Beth n Rod

Morgan, I didn't know you were not full time either. Even if you are laid off there are certain laws about helath coverage. Look into COBRA. Good luck to you. Beth

I haven't gotten the May issue yet. I'll have to check when it gets here. The last issue I got was the price survey issue in April. Beth

It's in the correct forum, and doesn't contain explicit language. Morgan, are you French? If you are French and find it offensive, please let us know. Otherwise, it has been read as a joke, in light of recent world events. How is everything in Tenn.? You guys should be really busy now, since I'll bet your season is about a month ahead of ours. Hope it's booming for you. :) I think this is going to be a great year. Just ordered the Hurricane brush from Sun Brite to try, and also ordered the Makita sander from Greg. Can't wait to use them. Beth

Paul, If he has a claim against Behr, get him to sign a release....you don't want him coming back at you after you do the work saying you ruind his "evidence". Get him to acknowledge in writing that he has asked you to remove it, etc., etc... Just a thought..... I don't know if I like the way it sounds... Whenever we do a deck with Behr (we don't push it and only do it if they insist) we get them to sign saying they understand we are not responsible for the performance of the product and that we are in no way liable for it should it fail. Beth

lol.... I was referring to John T.'s post. OK. Beth needs more coffee... lol... Everett, your post was great! :) All of them are very helpful. I just wanted to add a little more clarity to mine because I reread it and saw a place to add more meat to the bones. Beth ;) p.s. check out the thread on applying stalers and stains for some cool application tips.

I'm sorry, did I misunderstand? I thought Mike said that he thought at best it could be recoated with another solid stain. If the customer wants another solid then yes, wash gently with a percarb like EFC-38, and then prime & restain. If you have a failing, peeling stain on your hands, then you'll need to address the failing areas. If the customer is sick of the solid color, then you would strip the deck as prescribed and neutralize, prep and then seal. It really boils down to this: What is the look the customer wants when the job is done? That's the first question we ask, then propose work from there. Some people want a solid, some are tired of it, and very often we find someone just bought the home and is trying to get the deck redone to suit their taste. Is the customer choosing a solid because they are under the impression that since there is a solid stain on there now that it is the only option they have? Beth :)

Well, we had the windows from hell today. Sun room... The sides came out fine, but the sloped top... ICK! And...they live about 5 houses away. OK. They washed the windows last year from the third story bedroom windows. They bought a home cleaning tool consisting of a pole and brush, and a solution. It's green, bubbles when shaken, smells sweet, and says "contains solvents and wetting agents". Yippee. The top of the sun room had lots of pollen so you couldn't tell at first thre may be an issue. Rod washed it as normal, and I was inside doing ...windows. He washed, still dirty. He brushed, still dirty. He ran home and got another brush and another solution, still dirty. Have talked to a couple people, and am hearing to try: vinegar a new product (she couldn't recallt he name) from Ettore and could try soft scrub A window company suggests the hot full sun (southern exposure) has baked the prior product into the glass. The look is like a yellowish haze. We think something should take it off... because there is a footprint on the roof from when the guys installed the automatic awning. So with enough weight, I guess it can be done, but it is on the second of three stories and drops to a newly landscaped ROCK garden. (ouch) Help...? Suggestions? Is it hard water and mineral deposits? Film from the solvent? Beth

Do you know what product is on thw wood now? Or, do you have a photo you could post? HD-80 will remove just about anything you can put on wood. Any time you strip you do need to neutralize the deck. You may be able to get back to a uniform look and not have to go over it with another solid. We have been able to get these results with HD-80. I would suggest that you have the homeowner hold off until after the deck is stripped in this case, then make their decision on the product. In the event there is a little stain left in spots, you'll need to sand it. When you strip a deck you will typically have to do a little sanding here and there. Hope this helps. Fire away with more questions. :) Beth:cool:

Reed, That is so simple it is BRILLIANT!!! I had never thought about small spray bottles for rails and spindles. Bet your bottom dollar I'll tell Rod. :) On the occasions when I go out to help seal up decks, I end up with the rails, lattice, etc. I have been looking for a way to make it easier and faster. Tried a mit on the last deck. Didn't like that. Left little fuzzies all over the place. I have also tried those little craft sponges on a stick that have the beveled end. Those I like because you can get into corners. I also like small paint brushes for corners. But for those rails that are starburst patterns where the spindles get close together at the bottom, I'm thinking the little spray bottles you mentioned sound great. Thanks Reed! Beth

BEING SUCCESSFUL IS A CHOICE YOU MAKE. ----------------------------------------------- Your success isn't a matter of luck, it's simply a matter of the choices that you make. Success isn't something you can wait for, it's something you'll achieve with effort over time. Things won't turn up in this world until you turn them up. You can choose to be lazy or ambitious. Stop and think about your choice again. You always do your own choosing. The great opportunity in your life is where you are right now. Every situation, properly perceived, is an opportunity for you. First, say to yourself what you would be, then, do what you have to do, to make things happen. Success is right in front of you. ----------------------------------------------- ©2003 Written by:MotivationMentor@aol.com

Enjoy!

