Everett Abrams

I truly believe that the comments made in this post as in many others are valid and should be dealt with at some level. Before commenting though I must say that some opinions are formed by the perceptions and not always true facts. With that being said though "Perception is Fact" and that is an issue to deal with. One in particular is about the PWNA being about manufacturers, I believe the Associate Membership is 8%. Personally, I think this is too low. I believe we need more associate members to provide added value discounts to the membership as well as making for a great yearly convention. In regards to Health Benefits, we are currently working on a program to at the minimum offer benefits to all the states for the membership. The issue has been getting an insurance company to write a NEW policy that is for a non-profit organization. New legislation hsa been and continues to push through to allow for Association Benefits. We have been turned down by the larger companies at this time. The Better Business Bureau has been used to assist us in trying to get something done. I do believe we are close to something though. The problem that I see is that there is only so many folks that get active enough to make a difference. Forget the PWNA for a moment, When folks ask about Roundtable Meetings why isn't there a ground swell of volunteers to host or attend a basically FREE meeting to learn, share, and calibrate professionalism amongst contractors? Plumbers and electricians(and other trades) get together often and grow as a group. Can this not be done in our industry? Maybe it is with the PWNA, maybe it will be something else? In any event I don't believe we will move forward without a "Code of Standards" that we all buy into and get behind. We should be more united than we are, bottom line. I personally made a decision to become more involved with the PWNA to try and accomplish this result. If I/We fail it will at least be with me saying I tried to make a difference. I wish everyone at least shared the passions that the David S., John T., Tim S, Paul B's, and others have for this industry and their profession, PWNA Member or not. Maybe I am all wet, maybe not. At the end of the day I just want to look in that mirror and like the guy looking back! Thanks for all the comments they are appreciated and they do get discussed and noticed.

rfitz, If your point is that oils are better for exterior wood surfaces than other finishes, that's fine. I honestly think you are going a bit far with your explanation though. Bottom line is a paint is a paint and a stain is a stain. There may be characteristics between the two that are common. Some of the differences are that a stain is supposed to ba able to "breathe" and a paint seals to protect. Many solid stains do not have waxes that paints do. The differences are truly in their content. An easy way to describe the difference is a solid stain is a "cheaper" or "watered-down" version of a paint. Again, I understand that some of the characteristics between paints and solid stains are the same, however, they ARE different. There are many sources to read on all the differences between the two. "Painting and Finishing" by Michael Dresdner and "Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner are good starts. They also provide excellent other information on our trade. I still don't understand your claim that paints or solid stains will be the cause of wood rotting in 10-15 years. If this were the case no one would use them for protection at all. These type finishes are also used to protect. Are you trying to say that wood be better left exposed rather than painted? I would submit that there are other reasons that the wood rots(poor design, boards placed crown side down, constant standing water, and other factors). I do agree that acrylic finishes while being more durable are difficult to strip and in high traffic areas, like decks should not be used. The problem I see moving forward is that this may be an only option in certain areas. There has been much talk about the use of oil-based finishes. Specifically around water ways which could lead to more popularity of the water-based finishes. The EPA is looking closely at this in NJ at this time. This is a great topic you brought up as this question is very often asked. In regards to Consumer Reports, they have credibility with our customers. This is a fact and the perception that a reader gets from their publication(right or wrong) is a perception that we all will have to manage. As Beth posted, it is always great to have articles and documentation to support any of your claims when estimating. I carry many such items to provide with estimates that range from "artillery fungus" to "types of stains and sealers" to "why hire a professional to restore your wood." Again, great topic to dscuss and post about. What are others opinions of Consumer Reports and how it effects what we do and their findings?

I understand what your point is. The difference between a stain and a paint is that a stain has penetrating qualities and a paint forms a film on the surface. If your point is that "opaques" as it is used in this report have similar characteristics as paint I will only agree to a point. Specifically, the article refers to Cabot's Decking Stain, 1400 Series, this is a product that has linseed oil in it and IS NOT an acrylic. The Cabot 1800 series is an acrylic-based decking stain. In this article Consumer Reports calls the decking stain an opaque and in this instance is not an acrylic. I would venture to say that there are many contractor's, who when using a pigmented stain use the Cabot products. The other question I have would be "What is your basis that by using a solid stain that you will only get 10-15 years out of the deck? I have not experienced this myself. Again, while I understand what your point I don't see these results.

