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Paul B.

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Posts posted by Paul B.


  1. Phosphoric acid based products such as Prosoco's Ferrous Stain Remover or Oxalic acid based products such as White-Ox (Rust-Away) will remove rust stains from vinyl and brick.

    Rust will be orange color on brick also - it's most likely mold & mildew or slight chance it could be carbon deposits.

    Pool Shock/Chlorine (liquid) will remove mold mildew.

    "No" - chlorine will not stain materials (it will whiten or bleach some materials)

    1st pic shows "Rust on Brick"

    2nd and 3rd show "Mold & Mildew on Brick"


  2. Mike, used incorrectly it can discolor vinyl (fabrics).

    Here is a bit more info on:

    Lithium Hypochlorite (LIOCl)

    Lithium hypochlorite is a newer entry in the field of chlorinating agents. It cost more than other hypochlorites, and it provides only about 35% available chlorine (vs. Calcium hypochlorite which provides 65%). It comes in granular form and is fast dissolving and totally soluble in water. It has a pH of 10.7.

    For reference:

    Sodium Hypochlorite has pH value of around 13

    Lithium Hypochlorite pH value around 11

    Calcium Hypochlorite pH 8.5

    Dichlor (Stabilized Chlorine Granules) pH about 7

    Trichlor (Chlorine Tablets) pH value below 3


  3. With the X-Jet, when you add the chemical, you are adding volume to your output therefore your pressure is reduced. For example, at 2:1 with a 4 GPM, 3500psi machine, your total output (water and chemical) would be 6GPM but now you lose pressure because of the added volume (plus turbulance, drag, etc.), hence the loss of distance.

    With upstreaming, you add your chemical prior to the pump, so you would always pump the same amount of fluid and your pressure is controlled by your nozzle size.

    You could use a SureFlo pump to increase your volume, however, you need to be able to shut off your flow at the tip, otherwise the chemical would keep pumping out.

    I seal brick with a Titan airless, and they have an extension pole (550-SC) 3-12ft that has a gun and nozzle at the end of the pole. The only problem is the low volume under .5 GPM. (I believe the pole and gun are rated at 3600psi.)

    If you could find a small, high volume, lightweight gun that could be mounted to the end of an extension pole and operated remotely, you could tie it in with a Shurflo and it would make certain types of roof cleaning a breeze.


  4. Travis,

    Sorry to hear about the problem you had. Hope all heals properly without long term effects.

    It can never hurts to wear a respirator along with other protective gear such as goggles, gloves, etc.

    Always read your MSDS and understand the effects of each chemical in the solution you are planning to use. Also, carry the MSDS with you on each job.

    Makes diagnosis and treatment easier and quicker if an accident does happen.

    Remember:

    "Safety First and Make IT Last!"


  5. Dale hit it on the head when he said someone got up on the left side of the bed. "Passing the responsibility" hit a LARGE nerve and of course the rest is history. It's hard to put this and "THE ROB HISTORY" into inperspective for someone that pops into this BB from time to time.

    Oneness you hit it on the head:

    "you say you're not ego driven...From what I've seen, you very ego driven...You are the only contractor I know of on any board who consistently posts how much he's making, how busy he is, how stupid others are for not charging the same, etc etc etc ad nauseum..."

    If I may ad also that he has been "the flavor of the month" as he has been learning this trade (be it house washing, deck work, concrete work or anything else). Always wanting to charge an arm and a leg for something he may not be able to command control of (an example was the gutter cleaning - $5 a linear foot. We can't forget how last year he couldn't get anyone to pay $1 a square foot for deck work until he read one of my posts, from then on he's been getting $1.50-$2 a sq ft).

    Speaking frankly, the problem here is not the irritation he causes to most, but how he may impact others as they may be starting out in this business.

    I don't want to ad any more distractions to this BB than I already have, so I will stop respond to his posts. All of you good folks can deal with him or ignore him (as you chose).

    I can't say I dislike him, I just don't care for his business practices.

    Jay and everyone else:

    Let me make it clear one more time - My post(s) were not intended to slam ANY product, be it Aquapel by L&M or V-Seal. I have used and am using a variety of good concrete treatment products including Tamms, ChemMaster, Prosoco, L&M and V-Seal. They all have a place and some are apples, some oranges and while others are cherries (no lemons in the group).

    My question: Is Aquapel better than V-Seal? (In context of the post)...was not a challange of quality but actually about one company being in business longer than the other not necessarily being a gage of the quality of the product or their service.

    The original statement was that 3 companies with combined 150 years experience chose V-Seal hands down by reading the specs. (If they have so much experience why have they not used it or known about it before? You can twist anything many different ways - and certain people are good at it.)

