Everett Abrams

Glad to some of my tips get used. Worth the rental fee? If you do any volume it helps to buy one. As usual, Paul with more great advice.

I will offer my opinion. It is simple, when handling ANY chemical you should use all safety precautions necessary. Each of us will determine what is necessary for us. Safety precautions are on the MSDS and on labels. For anyone to get on any communication device or means and suggest an irresponsible and care free attitude toward there exposure ans risk is absurd. To debate uses and effectiveness is one thing but, there can never be "too much" safety.

I agree with most of what has been stated previously. I would add that IF you do end up using the CWF UV that you understand what you are looking at. It is a VERY thick product and will not flow through a pump up. It will also go on looking creamy in appearance and you will think something is wrong. When it dries it will look right and you will notice any spots you missed. Take Tony's advice though and try to steer them clear of it. Remember it is YOUR reputation you are working with, not there's. Take it personally and you will see the rewards later.

John brings up a great point. Neighbors also know they are picky as well. If you can please them it usually goes a long way and you end up with more work. With that being said, there is one in every bunch. It is simply human nature and unfortunately a cost of being in business. I just recently learned that according to the Consumer Fraud Act that any job over $200 needs a written contract with a start and finish date on it. Any changes to the original require a change form with at least two signatures. Any violation to this act can result in an award of up to 3 times the damages. Again, the cost of being in business.

Anybody get hit by this? I have been down until about an hour ago. This one got me real good. I had to call someone out because as I would try and delete the files and apply the patch I would get reinfected with the worm again. Anyway, I am back in the loop now.

Unless you are painting it, walk away. It will look worse after you wash it. Usually the person repainting the siding wants to do their own washing. I know I would. It is better to inform the customer up front and then have her future business than to make a buck. Not saying you would but, people out here do much too often. Nothing lasts forever, including aluminum siding.

Now that's what I'm talk'in about! They are boots of someone who knows what work is. Good Job VanDiesel!

One thing I do not allow is sneakers when washing. They soak in the chems and can cause injusry. I would say by the nice white color that these are either brand new OR he is very new to the business. If they were my sneaks I couldn't imagine them being that white in this business.

I would have to say 9% is pretty hard to believe. I would check the battery. If it still doesn't work throw it as hard as you can against a brick wall and replace.

Jim, I use the "Crap Trap", it is a bucket with a target on it for the birds to hit. The bird that gets the closest gets a free bird house. All participating birds get free bird seed. After the work is complete you remove the disposable bag from the "Crap Trap" and put in trash. All non-participating birds are disposed of with the old fashioned shotgun.

Tony, I usually stain or seal right over them. I just tell the customer that it adds a "natural" characteristic to the deck! LOL I usually use a small "toothbrush" size wirebrush for the hard to remove bird droppings as well. I agree they are a pain in the butt. I guess the birds do not realize that after we clean a deck the overhead area is a No Fly Zone!

John, Not at all, I respect you and your posts. Matter of factly, I commend you for being different and in how you approach the business. I am merely stating my opinion over all. I am sure you and I have seen our share of shaky contractors who promote certain items that just aren't true. I certainly don't put you in that category. I have a competitor that is telling customers that ANY use of a pressure washer is not recommended and WILL cause damage. We both know that a pressure washer at say 800 psi and used correctly will not damage wood. This is what I am really talking about.

These are just my opinions on the subject. First, the USDA and the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association recommend OIL BASE PRODUCTS. For me, that is enough right there. Now, there is no perfect product out there. Some are better under different circumstances and climates than others. There is so much competition in this market to come out with a "same day deck product" that I have to question is this really what is good for the wood and the customer OR is it what is better and easier for the homeowner to apply and the contractor who wants a fast buck? Don't forget the easier they make the products to apply, the more homeowners will try to do themselves as well. Secondly, I liken this at this point to the "no pressure washer" contractors, the garden hose house washers, and the folks looking for an "out of the box thinking" style of restoration. I understand that there are times when a water base would be a good choice and I also understand that there may actually be a good product that is going to come out and perform well. Until then I will be skeptical BUT, with an open mind.

