Beth n Rod

Jim, We do Ipe maint. annually. You pretty much have to, if they want some color and don't want the grey. Beth

Use a degreaser solution and a rag to wipe it off as it gets on it. Another way is to premask the screen with 2" wide blue tape or use cardboard. Not sure how much room you have to work with as either of these may work according to what your situation is. Rod~

There are several ways to approach this. Regardless, you will have to wipe the screen as you work, to make sure you don't get sealer on it. I suggest a stain pad (not on the handle, so it is flat) for the part closest to the screen. Beth

CPA. He's a friend of the family, and we would not change. You go to the Doctor for your health, go to a CPA for your company's financial health. Beth

Very nice! :groovy3: Beth

Thanks guys! We love this work. When things look this good, you really don't want to give the deck back to the customer. You want to just enjoy it for a while... Beth

Here are some shots of an ipe and cedar deck we are currently working on. The owner had some very nice customization done, and the deck is rounded in some places with the cedar band board wrapping the deck and stairs. The lattice is also cedar, and the floor and handrails are ipe. The owner had proudly cared for it with penofin and some cwf. He washed it himself. So, it needed stripping. This first shot is from the ground on the side. The staircase is also 5 feet wide, has lighting and is rounded on the corners as well. Beth

Yes, rails and verticals first, then the horizontals. We use small brushes for the detail work and a sprayer and pads for the rest. (sprayer is necessary between the dual kickrails at the bottom of the spindles, then the small brush to even it out) Rod~

Aussie Oil... Beth

Have a great vacation - post a tropical pic when you get back so the rest of us can live vicariously! Beth :sunshine: :island: :cool: :Beerchug:

Here are the after shots.... Have a great day! :sunshine: :island: :beerchug: :cool: Beth

I have a couple of questions.... Look at the MSDS for Sunbrite's brightener, and tell me what percent the Oxylic in it is.... Also did you rinse the oxylic ( brightener) afterwards? I suggest you do, if you didn't. Overuse of bleach or Oxylic can give the wood an unnatural look. You will want to defur the deck to knock the fuzzies off. Depending on what is in the Restore, yes it may fuzz the wood. I would need to know what chemicals are on the MSDS to tell you more. Also post some pics if you can... Beth p.s. just get in the car and drive up.... ;)

Always take the customer's phone number(s) with you. Let them know of any changes that will effect your arrival time. Beth

Dumb question...is the deck being washed... or stripped? Beth

Hydrofuoric acid: attacks glass and any other silica cantaining material. May react with common metals (iron, steel) to generate flammable hydrogen gas if diluted below 65%. Reacts exothermically (creates a chemical change in which there is a liberation of heat, as in combustion.) with chemical bases (ex: inorganic hydroxides) Corrosive to metals and tissue. Contact with many silicon compounds and metal silicides causes violent evolution of gaseous silican tetrafluoride. Highly toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Exposure to fumes or very short contact with liquid may cause severe painful burns; penetrates skin to cause deep-seated ulceration that may lead to gangrene. Air and water reactive. Hydrochloric acid: (aka-muriatic acid) is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, an acidic gas. Reacts exothermically (creates a chemical change in which there is a liberation of heat, as in combustion.) with carbonates (including limestone and building materials containing limestone) and hydrogen carbonates to generate carbon dioxide. Reacts with metals (including aluminum, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, tin and all of the alkali metals) to generate flammable hydrogen gas. Reacts violently with sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide. Mixtures with concentrated sulfuric acid can evolve toxic hydrogen chloride gas at a dangerous rate. Produces irritating vapor. Air Reactive. Source: CAMEO, NOAA, EPA I thought this would be helpful to others who would ask the same question and provide an in depth overview of these two chemicals and the hazardous potentials they present. I have come across this information during my research for development of course work for building exterior washing 1-3 stories. The course work is still being researched as I have found much to be considered when working with various exterior surfaces and the types of pollutants, stains, and coatings found on them. It should be ready with in about 6 months. (time permitting) Publication will follow and the prices will be announced then. Rod~

She'll call you again when it's even worse.... Been there, done that... ;) Beth

Cujo - Compliance standards in the above 6 states are TOUGHER now than in California. I would not be so sure, unless you know what the VOC content is. I too thought California was the strictest. It's not. Beth

