Neil_Asheville

Rick and others... Do you also rinse with garden hose, as Beth does, when doing test patches? Beth, do you use your own GH nozzle? 'Firehose' type garden nozzle? Rick If I remember, you work out of your truck so you do have your setup on estimates and test spots. I'd be curious of those that work out of a trailer if the rig goes with for estimates/test spots or if you use customers GH. Thanks... I'm getting there...;) /neil

Doug. I also considered assembling a shurflo sprayer. I was supposed to have called Shane in TX at least ten times. We all know the 'tinkering' time in the shop adds up fast. What it always comes down to for me is just not having the time. My Curb Appeal, Inc. is part time, very part time. Whether it's setting up a new trailer or building a deck sprayer, nights and weekends is when I have the time and before I know it 2 months have passed and then I'm frustrated that I'm not further along. I purchased my Decker 5'er last month. Out of the box it's ready to make you money. For the same price, I opted for the decker since it has the larger 12v battery box, longer pickup/discharge hoses and is powder coated black. Package came with the adjustable flow gun. WTW straight sprays beautifully. The handle assembly on both the decker and deckster could be beefed up a bit. I didn't let a few hundred bucks get in the way of having a tool that was designed and proven by many here. I believe this is the second best investment I've made into the company, second only to what has gone towards marketing and brand positioning. Feel free to get in touch if you have any more questions. /neil

What Lance said. Bleeeeeech in the mix.

This is for penetrating oil-based stains, not filmers / solids.... Jarrod, Jim, Reed…I’m curious about the every other year programs you mentioned in an earlier thread. It’s obvious all three of you have a long list of repeat business so your programs must be cost-effective and make sense to your customers. Jim, at 60%-70% for every other year maintenance (say on a $1,500 initial job) would you not see the deck for two years then completely redo clean and reseal at around one grand? (using the $1,500 example) Jarrod, when doing EOY maintenance on a penetrating oil product what’s the difference in your strip vs wash? Reed, I’d appreciate anything you could share about your every other year schedule. I realize now I need to firm up my maintenance pitch. What, then, is the sales angle for getting 2, 3, or even 4 years out of a particular stain? ‘Young Grasshoppah’ standing by… :confused:

By all means, jump in. I hoped anyone with an opinion would chime in. I'm your customer...so you're guaranteeing my deck for 2 years but need to come back next year and maintain it? Since you're guaranteeing 2 years you're not going to bill me for anything next year are you? /customer out

Lou - you might find that a translucent container allows you to see what amount is going in when filling or how much is left when washing. I wouldn't want a blue jug. Go to your nearest full service car wash and ask about their empties. You should find the heavy duty square molded 5s and 7s with the threaded cap handle and bung, 15s, 20s, 30s and 55s in poly drums. They usually pile them up in the back for pickup by their chem supplier. I rigged 4 caps with pick up lengths that fit the 7 gallon size and one with a pick up tube that works with the 15G drum. I cap the jugs that have solution or 12.5% with regular cap so my chem strainers don't sit in 'em and get all eat up. There is no charge for the containers at the car wash or that tip from me...:) /neil

Lou. Sorry to hear about the burns. What type of project were you working on? Curious. /neil

Doug – First thought is that your deck is perhaps PT pine and built prior to 2002. Dip the corner of a rag in your straight bleach and apply to a small (half-dollar size) inconspicuous spot on a ‘molded’ area of your deck. Give it a minute to dwell. If it’s still green you may be dealing with CCA treated lumber. Post back your results. /neil

nspencer@charter.net Thanks Carlos!

Adrian. Suffice it to say he's breathing diesel exhaust today, not stain fumes. I can confirm he was alive as of yesterday. /neil

Lance, I'm only recently familiar with the K7 as that is what I just installed on my 2400/4 beltdrive Simpson. I'm getting all the correct pressures with various tips and surfacer as I was getting with my previous GP bolt-on pressure regulated unloader. No kick, limp hose, I can see a lot less fatigue and joint pain. I don't have the field hours on it yet. Others can speak to it's fit on your setup. As for it's compatibility with mine, K7's are matched according to machine GPM. Different orifice sizes at the bypass port determine the %age of water that bypasses. I found the setting that maximized pressure with the minimum amount of bypass and cranked down the jam nut. If I recall, you run a portable as well. Here's a shot of mine: http://forums.thegrimescene.com/showthread.php?t=6464 /neil

