Cedar shake strip and stain pctures

[steven 37]

Just a couple of pics of a project I am working on, this was some really old shakes that needed two fat coats of amber. you can see on the front where i left off on the second coat.

[steven 37]

Ok I have a question, with all the prep of windows, gutters, and everything else that comes along with spraying stain, could you earn more money by brushing the wood?

 

do you get pad the same whether you brush or spray?

[YVPW 20]

I use a Delavan pump sort of the same as Rod for applying chemicals and always use an airless(I've had both Titan and Graco, currently use a Graco). You have much more control with an airless and an unlimited supply of different types of coatings you can use. All I do is restore interior and exterior wood. I use a Titan Capspray 115 HVLP for fine finishing. If you want a good overall sprayer get a Titan air-assisted airless.

[YVPW 20]

I price more if for some reason I can't spray something. Spraying and back brushing provides the best finish for exterior wood. A lot depends on the stain you use as far as if you can just brush the stain. I almost always spray, it's faster and better, even when you have to mask off. I always remove downspouts and gutters too if need be. If not the gutters then use a spray shield or wipe the gutter off when spraying. I can't use AC down here in NC because of the mildew issues I've had with it.

Edited September 13, 2015 by YVPW

[YVPW 20]

As for the Harbor Freight buffers. I can't speak about the other tools they sell, but I can say that the buffers are good. I've buffed thousands upon thousands of sq.ft of wood with them. They're lighter than most and work great. For the best sanding tools you can't go wrong with Festool or Bosch

[steven 37]

you remove the gutters? that must be time consuming.

[steven 37]

Here's one I got asked to price for a solid stain. I gave him a round about number for a complete strip and re-stain and his jaw dropped. He is looking for a cheaper alternative.  I figure I would just wash it with a house wash and hypo mix to get rid of all the dirt, grime and mold. then cover it with a couple coats of solid oil stain.

 

 any input on spraying this?

Edited September 13, 2015 by steven

[YVPW 20]

Gutters aren't too bad, you can always spray and wipe

[YVPW 20]

Yeah that process, even though as a wood restoration contractor I hate anything remotely close to paint on wood. Sometimes it's what has to be done. I would xjet it with a strong house wash and apply 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Woodscapes and be done. With that stain you can brush. I might would brush that job

[steven 37]

Jason,

 

that's what I like about stain, you can really wipe it off the latex,( but you cant really wipe the latex off the stain)

[steven 37]

This thing is going to suck up the stain.

[RPetry 564]

Big house.  Lots of windows and dormers.

 

It is a shame to put a solid stain on decent lap cedar.  I'd charge an extra 20% on labor just to put up with the sacrilege.

[YVPW 20]

Lol yeah I agree Rick! We who love wood find it a sin to cover it up. I would definitely charge extra for that house. With all the windows and dormers it wouldn't be an easy one. Steven is the stain/paint around the windows in good shape? Are they wanting that done too?

[steven 37]

he built it 99 and hasn't touched it since.

[YVPW 20]

Yeah oil based stain sometimes doesn't wipe off latex paint very good, especially if it's not wiped up quickly. I would use latex Woodscapes solid on the siding and trim too if they wanted it done. It will take 2 coats

[YVPW 20]

It would need to be done too then.

[YVPW 20]

I just looked at a house Saturday that's gonna have to be priced just like this one. I definitely don't get the excitement with these jobs that I do when I can fully restore one and make the wood beautiful

[steven 37]

No I aint dong the trim, that's in great shape. I tried to get a strip in there but he almost had a heart attack when I gave him the round about number to strip and re-stain.  Also this homeowner is looking for a grey, kinda like whats on there now.

[steven 37]

You got to admit it still will look very nice when completed. I mean compared to now spray paint would make it look good.

[YVPW 20]

Yeah you're right. It will look much better than it does now. If he's wanting that color then that's what you'll have to do. I know a lot of homeowners like the solid stain/paint look on cedar siding. Makes it look like the Fiber Cement cedar print siding

[YVPW 20]

I would probably brush that job, with all the cutting in, especially since you aren't doing the trim.

[steven 37]

Yeah you're right. It will look much better than it does now. If he's wanting that color then that's what you'll have to do. I know a lot of homeowners like the solid stain/paint look on cedar siding. Makes it look like the Fiber Cement cedar print siding

Not so much that he wants a solid. It's just what's in his budget. He knows that he waited to long and that there are only two options to make that house look good. And one is half the cost of the other

[steven 37]

I love wood, I love the transformation that happens, I love the customers reaction, their smiles and their appreciation. But do you know what I hate about doing wood?  RAIN, all I have here is rain, More than enough rain to last five jobs. If there is one thing that will make me stop doing this it is the aggravation that comes along with the weather.

[RPetry 564]

Maine is a challenging climate.  Colder temps, shorter season for wood, and just a lot of precipitation.  Much more difficult than those of us in the southern northeastern U.S.

 

Still, a beautiful state.  And for compensation, you don't put up with the traffic jams, high taxes, and rat race pace of life.  Not a bad trade.

[steven 37]

Rick,

 

I agree it is worth the trade off of the big city. here are my neighbors, the best thing about them is that they keep their lawn moooed. HAHAHAHAHAHAH

[RPetry 564]

Steven,

 

Yes.  3 yrs. ago we finally got fed up with the congestion and overall nonsense living in a very crowded area.  At that point we had 4 vehicles and a one car garage!  Moved up to the "country", as far as this region of NJ has to offer.  Lots of deer, assorted critters, and some coyotes.  Corn field farm in the front of the property, and a corn/soybean and pumpkin farm in the back.  About as "country" as we can get without jeopardizing my established market and having to drive more than 6 miles to decent retail.

 

Overall,  the best thing we have done in 25 yrs. of marriage.  Much more pleasant, less hectic, quiet, one can actually see a lot of stars at night.  Downsides are a lot of property to mow, much more home maintenance, and large trees to prune, cut down, and manage.

 

Moved in ~ 2 weeks before hurricane Sandy hit NJ.  Woke up to this downed 78' white spruce.  Bought my first chainsaw!  Hard to believe how much branches and wood are in a tree of that size.

 

Worth the effort.  Would never go back.