CB works

Thanks guys, I basicaly razor bladed the drips and left the shadow. do you think I could get the shadow off with the solvent? From what I understand where ever the solvent touches the trex it will stain. Guess I will have to offer the lesser of two evils. Thanks again, CB

Speaking of Don Shula, My brother used to house watch for Don Shula at his mountain home in North Carolina. We did some maintenance cleaning on his house and while walking through it, I was tempted to look who was in his Rolodex. Thought there might be cameras in the house and decided not to.

Jon thanks, That definitely helps. If I get the job I will more than likely need some details. The guy in charge of this project is off to Hawaii for two weeks starting today, and I should find out when he gets back. Does $800 sound about right for something like this? Celeste, "Bueller" is down here right now. I think I might go have a nice cold beverage with him, and see what he thinks. Christian

Jon thanks, That definitely helps. If I get the job I will more than likely need some details. The guy in charge of this project is off to Hawaii for two weeks starting today, and I should find out when he gets back. Does $800 sound about right for something like this? Celeste, "Bueller" is down here right now. I think I might go have a nice cold beverage with him, and see what he thinks. Christian

Neil, Thanks for the great info. I just got done meeting with the PM in charge and it turns out he and I grew up in the same area as I and we really hit it off. I'm not worried any more on getting this job in order to get more work. I am going to charge what I think it's worth. Another streak of good luck is that the restaurant will be closed for 5 days next month to get re carpeted so he said that that would be a perfect time to do it. I still have my work cut out on researching the process and testing some stripping techniques so I can give an accurate bid, so any info would be appreciated....Bueller.....Bueller Thanks, Christian PS. Like I said I'm still very new in the biz and am still trying to develop my niche and I definitely want wood restoration to be included.

What do you think a job like this would be worth with also keeping in mind the amount of potential work this place could give me. I want to give them some kind of break with the hopes of even half of the work this place needs. or is that a bad practice? Should I just charge for what it is, or should I dangle the carrot?

Ken, I saw the reinstall part of the post, but I was thinking of the finishing process of the job. Considering the lengthy dry and cure times, wouldn't it be risking the process with all the traffic the doors will be receiving during the finishing, Or is it not really that lengthy?

I'm going to check out the doors today to make certain that they are solid wood. I'm almost certain they are because of their age. I am confident that my skill level is where it needs to be to a job like this and I definitely think I can do it. It seems to me the real issue here is logistics (2-3 days with the doors off). These are the two doors to a restaurant, and now is the busy season down here. I am going to try to talk him into saving this project till winter. When it comes down to the $$$ this is a tough one. This restaurant is on the grounds to a hotel on an exclusive property and I really want to get more work out of this, so I was thinking of giving them an offer they cant refuse in the hopes getting of more work. So I was thinking around the $300 to $400 range, what do you think?

Congratulations Jeff!!! Hey, if my wife has a boy come November, maybe you will be having that talk with the 9mm and him. You never know. If she has a girl maybe they can play Barbie or something like that. God help us!! Prey for health, Best of luck, Christian

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. Let's say the incredibly rich are retired professionals. People who have worked their whole lives and have now pulled their rip cord to that golden parachute. The houses I have a chance to market to are second homes. These homes are not lived in in the winter months. I would think these people are used to shelling out big $$$ for yearly maintenance just to keep the homes nice for the summer. Does any one have any experience with this type of customer? Or would these people still be considered to be "incredibly rich" snobs?

Ken, I was curious why you might shy away from potential customers who are "incredibly rich"? I'm not questioning you're judgment, I am just wondering why I might want to do the same thing or not. Thanks, Christian

I don't have one. But I hear alot of guys like to use them. What kind of jobs are you guys using them with?

