Hose Jockey

I'm guessing most people spray these with a pump-up sprayer at full stength. Any idea what ratio to mix it if you were to down stream it? Obviously you'd have to mix it about 4Xs stronger since most downstreams are about 4:1, right?? Anyone know?? Thanks for the advice.

Which method(s) of application do you find to be the best for Ready Seal in regard to efficiency of product consumption, ease of application, and producing the best product for your customer?

Tracy, I sent you a PM with some more in depth questions. Hope you get a chance to look at it. I'm getting more and more "sold" on the Deckster.... Thanks!

In the deckster video it looked like there was quite a bit of overspray. Is that because it was water? Is there really that much overspray when using Ready Seal as well???? Seems like I would need to mask just as much as I have to when using my airless. If I'm wrong, please let me know. Thanks!!

Okay, so is the Deckster a HVLP, or is it something different? I always thought an HVLP was the type the auto painting industry used with the paint can attached to the gun. So, I'm admittedly confused to hear about a 2.5 gallon pressure pot. Must not be a part of the gun like I'm used to seeing - I'm guessing. I used my airless sprayer the other day and it seemed to atomize terribly. When I tried lowering the pressure it messed up the spray pattern of the tip. That's why I was contemplating another method. Initially I was thinking airless or pump up to hit the tops of the pickets where they meet the top rail and cap to get it into all the difficult to reach nooks & crannies. Then either brush or lambswool the remainder of the pickets and bottom rail. Finishing up with pump up on the floor followed by either a pad or 9-inch lambs wool to rub it in. Sounds like I'm way off!! HOW do I get the airless to perform better for me? What tip size is recommended for the railings & pickets and what size tip for the floor, steps, and stringers?? :lgbonk:

For all the big Ready Seal users, which colors do you find to be most requested by your customers?? I'm going to start using it soon and am curious what may need to be "stocked up on". Thanks for the input.

Great!! Thanks for the input and advice so far. I'm looking forward to trying this new product. Bought the sample bottles and made some wood samples on pressure treated pine lath strips. Sure went on nice, but took several days for it to show true color. Some looked almost identical when first applied. PTP seems to be all they build decks out of here in the Richmond, VA area so may I ask that anyone else who would like to respond please let me know what your customers ask for on PTP?? That would be awesome and I thank you ahead of time for your input. Cheers..

Wow, terrific job. :) May I ask what type of wood you applied the Natural Cedar to?

Curious, how much do you get per linear foot of railing there? Actually lets break it down between regular rail & pickets vs. chipendale style. Look forward to what your getting. Also, what about those built-in benches?? Thanks!;)

I've got a very similar one I bid on yesterday here in VA. They're moving and just want the wood cleaned. Planning on using Safe Wash and Citralic. In total, there's about 1125 square feet of woodwork and the main deck is elevated about 12 feet from the grass. Yours turned out great! Good job. :cool:

Okay, that's pretty much what I was thinking, just wanted to pick some brains of experience. Thanks for the good advice. (and happy to know you know the scripture) :)

Hi John, I've always cleaned houses here in Richmond with a bleach/detergent solution. What is the obvious alternative you are using. I would assume that in MS y'all would have as much of a mold & mildew problem on siding as we do. I'd rather not be covered in bleach mist all day if I don't have to. Can you give me some insight on how to get houses clean without bleach? Thanks!

Seems like it sometimes, huh?? Wouldn't trade it for the world though. Sometimes I just can't believe I actually get paid to hang out with the boys for 24! :dance: Just a shame the FD doesn't pay enough to support a family without needing the side work. :banghead: But, it is what it is, right? I'm thankful for the explosion in business and income though. Feel like I'm working part-time on a full-time basis. Allows my wife to continue to homeschool our children. :nerd: What department are you with??

Considering this is a side business for me, I'm booked solid through April and subing work out to a partner of mine to be able to accomodate the call volume. Long days for sure!! Got to go into work at my full-time job at the firehouse to get some rest! :p Blessings everyone~

My prices include the railings whether standard or chippendale. When I do a front porch with no railing work my $/s.f. decreases since there is less labor and time involved.

I am curious if anyone has had to bite the bullet and lower their rates with the present economy. Any comments? Also, does anyone begin to lower the rate a bit as the square footage goes up. On smaller decks it seems prudent to always charge premium price to make the job worth my while, but those prices on much larger decks seem to be out of the ballpark. Anyone else ever deal with this to stay competitive??

Looks as if it may fall apart if you just look at it too hard!;) Wonder why people let their investments "go" like that?

Anyone know of a solution for the problem of this nasty fungus? So far I've only been able to advise my customers how to prevent it from occuring - by removing all wood mulch from around their home and replacing it with a different type of mulch. I'd love to be able to remove it without a trace, but locally, haven't found any remedy. Being able to effectively and efficiently remove it would be a tremendous selling tool here in Richmond, VA - we have it everywhere!!

Sheesh, I know it's tough! I've been one of the guys who tells customers there's nothing you can do about it. Once I got into this forum though, I was sure someone had found a way to deal with it and kick it's butt. Beth, I read the thread from '08 where they were using the Mr. Clean Magic Pad. Anyone know if they're still doing that? Carolina PW sent me a link I'm going to check out in a few minutes, and Russ sent me a link as well. Wish I could come up with the magic bullet myself. THEN I wouldn't have to work two jobs!! :headspin:

Good luck John :dance: ~ don't let the bed bugs bight and don't let your arteries get too clogged!! :lgsick:

OK, will do. Already sent an email to their "contact us" tab. Hope to hear from them during the business week. Did you read the old thread about the guy using Mr. Clean Magic Pads?? Sounds like it works, but wow, that pad sure cuts a tiny swath. :-p Thanks again and if I try it I'll let you know how it worked.

Awesome!! Have you had good luck with it? Can it be applied with a pump-up type sprayer effectively? I see their literature mentions an airless, but seems like it would be quicker to use pump-up. Also, do you know if it is a concentrate or is it a ready-to-use solution? Thanks Russ! Mark

Yep, I have one estimate to do after church tomorrow and flyers to hand out on the first condo court letting them know I'll be there starting Tuesday. This way they'll have enough time to move items away from the siding and brick before I arrive. Started utilizing a sub-contractor last year too. He's actually another fireman at my station and is exceedingly consciencious, which makes me happy and I pay him well for it. I've got him lined up to handle residentials while I make progress on the condo job. I'll be teaching him how to stain decks this month too which will help my volume explode this year. Hoping to sub out to a second fireman from a different station this year as well. :cool: Love to get to the point where all or most of my role in the business will be supervising and teaching. Oh, and of course selling quality workmanship!

Amen to that!! Washed the first deck of the season yesterday and gearing up to begin the first LARGE project of the year this coming Tuesday.. Condo complex with 46 units to wash including brick courtyard walls on each, stripping and resealing wood decks attached to each. Looking forward to jumpin' back in the saddle! Praise God!! Hope everyone has a great year.:sunshine:

IMO, everyone seems to make great points (with the exception of one post). Really, it's a balance of all of the above, and knowing how to read a customer to create the correct balance of sales points. Investment preservation is still a very viable point to make especially in todays fiscal environment. Educating potential customers on the benefits of maintenance expense as opposed to replacement or repair expenses is still key. Health aspects are of tremendous leverage when there are elderly or very young people living in the structure/environment. Safety is applicable to the entire prospective gammut in today's "sue-happy" culture!. Finally, selling yourself/your company backed up by your performance will not only assure the customer of your competance, it will most likely get you invited back for follow-ups and initialize the invaluable asset of referrals. Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. Cheers!