Aussie Oil all over. Mahogany Flame on the ipe, Amberwood on the cedar. Beth

03/31/05 20:36:15 Jeffrey_Robison Logs in [67.34.59.143] 03/31/05 20:36:27 Jeffrey_Robison: big scott! 03/31/05 20:36:49 Jeffrey_Robison: Survive the storms? 03/31/05 20:37:20 scottk: trying to 03/31/05 20:37:39 scottk: rain again today and 100% chance tomorrow 03/31/05 20:37:49 Jeffrey_Robison: I heard it flooded in certain parts, did it affect you 03/31/05 20:38:05 scottk: no all teh flooding is in Albany 03/31/05 20:38:28 Jeffrey_Robison: Sylvester was spared 03/31/05 20:39:16 scottk: there was some flooding out in the county but it's so far out we didn't even know where it was.....lol 03/31/05 20:40:14 scottk: you found a reclaim set up yet? 03/31/05 20:40:22 Jeffrey_Robison: Did you sell the recovery unit. I felt bad pulling away, it just didn't work like I thought it should 03/31/05 20:40:26 Jeffrey_Robison: NO 03/31/05 20:40:46 scottk: nope he hasn't sold it..not trying to help him anymore 03/31/05 20:41:03 Jeffrey_Robison: I think I am going to do it on the very cheap, and see if enforcement is really a fact 03/31/05 20:41:19 Jeffrey_Robison: Seemed like a good guy 03/31/05 20:41:44 scottk: he is was trying to get someof our accounts 03/31/05 20:41:52 Jeffrey_Robison: sump pump, berms and just see what happens. 03/31/05 20:42:05 scottk: that's what we use when we need to 03/31/05 20:42:16 Jeffrey_Robison: No kidding? That has to hurt after helping him out 03/31/05 20:43:33 Jeffrey_Robison: Busy? Kind of slow to get going for me so far. But when it has been nice I seem to get a couple calls a day for quotes. 03/31/05 20:44:00 MikeIN Logs in [4.252.70.120] 03/31/05 20:44:10 MikeIN: evening 03/31/05 20:44:16 Jeffrey_Robison: Are you going to the meeting in Murfreesboro? 03/31/05 20:44:24 scottk: no 03/31/05 20:44:26 Jeffrey_Robison: evening mike 03/31/05 20:44:53 Jeffrey_Robison: I am not so sure either, I might have to take my daughter to summer camp that day. 03/31/05 20:45:54 Jeffrey_Robison: that would be a long day, I would not want to spend the night either. I have a good friend up there so I might. 03/31/05 20:46:35 Jeffrey_Robison: How's the weather in Indy 03/31/05 20:46:46 MikeIN Logs Out 03/31/05 20:47:01 MikeIN Logs in [4.252.70.120] 03/31/05 20:47:05 MikeIN: oops 03/31/05 20:47:08 MikeIN: wrong window 03/31/05 20:47:20 MikeIN: 61 degrees today, it was nice! 03/31/05 20:47:56 Jeffrey_Robison: Sweet, it is warming up but you get one unbelievable day and then it rains like crazy for two 03/31/05 20:49:04 MikeIN: things are starting to turn green and come back to life again, i actually had to get my mower out and get it ready for action soon 03/31/05 20:49:16 Jeffrey_Robison: What sort of advertising do you rely on for residential? 03/31/05 20:49:41 Jeffrey_Robison: I mowed my weeds last week, one thing in life I hate and that is yard work. 03/31/05 20:49:57 MikeIN: well i live in an area where everyone reads the local paper for news in the area, so the paper works great for advertising. 03/31/05 20:50:20 MikeIN: i enjoy yard work, what I dont enjoy is shoveling snow 03/31/05 20:50:22 Jeffrey_Robison: Service directory or actual advertisement in the paper? 03/31/05 20:50:44 Jeffrey_Robison: I am going to get in one of the service directories 03/31/05 20:51:02 MikeIN: I've used the service directory in the past, but I'm talking to a local contractor about splitting a full page ad this spring. 03/31/05 20:51:11 MikeIN: the service directory works fine 03/31/05 20:51:19 MikeIN: like I said, everyone here reads the paper 03/31/05 20:51:40 Jeffrey_Robison: I am a small part time guy, I am actually afraid of what a good ad might bring. 