fireandrain

Thanks Matt. Think I founfd that harbor freight polisher... Is this it?

Thanks... and these attach to the Makita 9227c 9" I'm guessing?

[quote name=The other tool we use is a vairable speed grinder from harbor freight similar to the makita. It is their version of the makita.... They are 39.95 each, here is a tip. We purchase the extended warranty from Harbor freight (I think it is 3 years for 10 bucks, when we wear it out, we toss it on the shelf and make a trip to HF twice a year to get replacements. We bought 3 of them 2 years ago.[/quote] Could you tell me the model # or a link? I just visited Harbor Freight's site, could seem to find it.. Thanks! Do they sell the pads?

Can someone give me a model # for this Makita 9" Polisher? Also, maybe explain how this approach is different than sanding with 80G and an orbital? Im assuming (hoping) that its faster for one... Spent 3 hrs sanding spindles w/ orbital/80G yesterday. Lots of soft redwood around here needing lots of stripping,so, here come the fuzzies!

Ive been using the 10" and 18" stain pads which Sealer Store hooked me up with last year. Anyone care to share what kind of pads and brushes they have in their line up this year? Maybe some of the pros in here can share what they consider "essentials" in their staining aresensal...I would really like to expand my horizons this year with regards to staining equipment. Thanks!

Them theres some purty brushes Kev-o!:lghohoho: gotta find me a truck brush that wont melt!

Love it Rick! I'm going to paint this on a small slab of Redwood and hang it above my tool shed!

Whadya mean Kevin? As in, when your cleaning up with mineral spirits? Im using RS, general clean-up w/ Min spit / simple green....

Whadya mean Kevin? As in, when your cleaning up with mineral spirits? Im using RS, general clean-up w/ Min spit / simple green....

I've never asked for anything as a down payment in 5 yrs. Due in full after job is completed... Never had a single problem/cancellation issues,etc... Going to change that this year though. I like the 50% due the day project begins with projects over $1K. Makes sense. Getting tired of having so many jobs mid-process, material orders underway,etc... Seems reasonable. Don't think I'll ask anything to book though.

Actually bought a 10" Truck Brush from HD today, going to give it a go tommorow on some floor boards. Never used it, but wondering if this approach will drip like heck out of the bucket.... DO you guys just let it drip out first back in the bucket?

Found some 14" Nylex (supposedely the most soft...?) Found em here: http://www.detailyourcar.com/14-in-nylex-cartruck-wash-brush-p-404.html

Yeah Kevin, 4"14"? What does that hold, 1/2 gal. of stain? LOL... post a link, couldnt find it on the web...

Thanks Ken. Can you post a picture of one of these? I was looking online just now and seems like everything I see is some sort of stiff poly bristle.... ANy ideas where i could find one of these online? Thanks!

I know the flatwork guys use hose reels set up on their rigs for storing their hoses, easy in easy out... What about us deck guys who are usually working with wheeled cold units and have to bring out the hoses and put em back every day? I usually work with about 100' at one time from my PW, gets me around most decks without having to re-position my PWasher. End of day, I just discannect the hose, run it straight and sort of walk back and forth with one end until its manageable to hang from my lumber rack. Is there a better way to 'coil' these monsters up? Better way to manage hoses on a jobsite?

Like Kevin said, HOT HOT HOT out here in California. My prices went way up this year, so far lower closing rate on bids, but better chedder on the ones Im landing. No complaints, trying to bring in 6K p/week. Trying to juggle my advertising schedule, bids, and actually DOING the jobs has been pretty intense, but always gets this way in the beggining of the season. Having to postpone some stain jobs Friday with 100+ temps expected. Looking forward to a quick break and re-charge for next week. Going to organize and get on top of my game for next week! So far, 2008 better than 07'. Learning more every day. Working smarter, not harder.

Ive been using my deckster for the last yr. when I want to throw stain around. Only ever used the cone tips. Any advantages or distinct broadcast/rate differences when using a fan tip? better for horizontals? Got curious today!

Did some snooping around on the search-engine, cant seem to get any straight answers... maybe someone can help....

JUST came home for lunch, middle of a job...HO has re-coat w/ Penofin last few yrs, never stripped between coats. Im working with NAOH F-18 today. Any tips on how I can get this stuff off? I was DS'ing, guessing ratio too weak, going to spray direct from Deckster when I return in an hour.

Yup, I got schooled a bit today. What I had planned on taking me 3 hrs from set up to pull-away, ended up taking me twice that. My first mistake was forgetting to re-stock my truck with NAOH, was down to 1LB and had planned on DS'ing. Spent over an hour f'ing around with a weak DS of stripper, all along beggining to realize that I need to be spraying direct from my decskter @ 8oz.p/g. Soooooo, yeah, didnt really feel like such a rock star at the end of the day. As frustrating as days like this can be, I realize that its all about EDUCATION! Didn't hurt that the HO was thrilled with how the deck looked when I was loadin' up the truck.... back on Thursday to seal RS.

Thanks for all the input guys and gals... as always, big help. My DS w/ F-18 was way to weak, went back and sprayed direct 80z. p/gal and got most of it off. I think the trouble with this particular deck was thatthe HO had re-coated every year with Penofin without any sort of stripping in between coats. I looked on the Penofin site and they refer to their stains as deep penetrating and no stripping necc. between applications. Hmmm. Methinks that coating that deck with RS would have looked like hell if I hadn't stripped today. The HO thinks the deck looks great and he is enthused (more than me...) Im usually not happy until all of that failing finish is gone. James, I agree about the DS'ing, dont do it till you get a fir grasp of ratios. I guess I agree, but on the other hand, I've had success experimenting with DS'ing/dwell times,etc... Having said that, I think Im going to spray direct on these tougher stains until I can get a better grip on the Downstream approach.

I landed this project today, redwood deck/trellis/fence. Never seen redwood so covered with Lichen! Wondering about my best shot with this, concerned about ripping up those small 1x2 top slats tryin to get that lichen and fungus off. HO said she had the deck put in 10 yrs ago (hmmmm 10?) and never had anything done to it since. Is it time to dig out the 5% bleach? Dwell time gonna loosen it up ya think? Curious...

just started working with RS on redwood last summer.

Looked at this one this afternoon, lots of failing finish, redwood deck, scratch it and it seems to get to bare wood. Obviously not an acrylic, hope its gonna come off without too much abuse...

As always, wise words Ken. I have been thinking about putting together such a test kit, think I will do that this week. Thanks for the input, and I agree, always better to subtract as much guesswork out of the equation as is possible BEFORE quoting a project and booking time for a HO. Indeed, wise words. Thanks