[Mr B]

I notice Smartseal have signed up on here recently, can't wait until they read some of the comments about their 'amazing' products lol..

Good for 6 months lol

[Smudger]

Are they any good then ( sorry for my ignorance ) 

Darran

[Blast Away]

I've noticed the poster offering advice on equipment with what a appears to promote awareness of Sh***Seal (self modded to protect people from getting upset at horrible swear words)

[Matt Gibson]

SharpSeal Lee?
ShirtSeal?
ShapeSeal?

Am i getting close?

[BDCS]

Can you really take them seriously ? Chris rates them and they promote pressure washing in your skidders 

[chris scott]

Cant be bothered typing something I am going to get shafted for so to quote myself

"Go and do the Smartseal course excellent investment for your money.
There will be no hard sell and you will learn loads about every aspect of the business. From equipment,marketing, application of products.
The machines  they sell are industry standard, the acrylic sealers are manufactured by a company that have been in the driveway restoration business for years...they are nationwide.
Their is always technical advice at the end of the phone when you need it. The lead generation system is second to none...the leads are inexpensive around £12."

[BDCS]

If you want leads try a pet shop - about £4 for a small dag
The machines are entry level domestic at best.
I've never used their sealants so I can't comment on them but how hard can it be to chuck a bag of acrylic beads into a bucket of xylene - I could do it in my shed !
Do they not suggest cleaning decking with a fsc ?
What about the premier website showing the numpty pressure washing in shorts - very professional 
How have I managed without them - buying advertising on the forum does not gain creditability

[Kev Martin]

If you want leads try a pet shop - about £4 for a small dag
The machines are entry level domestic at best.
I've never used their sealants so I can't comment on them but how hard can it be to chuck a bag of acrylic beads into a bucket of xylene - I could do it in my shed !
Do they not suggest cleaning decking with a fsc ?
What about the premier website showing the numpty pressure washing in shorts - very professional 
How have I managed without them - buying advertising on the forum does not gain creditability

Carl

So your not keen on them then?

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

[BDCS]

Am I wrong again ? Do you clean decking with an FSC ? In your shorts ? Do you think that by fitting a turbo nozzle you increase the psi ?

I maybe a sceptic but I know what I know and have managed for all these years - these firms are great for the "oh I'll spend my redundancy money on an drive cleaning business" - you know the ones who undercut you in the summer never to be seen again.

Chris the gimp swears by then so they must be good 

[Matt Gibson]

I've cleaned decking with a fsc.

[chris scott]

If you want leads try a pet shop - about £4 for a small dag
The machines are entry level domestic at best.
I've never used their sealants so I can't comment on them but how hard can it be to chuck a bag of acrylic beads into a bucket of xylene - I could do it in my shed !
Do they not suggest cleaning decking with a fsc ?
What about the premier website showing the numpty pressure washing in shorts - very professional 
How have I managed without them - buying advertising on the forum does not gain creditability

I clean decking with a fsc.
PICS make the Acrylic seal for them...they make quite a lot of it.They are very good at it.
Gx390 and Interpump are firmly implanted in driveway restoration history....i'm sure Duel pumps would agree.
£299+vat  for a fully seo'd website with other peoples images.
I dont wear shorts H&S ...I have a fluro mankini.

[BDCS]

Pics also make sealer for Techclean but whats that got to do with it - its still pants. I see smartseal as the bettaware of the pressure washing industry - for redundancy warriors. An FSC leaves doughnuts on wood - you'll be telling me to use a turbo on wood next 
I think knights buy from duel pumps, ride horses and carry long sticks - pressure washers with deep pockets buy from dual pumps 
Each to their own - if you works for you then stick to it. And no I don't think I'll be going on their course - the Resiblock course was bad enough. Although its closer than your squat course which I wanted to go on until I looked on google maps

[chris scott]

Get 5/6 people together near you ...mosgo will run the coarse for you. We are just useing the local pub and v/hall.

[BDCS]

I ain't got 3 mates in the whole world - do you think I seem like a flopping people person  I only know of Rhinoman  near me and he's at Bartertown

[Roger Oakley]

FSC's on wood!!! go stand at the back of the class wearing the pointed hat with a big D on

[Aqua Power Solutions]

BDCS, Roger, i find this topic interesting about FSC on decks ! On big decks, i use mosmatics with just the required pressure. I avoid ring marks by raising the fsc off the deck  when switching on and always keep the fsc moving on the deck . Would this not give an even clean on the whole deck , rather than using a lance . I am always keen to learn off you guys . Ed

 

[chris scott]

I ain't got 3 mates in the whole world - do you think I seem like a flopping people person  I only know of Rhinoman  near me and he's at Bartertown

I think Rhinoman is coming up here ...share a cab.Work on you people skills. Did you buy the Beta?