On the Goof Off, we prefer the original kind. The water based isn't as effective on FRP glue. Some very interesting ingredients...er...um...things on that list...

21502 - Rustbelt Neighborhoods This older population resides in the older, industrialized cities and towns of the Northeast and Midwest. They spend money on their homes and their home teams and participate in civic activities. They tend to drive used cars, splurge on lottery tickets, and are top-ranked for using coupons for beauty and household cleaning products. They rank among the highest for watching videos. Total Population 44,222 Number of Households 17,593 2001 Income Figures Median Household Income $33,301 HH Income Under $50K 67.8% HH Income $50K-$100K 25.9% HH Income Over $100K 6.3% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2001 Housing Figures Average Home Value $87,701

Hi Joel, 21532 - Rustbelt Neighborhoods This older population resides in the older, industrialized cities and towns of the Northeast and Midwest. They spend money on their homes and their home teams and participate in civic activities. They tend to drive used cars, splurge on lottery tickets, and are top-ranked for using coupons for beauty and household cleaning products. They rank among the highest for watching videos. Total Population 15,309 Number of Households 5,789 2001 Income Figures Median Household Income $30,270 HH Income Under $50K 74.0% HH Income $50K-$100K 22.4% HH Income Over $100K 3.5% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2001 Housing Figures Average Home Value $87,263

Monday, April 7, 2003 YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES. ----------------------------------------------- Success isn't going to come knocking on your door. You have to work for it. You have to find it. You don't need more strength or more ability or greater opportunity. What you need is to use what you have. The golden opportunity you're seeking lies in yourself. It's not in your environment. It's not in luck or chance or the help of others. It's in you. There will always be a new opportunity where there is an open mind and a willing hand. Open your own door to opportunity. ----------------------------------------------- ©2003 Written by:MotivationMentor@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Friday, April 4, 2003 A GOAL WILL LEAD YOU TO SUCCESS. ----------------------------------------------- If you do the right things right, you're going to succeed. If you have correct goals, and you keep pursuing them the best way you know how, everything else will fall into line. You are what and where you are today because you first imagined it. Knowing where you want to go is all you need to get there. Just return over and over to that picture in your mind of the place you are headed for. The first essential of success is to know what you want. ----------------------------------------------- ©2003 Written by:MotivationMentor@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, April 1, 2003 WANTING TO WIN IS EVERYTHING ----------------------------------------------- Winning isn't everything, but wanting to is. Success is connected with continuous action. It's largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. You're not finished when you're defeated, you're only finished when you quit. The most important quality essential to success is perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature. You can have a fresh start any time you choose, for your "failure" is not in the falling down, but in the staying down. It's not over until it's over. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again. If you've got the courage to stick it out, you can win. ----------------------------------------------- ©2003 Written by:MotivationMentor@aol.com

Cool! Nice looking gutters! :cool: Beth

We have found here that there are pockets of strip malls with them. Some have them, some don't. If it were me I would approach some stores that are not chains first, get the hang of how to sell them and do the work, then go after the bigger fish with the chain stores. Also try them as an add on sale to windows, flatwork and the like. Any of your services can be add ons to the primary service the customer is requesting. Beth:)

This is also good.... I get these from Marty Grunder. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company, from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else." Sam Walton, Wal-Mart founder ---------------------------------------------------------------------- His book is really good, and the motivational snipets are worth subscribing to in email. Martin J. Grunder Jr! A Real Landscaper With Real Good Ideas and Advice Marty Grunder! and Assoc. Grunder Landscaping Co. Dayton, Ohio www.martygrunder.com www.grunderlandscaping.com Author of "The 9 Super Simple Steps to Entrepreneurial Success" available online at www.martygrunder.com

...and this one too....

Hmmm... I do have it set so it won't bog the system down, but the file size should not have changed. Try reducing the resolution or the image size a little and post again. Beth :)

www.doitrightinc.com is a great source. I think there is a registry for awning cleaners there too. Beth

Morgan... Post where you like. You are welcome here. But just like it is for everyone else, our rules will be followed. Your posts in this thread have been edited. Have a nice day. :) Beth & Rod

Thank you for bringing up an excellent point. It is policy on this BBS not to bash, or post inflamatory remarks. All moderators have the right to edit posts should they deem necessary, and they also have our support. If anyone wishes to post they heard something somewhere, the only way it will be allowed, is with the reference. No inuendos, digs or so called rumors will be tolerated. If someone hears something and feels compelled to share it, post the source. This is a professional forum for people who wish to come here to learn and help their business to grow and prosper. Everyone involved here is dedicated to quality and the betterment of the industry. Beth & Rod

Next week, we will have 34 pails of Wood Tux here, all ready to go onto decks, fences, playsets and the like. Once we get the shipment we can fill the little bottles and send them. Everyone gets three colors, with the little pieces of wood, the cleaners, etc. The kit is really nice, and we have had fun putting them together. :) I'll put up a photo of a finished kit before they ship. I bought a new cedar mailbox and when I got home I coated that in Wood Tux. I have already told Rod the planters and swing on the deck need cleaning so I can seal them with Wood Tux too. (not to mention the deck) Beth

Exactly.:)