big mike

Have had this happen with RS clear (standard formula) a couple of times on redwood.

Beth, do you really think that's the best route for a homeowner? The chances of ruining an expensive fence with chemicals and a pressure washer by a novice, isn't worth the risk IMO. Use a stain with built-in mold/mildew inhibitors and keep the sprinklers off it, and the stain should be fine for several years. We use a penetrating oil stain (Ready Seal), but TWP, Armstrong-Clark, and others, have good products as well.

Washing is unnecessary. What type of stain are you planning on using?

John, Wash with a house wash mix to remove the green. Apply a cheap waterproof coating. These are a PITA to clean and seal because of the irregular surfaces and having to get under the rails. You'll have to do the pricing on your own, as I don't like to give out numbers on the BBS.

DJ We do tons of clear decks, because people love the look. I feel that clear is the best looking coating on cedar, but it does require yearly maintenance. After a year clear will look partially gray. We use Ready Seal for our deck work, and it protects the wood from moisture mostly, and does nothing for UV protection. I wouldn't bother sanding at all, just strip / neutralize, and seal.

Absolutely correct. The deck needs a full restoration, and a better stain choice.

Good job Pat. I hate stairs in general...

First, you need to add a signature to your user profile to get any kind of response. I'll say right off the bat, that if you think that Service Magic is the answer to a successful business plan, you are sorrily mistaken. This business is/can be a money pit. Don't make the huge mistake of trying to do everything. Pick an area of interest and focus on that i.e; roof cleaning, flat work, decks, whatever. Also, use some of that startup money for advertising and maybe some training. That rig would work well for residential type cleaning. I wouldn't even consider it for commercial work.

Here's a pair of decks that were in real rough shape. Full restoration and this is the result:

It appears to be DIY type paints that can be bought off the shelf at box stores. If they really think CA paints or Behr out last Sherwin Williams Duration, they're nuts!!

Andy, Check with EaCo Chem for their NMD80. Here's the link: Encyclopedia Of Clean | EaCo Chem - Results That Sell!

Master of puns. very funny!!

We DS our stripper all the time.

Soda blasting I would imagine, or a LOT of crack......

Can we guess out loud???

Pressure relief yes, thermal relief no. Also sometimes called a "burst disc" valve. Once they go bad, they have to be replaced. They run around ten bucks, and you should keep a couple on hand. They are adjustable, but are set to 6000 psi from the factory (usually). When this blows, it signals an issue elsewhere in the system causing a high pressure spike. Probably an unloader issue.After looking at your setup, I think the relief valve is placed incorrectly on the system? All of my rigs have the relief valve AFTER the unloader.....

What do you mean "the second time"???

Joe, you can do wood restoration in the rain without problems. It is actually a good way to ensure you don't ruin any vegetation or leave any residues on windows or aluminum trim work. It will dilute your chems a bit, and I wouldn't recommend it in a downpour. It just kinda sux working in the rain.....

Joe, you'll get many opinions on GPM, and most will say more is better. I use 5.5gpms on 4 of our skids and 4gpm on two others. It is basically a must for my rigs because of water supply issues running multiple units on the same supply tank. I'll tell you honestly that the 3.5 gpm with a 13 hp Honda portable unit, worked very well for house washing and deck cleaning. I still have that original washer, and it still makes me money DAILY. I wouldn't worry about high GPM unless you're doing large commercial accounts (although, I do large commercial all the time with my 5.5's). Ask Ron or Russ what they're running...

Joe, look at the Allison stuff a little closer. Good equipment, and service too. The Pressure Pro skids use Alkota coils, and I've had real good luck with them. All of the ones you posted pics of, and the Allison skids, are good equipment.

Best April EVER, and still a week to go....

Works fine. Good b4 and afters, but kinda long...

It must mean that my work is good, because I keep getting my pictures and web content stolen. Just happened upon a site that has taken a large amount of pics and wording straight off my site. Third time in two years, I'm getting tired of it Anyway, you know who you are, so do the right thing.

I prefer the browns on PTP.

Here's the link to the site if anyone cares SHOP UDF-21 - Composite Coating for Wood - Gulf Synthetics After looking at the info, it appears to be a composite coating for wood. The obvious question is - why not just use composite lumber? Stuff sells for $199 a 5'er, and covers 400 sq ft. No thanks.