03/31/05 20:51:43 MikeIN: and its a really inexpensive way to get your name out 03/31/05 20:51:55 MikeIN: im part time as well 03/31/05 20:52:56 MikeIN: I am upfront with people from the get go letting them know I'm part time so they well hopefully understand more if I ever get backed up. 03/31/05 20:53:06 MikeIN: i've not had to worry about that yet though 03/31/05 20:53:45 Jeffrey_Robison: It is starting to get busier for me I had 6 quotes this week, 4 jobs booked and a probably, and an old guy that said someone normally does it for a third of that price 03/31/05 20:53:52 MikeIN: try the service directory out, its not that expensive and worth a try 03/31/05 20:54:14 MikeIN: add something in the add about spring cleaning, that seems to be the kick everyones on now 03/31/05 20:54:30 MikeIN: add = ad 03/31/05 20:54:32 Jeffrey_Robison: I mask the fact I am part time in the beginning and usually tell them later. 03/31/05 20:55:20 Jeffrey_Robison: Do you do much commercial? 03/31/05 20:55:42 MikeIN: I guess I would rather just let them know upfront, so if something did happen and i got backed up I would hopefully not have a pissed off customer 03/31/05 20:55:48 MikeIN: not really 03/31/05 20:55:56 Jeffrey_Robison: I have done a few, not sure what I would like to specialize in. 03/31/05 20:56:28 MikeIN: I enjoy residential work 03/31/05 20:56:51 Jeffrey_Robison: Residential just seems like it pays so much better for the actual time worked. 03/31/05 20:57:39 MikeIN: residential work seems to get you more word of mouth advertisement then commercial work, if you do a good job for someone they tell all their friends and family. thats free advertisement 03/31/05 20:57:50 Jeffrey_Robison: Commercial seems cut throat to me. A few I have bid on said I was way high. Some just agree to let me do the work. 03/31/05 20:58:06 MikeIN: plus I enjoy getting to know people and residential work is more personable 03/31/05 20:58:13 Jeffrey_Robison: I agree 03/31/05 20:58:44 MikeIN: not to mention with alot of commercial work your waiting up to 30days for a payment 03/31/05 20:59:13 MikeIN: just my personal feelings :) 03/31/05 20:59:15 Jeffrey_Robison: 30 if your lucky. PW is probably last on the list. 03/31/05 20:59:40 Jeffrey_Robison: Are you in a small town or bigger 03/31/05 21:00:07 Jeffrey_Robison: I am about 20 north of Atlanta, the market is huge down here. Residential and commercial 03/31/05 21:00:08 MikeIN: small town usa :) 03/31/05 21:00:25 MikeIN: I'm south of indianapolis 03/31/05 21:00:39 Jeffrey_Robison: I do business in Marion and Columbus, both neat little towns, especially Columbus 03/31/05 21:01:17 MikeIN: this town has less then 35,000 03/31/05 21:01:29 Jeffrey_Robison: Much competition? 03/31/05 21:01:41 MikeIN: so I service about 3 counties 03/31/05 21:01:46 MikeIN: a little, not much at all 03/31/05 21:02:02 MikeIN: more then enough work for everyone 03/31/05 21:02:40 Jeffrey_Robison: I really do not worry about other people so much. To each his own. Some price very high and some very low. 03/31/05 21:03:32 MikeIN: yeah you cant spend alot of time watching others, work at a fair price to you, do the best job you can, and have fun doing it is my motto :) 03/31/05 21:03:42 Jeffrey_Robison: I am on the high side, so I lose some as a result. i think some people honestly think $75.00 is good for cleaning a house. I just smile hold firm and politely walk away. 03/31/05 21:04:11 MikeIN: if your getting most jobs you bid, your pricing is probably to low and should be raised 03/31/05 21:04:32 MikeIN: 75.00... maybe for cleaning out the gutters but not washing the house :) 03/31/05 21:04:38 Jeffrey_Robison: I really don't need the money, just kind of fell into it. I was backing someone and they bailed after I had equipment, ins, advertising etc... 03/31/05 21:04:50 MikeIN: make it 150.00 and we can talk 03/31/05 21:05:53 MikeIN: destiny eh? :) 03/31/05 21:06:12 Jeffrey_Robison: Normal house is usually around here 2000 sq ft, two story maybe 3 stories on the back. Pretty simple actually. I try to get 250.00 for that plus driveways maybe add 50.00 03/31/05 21:06:42 MikeIN: big homes 03/31/05 21:06:49 MikeIN: average here is 1200 03/31/05 21:06:54 MikeIN: sq ft 03/31/05 21:07:07 Jeffrey_Robison: I actually love the business and it's challenges. I had never picked up a wand before I was stuck with the stuff. 