Ryan556

I personally do not have a twitter or Facebook account. I believe that our civilization is becoming a "look at me" culture. I am actually a private person and I don't think people need to know what I am doing every five minutes. Also, I believe that you are no better than the company that you keep...which brings me to my point. I started a twitter account yesterday for my business, because it is an unfortunate necessity for SEO these days. Yesterday I started following @seedirtrun...Beth and Rods account. They haven't posted anything that I disagreed with, but after one day, I stopped following them...because of the updates from people they follow. These people have made posts that were offensive or vulgar. They aren't the only ones either. Michael Kreisle is a respectable business man in this industry and I got an update from a nudist activist that he follows...makes me wonder about his interests as well. The message here, is that, in your personal life you are free to do want you want. I'm cool with that. But if your business is connected to questionable people, you become questionable at that point. I try to make sure that my personal beliefs and interests are completely separate from my business. I have stopped shopping places because of what their ownership say publicly. I know that there are plenty others like me. Watch what you do online...and watch who you associate with.

Will do. Here's mine... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wetwork-Powerwashing-LLC/634970419940832

Beth, I'm sorry but I blocked or deleted the posts. I don't know how to look it back up. You're right, you didn't post anything offensive, and you are not responsible for what others post. That is not what I was saying. Maybe it's because I don't really know how to use the application yet, but I know I don't want non business related material, especially people's personal opinions on news headlines and politics and things of that nature, popping up on someone's feed because they follow my business account.

Beth, I'm sorry but I blocked or deleted the posts. I don't know how to look it back up. You're right, you didn't post anything offensive, and you are not responsible for what others post. That is not what I was saying. Maybe it's because I don't really know how to use the application yet, but I know I don't want non business related material, especially people's personal opinions on news headlines and politics and things of that nature, popping up on someone's feed because they follow my business account.

Yep, I get drunk on Christmas eve too! Nothin beats a bottle of Jameson and a TBS marathon of A Christmas story. I'm 9 shots in right now. Kids are in bed, wife is taking a bubble bath and I'm enjoying my tradition. Tomorrow is pajamas and bacon wrapped BBQ pulled pork! Life is grand.

Normally, I would use AC Shake shield. I have a small gazebo roof to do this week. Is there an oil available locally (lowes, HD, Sherwin Williams, etc) that I could pick up, that you would recommend?

Ok then. Whatever. The pics are there.

Ok then. Whatever. The pics are there.

Oh my god this picture up loader is getting on my nerves! Here it is before the cleaning...hopefully.

Oh my god this picture up loader is getting on my nerves! Here it is before the cleaning...hopefully.

I cleaned this water tank yesterday. 35° and snowing. Just takes more dwell time and a little more elbow grease. Anyone who says you can't clean in cold weather...well they just don't want to.

Not sure why the pics are coming up sideways.

Ok, I have been using F-18 since I started. I ran out on a job yesterday and went to my local chem supplier and bought a 50lb bag of caustic soda mini pearls (beads). I thought that was all I would need, but after reading through threads, it looks like that is only half or a third of the mix. Most of what I strip is oil based, but I am on a house right now that is covered in a cheap, failing acrylic. It is coming off ok with 12oz of f-18 per gallon of water. Its just a nasty gooey mess. Can someone who makes their own mixes please help me out with what else needs to go into it. I ordered another 20 lbs of f-18 today, but I really want to get into making this stuff on my own. F-18 works great for me, but if I am able to just hit the chem supplier near me and make a 100lb batch, it would suit me better. I undertand that there will be different mixes for different jobs, but I am looking for a basic recipe that I can add to if needed. If you would rather discuss this in PM, Im good with that too. You can also call me at 540-319-0441. Thanks.

No I didnt, Dave. Thanks for the info though! I do want to give a HUGE thank you to Mark Smith. I sincerely appreciate the phone call.

I was able to locate propylene glycol at my local chem supplier. That stuff is not cheap! I was given a price of 1.43 per pound for a 55 gallon drum and 2.88 per pound for a 5 gallon pale. They didnt have butyl though. I may have to order that one online. Sorry I haven't been able to post pics yet. I live in the middle of nowhere and have horrible internet service. I've been too busy when at the office to upload pics. I should be able to this weekend. The job is on hold due to the severe weather.

Good to know. I will do some research on the mix ratios if I can find it. What about furring? I sand as a step, but with some strippers, I've noticed furring far worse than with others.

Nevermind...looks like it would be used as a surfactant.

Thanks, Shane! I will try to post a few pics when I get to the shop tomorrow. What does the propylene glycol do for the mix?

I was told by a lead generating company today that they can not add me as a contractor for deck/wood exterior/etc cleaning and staining because I do not have a Virginia home improvement contractor (HIC) registration. Anyone here have that or know what class of registration I would need? Any help would be much appreciated.

Im saving so much money now that we escaped the people's communist Republic of NY, that I don't mind paying for a license. Just another selling point for me anyway. I'm sure it also helps weed out SOME hacks as well.

So far, it looks like class C is the one I need. Going to start on Monday.

Yes, I am now out of Roanoke. We sold half of our business and I moved back home to the old dominion. I couldn't take NY state any more. 4 years was too much. I will update my info on here when I get to the office. Thanks for the info. I will start the process today.

I have to pay a grand and take a test to be able to stain in Virginia? This is required by law huh? It says any contracted work, regardless of specialty...so does that mean you need to do it to wash too? Thanks for the link, Rod.

Nice! I have an Ipe deck next week. Just going with natural on it though.

I'm not concerned with the cost of plane tix. Its only a 6 hour drive from the new house. Between getting ready, driving and flying, its about the same...I just don't have to get assaulted by the TSA! It will just be me attending this one. My wife will be home with the kiddos. We are going to Costa Rica in September...that's this years vacation. We were going to go to Fiji, but flight time really cuts into the vacation time.