Adrian

I'm leaning towards a stun gun or taser. Anyone have any experience with these. Stun gun = much cheaper = somewhat effective results Taser = expensive as a .45 with non lethal results. Gun = permenant results = life in prison baton = questionable results = no garauntees mace spray = buys a little time to run and stay alive 0 degree tip = applied to the achilles tendon or family jewels would slow them down ( but will they wait for me to switch from my xjet) jet Li = priceless very serious post folks. very concerned and shaken a bit even still.

That's kind of my train of thought as well about a gun. But, again, I have to rethink things.

Try a turtle wax product, the kind you ad to your soap. spray it on and rinse, see what happens. That's what I was going to suggest as well.(could it be that me and Ron are on the same page) Get a spray on Carnuba wax and be done with it. (Northern has it for about 12 bucks a gallon). That should cover roughly 3 or so resi's.

I have been told that the city cannot shut you down for washing a residential on rationing day.They cannot interrupt your business if it requires the useof your customers water. I don't know if it is gospel or not. And that is for a resi, I don't know if that pertains to a commercial project. But if you have a tank, then the problem is solved. off subject: I used to live in Alamo Heights. Then Universal City a few years later. Both were rockin areas. I bet they still are!!!

Ryan, Shoot over to Tybee Island. No kids when it's cooler like this. Really relaxed atmosphere's and attitudes. (and don't forget that I am a displaced Texas Native) Cut rate deals on first class hotels with great views. Hang at the Dolphin for about 125.00 a night. Alot of down home folks with big service. I have been vacationing there every Thanksgiving for the past 4 years that I have lived in Ga. Pretty cool getaway not too terribly far from home. 1500.00 will get you a long way there. Already did the Disney thing this Summer as well and 1500.00 will get you in the door and that's about it. I vote that you do the end of Summer thing on the island. Have fun whatever you do.

for the life of me I still don't understand why paople PAINT their decks. Hd80 works well with "unknown" finishes. This thing needs to be done right from the start. I agree that you should not compromise your regular process with a 50/50 hope that the customer will be happy in the end. Do it the professional way or pass is my suggestion.

Can anyone tell me what the GPM is on this pump? It is a "General" pump model # T9281 T series 47. Part # 1000214. I just need the GPM!!!!!!!!!!! It is on an "Alta" PW 4k psi with an electric start 16hp B&S mounted to a roller cage. Belt driven. Anyone familiar with any of this equipment pls respond.

Thanks for all the replies.!!!!!!!! LOL. A little research gets you a long way. I found all the specs I was looking for. I picked up the pw this am after a close inspection. It is called an "Alto" By Simpson. I picked it up at a rental store who sells their inventory from time to time. It is very well maintained. I won't say what I paid for it, but it was a package with surface cleaner, and all peripherals. But the price made me stop and do a double take about 3 times. Has service record / history and cleans like a banshee. 16.5HP electric start B&S Vangaurd engine 4000 psi / 4 gpm ( General Pump) belt drive (kinda cool) 10'' knobby tires 50' hose wand and tips blah blah blah Simpson 20'' "cyclone" surface cleaner (single bar spinner) Now I have 2 of everything. For backup or for running 2 at once ( with a helper obviously) I wasn't planning on going this route ( 2 of everything) but the price was right ( unbelieveable IMO ) and it was like finding the '65 Mustang in mint condition that Grandma was selling for a song. Bottom line is that it is a write off, it's super well maintained, and it will increase productivity. ...... and I didn't even get in trouble with the Mrs. ............only one xjet though........... I love my xjet I love my Deckster .....no room left on the trailer..... help...... drowning.... Will try and post some pics of the pw unit and some pics of our Manhattan Island weekend...... ( un freakin real)... got some good hobo shots and a few in front of John Lennons place. Hope everyone has a great weekend. "Peace Through Sonic Distortion"

ok ... found out about the gpm. 4..... now has anyone ever used an Alta PW unit?

