rj242

I do mostly vinyl, brick, and alum. houses. I also do some wood deck, siding cleaning, sidewalks, driveways, and a few roofs.

I was wondering how any of you deal with oxidated vinyl. I have run across two houses this summer that had really bad oxidation. The one yesterday was battleship gray in the cedar shake style. I had to literially hit every square inch of it with pressure to get it clean. When I bid the job, I didn't realize that it was that bad, but when I started washing it, it started streaking up. What should have taken two hours ended up taking five hours.

What do you guys charge for cleaning the vinyl split rail fences?

Mud duck, Does the 4oz of F13 remove bad oxidation? Being you are using F13, are you using simple cherry, and are you downstreaming?

I use the ZK1, or I think Paul sells the K10.

Hey Everyone, I know I am going to catch some grief from this question, but I am one of those knuckle heads that has to learn the hard way. I have been Pwashing for about 4 years now, and haven't had any exposure issues, until yesterday. I was cleaning a porch and single car garage. The porch had glue resin from outdoor carpet, and the garage had old oil stains. I used F18 to assist me in my cleaning. During my time cleaning the garage, I could smell the Sodium Hydroxide, and it made me cough a couple of times, but didn't really seem like that big of a deal. Garage door was open and I was only in it for about 10 minutes. A few hours later, I have sinus congestion, sore throat, body ache and a low grade fever. It has continued into today. Do you think my symptoms are from the exposure, or have I caught a bug? Anybody inhaled Sodium Hydroxide and have simular symptoms? Thanks for your time!

Well Everyone, I feel much better today. I forgot to mention in my last post, that the doctor said that the exposure probably intensified the effects of the strep throat. I will wear a mask from now on when I am in an unventilated area. I have always tried to stay upwind of the fumes, and haven't had a problem. Are the effects of inhaled exposures to NaOh and SH similar?

Took everyones advice, and went to the doctor this afternoon. He said that I have Strep Throat, and put me on antibotics. He didn't think that I had chemical exposure. Thanks for everyones replies!

I to bought a 24' ext wand from Northern Tools, before I knew about the Xjet or how to properly downstream. Since then the 24' wand hasn't left the garage. I would love to sell it to somebody.

I am so mad. I took a chance and sealed a deck today with Sherwin Williams oil based natural tone sealer. There was a 20% chance of rain, and I looked at the regional radar and it was clear. Well just as I was finishing the deck, we had a rain shower. Probably rained 3-5 minutes, just enough to cover the area with water. Some of the deck had been sealed for probably 3 hrs. I had to roll the first portion of the deck due to the wind, and had started spaying it, about half way though. The directions on the can, said it needed to air dry for 24hrs before rain. It was a 90+ degree day with about a 20mph wind blowing. The wood took the sealer very well, as it was three years old and never sealed. I cleaned it two week ago. What should I expect in the morning?

Hey Everyone, Thanks for the replies. I just got back from looking at the deck, and it looks great. I think I saw two water spots, and I will sand them down like John suggested. Man I was lucky. Thanks Again!

I was just wondering how everyone handles cleaning and sealing docks and piers over waterways? I would like to use percarb, but not sure if legal. Thanks in Advance!

I have lost the lock ring that holds my black plastic piece (part that you turn to adjust fan) on the nozzle. Any idea on where to get one?

Thanks for the replies! I may just try the water deal, like Tracy mentioned.

Nate, I to would like to know the shelf life of the strippers after they have been mixed.

Gene is probably talking about the plastic colored porportioner. Back when I was using and xjet, I used the black colored porportioner. I also used 2.5-3 gallons of 12.5%SH. You may need to totally remove the plastic porportioner. Since then I have started downstreaming and don't see any need to go back to xjetting except to apply acids. Downstreaming is a lot easier (no hoses to get tangled or buckets to lug around. With downstreaming, I do have to let the solution dwell a little longer and once in a while, hit a section twice, but it is so much easier.

I was wondering if anyone has raised their rates since gas prices have gone up? I have been using the $1.00 linear foot ($2 on two stories)method fairly consistantly over the last two years, and it seems to work well for me. I was wondering what everybody else is doing now that gas has gone up so much?

It is fairly common to hear that the $1.00 lnft or $.10sqft is the going rate for a lot of contractors. I wasn't asking about a fuel surcharge, but an increase in these rates. As gas prices goes up, so does everything else (bread, milk, toothpaste, etc..), and I would assume the pressure washing industry will also have to increase their prices to sustain their standard of living.

I was wondering if any of you have ever heard of using a oil based stain and then covering it with Thompson Water Seal? I ask this question because I cleaned and brightened cedar shakes (put on in 1977 and never had any treatment on them) on my aunt's house. The job turned out really nice. She wanted to split the work on her house, and give the sealing job to her other nephew (a painter). He then stained the cedar shakes with a light colored oil based Behr, and then covered it with Thompson Water Sealer. Has anyone ever heard of such treatment? What effects will it have on the shakes?

What is it?

Beth, Thanks for supplying that post. I do have a question that came from the post. What is "hang time", and where can I get it?

Can I add the antifreeze to F-18, and boost it?

I have just put a ZK1 (purchased from Envirospec North "called K10 on their website") flow type unloader on my washer. The problem I am having with it is that every now and then, when the spray gun is closed, I feel the line charge, and then release. I probably noticed it 5-8 times while doing a 2 hr house washing job. My washer is a 5.6gpm/3500psi machine, with a Honda moter and a General Pump. I have a 3/8 hose on my bypass, going back to the supply tank. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Other than that, I love the flow type unloader. It is much easier to handle, and my 40+ year old shoulders love it to. Thanks in Advance for your replies!

I have replaced the orings, and that has reduced the problem but it still does it once in a while. I have a 3/8 braided hose on the bypass. I may try to reduce it to 1/4, and see if that elimanates the problem.

What is your favorite respirator and where is the best place to buy one?