James

Billy idol- Rebel YELL !!!

There is a lot of info on this subject some where here.

Dan ,I have a load of yearly maintenance, Many every other year and every 2. Dan, you live in a very very good area for this business . Ready Seal is better suited than any other product to set up maintenance plans for wood ? It is up to you to develop a Maintenance plan thats different and works better than whats out there. I maintain 95 % of the wood I have restored by coming up with something different and more effective.

Dan, don't you have maintenance plans in place for the decks you done over the last 5 years? It wood be time to do many RE-do's in the spring. Haven't you created relationships over the last 5 years with any of your clients who have a need to have things cleaned again? It's time! The start of spring is started with the Maintenance of loyal clients.!" Your Future depends on your Past".

I like the design. Good work.

On the percentage thing go for it and use dark colors with more pigment. After a year they lighten up nice. I just did mine with dark red looks beautiful. First time I use dark brown dark red mix. Been about 6 years white cedar.

A tip on bad rust stains in wood is to pre treat before restoration. Just the spots. Then proceed with restoration process,

I have called Shane as recently as a couple of months ago . The phone still works but no response?

Dan, go watch the story John Adams.

Ready Seals # 80 is phosphoric based,Eaco Chem recommends to use there MD80 to neutralize after using Stripper Cream which is hydrochloric and makes a huge difference.

Rick, I mean moving to a phosphoric acid then move to a hydrochloric . There is a noticeable difference going from one acid to another not making one that your using stronger. The times I've done this are rear but it works.

I have had success moving up the ladder with a stronger Acid in some cases. Then sum stains just don't *** out. If you move to a stronger acid the complete deck will have to be done because of the color shift. I have had some very bad candle stains( burning oil lamps) this year I could not solve ? Made better !

Good luck Jim , I love reading your posts !

I thought about this a little and I haven't seen a Ipe board checking badly due to not sealing the end grain. However;if your into preventive maint seal it. Now as far as Dan's responses go " the who care column" or " what did he say" or" does he really know about that" or " is she really going out with him ?" sums uP what I think when " the plain painter" is handing out info !!! lol

On ipe I find no benefit and I take care of some old stuff that has none and very large and I don't seal any more 4000k sqft another 3k no sealing and no end sealing both perfect. On the Mahog type wood I do see a benefit it causes big problems and rot if not sealed. The cheaper the hardwood the more it benefits!I shouldn't say cheaper , maybe the less dense it is ? Some mahog's are more pricey than Ipe.

Lovely Roger !! Are u using the Queens Oil ?

John , some of my best looking decks are Ipe not stained only cleaned. I have a few things for next week. It should cure by next April ?

There is no need to go nuts with acid on walk ways. It's good to have on hand.

On walk ways and patio's do a test spot with hot water and low pressure First. Then move to a bleach and soap solution. I take care of a few big ones and this works. This also will turn into a recurring thing.

Dan, you make being in business so difficult. The first five years is a work in process to gain a reputation and to separate yourself from the competition. KISS ( keep it simple stupid). Quality work and high Standards!!! I was a very savvy Marketer when I started my biz. Once I found out I was any good I went directly to the people I wanted to work for that needed my service. Country Clubs, Women groups and certain faith based groups. One of my best ads ever was directed at the Domestic Engineer's of the house hold. They control the house! When I got good at wood. I went directly to deck builders which turned out to be a great source work till today! Nothing better than starting with new wood and taking care of it for its career which also turns into other work ? I like direct marketing by going to the source. People I know that need the service. You have 200 to 250 day's a year to fill up. Is there 300 to 400 house holds who need your service ? Can you make 500 to 1000 dollars a day ? People and house holds become regular customers . reducing the days that need to be filled. Then it's time to expand or add workers ? Stay within your abilities everyones different. KISS

Dan, the price of materials have sky rocketed over the last few years? Plastic has doubled along with Gas , Mineral Spirits and any other Petro based product. Ready Seal has stayed low relative to all other sealing products which are 1/3 to 3/4 higher and up per gallon and five'er . I have done some specialty jobs where materials have been 40% of the job. It always seems like you come up with theory's and hypothetical's ?

If you do a wood marketing campaign make sure you have a few done . Relatives, friends ect....

I weathered the storm and the Rain storms but I think people are hurting more now than before and I think it will be worse in the Spring. 1 in 6 Bank loans are in default. In all my years of Biz I had the least amount of calls after labor day in my history for PW but I am still working now and expect to work up till Xmas doing some inside stuff.

The Temp's this time of year in New England are not conducive to stripping. If it's a difficult strip it will be more problematic .

Installed new coil 2 winters ago. Turned heater on last week and was not getting any flow . A minute later it slowly came out sputtering with black and brown stuff and started working. Now every time I release the pressure and start again it does the same thing. This is a hydro tek and my first coil lasted 10 years and never had this issue. I mainly use heat in spring, fall and for residential work. Always garaged and very well taken care of.