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Deck Guy

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Posts posted by Deck Guy

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Russ,

    I'm not certain what you mean by guesstimate, but my materials usage seems to work out when I multiply the length of rails by four, and assume a certain coverage per square foot for a given product. That is my method for estimating the "actual surface area" as you call it. I generally finish within a gallon of my estimated stain usage per job, and have run shy only once this year.

    My closing rate is about 90%, so I have no worries about how to convey my estimate to my customers. I know some people find selling the job to be difficult, but I enjoy BullSh***ing, so it's not hard for me. It's not rocket science...build a rapport with the customer, show my book while measuring the deck, explain the process, ask for the business, sign the contract, do the work. I have gotten jobs where I wasn't the lowest bidder, but most of my customers never even consider getting another bid.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Ken,

    I generally use oil-based products. I get only a few (2 this year, I think)water-borne each year, and they do make clean-up harder when it comes to the airless. I now use Pump Saver to clean up after water-borne, but no matter how I clean, I seem to get gummy crap around the piston o-rings eventually. I hate using water-borne though, so you may see more posts from me at those times since I need to vent!

    I have a 50 foot hose on my airless, and I find I can use about a quart of mineral spirits for clean-up each time. I work alone about 50% of the time, so the helper filling the cups is no option for me when I'm a one-man show.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Let me see if I understand correctly. If you guys spray the deck and rails you go back and brush every sq inch of the deck? I remove all puddles and drips but what is the benefit of back brushing every square inch of the deck?

    What product are you using, James? And how about a signature?

    You make it sound a lot harder than it is, particularly on the deck he is describing. When using Deckscapes, I shoot one section of the rail at a time, then go back with a pad on a pole and hit it. Takes about 2-3 minutes per section. On the floor, after cutting in near the house, I usually shoot three boards, then pad those three, then three more, and so on...

    On his deck (300 s.f.) with no rails, I could finish it in less than an hour working alone. Of course when you work with a helper, it doesn't add any time since he just works behind you.

    I guess it depends on what you're using, but there is no choice but to backbrush with Deckscapes, it evens the color out, promotes penetration, and can allow a one-coat finish on certain jobs.

    I'm not dogging any method of spraying, and haven't used the Wagner, but I can't imagine filling and refilling 32 oz. cup repeatedly to finish a deck. My airless draws straight from a fiver most of the time. I pause occaisionally to give it a quick stir, but that's about it.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    If what you state is correct then it would mean that a few tall men did all the mating while the shorter people were left outside holding the candles.

    The change in height probably speaks to our adaptations, most likely as a result of better nutrition and health, not necessarily breeding. Though even today, you would find that most women prefer taller men, don't they? Ask any ten women you know if they prefer a five foot tall man or a six foot tall man.

    Anyway, my point was that if we can see a noticable change in 100 years, what type of changes could occur in 300,000,000 years? That speaks to our current debate. I'll attempt to be clearer in future posts, though like Phillip, I see this is going nowhere.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Ok, just to clear up any misunderstandings, Darwin never said or implied that we evolved from apes. That is grossly paraphrasing his theory of natural selection. To also grossly paraphrase him, his theory was that we were once a more ape-like creature that evolved into what we are today.

    This theory would explain why, from Australopithecus to Homo Sapians, humans have become more suited for their environment. Here is a brief explanation of natural selection for those who can't (or won't) understand.

    Using deer as an example, let's say that there are four deer, two females and two males, one white male, the others light brown (or fawn) colored. The fawn colored deer have an advantage when it comes to avoiding predators, as they are more difficult to see. Which deer is most like to be killed by predators? I would guess the white one, which also means that it will be less likely to reproduce, and therefore less likely to pass it's genes on. Eventually, white deer become extremely rare, since this is now a recessive trait.

    Likewise when it come to humans breeding. For about three million years, accocording to scientists, it has been the faster, smarter, most well-equipped for the environment humans who have reproduced the most. The weaker either die, are killed, or fail to find a suitable mate, since they themselves are less desireable to females. It's that simple. Those that live long enough to breed the most will create the most offspring having those same traits, who in-turn live to produce the most offspring ad infinitum. How complicated is that? We can see the difference this makes in only 10 generations. During the Civil War, a six foot tall man was considered a giant. Now the average male stands at 5'10". That's evolution.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Rube Goldberg was known for his overly complicated contraptions that performed everyday functions. So...

    Here's a chance to show your greatest engineering accomplishments. We all know of the Phelp's Wand, and hopefully AquaBob will post a few pics of his outrageous rig set-up, but let's see what you've got.

    We all learned quickly from our initial experiences in this field. What is your idea, creation, invention, or contribution that has made your life powerwashing easier? It doesn't have to be complicated, and can be anything from cardboard to PVC to stainless. It may simply be the use of a tool for one purpose when it was designed for something completely different. Let's just see what you've done. I'll post some pic's of my simplest invention when I can find the material to make another (my last one wore out).

  13. Posted · Report reply

    I stained a 14x30 two-level second story deck with spindle railings and stairs to the first floor in three hours flat this weekend working alone, which I condsider pretty smokin' for a fat 43 year-old. Cool temps help since I took no breaks. I can imagine that job with ready seal.

    No matter what, I will probably wait untill next spring to purchase (unless they discount heavily). No point in buying now only to have my money sit in the garage all winter.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    I had a few of those trips myself, and my son, now 17, has made it through those years with a few trips himself. Glad to hear the little guy is okay.

    I got AFLAC when my son was about 9, and was glad to have it in addition to Blue Cross. I recommend the accident policy for anyone with small children. I think you can get it for about $15.00 a month.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    When I was a kid (in Wisconsin), we'd play hockey at night on a pond at the cemetary nearby. We'd bring a couple extension cords (200 ft.), remove the bulb from the flagpole light, plug in there, then plug our light in at the pond over the hill and away from view of the road. Cold nights on a frozen pond with one light laying on the ground shining across the ice!!! We lost alot of pucks in the snow around the pond, but it was the hockey equivalent of the Field of Dreams! I can imagine the guy mowing the nect spring and hitting those pucks! I doubt he ever figured out what was going on.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    In my full time job we are severly restricted as far as what we can use. The lemon/honey/whiskey is definitely out. For years I just suffered at work. Now I've found a few things that work.

    If you have to take something, but still function, try Afrin nasal spray and a naproxsyn(?) sodium. Almost instant relief, 12 hours long. I know it's not a home remedy, but it works. Then when you get home for the evening...definitely try the lemon/honey/whiskey routine.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    What kind of oil in the SW oil base stain i read on the can one time it was veggie oil?

    I would guess it's petroleum based. I've never heard the veggie oil tale.

    Those goals are mutually exclusive. You need pigment to provide any UV protection.

    I agree, but you can use a light color matching the natural color of the wood, giving the desired effect, but with ample pigmentation. You will lose some grain definition though. I regularly get people who want the deck to look like it does after restoration, and this is what I recommend.

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