JFife

I'm not saying to take my advice, but I stay away from all that protective gear. It's not the Naoh that hurts you that sprinkles your arm and you rinse it, is the dose that creeps in and finds a place to nestle, like your knees found out. Like Ken said, just mist with vinegar or something acidic to neutralize. The two worst places to get it are, 2) your lips, and 1) FINGERNAILS!!! Personally, I apply all that stuff with an 8' wand or something, and work out of the wind. You just have to learn that one. If I see a cloud coming towards me of Naoh, I just hold my breath and turn my back to it.

(Laughing here), that is very funny Carlos. I was imagining their confusion when you tell them you don't speak Spanish. I imagine in your area of the country there are plenty of people your age that are 2nd generation (or beyond). Around here that would be unheard of. It does evoke unique emotions--the town I grew up in was out in the country, about 1000 people (all white). In the early 80's, a landscape facility opened up and the owner brought up a dozen or so Mexicans. They have all been in this small town that whole time, as well as most of their families, etc. I'd say in a town of 1000 they now make up 100-200, are active in the community, have a name of gold, well-respected, honest business people. I agree, illegal is illegal, but man, it is hard to fight a guy that wants to work, when we have so many bums over here that won't work and milk the system. I see really big pros and cons to both sides of this issue.

....Most people don't have yardsales on a Monday, so they should be fine. But I do worry for the good people of AutoZone and Advanced Autoparts. Perhaps they can overcome this loss of sales, :)

Does anyone know if the draw rate of an XJET drops off if you lengthen the draw hose?? I think they come with 12', can you go up to, say, 50'?? Is there anything out there that downstreams in the 2:1 ratio range??

Dang, when you said 'glass' I didn't think I'd like it, but after the pics, that is pretty cool! Great job, is wtw your go-to on hardwood, or do you use other things as well?

That greyaway sure is pretty. I used to think that maybe Shane was just a good photographer, but now I am thinking the stain just looks really rich. I (hopefully:)) will be applying some on my deck here soon. Ken, tried calling you a couple times this week, I was giong to see how you liked your Greyaway. Let me know next week how it goes. I never take a cajun at his word:)

Why'd you get a welding truck Scott?? Nice truck Don!! I love those King Ranches.....I too am thinking of getting a new truck here soon, they seem to have the 6.0's worked out, and are getting a new motor next year.....so that would be three more years of being the guinea pig. I am going to just get a lariat with the 20" rims, though I do love the KR. One thing--I've heard a lot of guys complain about the fact that the KR leather fades badly (it does), but I heard a few guys swearing by a product called "Buffalo Butter"......comes from out west, they use it on saddles, etc. Anyways, this stuff is supposed to keep the seats supple and from fading.

...I am one of the "viewers", I'd say many don't post because their view is being accurately portrayed by either Doolittle of Jeff. I won't go into the labeling/name-calling thing, for I have been found guilty of that as well in the past, though I probably didn't defend myself as articulately as Doolittle:) The only thing I wanted to chime in and say was that, as an outsider, I certainly have not found Doolittles posts to be rude or offensive, as they have been described. And I am totally unbiased--I've not met or spoke with Jeff of Phil, but think they are both great posters. I think it is more a matter of one person arguing using ideas, and another arguing using facts (spun to be useful, of course). Both ways of arguing a point are fine--but they don't do well AGAINST one another. Typically, a man is logical and a woman emotional. That is a stereotype, but true for many couples. (not calling you a woman, Jeff LOL:)) To ponder: Why are only "certain" labels offensive?? Nobody likes to be called a bleeding-heart-liberal, but most anyone conservative doesn't mind being called that. I too find the hyper-sensitivity of polical correctness disgusting. I had a speech teacher in school say that if you are doing public speaking, the only people it is acceptable to make a joke about or make fun of are lawyers, doctors, and preachers.

Diamond, Just bleachwashed a few decks on a house, five yrs old, Wolmanized wood. Even after washing, it would still bead water. But the TWP penetrated fast and fine. What problems do you see?

That looks great Rick! Whatever you did, you cannot argue with results! Make sure to post 'stained' pics,

...do it all the time, works great. Kinda makes the mixture foam up when it hits the surface. Great for maintenance/light strip.

