Russell Cissell

Without going into the chemistry behind it, I would like to offer a bit of advise. When using a bleach/dish soap combination go with the simplest yellow dish soap you can find. Lemon Joy is a safe bet. Avoid thick green dish soap and anything that is pearly or white. Another important thing to know about dish soap chemistry is: Less is more. In a sink full of dishes a few drops of soap will always clean better than a few ounces of soap. For example, If I were to clean a house using bleach and dish soap I would put it together like this: 1 gallon 5.25% bleach with one tablespoon lemon joy. Apply with x-jet at roughly 20 to 1 too much dish soap and you will have rinsing problems. Before you make bleach a permanent part of your arsenal please check into the safety issues involved. Berating the mist from your bleach spray is not something you would want to do for and extended amount of time. Best of Luck Russell

I am very interested in knowing what the most popular choice of stain color is in your area. We are working on color charts for the Wood-Tux WET and I want to be sure that we have all of the bases covered. Feel free to list two or three if you feel it's appropriate. If you can include a digital picture of you favorite colors that would also be very helpful. Our goal is to help you maximize your closing ratio by giving you the tools you need to separate yourself from your competition. To show our appreciation for your assistance we will give anyone who posts (requested information) in this thread a $25.00 credit toward your next purchase with Extreme Solutions, Inc. Please remember, the more you participate the better our research data becomes. Excellence in development is born of diligence in research! Thank You, Russell Cissell Extreme Solutions, Inc.

Charlie Wrote ---- I'm not sure what you are referring to but I want to make it clear that the tint system used for the Wood-Tux line is not compatible with the systems used for tinting paint. You cannot take any product in this line to a paint store for tinting. Wood-Tux has been formulated to provide excellent protection for both vertical and horizontal surfaces. It is a great product for all types of exterior wood preservation including cedar homes, log cabins, decks, fences etc. Best of Luck Russell Cissell

Howard- What Jesse is referring to is our new pigment system. Working from a tinted base, or clear you can create any color you like using the ESI tint system. Over the past few years of collecting feed back from contractors who like to use a superior contractor grade finish we have repeatedly recorded the same basic concern. It's been stated many different ways but basically it boils down to this: Contractors like to offer customers several choices in color and tone for their finish. Most contractors don't like to stock several colors because they run the risk of keeping working capital tied up in less popular colors that aren't used often. Our solution at ESI was to develop a Contractor Friendly tinting system that allows for simple, in field blending of custom colors. This will allow a contractor to provide more choices with a minimal investment in inventory. Now you can stock only the most popular color and still offer the flexibility of choice. You can even develop your own "signature color" that will help you separate yourself from the competition! We are in the process of developing a color guide that will allow you to quickly reproduce or match colors in the field. The purpose of this thread is to gather as many of the most popular colors as possible so they can be included in this guide. As always we take the opinion of working contractors VERY SERIOUSLY. Any input you provide will help us deliver products that will allow you to maximize your profitability. The bottom line is, we are in this for our customers and therefor, your success is our mission! Best of Luck! Russell Cissell Extreme Solutions, Inc. 1-866-536-7393

Mark- I think you would find it helpful to read the following articles. The fist is concerned with the question of rinsing after neutralization. The second touches on the concerns of neutralizing CCA Pressure treated wood. http://www.esproducts.net/artman/publish/article_9.shtml http://www.esproducts.net/artman/publish/article_7.shtml Best of Luck Russell Cissell Extreme Solutions, Inc www.esproducts.net 1-866-536-7393 imrcc1@aol.com

Extreme Solutions, Inc. 1-866-536-7393 www.esproducts.net

If you send me your e-mail address I can send you some material that should help you out. Russell Cissell imrcc1@aol.com www.esproducts.net

Duane- I wanted to share the data on Wood-Tux with you so you know how it compares. Please let me know if you would like any further information or more detailed description. Solids % by Weight 49% (actual) Solids % by Volume 43.94% (actual) Pigment to Binders (proprietary) Coverage = >703.04 sqft/gal/mil Spread Rate = 200 sqft/gal VISCOSITY = 75-80 (KREBS Units) These are the true numbers for the Wood-Tux WET formulation. They are not fluffed up for marketing. When you look at the percentage solids listed that is 49% Active Ingredients. In other words that is a measure of the true solids based on formulation. Ignore the coverage number that is lab stuff. The spread rate is what you are interested in. That number is based on 3 season red cedar =/> 20% moisture at 78 degrees F. This is the optimal spread rate for the product if you want the maximum protection. Of coarse as all wood varies in density and porosity your spread rate will also vary but should not go below 200 sqft/gal unless the wood is very old and severely dry. The actual amount of pigment used is proprietary however I can assure you that it is much higher than you would see in a product that is marketed to homeowners. I hope that you find thins information helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You can reach me in the office at 866-536-7393 or by cell at 636-288-8512 Best of Luck Russell