[chris scott]

FSC's on wood!!! go stand at the back of the class wearing the pointed hat with a big D on

Fsc and ronseal = good as new

[BDCS]

BDCS, Roger, i find this topic interesting about FSC on decks ! On big decks, i use mosmatics with just the required pressure. I avoid ring marks by raising the fsc off the deck  when switching on and always keep the fsc moving on the deck . Would this not give an even clean on the whole deck , rather than using a lance . I am always keen to learn off you guys . Ed

 

I don't use a fsc and you won't find any brush marks on any decking I clean although I did use one when I cleaned the wooden pontoons at Ramsgate harbour. I use chemicals, a very large deck scrub and swing the lance through an arc. Minimal pressure.

[Roger Oakley]

BDCS, Roger, i find this topic interesting about FSC on decks ! On big decks, i use mosmatics with just the required pressure. I avoid ring marks by raising the fsc off the deck  when switching on and always keep the fsc moving on the deck . Would this not give an even clean on the whole deck , rather than using a lance . I am always keen to learn off you guys . Ed

 

Ed
What's a big deck? 50-100-200 square metres?
How do you deal with handrails/spindles? can't use an FSC there.
The kit I use on decking will set you back around £3K+, Wood Orbitor and Karcher's and not the domestic models you get in DIY sheds. I understand how you are using your FSC, but for me, Right kit, right chemicals/solutions plus technic are all that is needed.

[Roger Oakley]

FSC's on wood!!! go stand at the back of the class wearing the pointed hat with a big D on

Fsc and ronseal = good as new

Get real Chris  I spend more of my time removing Ronseal s++t then anything else when it comes to wood/decks/furniture, it is the devils work that stuff along with a couple of other brands I could mention.

[Aqua Power Solutions]

Carl/Roger thanks for the advice . Never heard of a wood orbitor (youtube is great) . Edges,spindles,steps ect I use a wider degree nozzle/lance to blend in (Hope that makes sense ) . Without giving your secrets away what is the best solution to remove wood stains,wood oils, or am I pushing it 

[chris scott]

FSC's on wood!!! go stand at the back of the class wearing the pointed hat with a big D on

Fsc and ronseal = good as new

Get real Chris  I spend more of my time removing Ronseal s++t then anything else when it comes to wood/decks/furniture, it is the devils work that stuff along with a couple of other brands I could mention.

Rodger
Do you not use Aquasmart decking reviver with added enrinch N dazzzzzle ...all in one? ...Amateur

[Roger Oakley]

Carl/Roger thanks for the advice . Never heard of a wood orbitor (youtube is great) . Edges,spindles,steps ect I use a wider degree nozzle/lance to blend in (Hope that makes sense ) . Without giving your secrets away what is the best solution to remove wood stains,wood oils, or am I pushing it 

No that makes sense, No your not pushing it, depends on what you have to remove Stain or Oil, Brand etc as to what I use. Tell me what you are trying to remove and I'll point you in the right direction.

[Roger Oakley]

FSC's on wood!!! go stand at the back of the class wearing the pointed hat with a big D on

Fsc and ronseal = good as new

Get real Chris  I spend more of my time removing Ronseal s++t then anything else when it comes to wood/decks/furniture, it is the devils work that stuff along with a couple of other brands I could mention.

Rodger
Do you not use Aquasmart decking reviver with added enrinch N dazzzzzle ...all in one? ...Amateur

Chris
Did a search couldn't find that one?

[G O Cleaning]

Back to the Smart seal   

As stated above its the image they portray or dont as the case may be. Forget the actual seal, we have used PICS product for PIC plus blocks, we no longer use either.

They offer to sell the 'complete' package to newbies yet their own marketing is sh*t, I mentioned the other day banner ad guy in shorts using turb bent over HS forget it, how hard would it of been to have a guy fully kitted company logo etc.

The reason they show images like this is for their target clientele, pressure washing looks so simple no risks easy , make £400 a day simple add on. Complete croc

If they can offer anything to this forum / pressure washing than actually answer posts like these Or just keep hiding.

[chris scott]

We are so called "pro's" ..we can find fault with any image /procedure for "pressure washing". Rob will pull me apart for how i write risk assessments...mine are short and sweet. Roger will destroy my decking restoration. Carl thinks i have an unhealthy love of the Honda engine.The market at which smartseal is marketed (?) do not have a clue as to what is right or wrong.So images such as the "pressure washing shorts" will generally go unnoticed.  

The Smartseal setup is a good frame work for people coming into the "pressure washing" business. It gives a "basic" insight into many areas that people do not consider.We all know that purchasing of the equipment is a very minor issue...finding somebody to pay you to use it is the problem.

I have been teaching for over 10 ..i know you will never train people how to do something in one course. You can only give them the fundamentals. The rest is up to the individual. Some get it quickly ...some will never get it!!
The only way we really develop and progress is by experience of our given activity.

There is a high rate of failure in new business coming in to the market...it is marketed as "easy" money ..£400 per day.We know from experience this is achievable (occasionally) but we are all now experienced in our fields.
I still stand behind The "Smartseal " introduction to driveway restoration..not perfect but it's ok.
How many people slagging them off have actually attended one?