    It didn't take me 50 years to figure out that V-Seal is a quality and contractor friendly product. I like and use both products - my customers have also liked both products.

    Keep in mind:

    - The selection of a sealer, albeit important, is only one part of the process that a contractor goes thru when working with a customer and their substrate in question. Other items are sales and estimating, inspection, contract points, pricing, scope change management, cleaning and application of sealer.

    Thanks!


  6. I've run across it several times - where the mold & mildew penetrated deep into the wood and it takes several applications to kill it. You can continue to soak the area with liquid pool shock, but you will kill wood cells. Hydrogen Peroxide is the safest alternative for killing mold & mildew on wood (and if you get any cuts in the process, you can be sure it will be disinfected). ;-)

    You can also add mildewcide to your stain. Packets of mildewcide can be purchased at Sherwin Williams, Home Depot and other places.


  7. Beth,

    Based on his comment, V-Seal was not applied to the surface.

    Alan,

    Thanks! Many folks disagree with my comments and that's OK.

    If folks don't want to take any of my information and use it as a starting point of their research, that's OK also. My information is FREE and I ask nothing in return.

    I like to speak my mind, and often it's percieved as arrogance.

    OK, I'm arrogant - I like to think of it as being confident. Confident because I do spend time researching before I use a product. I researched V-Seal for a good period of time before I used it, and I have applied it FIRST HAND as I have many other products. I've spread my money around in this business to try a lot of different products personally. I get out often enough and work on many jobs throughout the year (I've got Cabot stain on my hands as we speak). I normally don't ask someone to do something or use a product if I have not tested or worked with it myself. Being over 50 has given me many years to do many things and I strive for variety and excellence.

    OK, so much for my resume...

    Now let me say this:

    Penetrating sealers can and are used on exposed aggregate surfaces. V-Seal 101 is my GO TO penetrating sealer because of its quality and contractor friendly applicability. However, I do not believe that penetrating sealers provide the best overall protection for the exposed aggregate surface as the aggregate is normally not penetrated (unless it was acid etched or is of a porous type). My strong opinion based on experience and LOGIC.

    My main issue, which I don’t want lost (behind CAN V-seal be used or not) was the fact that a GOOD contractor checks the surface close enough to know that there is a sealer already on it (especially if it is acrylic on 10-15% of the surface and you plan on applying a penetrating sealer). This is a critical step. I believe my reaction was to the fact that this contractor didn’t do a good job of inspecting the surface and did a CYA to pass the responsibility on to the customer. I DO agree that if a customer changes their mind, they should be charged for the change of direction.

    Statements like this are obviously exaggerations:

    “…anyway, since the exposed aggregate was a 60-40 mix, and after consulting with 3 concrete contractors before bidding, on if this, this was the right sealer, and each one said absolutely, after reading the spec sheet on 3 choices, they hands down chose V-seal,…” “…Yes, at least 3 concrete contarctors All cant be wrong, ? or does Paul know more than their 150 years in Family owned concrete business's...? They would have no reason to lye to me, they are friends,…”

    I’m wondering how Rob can tell what the composition of the concrete is by visual observation and not see that there was an acrylic coating on it. How can you tell the composition of concrete by sight. Is the concrete:

    1:2:3 - 50% aggregate (1 part cement: 2 parts sand and 3 parts aggregate),

    1:2:4 (60% aggregate) or 1:3:5 (55% aggregate).

    If Rob is so confident in the experience of any ONE of the concrete businesses, why would he need to go to THREE. Can a concrete contractor be wrong? SURE!

    Can I be wrong? SURE! How does a concrete contractor know if a product is good if they have never used it in the past? How does 150 years of concrete experience help you in deciding about a product that has been around less than 15 years? Can reading the specs and flyers tell you how great a product is?

    Is Aquapel by L&M a better product than V-Seal? They have been around for many, many years (many more years than V-Seal) and are experts in the concrete field.

    I think you get the point.


  8. You could wait a week to see what happens.

    Normally folks say that you shuld not let a deck go more than 30 days after cleaning - I think you need to judge each on it's own merits on how much exposure they get to the environment.

    If they replaced the boards without telling you up front (without you having the chance to inform them about green wood moisture content) then you were put at a disadvantage and should let them know that this may cause delays, problems and incurr additional charges for you. You can offer remedies of waiting and possibly re-cleaning at their cost, coming back and finishing these boards yourself after they have dried or letting them do the "touch-up" work.

    Of course you could always comp. the extra work - if you are in position to do so.


  9. Acrylic or film type sealers are normally the easiest to detect on a surface as they tend to be shiny (even after ware) or discolored. Penetrating sealers are the hardsest to spot, but not impossible.

