Degraffreed

Celeste, I am looking to atten the the 29 roundtable here in lawerencville, ga also I will hold you to that. Its either you or steve in tennesse. I just want to learn as much as I can to produce the result that you,steve, beth and rod posting beautiful after shoots of thing you have completed. Henry, thank for the compliment. I do like to give the customer my best, even when they are happy with the results, something burns inside me, that will not let me settle for the result that I produced. I love this business and I sometime do a Cadillac job at a volkwagon price. But that how I am. I want to be the best around my neck of the woods. degraffreed

To all that replied....Thanks. Seymore, I read that you say if you do get fuzzies, you powerwash them off?. Isn't that the cause of the fuzzies? to much pressure (800 ) psi, or being to close?. I have just learned quite a bit since posting this thread. The mistake I believe I made according to you the VETS post are as follows: 1. Cleaned to close to the spindles. 2.Using hot water the entire time. 3.I was using Restore per instructions. So I do not know if this was a contributing factor. I did use bleach and soap on my own deck and I did not like the results so I used a mfg chem( Restore). 4. Tried sanding fuzzies off as the wood was still wet. I know its sound silly but hey If you do not know, you just dont know. I did apply two separate coats to get the deck to brighten up really nice. Using a chem like Restore, does this constitute as a Stripper? and then should be Nuetrilized, as some post states? Seymore, I will plan on calling you soon. I am in Atlanta and know that there is a time difference of may 2 hours. I think I can learn from speaking to you later. Any Wood guys or Gal in the Atlanta surrounding area willing to have free day or two worth of labor in exchange for on the job training of deck cleaning and sealing? Very Motivated and hard work ethics. I will not be a hinderance of any kind. I just want to be the best I can to my customers. I have turned down staining and sealing both of the deck I have cleaned mainly because I do not want to PRACTICE on my customers deck. But a little on the job traing will go a long way.Give me a call at 678-480-0123. I would like to schedule on weekends. I am still a part-timer. Degraffreed. Cheleste... you up for it.?

Thanks Guys I have read the replies and still seem a little confused. So many different posts that I need to get a more specific answer. The deck was pressure treated pine. Maybe two years old max. OTP, I did use hot water to mix chems, and then hot water to clean deck. I figure the hot water would help in the cleaning process. I used my 4010 tip after letting product dwell for 15 min. Squirtgun, is it okay to use my belt sander to take off the furring when it dries? I have read this post concerning defurring pads. Will the sander work just a good? Just trying to get a good technique down before spring rush. Degraffreed

Atlantic, Was that product by chance limeolene by Espec?. I purchase about 80lbs if this in a final sale last year. Is it really that hard on echthing windows? Degraffreed

Atlantic, Was that product by chance limeolene by Espec?. I purchase about 80lbs if this in a final sale last year. Is it really that hard on echthing windows. Degraffreed

I started working in my teens, Dad left home, so I had to help mom take care of us. I did dishwashing at a nursing home, long john silver, Krogers, extensive work as an apprentice in construction, roofing, siding, plumbing, elec. then I went to work at a Rv warehouse supply facility, worked there for 3 years left, went to serve my country in the U.S Navy, tour lots of countries, participated in Desert Storm, Solmalia conflict. Was stationed in Coronado California with ACB-1, ( Amphibious Construction Battalion unit 1), the best time of my life and the most rewarding also. Then left the miliarty and went back to Rv industry where I am now the facility manager with sales of over $15 million out of my warehouse this year. Had some issues a few years ago with an unhonest employee saying untrue things about my business practices that almost cost me my job. This is when I decide to not leave my destiny in someone else hand. Started my business in 2004 and I do both now. I love making my customers happy with the final result of quality work. I chanllenge anyone to follow your dreams and do not listen to the NaySayers. Do it and do your best. I follow a quote I heard while learning real estate from wealthy people and it goes like this. "No one plans to fail, but people fail to plan" those 10 words I live my life by. Degraffreed

