seymore

My prefered method to apply all my chems is using a shurflo.You get the true mixture and it's not dilutted with and injector.I mix my own chems so i can mix them as strong as i need them..:cool: Sometimes scrubbing to aggitate the old stain is a big help as the stripper dwells.

That's well put Jon my thoughts exactly only you typed them... :cool:

Well Matt if you feel that is enough $$ to cover your expenses,labor,stain and is profitable enough to take the job then go for it.If it gets you in the door for more work down the road that's even better! Everybody has a cerrtain profit margins they hope to meet...some are more than others depending on labor and stain cost.

I run into the same as Matt but try to atleast get the OK to go in the neghbors yard to protect plants etc. or wet down any concrete,stone,tile,windows etc. If the pickets are not shadow box you realy shouldn't have a problem with overspray.I know i don't cause i'll spray at and angle to minimize overspray through the pickets. Now sometimes if the fence is old you will get the stain seepng thru the knots.I soak my fences pretty good so it's almost impossible to stop it.

Ahhh i see...Well depending how many guys you have working on the project? By using one lift you could stain one maby 2 buildings in a day? My ballpark figure $1500-$2000 for one building.You could even include and extra $500 for the lift??I'm not sure how much one of those rent for?

Matt i take it you are going to use a lift? That is a one big job to mask off the roof and a good bit of brushing in...Take God it's not a bid i have to give!! You should be able to clean off the mildew and not have to strip it off completely.

I make my own cleaners and then buy my stain from 1 company and it's worked out real good.

That's basically how we got started over 15 yrs.ago and it was the best move we could have made. We found that if we would be able to get exclusive rights for a product in our area it would pay off.So after some research and finding studies on different stains being tested by the Texas Forest Service @A&M.We came upon the Gray Away we use now and how it surpassed the weathering test they were running. So finding a small distributor/maufactuor that is willing to work with your comapny would be a big help to start your buisness.You will make a name that will set you apart from the rest of the contrators in your area.Anyone can go to Sherwin Williams,Home Depot and pick up Deckscapes,Behr etc.So to be able to get exclusive rights in your area helps if you are going to spend the time promoting a product. Of course EVERYBODY thinks they have the best system but also you need to think will it work for what you are trying to accomplish as a comapny? just my .10 worth :cool:

Those are some nice tuna Steve...I've see some tuna weighing 400-500lbs.. Hey Jon ....Dolphin is another name for Mahi Mahi...not Flipper Dolphin.:)

Jon We offer 1 tier of restoration and that is a complete removal of existing stain.I will not sacrifice my quality of work for a lower price.The clientele I work for looks for quality before price.I'm usually not the lowest price bid they recieve but our experience and track record speaks for itself. So i will adjust my cleaning prices depending on the difficulty of removing the existing stain. I will also only use the Gray Away we carry and no other stain a customer might request.We have become well known for the Gray Away and customers seek us out especially for the stain. Now NEW wood is pretty simple ...we have a minimum cleaning price and then a set sqft price for decks and fences and arbors. Cedar house restoraton job prices vary depending on the difficulty etc. Oh yeah by the way Jon you still coming to Austin anytime soon?

I have a customer in Pegosa Springs Co. who was still staining in Nov.Now he was working on a cedar house and rough cedar will take the stain better than PT pine anyday. The stain he buys from me can be applied @ 40 degrees and above.He was having freezing temps then 50's during the day with no problems. Your low humidity should help you applying the stain with those low moisture levels. If you are having freezing temps at night but get a "bright sunny day"50's and the wood is fully exposed you shouldn't have a problem. Like Ken said if you follow the manufacturer's applicating requirements per the product you are using you'll be safe.Especially if you have a problem with the product you won't have warranty problems with the maker of the stain.

I was thinking the same thing Jim...:lolsign::lolsign:

Jon, I keep my powdered chems in a plastic 5gal bucket w/lid...once i open the 55/25lb. bags. I have minimal crystalized chems even with all the humidity here in Tx.

Yeah Ken I'm hooked on Pinks also...I set my Tivo to record them every week so i can fast forward thru the commercials.Everytime they start racing they go to a commercial! Monster Garage and American Chopper also looks great in Hi Def...:cool:

Ok Jon...That deck looks like it's about 2-3 yrs old and looks like it has some kind of clear on it maby applied about 1 yr ago?? Now I would still do a test spot with some stripper anyway :) No i wouldn't want my deck to look like this ever! If you are bored you need to come to Texas we're in the 70's-80's and my work is still non stop.

Welcome to the club Jon... :cool:

That's Too funny Ken!!!:lolsign: :lolsign:

Nice job Dennis :cool: that's a lot of wood ...did you stain both sides? What was your sqft per gallon? How old are is that fence?? those are some crappy looking pickets all warping already ... What part of town were you in?

There are too many houses here in Houston to worry about 1 there is another 1 around the corner just like it. I wouldn't even think about going 1/2 price and yes you do get what you pay for. :cool:

They sure did make it interesting on that 3rd&7 just under 2 min. but couldn't hold the Colts from gettign a 1st down. Hey I know my Texans are keeping that 1st Rd draft pick alive!! :banana: You are very welcomed Titan fans for that win!! Hey Don you watching the games with your Off-air antenna in HD?

I know the Colts were sweating it at the end ....Jags why not go for the onside kick? That was a good game and even better in Hi Def! :cool:

Damm that sucks only getting ABC off-air...You must be far from the towers in your city.I get my locals off air pretty good for the most part..I live near an airport so the planes kill my reception. You can ask to get Hi def locals from a different market other than where you live.You have to get a letter from your local T.V stations giving DTV the ok to let you recieve other broadcast in diff.cities. I have a radio shack antenna that receives pretty good and that's not even having a signal booster. Did DTV only try their own antenna?

Looks good Matt :cool: How did ya end up cleaning it?

Cool you'll get a much better picture with DTV! You have that built in Hi Def tuner so you can get local Hi-Def channels.Hook up an off-air antenna and you'll catch ABC,CBS,etc PBS is the best. I paid $400 after rebates for the HiDef DtvTivo box it's more that worth it to have it all in one box! They will have to come out and change your antenna to an oval and tripple LNB dish..

Nice choice Don!! I love my Sony 43"Grand Wega :cool: Ohh trust me don't watch the price drops cause they will for sure like all other electronics.You won't be dissapointed with that Sony...I was watching a 43" Panasonic plasma and i could not see a difference from LCD to plasma Hi-Def. Are you on Directtv or cable?