Adrian

Willy Wonka out the wazoo

[yt]sYFfOJPMnsw[/yt] I got a rock! YouTube - Charlie Brown's Halloween Special: I got a rock.

Definately from my era. I also love the side stories of snoopy taking on the Red Baron in his flying dog house. The backing music is awesome too! With all the remakes these days, it relieves me that no one has butchered the Charlie Brown legacy that Schultz left with us. ..... I got a rock!!!

IMO, no product will last the lifetime of a deck. If most of your estimates are in the same range then start comparing the credentials and visuals of those firms. The highest bid can hit the bricks. He may do good work, but the product he is applying is what is in question. Ohio experiences all 4 seasons. There is simply no product that good for all 4 season for life. Unless of course it is sealed in kryptonite. There are contractors on this forum that are in your area and are very reputable and professional. They will not zoom you into a bogus product, and will do quality work. Do a members search and get another opinion. Sounds like another usual project for most of us.

Please try and follow as I have had little sleep. #1) I came across a painter today ( with THIRTY YEARS experience ) that knows everything there is to know about PW. #2) He, and his 2 helpers are now approaching their 3rd hr of washing a 2200s.f. single resi brick / hardie finish, with very few obstacles. Ladders are also being employed. Did I mention no chems. It's next door to my new house. Well, with my sunny disposition, I approached the painter ( with THIRTY YEARS experience ) who has been there for a few days doing other things that apply to his 30 yrs. and I offered him the use of my xjet. (pls refer to #2) #3) Who knows, maybe he could use the other 2 guys to do something better with his time and money, like maybe Running from Immigration officials. (too soon for that) Please refer again back to #2. Bottom line is he is rude, unintelligent, and hasn't firgured out that 30 years is a long time to be doing it the wrong way!!!!. #4) I knocked out 3200 s.f. resi and flatwork today between 9:00 - 12:30 this morning. I love my xjet!!!!! Flatwork took longer than the resi. My point is that as a small business owner you have to be alert to new ways of streamlining. Time is money!!! He is a complete a$$ whole to me by the way. Old dog new tricks I guess. His wank is largest. lol #5) They are still cleaning as I type ( they started around 1:00 all 3 of them) and have completed 3 sides and still have a detached garage to clean. No chems, just pressure. move the ladder, pull the hose, reposition the pw every 50 feet. 3 man project. ...... all of this after just arriving home from ABQ Ballo0n Festival for 3 days. (sorry still a little lagged ) I attribute this trip to the GRAND performance of my XJET saving me time and keeping up with high volumes of work during peak periods. Which translates to "it's been a pretty ok Summer" for my pony. Please refer to #5. I will post somes pics when I get new batteries . They went dead on me. Is it Jon Fife that lives in ABQ? He's got some nice scenary there. What was that # to Immigration? New Mexico was awesome and the aliens there are real friendly. ( sorry too soon again) ....anyways, Mr 30 is just a dumb ( you know what) and I know in my heart of balloons that he just missed out on a financial orgasmic time saver. When I got turned onto the xjet, I could not believe how much more work I could stack up and complete. Thanks for taking the time to read. I wish someone would turn that damn pressure washer off I need some sleep.

.... again..... 3 men, NO CHEMS, ladders, high pressure, single story, trim only. cmon man hear what I am saying. You know that it doesn't take you 4 and a half hrs. to wash and prep a house. This guy is stuck in horse and buggy mode. And closed minded about better techniques. I'm sure you would have offered some positive input as well if you saw the project. Most of us here would extend a hand to someone in quicksand because at the very least you want them to survive.

Kind of like 8 track vs. cd. Or the beetle vs. the porsche.

Of course everyone knows that I will say take the financial hit now, or, later. You will need a sprayer when your volume grows. Get with Tracy or Pete at Sun Brite in Lawrenceville and see if they have what's called a Deckster. Well worth the cost, or see if they have one on consignment for sale from someone getting out of the biz. That's how I got mine and it has been blowing through decks in a real hurry. Get the varible degree cone tip and a long and short wand. It will pay for itself in no time. Or just drop 50 - 100 on a pumper and make your own. But, you will need a spray at some point.

