Adrian

Who else uses a Deckster? I have had the original version for 4 yrs. now. I would venture to say I have gotten more than my money's worth out of it. I have run caustics, acids, 12% as well as stains through it. After all this use, I finally replaced the pump manifold last month. Not bad for all the abuse I have put it through. How is yours holding up? Personally I love mine. I have pretty much done away with the fan tips and use the variable degree cone tip, brass for applying.

I will be cleaning a 12' high 100' long bamboo fence along with another section 100' long of usual pine fence and a really really good sized pergola surrounded by a mammoth pool. I've got the process covered on the fence and pergola. I don't anticipate any different approach to the bamboo for cleaning. The bamboo sections are not being stained though, just cleaned. Everything else is being stained. Any tips, or heads up on the bamboo would be appreciated. Thx.

Well the bamboo section came out nice and clean with reg. fence wash mix. BUT..... It was "greying" like pine or cedar does. Therefore the natural "yellowish" tone is no longer there since it was so weathered. I thought for sure the yellowish tone would come back to match the new sections of bamboo. Once the yellow tint is gone and weathered, it's gone for good. The customer was still very pleased at the results. But I wasn't. It simply doesn't match the rest of the fence as I hoped it would. The pergola came out awesome and the 10' high pine fence came out looking as new as the newer sections replaced after the storm. I will be staining it next week after the rains. Customer wants to go with the RS dark red. It should come out looking very exotic when finished. I was just hoping for a better outcome on the bamboo section. I'm happy that the customer is happy, but was simply hoping to get that cool looking yellow back. I guess it's tone is all in the thin section of coating that looks almost like a plastic film on the wood. Oh well, one for the books anyways. I'll post a YT vid when done.

Noted!!!! Although the bamboo is only being washed, I am thinking that a reg fence wash mix will clean as if it were any other type of fence. Thx for mentioning the "strands" as I will also take extra care and use very little psi.

I have some qtrly, drive thru's that are at night, and it seems to take me a week to get back on track. We do what we gotta do though.

Yeah, me too. This project is going to be worthy of the Robb Report. The Pergola has an entire outdoor kitchen under it with really nice tile on the floor. Can you say sweating bullets, because they waited 10 years to restore and are having the garden party next week. Geez. but I landed it this afternoon and will get it done. They have added new sections of bamboo since hurricane Ike and would like it all to match as close as possible. But again, not staining the bamboo. I'm sure this one will be worthy of a youtube slide show with some excellent Jimmy Buffet tunage in the background.

I have been banging my head thinking of something valuable to post on this situation. Some of it may contribute to cabin fever ( for those up North), some to slow biz and season not in full swing etc. I look at some of the Vets that have 10's of thousands of post' and think how much help to others are in those post'. Then I see alot of people that have 1000's of post' that are not as productive as we all would like, even to the point of being combative. To hear of late that there are even threats going on. Well, I just don't know what to say except, that this is Beth & Rods "house". And B&R like to keep a clean house for the future and as they have in the past. I think if we are all adults as we claim, then we should act that way and do our part to help B&R run a clean household. I mean this place is here for us because of them. This may not mean as much to some of you folks as it does me. But years ago a fellow named Jim Crossly ( some may remember him) told me about TGS. He said it is the best place to learn. At that time some of the other BBS were not even around yet. He told me to learn as much as I can here and then get some work done. He also told me that if I spend all of my time on TGS I will never get any work done. LOL. It's pretty simple to me in my simple type mind. There are plenty of other places to go and "fight". We should come here to learn and apply it in the field and in the industry alike, and share the knowledge to keep this a justified growing industry. It is still yet a relatively young industry, and we are the ones shaping it. I'll add my thanks to B&R for TGS along with the others who understand what's involved here. Also to the Mods and FL's of past and present for helping tow the line. The knowledge I have learned from all of you has been the platform of my business existance. Let's all help out B&R keep this house clean so they can run their business in the world that does not start with www.TGS

Welcome to the board !!!

Nice work Jon, Curious if you had any overspray issues with the surrounding water.

Hey Tony, What I did with mine is take a pair of "Tin Shears" and cut a couple of 1" squares out of the side section of the cover where the leads go to the battery. That way the battery still can be covered after you connect the leads. Plus it will keep any "fallout" from landing on the battery with the cover on.

Tony, You will like the "glorified handcart" aspect when you have a deck that is second level. It climbs stairs pretty good. The only down side to the deckster, and I'm sure the Decker 5er as well( after seeing it). Is that it is top heavy when taking out the battery to re- charge it, which could crunch the regulator or crack the manifold if it falls over hard enough. So I always make sure it is secure before I remove the battery. Other than that, I love it. Always have and always will. But, like I said, I see a cheapo shur flo in the future for caustics and acids. Plus I could model it after the build of the Deckster on a small hand truck. Instead of just shagging a bunch of hoses and a battery around to hook it up to and a loose bucket.

