Rob T

If it's light staining, 0000 steel wool works well. If it's more severe than that, try OneRestore from EaCo Chem Inc. Cleaning and Restoration Compound Manufacturer. CLR is garbage. And do not use a green pad. It is too abrasive. White only.

Spam.

I've been referring out my larger jobs to Charlie Soden (Apex DeckSavers), but we still have a lot of smaller decks that we clean and need to be stained. We strip and neutralize, but we don't stain. Does anyone know of a quality deck staining company in North Raleigh?

Thanks Celeste. I really try to steer my customers to go with someone who can do the whole process from start to finish. I know I wouldn't want to stain a deck that someone else has cleaned!

Celeste, what about 12'x14' contractor decks? Would that be worth your while? What would be your minimum job size-wise? Would you restain decks with the homeowner's choice of stain? What about decks that are cleaned, but not stripped? We used to do some staining but it just became too much of a hassle. We mostly do window cleaning and house washing (2-3 houses a day) so returning to stain decks became a scheduling nightmare.

What the heck brought this on?

I responded to your question on the WCR forum.

Have you tried Gutter Grenade or simple green applied with a truck brush?

Hey guys, I recently upgraded my machine to an 8gpm 3000 psi Mi-T-M. In my search to match a surface cleaner with my machine and with my type of work, it was suggested to me to purchase the Whisper Wash Classic. But when I got it, it took off like a rocket. To lessen the pressure, I've tried both 2505 and 25055 tips, but they won't bring it down. The person who sold it to me, being out of ideas, has simply suggested I box it up and return it. Even 3 lbs of bat weights won't keep it down. What are you residential guys using for concrete? Will I have to upgrade to a lawnmower style machine or is there a fix I'm simply neglecting?

Ron, it was Bob at PT that sent the machine with 25045's. Then he sent 25050's and I still couldn't keep it down, so my Landa dealer gave me some 25055's. I'm afraid if I go any lower, I'll lose the pressure I need to clean.

Thanks Charlie for the heads-up on this one. He had a pic of me cleaning windows with my company work shirt on. LOL. I sent him an email today as well.

I got a job today cleaning a pool apron that has heat-reflective paint on it. I'm afraid to use a surface cleaner for fear that I'll tear it up. It's been on there for about 12 years (since the house was built). I'm thinking about just applying hydrochlorite/surfactant and rinsing it off, then cleaning the brick with my wand. Suggestions?

I plan to test. I wanted to see if anyone had done this before. And the attached pic IS of the painted surface.

I see some making distinctions between deck washing and deck stripping. I'm relatively new at this, but wouldn't a deck wash, done properly, also strip it? Or is a deck wash what you do when the homeowner asks "Can you just hit my deck while you're at it?"

How would I know whether to recommend a deck be cleaned or stripped? I don't want to clean a deck only to find out it really needs to be stripped nor do I want to strip a deck that only needs cleaning. Plus, I'm referring the sealing/staining out so I'll need to know if I'm stripping a deck for him to come out.

Tru dat. I already make a truckload off the windows on that home.