Beth n Rod

We do several things...you may think this is overkill... better than scrubbing flagstone. :groovy: 1. pre-wet flagstone :groovy: 2. put down plastic :groovy: 3. cover plastic with a heavy canvas tarp Beth :dancing:

Did you propose full sanding? Beth

We have been using the new Cabots for a while now, no ill effects here. But the smell is different than the old, and since the VOC's are lower, you have to wonder what in the formula changed. We always keep a bucket of degreaser with us on jobs, the primary reason being cleanup. However the secondary reason is to keep the rags in, to avoid spontaneous combustion. (if a tarp get a spill on it, you can put some degreaser on it to help break it down, and wet it) Was this job in full sun? How hot was it? Glad everyone is safe! Beth

Amazing. But I thought you didn't like headache jobs? Beth

I agree with Ken, if the fence is on the line. It is also worth asking if the fence is inside thier line, and also who paid for the fence if it went up after the home. Some folks will build just inside thier line so they don't need to worry about asking neighbors, others may feel inclined to have you do the whole fence both sides, if they paid to install it, with just a simple nod of approval from the neighbors. In this case, we have found neighbors don't seem to mind, since they didn't buy the fence and are getting something clean to look at, no cost to them. Good luck! Beth

Xylene may work, but you will need to rinse, you might want to follow it with degreaser, depending on how tough and deep the stain is. Beth

VERY cool! Excellent work guys!!! Beth & Rod

Unfortunately, there is little anyone can do when the homeowner decides to be ignorant! You can tell them all you can to help them, but mostly, they think you are just trying to talk them out of choosing anyone else. We give literature for people to look at in their leisure. Unless they inquire, I will not go down the "watch out for..." or "buyer beware" speeches. If they really only care about price, they will end up paying it in other ways. If they really care about quality, the choice they make will reflect the experience with you at the time of the estimate. Personalities can also play a big factor in the homeowners decision. Next! Rod~

Degreaser, heavy duty. Try a stiff bristled brush. If not, do you have a surface cleaner? Beth

It's not out of the question to ask them if they are interested in the best price, or the best service...it's not the same thing. Watch their heads spin...they will want to answer price, but if they think about it, they want the best service...but they are NOT the same thing at all. Beth

Henry - Exactly! We had a couple years of that - roofing and siding craze... from hail storms. Many of them are no longer in business too. Beth

Jon, I'm talking about unlicensed, uninsured people who go door to door working for cash. In the case of the driveway guys, they are supposed to be recoating asphalt, and you are lucky if you get a coat of oil applied to your old surface. Our local news has done stories on them in the past. I have spoken face to face with the tree guys, who didn't have a business card, business license even for their state, or a certificate of insurance to show. They show up when there is storm devastation, nothing wrong with that, but what I have a problem with, is that they are basically preying on people in a time of crisis, people who may not be thinking of licensing or insurance, and who may end up with worse property damage if they are unskilled and looking for cash. I have seen these people try to finish taking down a tree, doing it wrong, and I have seen them do FURTHER damage....take out mailboxes and hit cars! Then they collect cash - and split. Poof...gone...hasta la vista! Beth

Reed, You have me curious...what has changed in Wood Defender in the "new" stuff? Can you shed some light? Beth

What he's going to make is thin like the original. I have not spoken to Russ yest this week, so I am not sure where he is with that project. Beth

Nick, If it was a few weeks ago and you have EFC-38, mix it at about 8 oz to a gallon, and hit just the effected areas, then neutralize just those areas. Try doing this with a deck brush and a hose to control what you are doing and not affect the whole deck. When it dries, go back and look to see if the Tux will need a touch up in just those areas ( it may or may not). The result you got was from over application. You can try a rag with mineral spirits too, but I think you are past that. That works when sealer is still tacky. Not once it has cured.... :cool: Beth :groovy: :groovy2: :groovy3: p.s. ....am suggesting EFC, since it is a cleaner and light duty stripper. Do not use HD-80 for this, or you'll end up doing the whole thing.... your goal is to take off the shiny, but leave what is under it.

We have seen that happen on a cedar shake roof as well. When they start to root in the roof, you know you have problems. Beth

The answer is right there. ALL wood should be washed prior to being sealed for the first time, no exceptions. Strip it (remove botched sealer job), prep it, then seal it. See the Ipe threads for advice, as it is similar to Mahogany. As for the Cedar house, I agree if you are trying to maintain the finish, do not use the F-18. It will strip it. Use a percarb and do neutralize afterwards. Beth

http://www.angryalien.com/ Movies reinacted by bunnies in 30 seconds. Funny! Beth

how hot was the water you were washing with? Rod~

Rick, Have seen RS on Ipe, it hold up less favorably than the Aussie Oil. Saw RS fail in just 3 months on Ipe... Nothing will last well on Ipe or on other hardwoods compared to softwoods. Poor penetration. Beth p.s. pronounced E-Pay (long E, so I sounds like E)

Does she have a lawn care service by chance? Is it possible that a lawn care company went in behind you and applied something that did this? Cujo mentioned Round Up... something like that, would also do this. Also how often does she feed her plants? Miracle Grow could make them bloom again if they are not dead, and plants need food in order to bloom. Poor nutrition, fewer blooms. Or, are there any bugs ( you are looking for something small here) on the leaves like aphids or the like? That would also make a plant sick, and goes unseen if you don't know what to look for. ( little white specks under leaves) Beth

Yes, this is true. You can burn grass that way. What time of day was the house washed? Beth

....what Pete said! :sunshine: Beth

Agreed! Beth

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