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Not exactly... Just put it behind you. Can't win 'em all, and some people oughta have a license just to breathe. I'm sure there are plenty of folks you can get along with just fine. ... If there's some kinda ridiculous town ordinance regarding soliciting, or trying to earn money by doing work of a common nature, and you get tagged, go to the little muni court if they give you a citation... You just stand up there and tell that goon in the black robe that you are doing your best to earn a meal and shelter. Would he prefer you stand in line to sign up for welfare ? You are not guilty of a crime and don't be bashful advising him so. .

Wow! Itty-bitty little house ! Is the deck bigger than the house ? ...sounds a bit high for doing the deck part, but I haven't seen it. No worries... YOU set your prices, they decide if you get to work. Far easier to come down in price, and give them a 'bargain' to close a deal, after you've discussed the merits of your excellent workmanship and sterling reputation and all that stuff. . . than do a job too cheap. Hard to bump up a price when you discover you've almost lost your shirt. Good luck

If you feel age may be affecting your ability to solicit jobs, change your presentation to "WE" and run with it showing confidence that you are indeed part of an excellent team, well equipped to accomplish the clients task. (Everyone has some sort of support group, wether they are in the field with them, or only at the bank counting $'s.) To the OP, our entry into PW'ing was and extension of our pre-existing business. It increased our income by 15-20% almost immediately. Doubled the investment would have been far superior. A well-thought advertising campaign would be money well spent.

Looks like eflourescense under the sealer, to me... Probably what happened is the concrete was acid stained at the time it was stamped, then they did not wait long enough before cleaning and sealing it. They probably did NOT clean it before sealing ! The Celeste method using xylene could work well to strip the sealer. It's available at any real paint store. ...Gonna need a quality carbon mask for breathing... And I'm not sure of the flash point, but that will be a factor, also. Make sure the fumes don't get to the water heater, if it's outside, or the cooking range, if a kitchen window will be open near that patio. It's real easy to accomplish spectacular things with painter's solvents that make a science project gone wrong look like a good day ! Exercise caution !! Don't try to remove the eflourescence from the slab until it's dried for a day or so. I'd begin with mild chems to avoid affecting the acid stain in the finish. High pressure will easily destroy the cream coat of the slab... especially since it's been worked up a bit for use of the stamps. Advise the owner in advance that distinct coloring that was once present will not return, even after you apply sealer once the eflourescence is gone, but it will be much nicer without all that white stuff. Good luck with the multi-step process. All good things take time, so bid it properly. The client should be very pleased with the end product. Best .

The concrete is probably rather porous and it won't be possible to get all of it out... ever. Advise the client you can get most of it the first application as described above, and tell them you can get most of what is remaining on a return trip after a few months. If they are sensitive, as some folks are, be sure to advise them it will always be there at least a little bit. (The wet season each year could float a bit more up.) Once the pay you for a return trip, upon leaving you could give them a small bag of kitty litter, (the secret weapon), and advise them to apply it for a week next time it begins to surface noticeably. Good luck

Good exhibit to show clients !

2hrs each doesn't sound like too long in 'real time' to me! With mobiles, it's always something!!! Best thing in a park is to get in there... then you hope to pick up others in close proximity which cuts down travel time. Some are not so bad, and others... well, you can charge more for those! Sell 'em on regularly scheduled cleanings!

Dwell time for the proper percentage of bleach solution would most likely help. However, bleach can be very toxic and a suitable respirator should be used. Basically, if you have given it a try, and not gotten the best results, you get points for giving it the old college try. Inquire with local professionals for their assessment of the job. There are probably members here on TGS from your area. Hopefully they will contact you!

Here in Kalifornia there are very noticeable empty storefronts in the neighborhood malls and small centers. There are STILL commercial buildings going in! Many residential foreclosures, yet a flurry of looky-lou's when one hits the blocks for cheap because it's a distressed property... (should be bulldozed). Many people still working. Many not quite enough work. Under-employed. People are ready for action, there is only a slow fizzle going on. Craigslist LOADED with tools, pawnshop won't buy ANYTHING construction related. A LOT of pu trucks and Suv's for sale on all streets and parking lots. Obie supporters are beginning to wake up that he's doing no good.

Soda blast might be good, too...

Not so bad... At least it was in bags. We once hauled two roll off drop boxes out of a place. 20ft long x 6ft tall. But that did include carpet and old appliances.

WoW! That's the worst blue tape storm I EVER saw! And I've seen a lot! You've got to shut these people down, immediately. Advise them of industry standards, and 'just say no'. If they are really, really, super nice people, the nicest people in the whole world, I would be glad to accomodate someone like that on a T & M basis if they paid my first quarter in advance, funded my 401k, provided fully funded healthcare insurance, made the down payment for my vacation home, and made me executor of their trust. It is always best to bring these people to reality quick as possible. :lghohoho:

Yep, that's it! I took the muffler off my HD BS washer and put on a straight pipe. Now I got more power and the client inside can REALLY hear how hard I'm working on their house. I get the windows left open first so they know I'm not scrimping on water. Sometimes they stand inside their windows and wave their arms at me so I can give them a quick rinse when it's hot weather. Fun people! :lgjump:

Those are REALLY big numbers Kevin! How about coffee at Starbucks?

I stained composite deck boards with a linseed oil based stain last year and it seems to be holding up well. Can't be specific, it was a bunch of stuff I mixed up myself.