This is the article from their site for 08/2003 rankiings and story. I personally don't see anything that recommends paints. Is there other info that I am missing? August 2003 Deck treatments: Long-lived colors Opaque and semitransparent deck finishes used to come in a very small selection of colors, most of which had all the pizzazz of battleship gray. Today, manufacturers offer dozens of off-the-shelf premixed shades as well as colors mixed at the store. Also in recent years, manufacturers have reformulated many opaque and semitransparent treatments, especially to improve their ability to fend off dirt and mildew. We’d like to think that’s a response to previous findings from our six-year testing program to determine how well the leading deck treatments hold up to the elements. The details: Opaques rule. One opaque treatment, the Cabot Decking Stain, has outperformed all others in its third year of our ongoing tests. Besides resisting mildew, it has proven the best at keeping its original color. Several other opaque finishes are in their first year or two of testing and look promising so far. Other deck finishes rarely last. One Wolman semitransparent and one Olympic clear finish still look good after three years. But most clear finishes haven’t resisted dirt buildup or mildew. They also wear away, exposing the wood to moisture. HOW TO CHOOSE Consider the wood. If your deck is made of pressure-treated pine, the most common material, an opaque treatment is the best choice (see Three finishes). Not only does an opaque treatment last the longest, saving you money on materials and a few weekends of time, it also lets you have a deck finish that complements the color of the house. If you’ve chosen cedar, redwood, or a similarly showy and expensive wood for the deck, you’ll probably prefer a finish that reveals the wood’s natural grain. A semitransparent treatment is usually a better choice, since it allows the wood grain to show while providing more protection for a longer period of time than most clear treatments. Consider your locale. If you live in an urban area, your biggest problem may be keeping the deck clean. Choosing the right brand of treatment can make that job easy because some resist dirt buildup while others seem to act as a dirt magnet. Consider the deck’s location. If your deck is shaded by trees or out of direct sunlight on the north side of the house, you’ll probably want a deck treatment with good mildew resistance. In contrast, if your deck bakes in the bright sun, it can be damaged by ultraviolet light. Colors may fade or shift. Ultraviolet light turns exposed wood gray. While the weathered-gray look may appeal to you, it doesn’t bode well for the longevity of the deck material. IN THIS REPORT • Main report • CR Quick Recommendations • Ratings • Three finishes RELATED REPORTS • Exterior paints 8/03 • Exterior stains 8/03

Paul, Are you sure that wasn't you chopping coconuts? LOL I love the Keys!

Reed, I wouldn't be able to get rid of the smile on the mug either. Virginia Beach is awesome! That would be a great ride. Have fun and keep reporting on your adventures!

Pressure Washing has been verrry, verrry good to Reed! Congrats on the new bike, enjoy. By the way I just called Reed's office line and it says they no longer have weekend hours. HMMMMM? LOL

The PWNA will be having our next Wood Boot Camp in the Washington D.C. area on the above dates. If there are any questions in regards to the class or certification feel free to contact me at eabrams@deckrestorationplus.com or 1-866-440-3325. To register for the Boot Camp please contact the PWNA Headquarters at 1-800-393-7962. These classes are always very informative about the wood restoration industry as well as related pressure washing items. Add a little fun and we have a great time!

June 7th and 8th Boot Camp for Wood Certification There will be a Boot Camp for Wood Restoration and Preservation Certification held on June 7th and 8th in Mt. Laurel , NJ. The class will be held at the Hamptom Inn which is about 30 minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport. For specific information contact the PWNA Office at 1-800-393-7962 or myself, at 1-866-440-3325 or eabrams@deckrestorationplus.com There will only be room for so many so sign up as soon as you can. The test will be given at the class. This will be a fun time and we look forward to scheduling more of these over the coming months. If there are any questions please ask. Thank you.

There is still time to make it happen if you are interested. eabrams@deckrestorationplus.com with any questions.

I don't agree in this industry. I have much better success with men. Same goes with the phone. Customers feel that a man is more knowedgable than a woman. That a woman isn't credible when she answers a question. I hate sexist customers!LOL I wish I could have shown you the work a female had two years ago on one of our staining crews , faster , neater , and more caring of others property!

Replace it is the best choice.

I am very sorry to hear of those turn of events , I wish you well. If it helps in NJ the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is now offering benefits to business owners. Perhaps you could contact the BBB in your area and see if they have a similar program. I hope that helps.

I think you could put absolutely anything you want in place of "French" , however I believe Jon is referring to the current events concerning France. Besides , I think Jon is an equal opportunity offender anyway, I'll probably be next. LOL

I wish you and your family all the best. Thank your sons for me as I appreciate what they have done. I hope all goes well with the wedding. My prayers are with your son , and all others , who are still there.

I don't think you misunderstood at all. I think your answer was perfect. I just wanted to make sure all his questions were answered. Guess I should have said "In addition to what Beth stated..." Anytime you can goet it back to natural , I'm all for it.

