenance contract, I am bidding on a patrol schedule to remove graff ASAP. Is there a service equivalent for gum removal or parking lots, or any service you do that requires maintenance contracts? My questions are: Do you ask for a deposit when the contract is signed? If so how much? I have been asking for 25%. Will you negotiate with the client as to the amount?Or is it fixed? I have been fixed and unwilling to negotiate the amount. Which seems to surprise some potential clients. I'm very curious about your answers. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the replies. I charge a straight monthly fee for graff removal based on mileage for patrolling, sq ft. of surface to be patrolled. Then I take my estimate of maximum graff frequency and what I need chemical or paintwise to take care of it and roll it all into a monthly fee. I was told point blank this morning after I started this thread that I wasn't going to get a deposit on any contracts with this client. But every other client to this point doesn't mind. I appreciate what your saying Scott, and I've tried that with no success. That was my first inclination. Anyway I appreciate the responses. Enjoy the weekend.

Hear hear!! I'm waiting for payment from a major restaurant franchise on a graff removal that was ordered removed by bylaw enforcement. Saved them a $2000.00/day fine but can they pay a lousy $200.00 bill within 30 days? Nope. From now on unless I know the customer(commercial or otherwise)they pay same day. I am fed up with financing deadbeat businesses.

Great Post! Wish I'd seen it a week ago! I've spent the last 5 or 6 nights losing sleep as I only have outdoor storage. I did the anti-freeze and I leave a small space heater (12V) in my trailer overnight. Won't know if it works until we thaw out here. Next time I buy one i'll leave the wheels on and bring it into the kitchen for the winter.

Hi all, Glad I stumbled onto you. Please forgive I haven't made use of any forums b4. My company is ACS, I specialize in Graff removal. TBH it's all I want to do. I use an enclosed trailer system, with a 3GPM flow and 240 deg Fahrenheit, plus 125 gal tank. I run Canada's best coast and BC interior. Looking forward to yakkin' with all a yaz.