Hey Phillip, New York Kicked A$$, thx for the info. Go with the gold or light brown for Michelle. You know better than to ask a question like that, Mr. Hawking!!!!!!!! kidding. I have used both and they both appear very natural. .... but I do like James' statement. I am going to try that. I have always tried to detour my customers from straight RS clear, just because of no UV protection.

2 to 1 bleach mixed with super concentrate soap, applied to the nostril with x-jet............... oh...... you guys are talking about colds... kidding..... a home remedy for bee stings..... a pinch of cigarette tobacco applied with scotch tape directly over the sting. for splinters... soak in dish soap for a while. It will swell the splinter out enough to grab it. toothache........ apply a piece of clove to the throbbing area.

x that surface cleaner x the brush kits that machine will not get chems the heights you need for 2 or 3 story resi's not knocking downstreaming, but I know that particular machine. better off with Xjet or M5 on that one. Plus it will only have a soap tip. A water broom WILL NOT clean a driveway, but they are great for rinsing what the surface cleaners lifts. If you are going to be lugging your equipment in the bed of the truck, your next move would be to consider a trailer and alot more hose. Your back will give out after a few months of hand lifting your gear and you won't like your work as much. Mount it all on the trailer and you'll shave off as much as an hour for set up and breakdown which equals a higher wage for you. I didn't see any deck gear listed...... one word...... DECKSTER.... or equivilant. with a variable cone tip. That thing will pay for itself on 1 or 2 deck jobs. Also good for other chems, gutters, yadda. Rubber boots and Dickies uniforms. You will ruin your daily duds on your first job. The Dickies really really hold up well. Check the bargain basement on this site and see if you can find a better surface cleaner than the one you chose at Northern. A 109.00 dollar surface cleaner that screws onto the wand end and commercial work lined up for your new business. Plan on buying one of those every week because it just will not hold up to commercial work. It will make your back sore and dig you an early grave. Get a real surface cleaner even if it is used. get a bag of multi sized O rings, because you will need those as well(5.00) Have I spent all your money yet? If not, then get a respirator and safety goggles and gloves too. If you are dead set on a brush kit just get the rotating brush that is geared for THAT machine. Northern has that as well for about 30.00 For the wonderful smell that will be coming from you at the end of a long day of xjetting straight up, get a larger pumper of germide sanitizer. You can pick up some creepy crap from other people's property. Germ-X makes vats (15.00 gal??) of the stuff and it sanitizes your smelly self from the bleach and other fallout that you will not be able to avoid. It will sanitize and burn like heck all the little nicks and cuts and help reduce any infections. Have I spent all your money yet? ...........there's alot more where that came from. AC

It has been done before, I believe most would advise against it due to potential damage to the deck. Practiceing on your customers (concrete?) sidewalk, for woodwork, is not the way to go. It takes more psi and gpm for flatwork vs. woodwork. If you use the same psi on the wood that you used on the flatwork, then you will have only gained a free box of toothpicks and a triple loss of time.

I will be closing down my business in about 3 months and am trying to start getting my ducks in a row for all the steps.. Focusing on my taxes for this qtr. right now. Deadline soon... Don't fret... I will still love my xjet and my deckster... only in another state. Can anyone inform me (loosely) on how to go out of business, following legal steps ect., covering all my bases. I feel I have done pretty darn well in respect to the size of my operation, from start up to here. I have cut my teeth on some really cool projects over the past few years as well. So I will be bringing what I have learned about business and operations with me to my new location. I just need a few pointers on making sure I leave this place completely behind me. Any help is appreciated

Pls don't misunderstand. Not flying blind on this one. I have state and property tax requirements covered for closing. Business license simply needs to expire ( but notification must be delivered to county). I already have the process for big brother (IRS). I will be rebated on my insurance or just carry the name with proper address info and bus. name changes. I'm just wondering if I have all my bases covered. Didn't want to leave anything behind or out ( like my helper often does with my xjet) uuuuuugggggggghhhhhh!!!!! lol.

no Takers huh!