Hey, Gents, I hope this does not cause any waves. But I think if you guys are wondering what A+ is using go to Delcos site and I think you can get the same cleaning compounds that his is using to clean the canvas awingns, is AC22 or AC11. Delco have chems to clean these type of awnings. I attended the powerwashing school back in Feb04 and went out on site with a guy that does this for a living. I will go and find the packet of info that Delco gave me and I will double check the product numbers. Its a shame a+ is not sharing the info. I have learned so much from all of you guys that provide this type of info to us newbies. I feel like I can help you guys on this one. I get back ASAP. Degraffreed

Mike, What part of IN are you from? I grew up in Elkhart, about 15 miles east of South Bend. Home of the Fighting Irish. DeGraffreed

Hello Gents...an Ladies, sorry Beth :.) I am readings so much about shurflo setups and would like a few questions answered if possible. 1. What is the major adavantage of having a shur flow setup? I do mostly residential housewashing and flatwork. 2.Where would the advantage be by adding a shurflo to my arsenal of equipment? 3000 psi 5 gpm hot/ cold. I do have a M5 xjet that I purchased before the weather got cold here. 3. I did one roof job this season. Would the shurflo set up benefit me on my roof cleaning project ,do to the low pressure that discharge from the unit? It seems as though it will not BLOW the asphalt shingles off when applying the sh. 4. Or do you vets just consider the shur flow a( Prefernce Toy) you added to you arsenal of equipment?

GymRat Go with a tandem 7X14. Believe me, you will use up this space in no time. Pluse the single axle if not properly balance with your equipment will cause the trailer to sway when going do the road. I searched and researched the cost of the single axle vs the tandem and it was a no brainer. By the time you get everything for this business together to do a variety of jobs, you will be thankfull for the extra space. Mine is a Haulmark 7X14 double axle, side door entrance and semi trailer doors in the rear. I have a connection with a dealer in NC, that I supply parts to that maybe I can see if he can cut you a deal. I paid $2300 for a $5000 set up. Degraffreed

Sec, I started in Jan of "04. I am currently in management here in Atlanta, Ga. I manage a Rv distribution center. I have been doing this for 17 years. I am also a newbie in the PW feild and have gross sales this year alone of approx.$6000.00. This does not sound like much but I do this on weekends only. Also I do not work everyweekend. I like having this as a side gig and looking one day to go full time. I have read and researched the boards for about 4 months before I invested in Me. I did not start out small ither. I took my bonus check and some savings and invested in a 14' double axle enclosed and bought a Ram 04 1500 Hemi, skid mounted hot/cold Delco pw and hoses, extention wands, chems, xjets, and various access and attended Delco 5 day trainning school. I just thought that I would not start out small and have to keep upgrading as I go. I know my work ethic and I know me. So I will keep my first job for the seniority and the medical benefits and will work this business until I get canned or can make the same salary on my own. Go for it. (If you Build it, they will come), That my thinking. Good luck, Get in and do not look back. Do not pay attention to the DREAM KILLERS Degraffreed JayCam Pressure Wash

Jack, I agree the Delco video are not made by hollywood producers But as a newbie coming in I did invest in them just to be able to see how housewashing techniques were done, flatwork,etc. If I had not viewed the tapes before my first job, I guarantee that I would have blown the windows out of the first home that I did or sprayed water in the seams of the siding, casuing water to get behind the siding.Therefore do not look at the quality of the video but the know how of the tapes. You can view them as many times before a job. Just to get a understanding of what should and should not do. Just my .02. Degraffreed D

Hey Joe, Per our conversation last night. I think you should also get an extra axle installed. You will eventually have to carry water at some point. Look into getting and enclosed unit as you grow. It looks better and for security reason of your equiptment. Plus you will have a rolling bilboard. I get a majority of my call from my trailer zooming up and down the freeway. Degraffreed

Jgau, I have the entire set that I purchase about 8 months ago minus the maintenace tape, (my vcr ate it). I went to the Delco training last February. I wish that they would have taught more topics. In all good training though for a newbie. Let me know what your offering. I paid $150.00 ( you can visit therer site to confirm the price) for the set of I believe 6 tapes, Housewashing, starting pw biz, truckwashing, flatwork, enviromental powerwashing, accessories for the Pwer. If you want call me at 678-480-0123, we can discuss a price. I veiw them regularly before a upcoming job. I will let a newbie aquire them to familarize themselves with this biz. I also have manuals too. Degraffreed