Wow, with the exception of the Deckster having a pressure gauge, the Decker looks like an identical twin. Thx for posting Rick. Rod, My original motor is still in use as well. I've only replaced the manifold after finding out that the ecoating has been eaten away over the years. That's why the gasket rebuild kits would not suffice. So I replaced the entire manifold. Tracy at Sunbrite was a big help in getting me an original manifold as they are appearantly not produced anymore. I am going to try and take it easy on the unit this Summer and maybe grab another Shur flo to shoot caustics and save the manifold on the Deckster for stain only. I love it, but I don't want to replace it anytime soon.

Rick, I have over the years heard of a Decker 5er. Throwing my ignorance out for all to see here.... but..... who makes it and can you provide a link to it, with a pic. ? I would like to see what it looks like. Probably not much dif from a deckster right? Pumptec pump? Regulator and pressure gauge, prime bulb? I have only used shurflows for spraying xylene and lithium hydroxides. Basically a disposable pump after a few uses. But my deckster (exception of replacing manifold) has held up very well with everything I put through it.

I forgot to mention I have done a few roofs with mine as well. It's definately a multi purpose spraying unit.

Here are some of the resto's I have done so far this year. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPWHmssE1P8]YouTube - ABC Pressure Washing & Deck Rescue[/ame] just sharing. " I love my deckster "

Wow, Thx Rick, I have saved the vid project and will re-do. Alot of them don't have railing. Don't know why that is, but many do. Upper level decks always have railing. That's just the way it is I guess. Most Texans unlike myself generally know how to spell. lol. Can you tell I am edumacated?

That's the very reason you should have a signature. Property Managers, Residential customers, Drive thru chains, Strip Mall mgrs., Builders, Trucking companies with big fleets that need washing. Wood restoration customers. They might be looking for a reputable contractor. Here ya go Dave, Sunbrite Supply Can get your 12% for you in Lawrenceville or Ga. Chemical ( Beaver Ruin Rd / 85N )

"I love my xjet!!!!!!!!!" ..... This place is the reason why " I love my Deckster" .....This place is the reason why

You will need a tank as a back up h2o supply source, if the resi's does not put out 6 gpm for the spiggot. Most produce 4-5 gpm, which will make your pump work that much harder. Repairs will chew up that 200.00 savings, most likely the first time around.

I have heard it mentioned that RS makes a clear seal but they don't advertise it anywhere. Is this true? If not what is a comparable sealer ( other than Bakers) that is available to me? thx

First the rains, then the wind. I've got a ton of decks that need to be sprayed. Half way there to the finish line and the weather is up to her old tricks. My customers understand, but what a pain. Looks like the top of the week I'll be back in the saddle and get these finished up. AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH.

Best of luck for a busy season this year Rick. Sorry for complaining, just want to get these projects complete as I have a garage full of RS that NEEDS to be sprayed. I don't want to fall to far behind as I don't wan't these folks to start complaining to me is all. I have housewashes in between, but I just hate to let that freshly prepped wood to sit. Can you say..... chomping at the bit? lol. Have a great one folks. Off to do some washing.

Lucky you. The only good surf here is during the hurricane season or severe storms. Any other time it's only 2-3 ft. Barely worth the trip. That is if you like surfing in bacteria infested water. The gulf just isn't what it used to be. I miss those storm chasing days, I really do. I started all my decks early this week and even in the rain. But now I am itching to stain and collect.

Wow!!! what a dead giveaway. They must not know of *67.

Very Nice post Beth. I agree with you on the fact that most of us have been around long enough to know whether we are talking to a potential customer or a contractor testing our rate matrix. Hopefully my posting this response will be a helpful addition to this thread. Simply ask them if they are a contractor as well before offeing any qualifying questions or to come out to jobsite for est. I really enjoy hearing them stumble over their words and lies. The pshycology involved will be very rewarding. You can almost hear their nylon brain gears breaking teeth. I have had other contractors disintegrate and simply abort the call after some qualifying questions. I actually love when that happens, and it does happen year after year. Honesty IS the best policy. I really don't mind helping new startups as I have in the past. But let's start by being honest. That's more of a solid foundation. I also agree with Dan in the statement " I will only meet with customers that are willing to make time to meet with me". That just steps it up a notch. Why is our time any less important that their time? Again, great thread. Hope I have only been positive sounding in my post.