Doug, Anthony, H2O...welcome to a great place! John...I'm pleased to see you here. Feel free to call me anytime. I look forward to working along side of you. /neil

I meant RED! That'd be sharp. Great news about your biz. I do want to get down there and pick your brain a bit. /neil

A picture like this on TGS would have helped me tremendously a month ago! So, I’m posting as a service for the next crop of newbies. Don’t laugh…I’m sure this is just a small step now for the vets on here…but, one giant proud leap for a rookie like me. I just finished converting my bolt-on unloader to a block-mounted K7 plumbed with bypass to 50-gal supply tank. Frustrating? Sure..with many dumbA questions, phone calls, and trips to lots of stores…but very rewarding doing it myself. Now I know how to fix it if (better yet, when) it breaks. A plug for Tom and Barb at ACR…super service and support. A bypass setup to the tank is oh so sweeeeeeet! Cheers, /neil

I put a bigger picture in the original post above. /neil

Hey, I like my tennis ball!

Hmmm...tiny pic. Not much use. I'll put up something bigger this evening. /neil

Dan, I don't believe anyone intends to question your end product as being anything less than professional. I'm sure you have happy customers and that is really the prize. Proper sizing of your tips won't necessarily "earn you more money, retain more customers, or get more referral business" but it will reduce your risk of damage. I tend to take away risks when I can, not add to them. I'm finding there are as many opinions as to how to achieve the same end as there are tools to use to get there. What the thread has suggested is reduce the guesswork and pressure down to a tip you know produces a max 1000psi at 3". It's the means to that end that have been the biggest learning curve for me. I used to use the 'white' tip to clean a deck. Actually, they're still white, just a bigger hole:lgbounces cheers, /neil

Jim...you and your 'regular job' seem to know or have just about everything! Next time I'm down in MB you definately need a beer or two bought for you. Probably the later end of Harley Week in May. Thanks for the Guaranteed Supply contact up here. I've purchased a few Prosoco specialty chems from them. Great guys. The Rhino dealer here just got a new yet un-named liner product in and had just oriented on it with the manufacturer. It's not Rhino brand but a less expensive line. For over the rail coating, retail is $485. I helped him with price points and some selling angles in addition to his premium Rhino line so he cut me a big deal. Still, I think Rhino has the best product and all the others fall in line and similar after that. cheers, /neil

Hey Wesley/! Haven't seen you around in a bit. I hope the season is treating All Brite well so far. BTW, since the time we first met I've always really liked your company name. I need to make a trip down and see how it's really done! As for the liner, that $1,400+ turned me off quick too. That was Rhino. I got my truck bed done and just said to hell with the trailer. I've got the Hercules by Homesteader. If it looks bad next year i'll break it apart and coat it. The open I had last year I didn't care much what spilled. So, having yours coated will give you a lot of piece of mind as to what gets spilled or not cleaned up at the end of those long days you put in! I'd go with doing it yourself and if it doesn't perform well then get it sprayed in. I think you should do it in ORANGE! cheers, /neil

For those of you who use CitraCleen, I’m interested in hearing about other effective uses you have found for it other than housewashing siding? It’s an incredible housewash soap, but what else? I've used it around my own house as a gen purpose cleaner, but nothing else yet on clients. Thanks! /neil

John. Apex offers free shipping on all orders. Gopher wanted $35 for shipping/handling. If you decide to purchase one, my buddy here in Asheville owns the Apex site and I'm sure would appreciate your business. He also has a PW and window cleaning side of the business and has helped me considerably over the past year. /neil

That's quite a bit of savings. Thanks. The Ames I'm using now has HAD it. Blew a connection yesterday and soaked the inside of the trailer. I've already had one too many headaches with it nursing it back. Finally threw it over the bank off the driveway. That's how we dispose of junk down here in the South! From what I see, there aren't many options for comm/industrial grade carts. This one is probably the best pick from not a whole lot of options. CoxReels makes a portable but it's more than what I want to spend on this item. Let's just do it. I'll get one if you do.... /neil

Duh. I have no clue how I got Magnum in my mind. Sorry bout that.

Pete - The Magnum is RPC's wand. http://www.thecleanernetwork.com/showthread.php?t=3566