Happy Birthday Scott ( Squirtgun) Degraffreed

Hello to all, I recently tried out my xjet that I finally purchased about a week ago. I have a few questions. I read the instructions and decide to play with it last night on my own home. I have a 3000 psi 5 gpm hot/cold Why did the xjet empty a five gallon bucket in about 3 min?. I did not use any of the little proportioners that came with it and believe this is why it went so fast. I am still learning this bus. such as the draw rates, ratio's and proportioners. I read my instructions and came back to the past post to read up on the xjet. If I do not use any of the proportioners and use the jet wide open,the xjet will spray 2:1 ratio. Does this mean for ever two gallons of water it will use 1 gallon of cleaning solutions? According to the instructions they suggest using the 16.1 or 13.1 porportioners. What you pwer's with years of experience using and would like to share info with? By using it wide open I see that I will go thru much more chemicals than using my downstream injector. I know that downstreamindg dilutes the chems and decrease the cleaning power am I correct? I use a extension wand on housecleaning and think this xjet will help me cut down on time spent cleaning the homes. I think I really need to mix my limolene per instructions but it say to use 1/2 pound to per gallon and I guesstimate the mixiing sins I do not have a scaleand this is probably why I have to use my tips to pressure wash the siding. I read on the BB's that guys use their xjets, spray ;et dwell and then rinse off. They say the chems does all the work. I am still trying to figure out how that works to eliminate having to clean each row with tips. Any help this board can give me concerning the cleaning and the xjet techninques I would be greatful. I know this should be something that I should comprehend but I guess I started on my own and still much to learn.

Firekm, Could you send both copies to my email? Degraffreeds@aol.com, If your still send them out. Thanks inadvance

Gents, I am going to make my next equipment purchase an XJet, for my residential cleaning I have heard so much about. Is there a difference between and Xjet and a xjet m5? I have seen response mentioned on xjet and xjet m5.. Whats the differe nce in them? Degraffreed

Beth, and board. I am sorry if posting price for the M#5 on here. I was just responding to Beth's question in previous post concerning the orginal or the M5 model. I have much respect for this board and Beth also and would not do anything to intentionally undermine this board. Again Sorry about posting price Beth. Still new to this entire board posting burha, DeGraffreed

beth, ron, I checked the website and the M-5 is $124.00. Can you bet this price? DeGraffreed

Classic, Can you post picture? Degraffreed

Ryan, I live in Atlanta, Ga GO Falcons Home of the DIRTY BIRDS. Anyone know where I can purchase the M-5 from? Degraffreed

Hey Gents, Have any vets cleaned any tennis courts and if so what were the chems you used. I have a estimate to do at a subdivision later on today. The caller stated that the courts has some mold in areas and had never been cleaned. Any suggestions as to chems and psi to use. Whats a ball park charge? I was leaning more towards $95ph or should I quote by the sqft? Can I use a surface cleaner and if so what psi would you guys suggest? What about using my limolene housewash mixture? A quick response is needed here gents DeGraffreed __________________ the rookies

Squirt, I bided $ 3052.00 not to bad for my first quote. I though that $7761.00 would make them run but they have other cleaning projects coming up and I wanted to give a low bid, show them my work in hopes of getting future work. So I came in low on the estimate. I just wanted to see how much I would have to eat. Courts are not easily accessible ither. So I factored that into the Quoute. Degraffreed

Thanks to all who responded so quickly. Squirt, your over on this board also, Huh. Thanks for all the help in previous post. The condition of the first court is fine, just some mildew stains,spots. The court was resurfaced 5 years ago. Never have been pressure washed. Beth /Ron the court is painted or coated,not the rubber courts. I did not test for run off but it will be no off site drainage. Now the second Court is in horrible conditon. I saw about 20 different spots where the coating has peeled off the court and mold and mildew is much heavyer than court one, due to all the trees surrounding it. I was accompanied by th HO president and informed him that I could clean or remove the dirt and mildew and that it was a great chance that the court could continue to peel and I would not be responsible for recoating it. He agreed to being aware of the peeling and suggest the HO would consider recoating it .