    You do have to walk the surface and look for coating regardless of what the customer has told you. I do it not only to look for coatings but also defects, as this is an opportunity for repair work and also to note on the estimate/contract for future reference if the need arises. Cracks, spalling and other defects help emphasize the need for a protective coating if only a cleaning is requested.

    Like I said, with an acrylic finish, you look for shiny spots. Sometimes I will get on my hands and knees to run my hand over the concrete to feel the surface and get a closer look. If it's a sunny day, looking from opposite the sun's direction will help expose the coating. I carry water with me and test spots by pouring or spraying some on it. If it beads, it has a coating. If it soaks in quickly, then there should be no coating.

    I use the water test to check for presence of a penetrating sealers.

    Sometimes I even roll out the customers water hose to check for sealer.

    I feel the same way when estimating deck refinishing. How does a contractor look when they start a job and then have to go to the customer and say:

    I estimated this job to strip off an oil based stain but you have water based so now I have to increase the cost. If you, as a contractor did this to ME (as a homeowner) I would lose all confidence in you and would have to terminate our relationship. After all, I called you in as an expert to quote what it would take you to do the job right the first time and you should have done all the testing up front before you gave me an estimate. Since most homeowners do not know the cost implications of a water based coating over an oil based, whatever you may write in the contract (in regards to this) is mostly meaningless to the customer.

    As a final thought on this:

    Isn't the knowledge of what to look for along with the up-front testing, what separates the experienced/pros from all others that do this work?

    Being good at selling jobs does not make your work good.

    You need technical knowledge, hands on experience and reasoning capabilities (some call it common sense), not to mention the right tools and the best chemistry you can get your hands on.


  10. Rick,

    For removal of acrylics, Prosoco has a good product called "Concrete Sealer Stripper". You need to rinse to remove emulsified coating, then wash. With this, you don't need to neutralize but rinse and wash.

    Premium Stripper - strips epoxies, urethanes & acrylics – www.AldonChem.com

    In addition, there is ChemMasters Seal Stripper 1205 which removes curing and sealing compounds, acrylic, latex or alkyd type paints and coatings.

    Solvent based or citric based cleaners work best for acrylics and urethanes.

    Some coatings can be removed with a Potassium or Sodium Hydroxide solution, in which case neutralizing is needed with a citric or oxalic acid solution.

    If you wash with a Potassium or Sodium Hydroxide solution, neutralizing is important. You must also neutralize (with water or a base type product) after acid cleaning or etching if you are going to apply a coating.

    There is not one place to go for complete concrete and brick/paver care, however there are a lot of good resources on these BB's for concrete care (not so much on Pavers) and I'll see if I can dig up information on other sources from my files.

    Prosoco www.Prosoco.com is always a good source as they have products for cleaning, stripping and sealing concrete, brick and pavers.


  11. Rob, I agree, my choice of wording was incorrect when I said:

    "V-Seal 101 is a penetrating sealer and provides absolutely no protection for aggregate concrete." It does provide some protection, but it would not be the 1st (or 2nd) choice for exposed aggregate - be it 60/40 or other.

    "...after consulting with 3 concrete contractors before bidding, on if this, this was the right sealer, and each one said absolutely, after reading the spec sheet on 3 choices, they hands down chose V-seal..."

    So in essence, these 3 contractors are talking in theory, rather than having hands on experience with V-Seal 101 on aggregate.

    "...also,I never once called Paul out on his post, but he has exagerated quite a few claims, but who hasnt..?..." "...So, I too could bash 25-35 people a week on this board a week on how I think what they are doing is wrong as Paul does..."

    Go back and re-read all of your posts from the past 2 years and then lets talk exaggaration. UNTIL THEN, NO COMMENT ON THE EXAGGERATION! "...I hope this helps!"

    To the 24-34 people that I bash every week, I extend my most sincerest appologies.

    "...Because I am not ego driven,..."

    Rob, how many times have you posted that your phone is ringing off the hook and you get $350 for every house you wash and $1.50-$2.00 per sq ft. for every deck you work, or how many hours you work in a week, or what new equipment you have or how much equipment you'll have next year? ...and I hope this helps!

    Yes, I do tend to tick people off because I speak my mind. Personally, in some cases, I don't think I speak it enough!

    Remember Rob, that not everything posted here is for your benefit ONLY. If you choose to take nothing away from my posts, than that is your choice. I can lead you to water but I won't hold your head under to make you drink it!

    "Paul, if you spent half the time working, as you do reading and researching, you may get ahead someday, but I doubt it,..."

    Get ahead of what Rob? Working 105 hours a week? I did that in my 20's, 30's and early 40's.

    My portfolio does for me what working 105 hours a week will not achieve for you.

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