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tidyjet

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Everything posted by tidyjet

  1. I don't have a "land line". My Wife and I have been getting along well fine with our cell phones and broadband connection for the web thank you very much. However, as I work towards establishing my business, it's becoming obvious that a dedicated business line will be necessary. If for nothing else, the fax capability. I looked into VOIP on our broadband. It's not available in my area yet *bummer* 'cause that's a great deal. I could get a regular residential line for cheap but the Ph co. (verizon) says that's verboten and they could unplug me if I'm using it for business, not to mention the fact I wouldn't be able to have myself listed in the business/yellow pages sections. I was looking to see how you folks have your communications established and what's practical, what's not. eg. voice mail boxes, fax lines, call fwding and what have you. I guess the question is; what's the most efficient way to package power washing business communications for a one-man show? paul
  2. Cemetery Work

    Dan, I'm within an hour and I'm interested. Thanks. Paul
  3. The X-Jet debate

    BTW, I've never cleaned new brick before.
  4. The X-Jet debate

    What chems are you using on NEW brick? I'm working on a quote on a new one-story commercial build-out. It's mostly brick, has lots of hardiplank and wood trim as well. Lot's of mortar and red clay staining, mostly on the brick work. 2 -buildings. ea at 6500 sf of surface. Customer also wants concrete retaining wall cleaned of red clay stains - a block looking affair/textured concrete at over 5000 sf. I did a test run on it. My production rate was 120sf/10 mins with a turbo nozzle/cold water. My machine is rated at 4.8gpm/3000 psi. But man! That red clay is a ***** even when I tried HOT water. I've not done a test run on the brick yet. I'm figuring 0.11 is a good flat rate for the whole project but I'm concerned about the mortar stains/red clay creating major (slowing) variables on my production rate in some places. This job could begat many more with this developer who's been relying on beat up old cold water machines and their day labor for less than stellar results from what I can see on their other projects.
  5. Bidding wall washing

    What about the cost of one's equipment? I like to pay my machine/equipment at least what I'm paying myself which covers the cost of acquistion and upkeep.
  6. Wesley's idea of a police escort whilst serving a bill to DB is brilliant. I filed against someone last week. Deck/strip job. Also did significant amount of surface cleaning (boadwalks and around pool). Anyways, customer claimed she didn't like the way the deck looked so she wasn't paying. I've offered to redo - to her satisfaction. She refused (interesting). We even negotiated a lower price that she could live with and leave it be. But then she changed her mind. Not happy with it so in her mind she's under no obligation. Mind you, there was all the surface cleaning she's happy with. So, now I'm letting a judge decide. This is a major PITA; assuming I get a judgement in hand, I still have to collect. I'm expecting to have to put a lien on her property. Anyways, more fun and games and a learning curve in the school of life. I gotta wonder. If our economy was based on 100% satisfaction (services or products), would it be able to function? Anyone can lie and say they wern't completely satisfied.
  7. Gas prices

    [quote name= I'm still not sure why we cannot build more refineries but hey I'm just a powerwasher' date=' what do I know. [/quote] I was wondering about that the other day - Wuz up w/that? You'd think that some saavy commercial building consortium would pick up on that - get some gov't subsidy or whatever and build out refineries and gas distribution lines. Like OK, there's a shortage of this stuff and duh, like maybe more could be built? Perhaps big market here! Sorry, "what do I know, I'm just a powerwasher".
  8. Gas prices

    Hey Full Blast! What brings you down this way? You're going right by my door.
  9. I don't get to do cedar to much. This one I'm just not sure about. It's for a contractor who wants whatever is on the cedar siding stripped. They're applying a new finish. There's a lot of blackening where whatever was on there is complete UV'd away. Bleach or percarb? I'm concerned especially around the windows whose trim is alum clad. Will these have to be masked before trying to strip this? Also the non-uv'd areas eg. in and around the porches and underneath where the shutters were - the finish is pretty heavy whatever it is. The running feet around the whole house is 370'. I really don't have a clue as to how long this will take me nor footage calculations. Recommendations on how to tackle this would be appreciated.
  10. Thanks so much for the great replies - your experiences, admonitions, feedback and advice on my post are invaluable. I've noted all of them for future reference. It looks like the contractor is going to have some of his guys do it. I'm going to keep an eye on this one for the results. This is my first season and this project would have been one I would rather work my way up to.
  11. I can't tell what's on there now. They're going to be applying some sort of semi-transparent, what I'm not sure
  12. Dave, there was only one layer of paint. The customer did the sanding. He simply feathered out/in the bare spots and recoated everything with semi-transparent. Sure it would have looked better completely stripped but it was one of those as little labor/time/money as possible deals and live with it or having it look fantastic at any cost deal. Customer settled for former. He's expecting to repeat the process however in a few years as the paint that remained comes loose.
  13. I was thinking I'd tackle this with percarb mixed very hot with a citric acid neutralizer. How do you calculate running ft on a house like this?
  14. The collateral damage from strippers can't be quantified. I had a similar situation. I applied F18 mixed exceedingly hot (strong) to remove as much paint as possible. Feathered in the bared spots and applied a like colored acrylic stain. End of job.
  15. Olympic Sealer

