Gorgeous mountain deck

[Neil_Asheville 114]

This was such a fun project we did in July. Learned a huge amount on this one. Deck was 'restored' last year. Homeowner's power washed it for three days. They hired two 'hillbilly's' for $800 to apply 10 gallons of Valspar Severe Weather acrylic. Within 8 months had failed on 85% of horizontals. Black mildew and mold growth all over. Looked awful for such a beautiful deck and setting. The sunken hot tub is surrounded by 2x8 ipe.

Total sqft of wood restored was 2,200. Two days to strip and neutralize. Deck sat for a week, then one day to mask, detail and stain. I was very fortunate to have Carolina ProWash with me on the staining of this one. Timing worked out such that they were in town with their wood rig and had a day to play. Roger, John, and myself kicked A and took staining names on this one! Celeste pampered the ipe and that came out just gorgeous. HD-80 full strength boosted with prop. glycol (prestone lo-tox) 20 min dwell 800 psi rinse.

Stained with WoodTux Wet, custom tinted and thinned with spirits for a 'natural' light wood look that homeowners wanted. Cool thing too is they got married on this deck the following weekend. They were just thrilled with the outcome. 'Nuther good pay day.

Finished pics are one week after staining and wet with rain. Thanks again Roger and Celeste!

/neil

[Neil_Asheville 114]

There is so much satisfaction in working with wood. The transformation is what it's all about.

/neil

[Neil_Asheville 114]

Between babying the ipe and walking around telling us how to do our jobs :lgwave: Celeste also had my camera. Gotta have a little fun, right. See no evil and smell no evil!

/neil

[Celeste 341]

Neil did a great job getting the old yuck from this deck. Here are a few shots before staining took place - dry & a bit of detailing.

[Celeste 341]

These were taken the day we stained.

[seymore 90]

That's a nice looking deck Neil great job! :cool:

P.S Lay off the caffeine man! :D

[Celeste 341]

That's a nice looking deck Neil great job! :cool:

How big was it?

P.S Lay off the caffeine man! :D

That's Roger's bug-eyed self - and the photo of Neil's butt was taken for HIS WIFE!

Celeste

[JFife 14]

nice job guys!! I gotta say, that might be the coolest deck I've ever seen. Great design, definitely a portfolio job.

[Proclean 14]

Man, what a deck. Great job a what a view.

Pro Clean Specialists

Paul Dinos

[tropical wave 22]

outstanding job...looks great!!!

[HotShot 34]

not only a beautiful deck, but what gorgeous country.....maybe in about 100 years when I retire, I would love to have one of my homes in a place like that. Good job on the deck

[PressurePros 249]

Great ass, Neil, do you work out? LOL. Nice job on the deck. I knew you were going to K-A full time. You are off to a good start. Give me a ring and let me know your thoughts on the Wood Tux... what you like, what you would improve upon etc. I would like to compare notes. Same goes for you Roger G.

[Neil_Asheville 114]

Thanks for the kudos. The market here in the NC mountains for a wood specialist is ripe. I didn't believe it early on, and still now within the last 12 months, that I haven't come across or so much as heard about a wood care company by name.

Yes there are painters and the PW companies that specialize in cleaning everything "residentialcommercialhoodsdrivewaysdecksmobilehomesgumremovalRVs&windows" and tote 300 gallons and a hot skid. The goods ones are my referral base for wood and to whom I send the work that's not my target housewash or wood job. I'm currently working on some awareness guides for mass distribution, the education angle is where it's at. This goes for homeowners, builders, paint store counter clerks, painters, etc. They all 'get it' when presented to them....they 'get' that consideration for the integrity of the surface to be cleaned is more important than simply getting it clean. That's a differentiation position. You gotta have one. Open up the dialogue and you're 3/4ths to becoming their new expert.

I write this half laughing because I've got folks referring me to new business as THE wood care experts. With the years of combined experience of you all here, I'm simply humbled. I'm going to say this, too, that WRAPI will play an important role in driving the siding and log restoration market here. Huge potential. It's mission fits perfectly here. Now I notice all the old and unloved cedar homes. Seems that every new home has some faux-looking shake somewhere on it. Log could be a possibility later on. Jon and Rich....expect a visit at some point!

I'm currently on the front porch with coffee watching two hummingbirds in air-to-air combat. I'm thankful this is one more day where I'm not running a Monday morning sales and marketing meeting. Gorgeous mountain day shaping up here. Gotta run. Have a super week everyone. Ken, I'll holler at you this week.

Cheers,

/neil

[Chappy 138]

Neil,

My hometown is Banner Elk. Just a fer piece north of you. I want to move back their so much and do wood restoration. I took a drive up to Beech mountain last year and their were so many decks, I was making plans as I drove. Unfortunately, my wife is a native floridian and wont leave. I envy you. What a beautiful job. Kudos

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I thought I already posted but I guess not....so I'll say it twice....

Beautiful! Simply Beautiful!

What an amazing deck. It's a builder's dream!

Beth

[PWkid 79]

Jon,we go to Boone NC and Beech Mtn every year. The wife went to Appy st. The inlaws built a 3 story cabin in Jefferson NC. Beautiful country.

[James 625]

Great project!

[Jeff 232]

Neil way to go!!! Very nice and it sounds like your enjoying it. Your posting some great pictures. Continued great succss to you!

Jeff

[Celeste 341]

Here's another shot of the deck - the dogwood growing up through the middle made for nice photo ops :)

Celeste

[seymore 90]

Sweet looking deck and even better view! :cool:

[HotShot 34]

what horrible working conditions :)

[PressurePros 249]

That deck is incredible. Very nice job on the finish guys. Though you still didn't answer my question ;-) PM or call me when you get the chance.

PS: Talked to Wesley today.

[Celeste 341]

I heard :) I was up to my elbows in concrete all day - and evidently will be for the next several weeks - biz is kicking into overdrive!

Back to your regular deck viewing pleasure :)

Celeste

[CLASSICPW 14]

That deck is simply unreal, and you guys did an awesome job, my only problem is that I thought that was Celeste's butt. Geeze, I was staring at a guy's butt!!!

[Neil_Asheville 114]

LMFAO! ClassicPW, that IS classic!

[HotShot 34]

That deck is simply unreal, and you guys did an awesome job, my only problem is that I thought that was Celeste's butt. Geeze, I was staring at a guy's butt!!!

:eek::lgbugeyes...that's funny