Deck Guy

Ouch! Um...it's just more dry...well, maybe a little fuzzy! Actually it had fewer fuzzies than I seem to get with the western red cedar. I think that was F-18 (very weak) and oxalic. It had never been treated before, so it was a snap, and was on the ground, which is a rarity for me. It was hot as hell the day I finished it, so I just got in the truck and drove off without taking pics. They were thrilled, and I got paid big $$ for my efforts. Win/win!

He's talking swimming pool chlorine. Are you sure you're up to this??? As for CWF...That stuff is crap! Don't do it! Explain to him that the beauty of cedar should only be enhanced, not obscured by a consumer-grade finish which will look like crap in two years anyway. Tell him that you are a professional, and can provide him with better materials than he can find at the local discount den! There are all kinds of better choices than CWF that will look better, and provide for easy upkeep and maintenence. Then throw in an offer to come back in two years for about 70% of this job (if you bid it right), and do the maintenence. BTW, here are some before and after shots to show you what you can do with cedar. I do quite a bit around here. You'll never look like a pro when you are buying your materials at Wal-Mart! What tip and flow/gpm washer will you be using?

I see what you're saying about the color now. I helped build a couple wooden boats out of mahogany and it definitely has a bit of a red tint with golden grain in areas. We actually used luan plywood in some areas (the foredeck), which is a good match when stained with the same stain. Can you say 17 coats of clear laquer with wet sanding between each one?? Still, I think they are crazy to have it re-done now.

I don't defelt, but when I sand with a belt or RO sander, I use 80 grit. It seems anything finer actually can reduce penetration of the stain.

JUst out of curiosity, what color do they want? It looks pretty much like mahogany should now. It's beautiful.

It's a good move to go into something like that which has a counterpart job in the civilian world. One of my Air Force buddies was a lab tech, got out after only four years, and has made a good career out of it. I also have made a good living from my Air Force training. Geeesh...now I'm getting all nostalgic...

Congrats. I'm biased, but I think the USAF is the way to go if you are going to join the military. What's she going to tech school for??

I'm looking for plastic quick connects that I can use to disconnect the hose from the bucketster, without liquid (or Stain) leaking from the hose when I do so. I think I may have found some made for medical use.

I built a Bucketster myself out of parts I had laying around, plus 40 ft. of hose. I considered one of these garden cart type thingees instead, which may be right up your alley. It has plenty room for a battery, pump, and other accessories. The lid lifts up and works as a handle. You can pull it around by the handle, then fold it over to keep the spray out. BTW, does anyone know where I can get 3/8 hose barb quick connects with shutoffs for my bucketster?

The bottom line is to know what you need to make, be competitive, don't leave any money on the table, and perfect your methods so you can make more per hour. Even the sq. ft. pricing can leave two different competitors making vastly different amounts on the same deck. If I can finish the example deck in a total of five hours, and it takes someone else eight hours, I can make more money even if we charge the same amount.

Simon Says can be fun if you or your wife lead it and get creative.

I use Sherwin Williams waterborne (that's the only way their solids come). It goes on nice and thick, with just a slight sheen.

Amen John. If I hear "Gimme Three Steps" or "Stairway to Heaven" one more time...! There are thousands of songs made over decades of music, and yet they regularly repeat songs. That's just ridiculous. I would bet that someone with some knowledge could go a week at a time without ever playng the same song twice. Unfortunately, the job doesn't pay much (with some exceptions), so we get young people who never listened to this music the first time around. Their only reference to it is the music they've heard on "Classic Rock" stations. And eventually, bands like those fade away.

Andrew Dice Clay...I love the guy! Anyone else willing to admit that they've watched his show?

Sounds like a pretty crappy way to make money!

I've got "Joe's Garage" in my truck CD changer now. I was in first grade during Woodstock. As for freedom, don't be so sure. Gov't agents could be tapping your phone and listening to every conversation you have. We have it better than most, but liberty and freedom are precious, and can never be taken for granted.

Don't take exception to that Phillip...I'm still stinging from when Jeff said we were old and fat in response to another post. In my case, the truth really hurts!

Without a surface cleaner??? Something isn't adding up.

I think you learned a good lesson as a newbie! Also, you might want to skip the bran muffins and pot of coffee at breakfast before a job! I go light on the lunches when I'm working anyway. Big burgers (or burritos) make me want to take a nap. Try an energy bar, a piece of fruit, or those crazy artificially orange colored crackers that have cheese or PB in them for lunch, then pig out at night.

No, Pool Shock is not the same, and uses a different active ingredient. All you need is what they sell as "chlorine" at the pool store or any big box store in the pool sections. They definitely had it at the pool store, but could use a few more knowledgable salespeople.

Yeah...Bob is the Jedi Master of quick shipping!...and please open this thumbnail!

I never even opened the little bag with the orafices in it. Just mix your chems according to the wide open setting, and forget about it.

Re-enlisment bonuses are also at an all-time high. Those numbers may reflect more than pure patriotism, or a belief in the mission. Sometimes it's just about feeding your family.

Sikkens will fail. When it does, they'll call you to remove it, then complain at what you need to charge. Someone posted recently here about finishing an Ipe deck...

Yet you had to strip your parents deck 7 or 8 times! We all need to be using whatever that finish was!