Robert- That is a detailed question and I would be happy to discuss it with you in person or even over the phone. This is the wrong time of year for me to sit and write up a personal/company bio. I can give it to you in breif. . . I've been specializing in wood restoration since 1993 when I was CO-owner of Extreme Pressure Washing in Norcross, GA. I've had my share of splinters and been stung a few times too. Most of what I know of chemistry I've learned working in the lab, but don't let that scare you. We've got an excellent surfactant chemist and a brilliant formulation/coatings chemist here to support you. The most impressive thing I know about chemistry is their extension. I do know exactly what it means to be a contractor who counts on a product to help get the job done. I know how important it is to have a product that delivers predictable results in a broad range of circumstances. Most of all I know that in the big picture labor is a contractors greatest expense. That is why our focus is on delivering quality products that professional contractors can count on to save them both time and money. Best of Luck!

Dave- I beleive I can help you. If you would, send me your contact information. I will give you a call or drop you a line as soon as I receive it. Best of Luck Russell Cissell imrcc1@aol.com

I think we could make that happen

Congradulations! I am glad that worked out for you. HD-80 makes an excellent concrete cleaner. You can mix it pretty weak too. It is very effective at as little as 2 oz per gallon

Extreme Solutions, Inc is now offering a comprehensive information pack in a Word Perfect format. This information pack contains a six page introduction to the wood restoration process along with some tips for estimating and bidding. The kit also contains Product Information Sheets and material cost information for: HD-80 Heavy Duty Stripper EFC-38 Environmentally Friendly Cleaner Citralic Brightener/Neutralizer and Wood-Tux Professional Wood Stain If you would like to receive your information pack please send an e-mail to Information@woodstrip. com We would also like to invite you to visit the Extreme Solutions, Inc web site and take advantage of the research library for more information about wood restoration and pressure washing in general. Best of Luck Russell Cissell

Thank you all very much. I will pass that on to everyone who who helped put it together!

EFC-38 at full strength with a dwell time of about 15 to 20 min would work well. HD-80 at about half strength with a dwell time of about 15 min would also work well. HD-80 at full strength would work with a dwell time of about 5 min, but that is overkill. In either case, follow up with Citralic to really bring out the color of the wood. You can also use an oxalic acid neutralizer however this will leave the wood an unnatural whitish color. I hope this helps Best of Luck Russell Cissell

The URL for Extreme Solutions' web site is: http://www.woodstrip.com/cont/conhome1.htm

As long as you are shipping less than 31lbs in a single container they require no special markings. When the products are packaged for retail they are considered ORMD. If you are sending both EFC-38 and HD-80, ship them in separate boxes.

Rick- I understand you desire to save on supplies and I would like to make a suggestion. Rather than try to reinvent the wheel, you might consider asking about bulk prices from ESI or another supplier. The formulations that you get from a place like the chemistry store come from the suppliers of the raw materials. These formulas are usually minimally effective. Then there is also the question of getting the product well blended. I cannot even imagine how difficult it must be to hand mix a 100lb batch of powder! Your next consideration is liability. By mixing your own solution you are essentially "manufacturing" product and therefore carry full liability for that product. Unless you purchase product liability insurance, you are opened to being sued if there is ever a problem with your mixture. This holds true whether you caused the problem or someone else does. Getting sued is VERY unlikely however it would be devastating. All things considered it is much easier and less expensive in the long run to purchase ready blended products in bulk. If you purchase in bulk, your cost will be about 1 penny per square foot of wood you restore and your results will be predictable. If you are interested in more information, feel free to contact me at imrcc1@aol.com Best of Luck Russell Cissell Extreme Solutions, Inc.

Reed- In talking with the contractor who built the deck last week (or was it the week before?) he told me Quote: ". . and the guys told me the wood was so wet there was water running out when they would run in a screw" It stands to reason that the wood would go through periods of dimensional instability as it dried over those several months. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. To all who read this thread This is an obvious attempt by the Building Contractor to avoid taking responsibility for his sub standard work. If you find yourself in a similar situation stand firm on your professional merit. It is all to easy to let a situation like this suck you into hours of uncompensated time. After your initial evaluation and solution recommendation you have fulfilled your professional obligation. The Building Contractor may try to drag you back to the job site again and again in an attempt break you down and accept responsibility for something that is not your fault. If you find yourself in this situation you probably do not want to continue in future relations with this company anyway so do not be afraid to stand your ground. When you are certain (as Reed is) that the problem in question has nothing to do with the work that you performed let the Building Contractor know up front that you have made your final recommendation and any further meetings or phone calls will be billed as consulting time. It is always fun to be right, but it can be an expensive battle if you are involved with someone who does not appreciate the time of others. Once you have stated your opinion, if the Building Contractor does not agree with it, it is the job of a professional mediator or Judge to determine who is right. I have personally taken at least five phone calls and have spent about two hours so far dealing with this "Builder" of Reed's. I am happy to do it and would go to bat for any contractor that uses Extreme Solutions' Products. I would just much rather do it in court where things get done on a time line. As it is we are just going in circles with this guy as he makes every attempt to avoid responsibility for something that is so clearly his fault. Best of Luck Russell Cissell Hey Reed, after this all blows over we should really share some of the crazy stuff this guy has come up with. I think they would get a laugh about the "Chemistry Expert" he drug you out there to meet with.

