Adrian

Yes, lots of rain on and off. Even flooding. However, initially when I touched and felt one of the actual spots before the cleaning. The gritty mudlike surface of the spots felt as if they were "bonded" or "glued" to the surface. That's what's wierd, I actually had to use force with my hand to loosen the bond and break it up to make any of it crumble. So I don't think that it would grip like that because of rain splatter. However "non-uniform" the actual splatters look, they do seem to be strategically located only at the top of the structure around the house near the divet or groove lines of the panels. Really wierd, because after I cleaned the resi, there were no more "gritty " to the touch, splatters anywhere. Plus there were no visible splatters remaining. It has been about 2 weeks since the cleaning. I still believe that it is an insect burrowing "inside" the house at the access points of the exterior paneling. An insect that uses mud or dirt for it's nest, and the splatter marks on the outside are it's nest building refuse that gets pushed back out through the access divet in the paneling. Not really sure though if I can pin this one on the rain due to the bonding of the mud/dirt and the way it presents itself. It seems to have too strong of a bond for it to be rain splash. Just my take though.

OOPS.....Somehow I posted the pics in reverse order. The second picture is the "Before" pic that I took when I arrived onsite. The first picture is "After" taken at completion of project. Customer states the "spots" have since returned.

Belt sander Rick with 60 grit should shape those puppies right up.

Sorry Rob for no response. I have been slammed and haven't been to the forums in a while. Looks like Danny or Chris has you covered though.

Right on. Someone else mentioned using velcro straps as well.

Those questions cannot be answered in this thread as there is just too much involved. Again, do a ride out or labor for learning with legit contractors in your area. Find and make friends with a cleaning contractor. Find and make friends with a resto contractor. Hands on is a great way to find your niche. Round tables are a great source of info and networking. For right now, this minute....... read & learn from each category in this forum about the services you intend to offer, chems, and techniques. Read Read Read and then Read some more.

See if there is a company in your area willing to let do a "Ride along" with them. Compete very little and network alot. Read read read this forum for info as well. Practice on your own property. Get insurance. again read read read this BBS.

I'm getting around 6 hours of use on the lawn mower batteries. But again, I am cheap like that. However, I haven't had to replace the battery in 3 yrs. Knock on wood.

Congrats. I can't answer # 1 as accurately as you would like, but you should be spraying just under what you have dialed in. So dropping to 50psi while dialed in a 100 psi seems maybe a bit off but still in the norm. #2 I ususally set the psi at 50-75 on the regulator and can still adjust at the wand as well. #3 Most would suggest a deep cell marine battery. I use the lawn mower batteries from NAPA, but I am cheap like that. Congrats again.

CareCredit® Healthcare Finance - Payment Plans and Financing for Cosmetic Surgery, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Veterinary & Other Medical Procedures Guy, I used this firm when I had kidney issues. They helped out ALOT when I had to have a very expensive surgery on the kidney. I suggest enrolling until you find the right company for your family. Ultimately, I am with United HC now. However, when you are not insured or until you find the right company that suits you, this is a very good move.

Check the "check valves" on the hose couplers and at the pump connection. They could be corroded and need replacing. Getting themselves stuck open or closed "could" be the ploblem and a relatively quick fix w/new couplers w/check valves. I replaced all of mine after several yrs. and it is amazing how it runs when the flow rate is correct. If not, then it sounds like it may be time to rebuild the fittings in your pump after all the caustics and brighteners and stain. Not that hard to do. Tracy will set you straight at Sunbrite.

even better Happy 4th of July Russ

......Of course I am going to suggest a professional cleaning contractor as well. However, I certainly respect Fred's response. So... Fred, you can purchase the "original" xjet setup #13 orafice package for around 125.00-150.00 dollars. It will work on your pw. That is if you don't decide to go with Downstreaming. Either direction is better than the way you are applying chems and rinsing. It will take you much longer than the vets here that have done literally thousands of resi washes. But it will speed up your current approach vs. ladders and all the other junk solutions from the box stores.

I referred a painting contractor to Sunbrite, he purchased the Black Knight, and has never looked back. (That means he liked it alot)

That's a really really good track record for the pump. I'm kind of " bratty" in that, my deckster works great, but, I just WANT another brand as a dedicated stripper and brightener pump. Then one for spraying only. But then again my Ford Fiesta only has room for one pump. lol.

Rick, is that the Magnum sprayer in pic 2 ?

RS and BGA this year.

Right on. Keep us posted as the Mag is more than likely going to be my next sprayer. Congrats.

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

I believe that wether it is a Deckster, Decker, or Magnum, they are pretty much designed with caustics, brighteners and especially the ease of spraying stain and sealers, in mind. Which one did you end up getting? ( it doesn't say in your post). But congrats and welcome to the world of "speed" staining. Just kidding, I am sure you will love whatever brand you bought. Mainly in the time it will save on every project. Plus it will pay for itself in a couple of jobs.

Only after yrs. of strippers and brighteners did I have to rebuild the pump. But, I am pretty anal about flushing it out with dish soap ( lots) and making sure all the chems are out of the pump and hose. Every time I use it. Even with weaker mixes, I flush like a crazy man. I like to pretend that nothing will ever go wrong with it. But I know it needs maintaining every so often ( couple of yrs. spread).

I have only had to rebuild mine once Rick in 7 or so yrs. of use. It is one of the original series PT 112 I believe. Not hard at all to rebuild, but must be done exactly to specs or it will seap. Still not hard to do though.

Equipment & Supplies - Ready Seal Rick check out the Magnum 500. Free shipping. I'm leaning in this direction for my next one. Not much difference between the two and cheaper. Unless you find a used one somewhere.

Please go to your "settings" and complete your signature line. House rules . Welcome to TGS.

Projects of late.