Questions

coolluv@bellsou

New member
I'm new to this and have been doing my home work on pressure washing and I have some questions. I have a 13hp 4000 psi. cold water pressure washer that I would like to use to start a deck restoration and staining business. I have experience in painting and I have read about this business until my eyeballs hurt.:eek:

First off I know that its not the pressure but the GPM. and that I don't want to exceed 1000psi and should stay around 500psi. So I think the machine I have is sufficient. I know I need to get the right tip in order to achieve that 500psi. I also have a Graco airless sprayer for applying stain and sealer. I know some sealers are better applied with a sponge type applicator.

My questions are this. Does the deckster machine for applying stains and sealer work well and do I really need it? I have seen people build their own for much cheaper. There is a book for sale at sunbrite supply called the Wood Restoration Manual. Is this book worth buying? I want to learn all I can so that I can be professional, informative and turn out a product that my customers will love. I take pride in everything that I do. I don't want to be a Hack.

What kind of manuals or training do you guys recommend? I guess what I want to know from you guys who have been in business for a while is, if you could do it all over again,knowing what you know now, how and what is the best course of action. I have a my own ideas but nothing beats experience. Anyway I don't want to type a novel here, but I would appreciate any and all thoughts on this.

Thank you Dave...
 
Hey thanks for all the help.

Dave...

Dave there are not a lot of wood guys here (if any?), mostly commercial flatwork and KEC. Try posting your question directly to Pete in the Experts area, he is Sunbrite Supply in Atlanta and can answer any questions as well or just give him a call instead.
 
Dave you should checkout www.thegrimescene.com they have A LOT of woodies there.
and hey, your welcome....
 
Dave,
We do a lot of decks. # 1 we don't spray them. We brush, or roll and brush them. Takes longer, does a lot better job. I guess it depends the finish your looking for. Do you spray paint? If so, you may have enough experience to use and airless. If you don't spray, you may be looking for disaster. You know from painting an airless is not a tool for brush and roll people. If you can charge for the hand work, so be it. One thing most don't relize is the sprayer for stains on decks are strickly for transferring the chems. Not painting the deck. Even if you spray the stains, it should be back brushed, which most don't do. The manuels are good for a beginner, but experience will take you where you want to be. Maybe start out with a couple small decks and work your way up. Feel free to call if I can help you. Thank You.
 

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Dave,
We do a lot of decks. # 1 we don't spray them. We brush, or roll and brush them. Takes longer, does a lot better job. I guess it depends the finish your looking for. Do you spray paint? If so, you may have enough experience to use and airless. If you don't spray, you may be looking for disaster. You know from painting an airless is not a tool for brush and roll people. If you can charge for the hand work, so be it. One thing most don't relize is the sprayer for stains on decks are strickly for transferring the chems. Not painting the deck. Even if you spray the stains, it should be back brushed, which most don't do. The manuels are good for a beginner, but experience will take you where you want to be. Maybe start out with a couple small decks and work your way up. Feel free to call if I can help you. Thank You.

Thanks I really appreciate that. I did not realize that there were not a lot of wood guys on here. Anyway I may take you up on that phone call. What type of rig are you using. I want to build a setup that is the most productive. Can you post pictures of what your setup looks like. I'm undecided as to an open trailer rig or an enclosed rig. I want to do things right from the get go. That is why I'm here. I have some money to buy what I need, but I don't want to waste money on things I don't need. Thanks again for your help.

Dave...
 
Dave there are not a lot of wood guys here (if any?), mostly commercial flatwork and KEC. Try posting your question directly to Pete in the Experts area, he is Sunbrite Supply in Atlanta and can answer any questions as well or just give him a call instead.

Thanks Russ.

Dave...
 
Hey Dave, I wouldn't buy that manual. I did & it didn't really help much. You can learn more from the boards and all the guys that do wood. I like Sunbrite and they are good to deal with but the book was a waste of money. If you have a sprayer already you probably wont need the Deckster. I think it depends on what tpe of stain you are putting on. I use Ready Seal mostly and 99% of the time I brush or roll it.
 
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