How would you handle this?

[PressurePros 248]

I have a bunch of entry decks for a condo association I am restoring. I'm sealing one tommorrow. Some of these unit have alternate entryways but the majority like tommorrow's are the only way in and out of about 10 units.

The problem is, how am I going to seal these things without people ruining the finish? The only way I can foresee is doing them half and half but that presents a problem of having a nice visible dry line down the middle of the floor. Any ideas?

[EnviroClean 15]

Rutty Tutty Fresh And Fruitty vouchers for Denny's?

Oh you wanted a serious answer..counts me out.

[HotShot 34]

suction cups...:)

[EnviroClean 15]

Swab Loaner Flip Flops dipped in Wood Tux?

A confidence rope course?

Suction Cups??? WTF???

[HotShot 34]

build a little catwalk with some scaffolding...? tie a rope to a tree and let them swing like tarzan. AAaaAAAaaaa

[HotShot 34]

tell people if they come out, you're going to stab them in the face with a soldering iron!

[EnviroClean 15]

Invite Russ up from Alabama let him walk around in his birthday suit.

[Neil_Asheville 114]

a box of disposable booties at the top and bottom. the residents will think it's fun and want to help you out.

/neil

[RogerG 14]

Hi Ken I think that I would ask the homeowner when they are going to leave for work. It should be dry enough for them to tip-toe across when they get home. If you could find a few that worked on 2nd shift that would be nice, because you could stain the first shift decks in the morning and the second shift in the afternoon. Another idea is stain in the morning and clean in the afternoon. Just depends on when everyones goes to work.

Roger

[Russ Johnson 141]

Invite Russ up from Alabama let him walk around in his birthday suit.

LMAO!

[PressurePros 248]

One thing I should have added. Some of the people that live in this complex are OLD. And when I say old think shuffling feet and gripping the rails for dear life. I tell people to stay off their deck for 24 hours. I am meeting with the president pror to sealing this one. I dropped the ball on this one. I may have to make him sign a waiver. I'm just glad there are two sets of steps. I will have to do half and half. This may be a job for Ready Seal.

[RogerG 14]

Good luck, you might be right about the Ready Seal. You shouldn't get the lap marks with it.

Roger

[James 624]

I can't bee leave I'm reading this from Ken................. IQ loss I hope...............drugs?

[Keth 15]

half and half em! I find it odd though that they all dont have alternate exits as I thought many states had that as part of the fire code. Whatever happens I am sure you will do a great job!

[Washaway 64]

For the record: I know nothing about 'wood work'!

Therefore I don't know how long it takes for the stain to dry nor how long it takes you to stain.

What would happen if you stained, let's say later in the evening, like around 7, 8 or 9pm? If they're so old they won't be leaving the house at that time. You could do it using some flood lights and this would give the stain until morning to dry. Hand rails and the rest could be done during the day.

Besides, you said that only a couple are build such that they have only one entry/exit point.

(If all else fails tell them that you are spraying with acid based stain. If they leave the house the acid in the air is going to cling to their skin and eat their flesh to the bone. Give them some duck tape for the windows.

For added effect you could suit up in a HAZMAT suit with helmet and respirators :lildevil: )

[Mountain View 14]

Russ,

It looks as if a half and half staining might be your only realistic option. Building temporary bridges and walkways probably have more serious liabilty implications. Drawing up the waiver visa vi dry stain line etc sounds good.

[PressurePros 248]

I was only teasing about the bridgeway. I just got off the phone with the president, he says he is fine with half and half and having a dry line.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I like Neil's suggestion. And the resident's might also appreciate the protective measure.

Beth

[RyanH 14]

What if you stained every other board on the first day and ask them to step on the unfinished boards. The next day, when the first batch has dried, go back and do the unfinished boards. These look like 2x6's.....should be wide enough to side-step across. As for the stairs, do one side one day and the other side the other day to give them an avenue in either case.

This should be less noticeable than a dry line down the center.

[seymore 90]

Put some plastic down and hope they dont trip on it!

[PressurePros 248]

President turned out to be a super guy.. a chemist so of course I had to go into chem talk with him, but it was nice not having to break things down and use words like sodium metasilicate without a blank stare. He actually gave me some very cool information about hydrogen and sodium. My wheels are truning, anyway..back to topic.

I did half. Not one to miss a marketing opportunity I printed some "wet paint" signs with my name and logo on them. You won't confuse them with a Keith Bruce design but they did the trick. This should have taken me two hours tops including tinting Tux, finding power etc. Took me three because I must have been stopped at least 12 times and asked to give 7 estimates for various homeowners that drove by. I should have just gathered them all up and did them at once but i like to capture an audience while I have it.

Ryan, they would need to have an ambulance in the parking lot on call. I met just about every homeonwer today and they were all over 70. Very friendly.. though, I got asked to do everything from paint a door to change a lightbulb lol.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

When you seal 1/2 the landing, don't leave a sharp edge to the stain you've applied. Fade it out so that when you come back to seal the other side, you can blend it better.

Rod!~

[Jarrod 22]

I would use Ready Seal or Messmers and give the people booties. Rod's point about fading the "ends" out is right on.

[mikew 14]

President turned out to be a super guy.. a chemist so of course I had to go into chem talk with him, but it was nice not having to break things down and use words like sodium metasilicate without a blank stare. He actually gave me some very cool information about hydrogen and sodium. My wheels are truning, anyway..back to topic.

I did half. Not one to miss a marketing opportunity I printed some "wet paint" signs with my name and logo on them. You won't confuse them with a Keith Bruce design but they did the trick. This should have taken me two hours tops including tinting Tux, finding power etc. Took me three because I must have been stopped at least 12 times and asked to give 7 estimates for various homeowners that drove by. I should have just gathered them all up and did them at once but i like to capture an audience while I have it.

Ryan, they would need to have an ambulance in the parking lot on call. I met just about every homeonwer today and they were all over 70. Very friendly.. though, I got asked to do everything from paint a door to change a lightbulb lol.

Ken,

Great idea with the signs. You don't miss a marketing opportunity!

Mike

[Russ Spence 76]

Invite Russ up from Alabama let him walk around in his birthday suit.

hey that will make them run out the door not stay in(women run out...men chase them and try to stop them)

[Russ Spence 76]

LMAO!

he meant russ from kentucky:lgbounces