    BTW. I was amazed to see that whilst cleaning up I was able to clean the stuff off of my brush completely with cold water. Hmmmmm.........
  16. Olympic Sealer

    This is one of those resin based products much like CWF in my humble opinion. I just applied it to a customer/friends deck w/dismal results. I never use anything but an oil base, but deviated from my normal procedure [this time]. The customer wanted it (cedar color). The deck is at least 10 yrs old. I stripped the little left of old finish (appeared to be an old Sikkens oil based product) with F18. This is a massive 800 SF affair. Anyways. Sprayed the Maximum on. It puddled big time and had I to do a lot of backbrushing/rolling. They stress this highly anyways on the application directions. High humidity conditions. Stuff took forever to dry. Might have got hit w/an evening rain too. I see a lot of fault with me on maybe rushing this job a bit. Result: Splogyness here and there. Shiny areas around heartwood that didn't absorb product. Dark areas/lighter areas. Customer pissed - dosen't like it. Now I'm faced with stripping this crap and reapplying. I also thought maybe of etching the surface with sodium percabonate and a hot water bath then applying a 2nd coat. I've tried to contact PPG/Olympic on some direction here - no joy. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. regards, paul
  17. where is pwna??

    Scott, My sincerest condolences. I've been in your shoes. Everyone copes with the loss of a loved one differently thus the grieving experience is at times lonely indeed. No one else can understand your pain. It's very personal. Ditto. Remember the good times. Ultimately,it's all good. I came across this shortly after losing my 19 yr old son (a bright young lad with a promising future and so very much to contribute to society) 3-yrs ago: "Our old friends are like the ship in which we sail through life. There's no replacing people like these, and there's nothing better that life has to offer. We are just fortunate to make the trip in their company". I couldn't agree more.
  18. where is pwna??

  19. where is pwna??

    Bottom line, if the goals of the PWNA include establishing itself as the industry representative for legitimate power washing, then I care a great deal. I couldn't agree more. Are the vendors and suppliers we rely on making a financial or otherwise contribution to support PWNA. ie: Why the exceedingly expensive conventions and seminars? It's seeminly totally on the back of the members. I would submit that the majority of PWNA's costs/expenses should be borne by those we buy from. In my former life as an ALPA member (Airline Pilots Asso.) my 1.8% of sal mbrship dues got me legal representation if slapped with work related violation, a voice at the gov't level, a very decent, well written monthly magazine amongst a lot of other benies. With the exception of a fancy logo (I have my own thankyou). PWNA does not offer anything for my money.
  20. Dan, Look into the Hydrotek units if your outfitting (what I think your indicating) a PU bed. I think the Hydroteks are the best built and most compact units available. The SS30005SH skid (3000/4.8) measures 23"w x 40"H x 47" L and leaves room in my 8' bed 1-ton for 225G of water, 80G of chems, tools, wands, 2- reels and a surface cleaner.
  21. Favorite Fast Food?

    That takes me back to an experience about a year ago when I was still flying 727's freighters (cargo) for a living. I was on a lay-over in Salt Lake. For dinner I decided to wander down the street to a Wendy's. As I approached I thought cool, the place looks empty and no line. Anyways, approaching the counter I was waited on by an old gal. (Sometimes I don't know whether to think that it's a neat thing these old folks are up an about working or to feel sorry for them because maybe their having to work to survive and aren't enjoying true retirement.) She took my order of a baked potato and chili. She managed to get the baked potato to me promptly. But as I waited at the counter browsing through a magazine I wondered what's taking that chili so long. Looking up I saw the old gal was sort of leaning over the chile pot. She then turns, comes and places the chili on the counter and promptly vomits all over herself, the counter and my bowl of chili. By golly she had suddenly taken ill! Fortunately, I hadn't paid yet so I was able to make a clean and quick getaway. As I turned to leave, I said to the gathering line, "I think this is a sign". The funny thing is no one reacted in kind. They must have been really hungery. I never set foot in that Wendy's on subsequent lay-over's nor any other for quite a long time. By the way, the Jack in the Box where the people caught the fatal E-coli was in Seattle next to the airport. I used to stay at the adjoining La Quinta. I remember their Fiesta Salads as actually being quite good. There was also a little old mom and pop place nearby (whose name escapes me) operated by a middle aged Korean couple and their daughter that had killer Teriyaki Chicken.
  22. Bag Of Money In A Dumpster Area!

    Did you dream this or has it actually happened? What would you do?
  23. What magazines do you subscribe to?

    Fine Homebuilding. An excellent publication. The kind of magazine you keep and archive because of the great information and how-to-do on home construction and care. Always interesting stuff. There are often articles pertaining to wood care.
  24. I agree w/Tony. Being able to negotiate your rig around obstacles and confined areas is an important consideration. How much extra time (minutes) at each job is spent monkeying around w/a bodacious trailer is another. I feel a trailer could be a hinderance, the difference between having the time to get in one extra job before the end of the day or not. paul
  25. Gloves??

    Yeah, good question. Why is this bootcamp so damn expensive? Sure makes it difficult for someone whose just starting out.
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