Tom DeFrancesco

Rich, I appreciate the advice, the only thing is alot of the lettering and striping I had taken of was reflective and it came right off. Most of it I just heated it up really hot with the water and used an angled razor blade scraper and it would come off whole with practically 0 effort and the rest would just come flying off with the heat and some pressure at the right angle. Maybe I was just lucky maybe not. It worked on all 12 of them.

I am bringing this thread back up front because i have the same question. Customer does not want stain, just sealer. Any suggestions on what to use other than Thompson's or is that brand ok ????

I think it was a GREAT story. I liked the whole do it and get the rest of the money at closing. Good idea.

Ken, what's going on ?? Anything more info on the Bklyn job ?? Is it on Surf Ave ??? Because I recieved an inquiry from my web site about a deck job there.

TJ, what part of NY are you in??? Maybe I can help with the going prices.

Sorry Spiker, A&J I believe already has the wheels in motion. If it does not work out I will lay all the info out there and it will be up for grabs again.

Here is my educated guess on this whole thing. I believe the company that Patrick works for under bid themselves and are in a jam. Right now they have painters doing it with cw HD machines and they are complaining. Rightfully so. I tried to up it a few cents to make it work for the both of us. I told him I would need at least 8 1/2 to 9 cents a sq/ft to make it worth my while. I know 700 is alot but it is the travelling and payroll that I think will kill me. Also you can only go as fast as the painters. He will not let you get to far ahead. Payment is 30-45 days. Another problem I always have is ( Does not have to be perfect.) These stations are in my market areas and I do not want potential customers seeing me do not a perfect job. I guess that's my problem. I am too a**l.

Did you wind up having to use a lift ?? It looked low enough for an X-jet. depending on wind of course

Here is my two cents. GET A BIGGER MACHINE !!!! you have no idea how long it is going to take you. You need atleast a 6 gpm. I am talking from experience. I tried 38,000 sq/ft with a 4 gpm. I feel like I lost money. Good luck with whatever you do.

I had gotten a similiar phone call last Saturday. Gentleman asked the identical basic questions and then went into what materials I use. Then he proceeded to ask me how long and how much would it take (me) to clean his 4500 sq/ft shop with a 16" surface cleaner. That's funny, I never said I had a 16" surface cleaner. In fact I never mentioned any equipment I had. (CLICK) he hung up. Amazing.

John, no problem. I appreciate the gesture but there is only one thing I would like and that is to observe or help you with that job (at no cost to you) just so I could learn and see how you would handle it. I really just want the experience and I know you have it. Of course this is all if you do not mind. Just let me know if it is ok and let me know when you plan on doing it so I can plan it around the other job.

Well, I have completed seven of them. I took Cooper's advice and used about 225 deg water at an angle and it worked perfectly except where there was body work and repainting done. I really had to be careful. In sensative area's I would heat the lettering up nice and hot with the water and use an angled razor blade scraper (keeping fresh blades) and it would come off with extreme ease with 0 damage including the reflective letters. Next I would spray the glue down with a chemical I found at A1 Hydro here in NY called CR2 Tar Kleen, let dwell for 15 min and rinse off with hot water. It was absolutely incredible. Did not have to rub once. It was well worth the price for the 5 gal pail. I am trying to post pics but keeps saying Kb's are to large and cannot figure out how to change it.

Thanks Mike. Will do. Do you have any pics available ????

Thank you gentleman. Hey Coop, How hot and how did you not damage the paint ?? I am not at all worried about clearcoat. These are all 911 ambulances that get the crap beat out of them. The hospital has been taken over by another hospital so they want there own graphics on them.

Congrats Mike, glad it worked. I am going to try it in the very near future. Any pointers ??? Thanks for the heads up Phil.

Never mind I already posted this and just found it.

Can anyone tell me where I can get a 55'r around downstate NY.

Will definately look into it. Very interesting. Thank you Pat.

Let me get this straight. I have a 5.5 hot skid and a 4.0 cw unit. I can some how join these two and get 9.5 gpm's out of it ????? What company sells the plumbing ???? The suspense is killing me....

First let me apologize if I did not spell it right but I'm sure you get what I mean. Second I was asked to give a quote on stripping (only) all this IPE wood that was just installed and stained with unknown product two years ago. I tried a test spot with som RM from Steve Rowlett but it did not appear to make a dent. I am sending numerous pics. Any suggestions would be great. I planned on testing some HD80 also. p.s. Ken, this gentleman originally called you, it is in Queens, NY.

I just commented on that other post. Unreal. Great job though Rogg.

Man that looks horrible. I decided to let it go. Just not worth the headache even if it is to get experience.

Very impressive job Roger. What did you do as far as preping it before staining ???

I bought an 18" whirl-a-way surface cleaner from them in July. Used it for the very first time in October for 5.5 hrs @ 200 deg when the gun just exploded and water coming out of everywhere. Info states it is rated at 300 deg/ 4000 psi. I had it set at 200 deg @ 3500. Called the company I purchased it from three-four weeks ago , Ultimate Washers in Florida and they told me no problem, we will mail you a new gun. 3 1/2 weeks go by and no gun. I call and the same person I originally spoke to, says I never called. I speak to a manager and he tells me there is nothing he can do because it is NOW over the 90 days. Although the gun is not expensive, it is the point..........Just BEWARE people.

Live and learn....live and learn...