Although it is not officially up and running our web site is now in it's final test stage and can be viewed at www.woodstrip.com Please feel free to stop by for a visit and send us your feed back. (I'm sure that is exactly what the designers want now that they are almost finished) As far as I know the forms are now all active, so sign up for the e-mail news letter and you will be notified when the site actually goes "live." Best of Luck Russell Cissell Extreme Solutions, inc.

Do not let your customers drive you. If you think the job needs a strip and seal, offer a strip and seal or walk. You are the professional. The customer needs to trust your diagnosis, prognosis and products. If you think your customer is better qualified to tell you what products to use, then you are in trouble. You have already stated that this man is litigious. has legal action pending against the previous contractor because peeling has occurred after 2 years of application. If you try to clean the mildew off the other section of deck you will very likely leave the existing finish in a less than desirable condition. If the sealer has started to degrade it will come off easier than the mildew. He will likely consider this your fault and expect you to pay for the replacement sealer. Then you will have to fix it to his satisfaction or face legal action. Essentially he gets his $500.00 of work for free. Remember, there is more work than workers. You can choose your customers just as easily as they choose their contractor. Now to your questions. . . 1) If the product forms a film that prohibits sufficient vapor transmission then it is susceptible to cracking and peeling. Cracking and peeling are caused by a combination of expansion and contraction of the wood as well as pressure caused by warming vapors trying to escape through the film barrier. Or the prep was done poorly by the last contractor. 2) If you use EFC-38 it will likely remove all of the finish. EFC-38 is not like other percarbonates. It was designed to strip semitransparent sealers like TWP and cuprinol. You will often see it mentioned with other percarbonate products because it is safe for use around pets and plants and you don't have to mask like you do with harsher products. If the finish that is on the wood is two years old, I do not know of a way to remove the mildew without causing substantial loss of the finish. Stick to your guns and make them strip and refinish, or go find a job where you have less chance of getting sued. 3) You should be all right with that. If you notice mill-glaze you might throw a little HD-80 on it at about half strength for 5 to 10 min. Brightener can be used alone when appropriate. . .rinse well. When we are doing maintenance cleaning of a 1 year old finish we use EFC-38 at 2 to 4 oz per gallon. (about 3 oz in a measuring cup) Protect the plants if you are using HD-80. A tarp will work, but be mindful of the heat. If it is hot enough you run the risk of steam cooking the vegetation. Warn the customer that there is a chance that they will have to drain and refill the pool clean filters etc. If they have a cover for the pool that would be your best bet. Working near pools can be tough. Best of Luck Russell Cissell

Although it is not officially up and running our web site is now in it's final test stage and can be viewed at www.woodstrip.com Please feel free to stop by for a visit and send us your feed back. (I'm sure that is exactly what the designers want now that they are almost finished) As far as I know the forms are now all active, so sign up for the e-mail news letter and you will be notified when the site actuall goes "live". Best of Luck Russell Cissell Extreme Solutions, inc.

Extreme Solutions Inc. is expecting to launch it's new contractor support web site within the next seven days. In addition to product information the site will have many contractor support features. Most notably will be the ESI Research Library and the National Contractor Network Program. The Research Library is a dynamic database made up of research articles and data collected for over a decade. This valuable resource was designed with the success of every contractor in mind. Inside you will find information on topics like: How to form a legal business, Insurance License and bonding issues, Working with the SBA and SCORE, Valuating a business when it's time to sell. You will also find loads of information and tips related to the operation of a restoration business. This database will be constantly updated by our own research team and there will also be a feature allowing you to submit information that you think would be beneficial to your fellow restoration contractor. By joining the national contractor network you will have access to some of the hottest leads in the restoration industry. Many of these leads are already confirmed and the customers have a good idea of the "ball park" they are playing in. This means a much higher close rate and fewer "shoppers." Best of all it's totally free! If you are interested in receiving the Official Launch Notification, shoot me a quick e-mail so I have your address and I will make sure that you get an e-mail notification when the announcements are sent out. You can e-mail me at imrcc1@aol.com Bet of Luck Russell Cissell

THE PAOMNNEHAL PWEOR OF THE HMUAN MNID Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the r! ! ghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

John to make you feel good I will say that you did the right thing. Always better to be safe than sorry. However. . . Russ