fireandrain

Thanks Ken, so if I understand you correctly, the QC's are hooked up incorrectly? Not supposed to be there? I attached a pic of what i think is the filter? Its the only part resembling a filter...

Still no luck... Maybe someone can post a pic of a correctly configured unit?

Ken, just curious about the d=font comment... Could you elaborate on the 'no-no'? Id appreciate it. I'm totally open to input, thanks!

Hey guys! Okay, so I just desined my new spring 2007 advertising mailer. Its a 6x9 Postcard that I send out to my target market. I get the addresses from InfoUSA ( an address database seller ). The "Lamorinda" part is the area where I do business, mostly upscale residential addresses. Just thought Id share it for you guys to weigh in on. Thanks!

Hi Guys, I attempted to strip a deck of a redwood tinted stain of 3 yr. old Timber Tek. For stripping, I used a 8oz-1gal H20 mixture of F-16 MAX. This was my first time using F-16 MAX, actually the first time using anything other than the pre-mix BEHR stripper found @ HD. I sprayed the mixture on using a simple pump-sprayer, not my shurflo b-pack set up due to the caustic risks on skin,etc. I allowed the F-18MAX to dwell 30 minuteds before attempting to rinse off with my PW. The F-18 bareley made a dent. Nothing. You can't even tell that I was there at all! I've heard amazing reports about this F-18 MAX... Unfortunateley, my first project with this stuff was a bit of a dismal failure. Not sure how to proceed now... Any idea what might have gone wrong here? Is the timber tek stain a very difficult product to strip off a redwood deck? Was my 8 oz. to 1 gallon H20 mixture of the F18 MAX not strong enough? Dwell time insufficient? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I'm thinking I'm hjust going to try and 'overcoat' with a the matching timber tek product... The deck is largeley blotchy-free ( this client really wants the stain to be perfect'. I PW'd the deck, scuffed the existing finish up a bit, hoping I can re-coat with the same nasty stuff... I imagine I'll have some penetration issues w/ re-coating? I figure I'll need to back-brush/hand rub as well?

Thanks for all of your replies to my previous posts, you have all been a HUGE asset to my goal of graduating from the school of hacks into a more informed and meticulous professional... Thanks! Heres the latest installment in my general pw questions... Im running a cold 3600PSI, 4GPM unit. I sometimes QC (2) 50ft. hoses to get further into my job without having to wheel the pw around. I dont seem to be losing much (if in any) pressure when I connect the 2 lengths. Ive read on a post somewhere that some guys run up too 200ft. of hose! Can I do the same thing, say QC (4) 50ft hoses w/ my machine WITHOUT a big drop in my PSI? I know, another elementary question from yours truly, but I just wanted to make sure before I bought anymore hose and QC's. Much Appreciated! Matt

Hi Guys, Another basic question, but im having a helluva time getting a definition on the board... I have a 3600PSI cold / 4GPM unit w/ a chem siphon (not sure what ratio...not quite sure how to find out..) Anyways, when i apply my detergents for flat surface cleaning I usually mix a concentrate in a 5gal pale and use the chem siphon to attain my H20 mixture... Is this "downstreaming"? If not, could someone be kind enough to educate me? Thanks Again! Matt

Ken, why would you think downstreaming on flatwork would seem unlikeley to produce any results? Just curious... Thanks

Whadya' think? I've heard its great for stripping failing finishes, but what about taking on an old,grayed out redood deck w/ no apparant pre-existing finish? Too Strong? Any other recomendations? Thanks!

Hey Ken, do those Wagner Control HVLP Sprayer's just have a 3/8" hose that you drop in your 5 gal of stain for spraying? New to this as well, curious! Thanks!

Thanks guys. So, if my unit is giving me a 12:1 ratio, it would make sense that I would need to fill my 5gal. pale w/ straight bleach/soap/tsp,etc... and NOT with any water? I know everyones cleaning 'concoctions' will vary, but for general non-wood flatowrk where removal of mildew/moss/agae/gen. soil is desired would that mixture make sense? Before learning more about detergents, I use to mix the 5gal. pale with bleach AND water!... Seemed like a pretty tame mix though... And is there any procedure for cleaning out my chem siphon after use? Say, using my black soap tip with straight soap and/OR straight H20? Thanks!