Mike, To answer your first question , antime you use a base it should be neutralized with an acid. So if you use a stripper , yes you need to neutralize. Another item is that if a deck is not properly neutralized and you apply an oil base solid you can cause a gas reaction and cause bubbling of the stain. The answer to you second question is yes you can use an airless sprayer for solid stains. In comparison to paint a solid stain is a "thinned down' version of a paint. A stain is made to grab more into the wood. I NEVER use a roller. Further, your prices are way too low for this type of work. There are many contractors who charge $1.25/sq.ft. for a simple clean/strip and sealer application. When you start using solids your price should go up significantly. As Paul stated , if you use a primer ( to create a "new" surface) then you have added an extra day to the job. The primer should dry for 24hours. On a personal note , I believe that whatever coating you put on you should try to get the surface as "clean" as possible ,first. I hope that I have helped you.

The PWNA is asking for your opinions and thoughts on how to improve the Certification Programs. Check this out! What Sort Of New Courses Are You Interested In?? The PWNA Directors are committed to providing the classes that y'all want and need. We are currently talking about a Safety class, truck washing, some "advanced" courses, a beginner's general course, etc. Help us set the priorities right by posting what you'd like to see developed over the coming months. We're listening! Pete Marentay, Certification Committee http://www.pwnabbs.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=76

Chuck, I too send my thanks and prayers. I got to see a good friend of mine the other day on an MSNBC piece on surgeries in the desert , until then we actually thought he was still in Kuwait. It is what he loves to do and I see the personal sacrifice his wife and he have made. We were actually with her last night. I appreciate all that these folks do so that I can live the way I do , nothing taken for granted. I also wish you luck in adjusting to your business needs. I doubt that I can personally help because of distance but if there is anything I could do to help let me know.

Well done and same exact info I got. In NJ this is the area they are concentrating on this year and testing. It pays to contact the right people. I hope things are going well drop me an e-mail some time.

One Tough Pressure is right for some it isn't as costly as you think. The main thing is to get educated and learn as much as you can. Also, he is exactly right on the what you are washing off and not just the water. In truth the person washing their car off in there driveway and letting the water go down the driveway and into a city storm drain is technically in violation. John T., We should be having someone from the NJ EPA at the next roundtable meeting in October , he has agreed to present . We just have to secure a date and if it is a Saturday he needs to get approval. The PWNA in A.C. , I'm all for it! If I want to see a bunch of females I'd rather go to Atlantic City than to go see the Dallas Cowgirls! Are they still in the NFL or did they get kicked out for imitating a football team! I'll hear it for this! We'll have to chat one night after work.

John T., I looked all over in Vegas for you , I thought you might catch a Red Eye! I don't usually chime in on such issues , however this time I shall. Robert Hinderliter and Delco have done much for this industry , and yes he makes money from the industry. I applaud him for that. We are much better with him involved in this industry and a lot of his work has been because of his passion. For those who weren't in Las Vegas for the "Outdoor Demos" you missed an unbelievable display of this passion. You could visibly see Robert working with the machines , surface cleaners , and different attachments. My guess is if someone didn't take the equipment away he would still be there washing the entire Riviera! If everyone had this passion I could tell you how successful you would be. Sacramento and other areas are setting regulations , not Robert Hinderliter. I think it is admirable that he has gotten involved and help guide the regulations , make an impact. Now , with that being stated, I think it is smart business to be involved , stay ahead of the curve , and then design equipment that keeps a contractor in compliance. I don't know for sure but I would imagine that Robert Hinderliter has put much "free time" in this industry. I know the perception that is out there and I recognize it as so , my take is that meet the man , see his passion , and then decide whether we are better off with him in this in dustry and his involvement. I have and I thank him for that. Again , this is my opinion only. John are you going to be going to Dallas next year? Also , For the next Roundtable Meeting we are going to be having a speaker from the EPA.

Me 2

John T. YOU are the real stand up guy! Exactly right about Ron M. he is the pioneer. Thank you for bringing that point up as I should have. By the way I am still working on an excuse for you wife. I am thinking of having Ed McMahon or somebody show up at you house and tell her that you guys have won a trip to "Beautiful Las Vegas!" Let me know what you think!

Beth, I appreciate the recognition to the Roundtables. I do believe that we have made a statement that "Roundtable Meetings have a place in our industry." These meetings should only continue to grow as they are so positive in creating community as well as support for our industry. I also believe the education factor as well as raising the bar on professionalism increases from these meetings. Further , I believe that we are at a critical point with these meetings on how organized they become and what the content should be moving forward. I think everyone should post ideas and let's see how big these become! The key is "this is our industry and to be responsible to it means to take ownership in it",we all need to put an effort out to be more recognized and professional. The Roundtables help us to do just that.