Beth n Rod

We rarely use it at 8oz/gal but like to apply it with a sprayer over an x-jet or m-5 jet due to the 3:1 dilution ratio which makes it too weak to perform. For most our purposes it is mixed up to 6oz/gal in concentration to get the job done and avoid heavy fuzzing. Patience is key next to dwell time and attention to where the stripping is successful vs not complete. What can I say...it's an art to me. Rod!~

We use a sprayer like a decker or the like. Easier to control the flow of stripper, and no dilution to worry about. I'll get Rod to post more about it. Beth

There you go! Moved. In Long Island, call John Tornabene Pressure washing and sealing decks, fences, house washing, power washing building exteriors Clean County Power Washing - Long Island New York Beth

Competition - probably new. Beth

Part of the solution we have found is to add longer hose to the unit so once you set it up you don't have to move it until finished in most cases. The larger deep cycle marine battery does what we need it to and is forgiving of the need to charge frequently. We bought a new trickle charger system for the one mounted permanently in the van that keeps it at full charge 90% if the time. Nothing negative about the gel battery, we just made a different choice. Our crews are all muscle bound anyway so they don't mind it. It's a testosterone thing I guess. Rod!~

WOW! What a wonderful pain in the rump that will be. Beautiful structure. Beth

I'm sure it is... ACR PRODUCTS Call them. Tell them The Grime Scene sent you. Beth

Glad to hear that there is something good on the consumer shelves, I would just cringe at the price for it in comparison to contractor priced products. We have used Floods strippers which work great but for the price at retail it would throw us out of the competition to use it. For example... we just did a strip of a deck thats 936sqft in size including the rails and I used 16 gallons of HD-80 at 5oz/gal which equates to about 80oz's. At $69/10lb tub that comes out to around $23. With multiple applications it comes out to about 58.5 sqft/gal coverage to strip Sikkens Cetol Dek. In comparison, the flood stripper is around $25/gal and at 16 gallons to complete the job that would have cost around $400. My question is: How much did your stripper cost? Rod!~

The viscosity seems no different. Still a tad tacky, but nowhere near like the last batch. It's much better at the 24 hour mark and passes the rain test. We'll see when we put it on a deck. I'll check the wood again later. Beth

One of the things to keep in mind, you may only need to replace certain boards. If you have a sap vein running the length of the board, you may want to replace that board. Boards with veins are problematic. Not the knots that leach sap, but boards with entire veins running the length of the board.... look for cracks that cut across the vein (and the grain), rather than running with the grain. Those are your sap veins. As the sap leaches out and the vein dries, you will begin to get small, squarish chunks of wood that break out of the vein. They can go pretty deep and sanding won't help. Replace boards that have this problem, or tell the customer to expect to have to live with a place they can catch their bare foot, and they will have future splintering there as well. Hope this helps ;) Beth

Thanks Scott! :) Now...on the boards.... First of all it rained last night. I can report the Wood Tux held up fine, no spottiness. WT had been applied mid morning yesterday. It was still a little wet, if I press down on it when I touch it I can get slight color off on my finger (not much), and the tackiness is much reduced. Also seems to penetrate better. I suspect that had it not rained yesterday afternoon and night, we might be in a better place today. I did check the boards before the rain, same result I am reporting now. Beth

Goody! Who sent them? I would love to have some. I'll go check the two boards after my coffee.... :cup: One cedar one PT...will report back. Beth

As a hardwood floor owner ourselves, we are coming to a point where it will need help and would like to ask a question or two: Is sanding the best way to remove the old finish? What types of finishes work best and last? Rod!~

We got our pails and they were PERFECT with a capital P. Packed to pail perfection with no punctures. Pails were placed in plastic pouches (bags) with tight closures and packing paper filled in around them, then placed in boxes and packaged up tight. (did I get enough words that begin with "P" in there?) Way to go Scott Paul! Beth p.s. will report tomorrow on what I brushed on two boards.

I agree with what Ken said.... :) Beth

What kind of wood is the deck made of? Beth

What method of payment did you use? If a credit card-issue a charge back If a check, did it clear? If not, then you have to take him to court for non-fulfillment of obligation. Next time, get it in writing. If there is no contract, you have little to go on. Rod!~

If you didn't get to approve a proof, I would be livid. I make it really clear to those we advertise with, that I need TIME. I want to see my proof and have TIME to make changes. Time is not one hour. Time, is several days. And even if I have changes, I make it clear I expect a new proof to approve. Beth

No, but I would be curious to learn more...I have a kitchen floor I am itching to replace! Beth

Rick, Works like ipe. Did one of these a few years back on a log home. Anything you apply will end up in the mahogany flame type color. If you have never worked on this wood, take the job - then go fishing. Goodness knows you deserve the break. Beth

Well, there are a couple things you can do... Tell the client they need to prune back the plantings... or tell the customer you can't guarantee they won't be somewhat effected - water tends to push plants over, and tarps mush them down. They should water after you seal the wood, and also feed the plants. Use a shield - cardboard works well to place between the plants and the wood you are sealing. If this project scares you, then bid high. Set the expectations that something may happen, not that it won't, then try your best to keep the plants safe. Beth

I am sure we are among many others to have had an unfavorable experience with vendors in one way or another. This thread is your chance to form a consensus that would be of benefit to both you and any vendor who would like to examine their company processes as a result of the input shared here. I would have to agree with Rick in the fact that ACR products has been wonderful to deal with in addition to others who have offered great service like Sunbrite Supply, The Sealer Store, The Chemistry Store, Delco, Paul Kassander at Mobie clean and also Bob at Pressure Tek. We have also had very positive experiences with Keith at KB Graphics and Queensboro.com for other product needs for our company and here on TGS as well. Our need for good communication, customer service, technical support and prompt shipping upon order fulfillment is what drives me to mention them. If I didn't mention someone please excuse the oversite. I will list them as I recall them...:thinking: If any vendor is performing well, give them their due and let others know about it. If there are any you have not had good experiences with overall, leave them be and let them figure it out for themselves. We are professionals and have no need to resort to negativities here. Rod!~

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!! Recently I went out to help Rod, and the job of the day was a building wash in a not so nice area, next to a liquor store. The area locals had a few choice places they liked to hang out, drink, ...sleep ( aka pass out) and pee. The building had horrible stains on it...that poor brick...and the poor fence! Pee stains are just nasty! Beth

Just remember to let it dwell, keep it moist and test in the toughest places before you wash and you're good to go... 8 oz to the gallon... Beth

Thanks for sharing Jon! :) Had a feeling this would be a great event! Beth