Reed, I also sell them on the fact it will last longer because it is a vertical surface. This way they don't think they will have to see me every two years as we do with decks.

200 Linear Feet x $6.00 = $1200.00 Go above $6 when you start looking at board on board and other issues. If I go by square footage then I would start at $.50 per sq. ft. 200 length x 6 ft.height is 1200 sq ft. (one side) x2 for both sides is 2400 sq. ft. x $.50 = $1200 , same price either method.

aaahhh! There is joy in Mudville!

Jim, That is exactly what we charge!

Ron, You are too late, I already took you seriously and the "Crown" is in the mail! LOL Hail to the King!

Truth be told, I have Asthma and woke up having trouble breathing. I used my inhaler and couldn't go back to sleep. I went into the office and was going to go over some work and ended up playing Space Invaders. I was in such a zone I thought that I was "one" with the game. My hands and fingers were tingling from falling asleep as I was playing. Everett doesn't cheat but, "Now you know the rest of the story."

I don't have any competition in Space Invaders as it is.

It isn't just homeowners that do this. There are a bunch of contractors that do the same thing with the pressure washer. The industry is being hurt more my the "so-called" professional. This is one reason hmeowners are trying to do this on there own. One reason is usually money and the other is that they got shafted in the past. I have heard many times that "they" could do as good a job or better than the people they hired. Many times they are right(I know, "you get what you pay for"). There is a perception here to manage. This is not the last time you will hear this. I am aware of other organizations recommending not using a pressure washer. I may not agree with this company or what they are saying but, I give them credit for thinking out of the box. Just my opinions here.

I expected to see John T. with a gun drawn and yelling "hire me or else!" Looks great John!

REGISTRATION FORM NEIGHBORHOOD Kitchen Exhaust and Wood Boot Camps April 3-4, 2004 8:00 am – 5:00 pm each day * Comfort Inn & Suites * Mt. Laurel, NJ 6000 Crawford Place, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 * Phone: 856-727-0010 To register for the BooCamps, complete this form and return it to PWNA with the appropriate fees. Company Name _________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________ State ________ Zip _________________ Phone _______________________________________ Fax ______________________________ Email _______________________________________ Web ______________________________ ******************************************************************************** NOTE: Non-members can join and receive the Member rate – visit the PWNA website, www.pwna.org. WOOD Boot Camp FEES MEMBERS – 1ST COMPANY REP MEMBERS – ADD’L COMPANY REPS (2-9; over 10 call for price) NON-MEMBER – 1ST COMPANY REP NON-MEMBER – ADD’L COMPANY REPS Wood Boot Camp $400.00 $320.00 $550.00 $470.00 Wood Certification Exam $250.00 $250.00 $350.00 $350.00 Wood Study Manual(s) REQUIRED* $45.00 plus $5.00 S/H *Order Study Manuals online at www.pwna.org or call the PWNA office at 800-393-7962. KITCHEN Boot Camp FEES Price includes study materials AND certification test Member AND Non-Member Price $799.00 ATTENDEE NAMES FOR NAME BADGES (PLEASE PRINT). USE EXTRA SHEETS IF NECESSARY. ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ___________________________________________ TOTAL REGISTRATION and Book Order FEES $_______ PAYMENT METHOD (Please check one) Company Check Check number _____________ American Express MasterCard Visa Discover Credit Card Number ________________________________________ Expiration Date ____________________________________________ Name on Card _____________________________________________ Signature ____________________________________________ Return this form and registration fees to: PWNA 6418 Grovedale Drive, Ste. 101B Alexandria, VA 22310-2571 Phone: 800-393-7962 or 703-971-4011 Fax: 703-971-7772 Email: pwnahq@aol.com Website: www.pwna.org TOTAL FEES:

For anyone who has questions in regards to the Boot Camps please feel free to call me at 1-866-440-3325. If anyone is interested in future classes and dates, as well as requests, please call.

Joe G, I too have been hearing some good thinks about that product as well. I believe Tim McCulla is using the Maximum as well. Joe, have you thought about attending the Roundtable in Medford, NJ this Saturday?