Talk to Bob at Pressure Tek~ Im new to the busainess myself and he has been absoluteley fantastic for me the last month or so. Cant recomend him enough! www.pressuretek.com

What do you guys think? Is it safe to use a somewhat flamable liquid (i.e. deck seal) in a backpack pump sprayer? Just want to make sure i dont blow up! Thanks!

Man, thanks guys for the hose info! GREAT!:lgsideway Looking forward to dialing in the longer hose set up next week! I agree about going with the (2) 100's rather than (4) 50's... I already have 3 50's all QC'd so ill work with that first then upgrade soon. Figure you got to use what you got to get what you need! Much Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Matt

As most of you know by now, im fairly new to the use of caustic strippers. It was me who posted the F-18 vs. Hd-80 poll, so thanks for all of your brilliant input! MUCH appreciated guys! So know Im faced with the question as to how to best apply this hot stuff! I did one deck last week using a cheap 2gal pump sprayer and it took FOREVER to get the stuff on the deck. Was far from pleased with the results. So... I bought a shurflo 4gal batt. op'd BACKPACK SPRAYER and it arrived yesterday! I figured i would be using it for applying deck cleaner, seals/stains, but am still vexed as to if i can use it for spraying on strippers like f-18 max? Not good to have caustics in a backpack sprayer? I would be careful to make sure the lid was tight and the unit rinsed off throughouly after filling it up with the stripper, but is this safe enough procedure? Seems like a really effecient way to get the stuff on my decks? Any opinion on the subject guys? As always, I'd really appreciate your input on this one as I have 5 decks to strip later in the week... THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Matt

Hi guys, Struggling with my decision about buying a surface cleaner. Should I invest in the less expensive hover-style ( e.g. 24" whirl-away) or pony up the money for a wheeled unit (e.g. 24" steel eagle)? I have a 3750PSI cold unit @ 4GPM. Maybe that will factor in on size of surface cleaner? Most effecient size surface cleaner for my machine... I'd love for you pros to weigh in on this quandry! Wheeled or hover? What are your preferences? Is the wheeled type any eaasier to manuveur? Best manufacture? Steel Eagle? I really want to make the most informed decision here, so your professional advice is MUCH APPRECIATED! Thanks Again Guys!

Hi Guys, So I used some of the BEHR QUICK FIX STAIN REMOVER ( I know, the random home depot stuff), well I used it today to remove a failing finish on a redwood deck here in California before I pressure washed. I wasn't too thrilled with this stuff, had to hit the deck hard with the PW and it left all kinds of blotchy-ness on the deckboards. So, I desperateley need some advice on what stain remover / stripper is the most effective and also cost effective to use when it comes to lifting a failing finish on a deck before PW work. I'd love to hear any of your great ideas, and, if you have any experience with this stuff F-18 max. Does anyone know where I can find it? Is it good stuff? Thanks! Im really trying to learn as much as I can before I do my next deck job...

Thanks guys, I figured you might say that! Trying to decide between f18 and hd80, suppose the results should be similar. And Ken, thanks for the cost saving breakdown, that made things a little clearer for me! Seems to make LOADS of sense! ;) I have heard much indeed about citralic from sunbrite. I think ill try this stuff first. I hear with the right dilution, you can pretty much downstream a product like hd80 on a deck, let dwell for appx. 1/2 hr., then simply rinse the deck off( NOT hit it with too much high pressure ). Then spray a brightener/neutr. Stupid question, but is this true? I usually spend hours on decks, two passes per. deckboard ( 3" band from a 40 deg tip) but thats without any chemicals... Im crazy,right? Thanks!

Hi Guys, thanks for all the responses to my last post! I really appreviate your input! My jobs have mainly consisted of: 1. Redwood Decks 2. Driveways 3. Aggregate Walkways/Patios 4. Brick work (almost always COVERED in moss!) My customers almost always have expensive landscapes that border the areas i am trying to PW, so Ive ben hesitant to use any detergents or chems that might very well speed up my work. I would love to know what chems or soaps are both effective on these types of surfaces as well as SAFE for plants. Thanks in advance for any tips you all could share with me! Ive really been breaking my back without the aid of detergents, especially with the brickwork moss removal jobs... Matt