Don, ....you said cedar, but I'd swear it was redwood. you are probably right, but the look to me say redwood. Either way, the area you have brightened looks great. That is exactly how it should look, you've just seen too many pics of treated pine, and it turning all yellow, as opposed to this redwood of (really high quality) cedar.

I'm looking for somewhere to order large quantities of brushes. What I need is the cheap 4" brushes that are polyester, and heavy/thick. The type of brushes you find at HD in a five pack, a 4", 3", and so on. I bought some from Greg some time ago, but have since to be able to find such a deal. Thinking I bought them from him for $150 per 100 box. I've checked Harbor, Northern, Grizzly, and anywhere else I can think of, and cannot find them for less than $3.00. Any Ideas??

Hi Christian, ...Mainly backbrushing, but also just normal stain/paint cut-in, etc. They are as good as anything I ever buy at Lowes for $10. Obviously, the won't give you a finish-paint qualtiy that you need for painting trim, etc. For that you need a high-quality brush, but everything else, these are great.

For those interested, the brush I'll get is called: MBS, 4" Poly. they have a medium brown handle and a tan wrap. It is about 2/3 the way down the page. These brushes are rugged and great for what we do. We use them for backbrushing, as well as application. The great thing is, for $1.13 a brush you don't feel guilty about trashing them and tossing them. Good, dense bristles hold stain well. May not be dense enough for Readyseal, but good for most other products. That site also had great prices on 5in1's, and putty knives. here is a good one for power tools--all of mine have shot craps so I'm looking for them as well: www.maxtools.com Another is: www.toolking.com They actually have a store in Denver for anyone that lives there.

Man, you need to post more!!!!! That is EXACTLY the brushes I had before! That's a great site, lots of good deals. I'm pumped!! thanks!

Has Diamond (or anyone else) ever tried DEK on Ipe?? ....Say you can use it, I tried it, but it didn't seem to "bite" very well. I think Ken Fenner told me he had good luck applying multiple coats of TWP, or someone else did. Seems a Readyseal-type treatment would be the best....anyone ever tried it?

Rabela, I have a couple of points to add. 1)

A post on pwn and now the post here regarding SPF on Ipe, etc., has me thinking about exotic woods. Here is a cool site: www.nwfa.org National Wood Flooring Association. Goes through all kinds of woods, rates their strength, usability, strengths, weaknesses, ease of install, etc. Imagine trying to keep up with the maintenance if you installed Ipe indoors!!!! Anyways, cool to see all the different woods, and lots of info that will be beneficial doing deck sales. My dream flooring for my dream house is Australian Cypress---check it out!

Everytime I see the name "Jonathan Chiplock", it for some reason makes me think of "Jimmy Chipwood", of 'Hoosiers' fame. Man that kid could shoot! That is one of those movies that never get old. [end of hijack]

Do you know what I mean by using stabilizers?? Rather than you ladder resting on the EDGE of the shingles, the stabilizer will hold the weight and be rested about 2' up the roof. This would allow you to safely stand with your feet at about 1' below the fascia. ....Remember the post about strong bleach, and rinsing?? When I say "rinse", I mean from the ground with the xjet. The wood will look silver/white when done, but the stains I mentioned will still look grand. I guess my point is, there is no need to risk your life trying to apply "pressure", just go with a strong bleach and rinse.

My favorite is a 66'Chevelle, and I am in the market for a fixer upper. I'll try and post a pic, this is my screen saver....

ladder w/ stabilizers on the shingles?? Still say twp200 or greyaway (almost same thing), has tons of pigment and the pigment is copper....the way the pigment reacts with the brown copper pigment makes it extremely dark on applicaiton, but in a month will literally be bright golden looking. Would make those shakes look better than you could probably imagine. RS would be fine as well, just don't think you'll get that really bright color.

Rick, I know guys up north that just dump copius amounts of stong bleach on the wood, and rinse. As nasty as that is, might take a couple apps. Try and find some TWP200 stain, it will go on really dark, but in a month will look like wood.

I like "all washed up!"!!! Ads: Is that new vinyl siding looking all washed up???? Yes! Then it time for you to use ALL WASHED UP POWER WASH! Whether it is you deck, fence, house, or roof, we'll get it all washed up and looking good for years to come!! blah blah....