#1 mold capitol of the nation. Texas, it's my home state and will be based in Houston and starting up once again in this wonderful business. hoping to push decks and exterior cleaning much harder with the knowledge I have gained here in Ga. the past 3 years. It was only a temporary stay here to begin with. We knew we would only be here for a short while. That's why I started this business when I did to avoid working for the man for such a short stay. But 3 years was enough to learn how to run a business without sinking all my $$$ into marketing and sales. When I get settled with a new house with area enough to store my helicopter and equipment, then I will re-start business with more attention to marketing and sales, since it will be more of a permanant location. I just never took the time to learn how to CLOSE a business. Maybe when I get situated, Shane can swap a few trade secrets on pushing the Deck side of things for me. I mean, really, I've done alright, aside from my usual whining and worrying. So I know I can do better in Tx with the old sink or swim attitude that has landed me in some pretty mammoth projects here. Plus..... guys ... I have already recieved a few calls from inquiring on my customers list. That is in the plan as well as my commercial accts. I am just not ready to sell or give my customer list away yet. I still have to make the notes til the end of the year. But yes, that is in the makes as well. I just need some pointers on closing. Thanks all.

IMHO I feel that you can learn more from this forum than on the cd at honest work .com. Believe me, I purchased the program and I found out about this forum a while afterwards and wish I hadn't spent the $ on the cd. Hey 50.00 bucks is 50.00 bucks.

Dallas is keeping up with season opening losses as they always do. They will pick up steam as they always do as well, then blow it in Jan. Why do I like these guys?

Nationwide has done me right for 3 years now!

I found a close out store that has tons of this stuff @ 5.00 a gal. Is it worth the price? Does it work? This stuff may have been displayed for longs periods of time! Does it have a shelf life? Thought I would ask here first. l8r ac

thx. i will pick up a few gallons and try it on some gutters.

oh yeah, I hear ya. I have a great housewash mix. works great. Was just wondering if it was a deal or not at 5.00 a gal. thx

Was considering using it for house wash. or maybe not....... was just curious. Sometimes you find a good close out product in these places. they actually make the stuff here in Ga. Cumming, I believe. found their website as well. Was wondering if it would ever serve me just to have some on hand.

......With much respect....... How come you didn't just tell the guy that you have branch trimmers? You could have told him that you would gladly trim the bushes or branches in the area that might have been in the way of your "scheduled contract cleaning". Also, that it would not upset the specified date on the contract. It changes the whole mindset when you have an answer to all or most every potentiel roadblock. Even though he had no intention of honoring the contract and you may or may not be willing to trim branches that interfere with the washing process, at least you would have backed him into the corner that he backed you into, just to get out of the deal. ....... I am sure it is not worth $$$ legalities to get them to honor the contract on 2 cleanings per year. But you do have dignity and pride when it comes to your business' image and you have a right to play ball just like they do, but, with discression and honesty. .......... Sorry for thinking Utopian, but, you don't have to be lied to. ... some of the responses on this post are ( legal or other) amazing advice. Learn something new everyday, and you guys are brilliant. And all the things that you guys say should happen...... well, they should. Some people just don't have the cahounas to be straight forward and like to make excuses for delays. They will do and say anything to maintain a good image, esp. if they have the reins in their hands. ... but my .02 is that I usually carry trimming equipment just in case I need it. That way you could at least say that you have a solution for the last line of B.S. you just tried to feed me!!! A.F.A.B.( anything for a buck) right? even if it's a P.I.T.A.( pain in the a$$) But your company is not a Butler for that firm. No reason for you and your firm to be disrespected and breeched, and lied to, even if they were polite about the whole issue. Big job or small job. It's all math and manners....... In most cases, my "straight with you, straight with me" simple minded utopian approach works with commercial accts. and alot of the contractors I work with. Most people sense honesty or dishonesty. Doesn't change the "cause and effect" of your bottom line projections. But there is nothing stopping you from finding a better account, because, there is a better account out there. If you have done everything you can with this account to your satisfaction and still butt heads, then move on to the next, better, account. ......This may get deleted or shot down, but you should throw some clippers in the old tool box for just such an occassion. At least you would have that "one upped" feeling that you don't have now. It's just a good feeling to me going through the day knowing I didn't get stepped on and just maybe I did things the right way. ..... again with much respect......