SawtoothLogRestoration

Todd, I've used Ready Seal on Trex. It applied well, but dried lighter than expected.

Beth, You think dealing with a liquid over a liquid would be easier than a solid? The builder asked about blasting, I suggested chemical. The environmental guru for Lake Lure was not excited about chemicals of any kind around the lake.

So what if someone was trying to strip the stain from a dock? Is there an environmentally friendly stripper (haha)? I think I'll stick with media blasting. From the sounds of all the experiences here, stripping over a lake, especially one like Lake Lure, is a pita.

TWP is what I was trained to use and did use until recently. I switched to Ready Seal and am very happy. It has all of the good characteristics of TWP without the bad ones. If you like TWP I recommend giving Ready Seal a try. Much better from the application stand point.

That is funny Rick. If you were closer I'd want to hang out with you. What kind of car is in your avatar?

Drive to the east coast and I'll even put you up.

I like being able to choose our clients. It allows me to make the right choices for our company and build a more solid client base who really want the service and appreciate the hard work and attention to detail we provide and stand behind. You have every right yourself to question the intentions of a prospect as it can deeply affect your companies ability to serve the clients you already have and impact your ability to meet your obligations. Rod!~ Not to cross post here, but Rod summed up why I charge a $50 flat rate for my local bids and more for further distances. My average bid is $9k. People that are about to spend that kind of money don't mind paying $50 for a bid. If they do they probably can't afford the value of my services. I don't charge every person I do a bid for though. Just advertising the charge rules out most problem clients.

As an S corp I only pay taxes on wages paid, not revenue earned. For just a few employees it seems to work out better that way. Not sure about the liability other than that anything in my personal name is safe from anyone looking for money from my company.

I was told by a corporate counselor that if you close more than 30% of bids (non-referrals) you need to raise rates. When I started charging to do my bids (local $50 and up $50 per half hour beyond) my closing rates went up by quite a bit. Keeps the shoppers at bay. I run $1000 a day to stain, plus materials. My log replacement is $1800 a day plus materials. My closing rate has gone up since I started charging more.

I have had really good luck with Gemini Coatings Solid Strip. It has been strong enough for everything I've needed it for. I haven't tried it on many decks as I don't do many decks, but it works well for stripping stain off log houses. Best of all its cheap at $12 a gallon. That mixes up to five gallons for $12. I trick I learned from Rich. It's faster and cheaper to take down the 2x2 pickets and replace them rather than taking the time to strip them. No website MudDuck?

I've had sodium hypocholorite and I'm guessing oxalic, burn a window frame. A kid I had working for me noticed his rag getting hot so he set it down. Then left it there. It blackened the window frame pretty good. Fortunately I had him sand it down. No long term harm done. At the time I didn't know to watch for things like that. At the same house I had a rag get hot in my hand. I thought I was hallucinating, but as it turns out, I wasn't. You have a rough week Rod?

Is there anyone operating in SC that is experienced with log homes?

I have used Solid Strip for both. I haven't found much it would't strip. For the cost it is great and it doesn't cause burns or any noticable irritation. I don't do much that requires chemical stripping, but of the products I have tried,this seems to be the best. I'll have to give the others a go if the need arises again.

What is the concencous on Solid Strip from Gemini Coatings? It's inexpensive and it has worked really well for me. Ox neutralizer. Anyone like something better that can compete with $12 a five gallon. (depending on what your stripping of course)