I did my first driveway this past weekend. The driveway was 20 years old and had never once been cleaned. Needless to say it was as black as night. With hot water, Whisper Wash Classic and no chems (bad drainage and the owner was concerned about his grass), the job looked great. There were a few light rust stains that were exposed after the mold was removed. The homeowner was so blown away by how bright his driveway was he didn’t even mention the rust. Knowing the rust stains should come off with some oxalic acid I want to go back and get them up. My question is, can I spot treat the light rust stains? I’m not sure that if the area I spot treat will change in color from the rest of the driveway. I don’t want to have to go back and do the whole thing again just for a small light rust stain. The other question I have is about the light spots in the concrete (see picture). The owner said that it was something he used while he was washing his car, and it dripped onto the driveway. Is that a bleached spot? Is there anything I can do about it? Any help would be great. Thanks, Christian

Too cool, What time do you guys start? I will go in super early at my other job so I can get with you guys when you start, or soon after.

Hey Jon, what exactly are you using those brushes for?

Thanks, I have a variable speed buffer, I'm just not sure how slow to use it to defur and not get too much heat. 1000rpm? Will the furring occur from the striper application? Or is it something that happens from wood that is exposed for too long with failed stain, as in the case of the deck I looked at? Sorry for all these questions. I am just brand new at this and want to learn (I know nothing at this point). So many questions!! Christian

Hey neighbor, Thanks alot for the offer. I'm sure I will be calling you soon. The fine folks over at Carolina Prowash (Thanks Roger and Celeste) have been holding my hand lately. I love the wood work they do. It's just that the more I learn, the more questions I have. And Heaven knows they are too busy to be fielding all the questions I am going to have over the next....well, who knows how long. But knowing them, they would make the time (really nice people). Thanks again, Christian

I get so much off this bb. I feel like that if I can contribute anything, no mater what it is, Im stoked. I'm affraid that this will be the only thing I am going to be able to give for a long time, so much to learn, so many questions. I knew where to look because those are the same brushes I use to aply resin on the surfboards I build. Glad I could help, Christian

Rod, In what situations would you need to sand epi? Or is it prep that you need to do on all the wood after striping it? Do you need to go with some other sanding technique after hiting it with the 80 grit? Thanks, Christian

James, I would love to see those Commandments when you're done with them. I looked at my first deck of epi yesterday that looked like crap. I have no experience with exotic woods. The stuff he had on there was called EPI MAGIC from WOOD GINIE. The deck looked much like the ones in Ken's pictures, all filmed up and chipping. With the great network of knowledge on this bb I think I can do this job. Thanks, Christian

Craig, Thanks for the info. Depending on the price, I want to give that stuff a try. I'm sure that this home owner isn' the only one around here with these stains on his driveway. How often do you run into this problem?

Yup, no question 2 is it. With two kids, pay check job, and new pressure washing endeavor. I would explode if I had a 3rd. Hey, I live off of Forestbrook. I haven't seen your trailer parked for what seems like months now. Man you must be busy. Congratulations on your success, Christian

I haven't ordered anything from these guys but is what you're looking for? http://www.wholesalecentral.com/mercan0001/store.cfm?event=showcatalog&catid=15930 Scroll down to the last choices on that list. Has 4" for $156 for 100

Jeff, Thanks for the price ranges. I don''t want to cut myself short or anyone else.

I’ve definitely decided against spot treating with the oxalic. Being that the rust spot seems to have come from a car that had been parked there for a while, and the stains are very light, I have ordered some Safe Restore and want to give it a try on the spot it’s self. It’s a good thing these folks are friends of my parents and they are letting me experiment on their driveway. If it looks funny when I’m done I did go by JBS today and picked me up a 50lb bag. The main reason I got the oxalic for now is to remove this huge rust stain off of this house where the A/C unit has been dripping onto the ground and splashing onto the siding causing a nasty dark red spot there. He said he has been trying to get the spot out for years and he couldn’t find anything that would work. Hopefully I can show up with the ox and be a hero!! As far as going sterile, I have my little three year old guy that keeps me really busy and my wife and I have just found out 2 weeks ago that there's another one on the way. So I don’t think it would be such a bad thing if something like that was to happen. It would be a lot cheaper than a vasectomy.lol