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Beth n Rod

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Posts posted by Beth n Rod

  1. Posted · Report reply

    I have permission now to tell you all some really exciting news. The Marketing book I wrote for Cleaner Times Magazine, well, it's not just being published as a Marketing Book alone, but will be part of something much, much, MUCH larger that this industry does not have and desperately needs!

     

    How beneficial would it be to have a guide book that is multiple books in ONE massive resource?

    How big is it you ask?

     

    DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!

     

    Well, there is discussion that it could be in the range of 700-800 pages big. Larger than ANYTHING that has been published before, more complete and comprehensive and packed full of information!

    How is THAT for a resource?!?!

     

    Cleaner Times has always been the cornerstone of information in our industry when it comes to print media. They are proving that once again! I am thrilled to have been a part of the creation of this mammoth book, soon to be on sale.....either the end of this year or the beginning of next.

     

    Contact http://www.cleanertimes.com to get your copy!!!

     

    Beth

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Well put.

     

    Unfortunately, Sikkens is like a woman scrorned.

    If you don't keep up on the maintenance and skip an interval, the costs shoot up in order to deal with the product as it degrades.

     

    So much to cover with Sikkens and when it comes to customers who have it, they have all learned an expensive lesson.

    I have had 1 customer who insisted on keeping with the line but acknowledges it did cost him to not keep up with it.

     

    Rod

  23. Posted · Report reply

    You are on the right track trying to learn about both the surface being applied and what is being applied to the surface.

     

    In each species, the extractive content specific to the genome will determine many things.

    Hardwoods like Ipe for example, have such a high content of extractives that make it mostly impermeable to stains and finishes.

    So, you have to take that into consideration when choosing a finish among the environmental aspects too.

     

    Redwood is another example. It's composition makes it unsuitable for certain stains due to the composition of the stain which causes the wood to turn

    dark or black. This aesthetic can be highly undesirable to the customer who is looking for something to show off the wood.

    A draw back that can cost you if it occurs.

     

    Rod

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Applying to the manufacturers specifications is always our first task.

    There are times when one must take unique conditions of the wood and the environment it is installed in to account.

     

    That means, choosing a proper coating and not just any product.

     

    Certain products can lend to more mildew and algae growth while other can lead to excessive peeling.

     

    I could go on a huge post about this but it would be hard to discuss due to the nature of coatings themselves and the little known track record of hybrids.

    Oils, Acrylics, latex and hybrids all have their specifics for application and it is up to us to learn about the way they have performed first in the environment of the

    structure they are applied to.

     

    Environments include heavy moisture and humidity such as are found around pools, hot tubs and water features people install in their yards.

    These will also include low to the ground or otherwise ground level structures with little to no air flow underthem in this category.

    Dry ones are sun laden and southern exposed with little to no shade at all.

    Desiduous environments are those where there is a tremendous amount of trees and lots of plants which dump a great variety of things on the structure.

    Other environments include those with coniferous trees (pine, spruce, cedar etc) which give off a lot of pollen and create a mold haven in the combination of

    humid environments and heavily shaded or northern exposed.

     

    Asking questions of your customer can lead to a great deal of information to help understand what they have done, what has been installed, what performed well/not well.

    Evaluating the products you apply over the years gives you a better understanding of how they will work in these environments and what to suggest.

     

    Then, you get to the cost. Customers don't always care about all these extraneous factors and just want the cheapest thing to get it sold. But remember, if you do the job, your reputation

    rides on it.

    The neighbors will check it out and while they don't know the covnersation of the decision, they will ultimately form an opinion based upon how it holds up compared to theirs.

     

    Lots to learn eh?!?!?

     

    Rod

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