03/31/05 21:07:31 MikeIN: awesome! 03/31/05 21:08:08 Jeffrey_Robison: I was just like okay, let's go to work. Made about 20,000 my first year (last) so I was happy. 03/31/05 21:08:09 MikeIN: you met scott yet? 03/31/05 21:08:23 MikeIN: for part time work, thats great! 03/31/05 21:08:30 Jeffrey_Robison: Yes, he hosted a round table and we have talked several times. Great guy! 03/31/05 21:08:45 MikeIN: i see he has you fooled huh? 03/31/05 21:08:54 scottk: lol 03/31/05 21:09:10 MikeIN: oh ... hey scott, didnt see ya ;) 03/31/05 21:09:19 Jeffrey_Robison: Just afraid he would kill me if I said other wise,, he is a big dude 03/31/05 21:09:56 MikeIN: never met him, but he did offer to buy me sonnys so he's on my good list. 03/31/05 21:10:24 Jeffrey_Robison: never offered me, I would put a hurtin on his wallet. 03/31/05 21:10:40 Jeffrey_Robison: Scott, you busy 03/31/05 21:10:52 scottk Logs Out 03/31/05 21:11:06 MikeIN: i need an extensuion wand, but cant find one i like, they all weigh a ton 03/31/05 21:11:15 MikeIN: extension 03/31/05 21:11:20 MikeIN: he must be 03/31/05 21:12:01 Jeffrey_Robison: I got one it is hard to deal with, and I powerlift competively. i guess coress is the way to go. I x jet everything so I normally never even bring it out. 03/31/05 21:13:20 Jeffrey_Robison: you could probably find a used coress at a good price if you asked around enough. 03/31/05 21:13:37 MikeIN: yeah I'll have to ask around 03/31/05 21:13:57 Jeffrey_Robison: Post a question on cleaner network and see if one pops up 03/31/05 21:14:20 MikeIN: brb 03/31/05 21:14:20 Jeffrey_Robison: Do you work on decks. Staining and stripping? 03/31/05 21:14:33 MikeIN Logs Out 03/31/05 21:15:33 Jeffrey_Robison Logs Out 03/31/05 21:18:08 scottk Logs in [68.154.81.67] 03/31/05 21:18:19 scottk Logs Out 03/31/05 21:27:38 TonyC Logs in [68.43.40.17] 03/31/05 21:27:54 TonyC Joins Subroom Town Meeting 03/31/05 21:27:59 TonyC Leaves Subroom 03/31/05 21:28:14 TonyC Logs Out 03/31/05 22:01:24 valucci Logs in [207.119.229.240] 03/31/05 22:01:50 valucci: evening all 03/31/05 22:01:58 valucci Joins Subroom Town Meeting 03/31/05 22:02:02 valucci Leaves Subroom 03/31/05 22:03:19 valucci: anyone here? 04/1/05 00:36:23 valucci Disconnects

Very pretty! Beth

Let me look and I'll call you. Beth

I just spoke to the Maryland rep for Sikkens, you absolutely can get the products in MD, Sherwin Williams doesn't carry them, never has. They are aware of the VOC issues, and the way it works is that they are allowed to sell anything that was made in 2004, for the duration of its shelf life. They are stockpiled in each color, availability will not be a problem for Sikkens in MD. Also they will have a lower VOC line next year, so you won't miss the product. These are not going away, although they will be tweaked. Beth p.s. seems like many will now have acrylic in them, which will add to our stripping challenges I am willing to bet.

Maybe Russ will chime in here. It's up his alley. Beth

Call me and I'll put you in touch with the Sikkens rep so you can get it from the horse's mouth, and also get a supplier near you that has it. It sounds more like Sherwin Williams has elected to not carry those items than anything else. Some water based products have higher VOC's than some oils do.... Beth

That's insanity. Can you post a copy of the flyer? That has to be a Sherwin WIlliams thing - our local supplier is well stocked in both Cabot and Sikkens. Cabot has a new waterbourne product - SPF. It's also applied wet. Beth