I have as yet to try the Biowash that ProDek has referred to in the “mildewy deck” post as well as in previous related threads. Not wanting to hijack that thread, here’s the question….
Will it return/reveal fairly new wood to its “original” color, i.e., the green to PT SYP……or is there a bleaching effect that’s apt to leave it lighter in color? (Yes, I well realize there’s a patina factor and no product can draw color up into that layer, however this decks still shows definite green color when wet)
I’ve got a guy here who, believe it or not, wants the now 7 year old, approx. 450 sq.ft. deck we built for him returned to “that green” from the cleaning process rather than staining it to a more pleasing color after the cleaning is performed. I’ve tried to explain the situation to him, but he never seems to have his ears turned on. Is this a local phenomenon?
Frankly, I think it’s cause he’s too lazy to do the job himself and too cheap to purchase and pay for the application of the extra materials involved in staining it. Besides, he wouldn’t have somebody else to whine at from his chaise lounge(complete with cocktail and cigar)if he did it himself.
Attacking the deck with a powerwasher to remove a thin layer and ending up with a really uniform color throughout each and every board frequently seems like an excercise in futility and……….it’s very time consuming to make the attempt. I can hear his whining now.
Does anybody make a green PT stain in case we should need it?
Replies
I agree that returning this deck by powerwashing/ bleaching to its original pressure-treated green in an exercise in futility. Green can be achieved by use of turpentine thinned, boiled linseed oil and a dab of green roof paint...experiment around, but say an ounce to 5 gallons of mixture of 1/4 turpentine to 3/4 boiled linseed oil. Practice on scraps to get color close, then Have the customer sign that this is an approximation of the end result, subject to "his boards" being similar in absorbency to the experiments shown to him.
Are you sure you want to deal with a customer who may not be happy with anything you do for him? I definitely would add money to pay for aspirin, pain & suffering, attorneys fees, and lots of liability insurance before I"d tackle a customer like this.
Warning, linseed oil and rags need to be dried in the air before being discarded as that has caused fires do to spontaneous combustion.
Warning, "IF YOU WOULDN'T DO BUSINESS WITH SOMEONE ON A HAND SHAKE. NO CONTRACT WILL PROTECT YOU. SO DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THEM A'TAL"
Thanks for the response and the suggestions about making the stain. I've got a large selection of universal pigment based colorants in the shop as well.
Actually, I've known this guy for about 15 years and he won't fail to pay the bill in the end.......... he'll just softly whine all the way through the process. Like I said, we built the deck for him. He lives around the corner here and down about 1/4 mile. He and his wife have always had unlimited resources willingly and freely spent on expensive toys and leisure stuff, but look out if there's an expense of obvious necessity or practicality. That sort of thing interferes with the toy budget, don't cha know. A fella could easily get his fingers cut clean off if you're not fast enough when the drawstrings on the purse snap shut. Seems to be alot of folks like that around. :-)
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
I get a lot of the demanding, hard to please customers that nobody else wants. But when you satisfy one of them, they have an abundance of high paying references for you..
Excellence is its own reward!
Yes sir, that would pretty much describe our clientele also for the last twenty years. And the fact is that I love these demanding clients because there are really very few guys around here who can answer the call and the bulk of those demanding folks sooner or later are dialing this phone. No ads, just word of mouth referrals.
Ah, but "satisfying" them all isn't always as easy as it appears on the surface. If they're demanding of quality and/or have refined tastes, no problemo. But if they want it or think they're going to get it for less than it's worth or for free, we've got a problem brewing. Time to part company before real trouble arises. Thankfully, there's only been a couple of those in the last ten years.
This guy with the deck isn't really trouble, he just doesn't feel truly fulfilled unless he's gotten his quota of childish whining done. He'll write the check and then we'll toss back a couple of beers as we either sit on the deck or stroll around as he shows me all his new toys. (Just bought a new Airstream which is towed by a 2002 Chevy PU........He's currently trying to figure out how to take the brand new Goldwing along when they go to the vacation property they bought, 6 hours north of here, two years ago.
Mind you, I've always done more than my fair share of charity work pro-bono for the needy around here, but I'll no longer work for less than what something is worth for those who aren't needy by any stretch. The former is good for the soul while the latter is bad for the soul.......me thinks.
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
This is where psychology comes in and the 'excitement level ' rises.
Discerning between the troublemakers and the ones who only need a hand in theirs or a listening ear like the bartender does to earn his tips and make the clients feel at home..
Excellence is its own reward!
I've been thinking that the real reply comes from educating your customer on this one. From your writings here, I know you can do it.
expl;ain that the colour he desires in its original form is a toxic material that is locked into the wood by the proicess at the dip tank, under pressure. Say that you can buy some Osmose preservative to paint on the surface that will make it quite green but that it is a poiuson and the label recommends that it only be used sub-grade and where it will not be in contact with humans. Tell him that he will need to ignore the danger to human life he is requesting and that youy will need to do it under cover of darkness, while wearing a Ninja getup. Be sure he understands that the risks involved in dealing with the enviro-####'s will be worth three times as much money and that a Mafia-like team of Texans will race a stampede of Longhorns through his house if anyone finds out that you had you do this job...
Then offer him the alterantive of a stain applied that might wear off every year.
there is a copper fungicide available for fruit trees that will tint things green when used high strenghth too, but it would also need yearly application and Be somewhat risky.
Have fun..
Excellence is its own reward!