...interesting. Sounds like you have the right gear for whatever job you encounter. If I worked the way this painter worked, I would be out of a job, because of obsolete applications and time consumption. People like him make me want to stop being so neighborly and helpful. Like I said his 30 yrs of experience has not yielded much actual " horse sense" to know a good thing. upstreaming, downstreaming, xjetting, would have saved him 3 hours of labor on his books for 2 employees. But, what do I know with only my few yrs under my belt to his 30? Some people are afraid of change. Some are too stupid to change. This guy happens to be both.

I haven't been on TGS lately until today, but I have noticed alot of the times I post, it tends to fall quickly with no response. Maybe John is just trying to get some info by posting in different sections of the forums. Nonetheless, my business being a one man op is obviously governed by not dropping huge chunks of cash into org 's and COC's. If I budget well, I stay afloat.

My take on part 2 of your question John, is that a lower membership fee would draw more members, which could give the org a good early push. Not to mention the collective of info and experience early on from those members who joined soley on price. Still a plus. ... as for part one of your question, you really need volunteers that are dedicated to both our industry and their skills. Not to mention seeing past the startup itself.

Man , this post hit the bricks ...... Ok, they have finally finished. 4 hours 35 min. finally done. No disrespect to all the painters that actually know how to PW. I swear. Just venting at the rudeness of this fellow Texan ( Hmmmmm maybe he isn't from Texas). Maybe that's the problem. Nap time. just in time for dinner. more weight loss. ILMXJ

Been staying really busy Jeff. considering this my first yr. in Tx as a business owner, i have been targeting upper tier clients. Had more work than I caounted on over the Summer and some really interesting projects. more than I can count. It's slowing a bit, but my winter campaign is going to bring in the lollygaggers. I am doing so much better here in Tx compared to the 7th circle of hell ( I mean Atlanta). To my surprise, I have exceeded my earnings this year over last year in ATL, with no commercials accts. I might add. Only doing resi's now a days and it is a great feeling to know next year will be better. As winter sets in (DEC-JAN) around here, I will be focusing on completing the build on helicopter. The season is far from over and there is still alot of work lined up.......but like I said it is starting to slow a bit. Hopefully I have my nuts stored up in the right places for the winter. So yeah I guess I can pat myself on the back so far. Not bad for closing shop, moving, and setting up shop again. Whew glad all that is behind me. Hope it all continues to serve you well through the winter. For what it's worth, we rarely see anything below 40 in Dec. Jan. is when it really gets cold for a spell.

Thanksfor your service to the community as a fire fighter and for treating a fellow PW

This may sound cheesey, but when I make the jump to enclosed trailer, I will definately mount camper's toilet or the like. Being stuck with nowhere to go can really be a problem. As crazy as it sounds, with only 1 properly functioning kidney, I am secretly eyeing a "spot" when I run bids. Does this have anything to do with PWtrailer setups? IMO it does. Open trailers do not allow that luxury. This is probably not the response you were looking for Alan, but for me it can be a constant concern. Fortunatly my windows are blacked out and the inside of a suburban is another country in itself so there is plenty of room to whatever. I can't be the only one...........

Gene, Don't you mean "Great Nation" of Tx. ( sorry .... couldn't resist)

Thanks Larry, Have you ever considered a round table in the Houston area? Lots of woodies and PW's around here.

Minute Maid = Coca Cola

Ron's solution

... or it could be a core section from a larger stone that has ions of mineral deposit buildup. The deeper you dig the more you expose. Texas has layers of cleeche SP? before you get to any layers of solid rock. Cool to see another lone star on the board.

Ironic. Part of a job I just bid on was a detached garage coved in little spider web pods. Haven't seen this anywhere to this degree. Piece of cake to clean, but the site of them was really awesome.

Absolutely, I pull with a Suburban and 13k towing package. I hardly know the trailer is behind me, but that mighthave something to do with the 454 engine.lol. Just don't exceed axle and tongue weight and make sure your engine and trans can handle that kind of tonage, since it is used and most likely will have no warranties. Good luck.

........... before the battle begins....... LCPW, Tahoe will pull it, it would be better if you could find one that already has a towing pkg. installed w/ electric braking system for the trailers weight. Because you will have some pretty good weight if you are towing w/ your tanks constantly full. ....... on with the battle.........

been looping in my head....... "Unchained" bro!!!!!!!!! darn I'm old...........