[Matt Gibson]

SmartSeal are a business, bottom line. They are probably making good money too with all the "retirees"
There are a few SmartSeal operators up here, they have their place. I don't know whats taught on the course, i wouldnt personally do the course, but weather they last, thats of no real concern to me.

I am of the mind of Mike, that SmartSeal need to up their game with their own marketing, and that which they sell to their customers, H&S etc.. its just a joke. But it helps us who have all the right kit to stand out.

[Roger Oakley]

Chris
I'm not destroying your decking restoration skills at all, I haven't seen them
As I stated I understand why you would use a FSC, but start getting into some of the more exotic hardwoods and they ain't very forgiving when you use a FSC, seen the evidence of either home-owners or other PW companies attempts.
For me decking is a 4 step approach, not a splash & dash, and I don't mean you with that comment before you get over sensitive 

[Matt Gibson]

I love splashing and dashing..

I also love doughnuts.. 

[chris scott]

Chris
I'm not destroying your decking restoration skills at all, I haven't seen them
As I stated I understand why you would use a FSC, but start getting into some of the more exotic hardwoods and they ain't very forgiving when you use a FSC, seen the evidence of either home-owners or other PW companies attempts.
For me decking is a 4 step approach, not a splash & dash, and I don't mean you with that comment before you get over sensitive 

I clean decking to what i consider an acceptable standard (my standards are high ).
You I would imagine would clean and restore decking to such a standard that it would make mine look like an amatur attempt !
Nobody can teach me to restore wood like you (short term). I could come and do your "decking restoration" course with you over a couple of days. You could show me all of your tips and secrets..but ultimately it is the experience of doing it long term that would bring me to your level of service.
It is your understanding of the process coupled with your experience that sets our "finished products " apart.
The Smartseal course helps us to understand the process's involved in each aspect of the "pressure washing " business (there are elements that could be improved) but basically it's pretty comprehensive.

[G O Cleaning]

We are so called "pro's" ..we can find fault with any image /procedure for "pressure washing". Rob will pull me apart for how i write risk assessments...mine are short and sweet. Roger will destroy my decking restoration. Carl thinks i have an unhealthy love of the Honda engine.The market at which smartseal is marketed (?) do not have a clue as to what is right or wrong.So images such as the "pressure washing shorts" will generally go unnoticed. 

The Smartseal setup is a good frame work for people coming into the "pressure washing" business. It gives a "basic" insight into many areas that people do not consider.We all know that purchasing of the equipment is a very minor issue...finding somebody to pay you to use it is the problem.

I have been teaching for over 10 ..i know you will never train people how to do something in one course. You can only give them the fundamentals. The rest is up to the individual. Some get quickly ...some will never get it!!
The only way we really develop and progress is by experience of our given activity.

There is a high rate of failure in new business coming in to the market...it is marketed as "easy" money ..£400 per day.We know from experience this is achievable (occasionally) but we are all now experienced in our fields.
I still stand behind The "Smartseal " introduction to driveway restoration..not perfect but it's ok.
How many people slagging them off have actually attended one?

In fairness... nice post, the bottom line is they are trying to sell sealers, what I find and it effects my business directly is the roof cleaning side, from a marketing view they simply saturate the web. To try and push the 'newbie' (hate term but gets to the point) pressure washer into roof cleaning from the start is frankly reckless. You develop methods for floor cleaning over time, be it decking, natural stone etc but then stick someone on the roof, without using booms is dangerous.
 I would be very interested to see this so called 'training' ...a one day roof cleaning course, there is no way I could cover even the basics in a day, again this is the op for Mr Smart seal to stand up and sell himself.

[chris scott]

The roof cleaning market is different. This is a specialised cleaning sector that does require a separate set of skills...to achieve long term results and also from a health and safety point of view.

The result of inexperienced roof cleaners has much more of an impact...to the client and the operator.

I have not as yet attended a Smartseal roof cleaning course,so I cannot comment.

[chris scott]

We are so called "pro's" ..we can find fault with any image /procedure for "pressure washing". Rob will pull me apart for how i write risk assessments...mine are short and sweet. Roger will destroy my decking restoration. Carl thinks i have an unhealthy love of the Honda engine.The market at which smartseal is marketed (?) do not have a clue as to what is right or wrong.So images such as the "pressure washing shorts" will generally go unnoticed.  

The Smartseal setup is a good frame work for people coming into the "pressure washing" business. It gives a "basic" insight into many areas that people do not consider.We all know that purchasing of the equipment is a very minor issue...finding somebody to pay you to use it is the problem.

I have been teaching for over 10 ..i know you will never train people how to do something in one course. You can only give them the fundamentals. The rest is up to the individual. Some get quickly ...some will never get it!!
The only way we really develop and progress is by experience of our given activity.

There is a high rate of failure in new business coming in to the market...it is marketed as "easy" money ..£400 per day.We know from experience this is achievable (occasionally) but we are all now experienced in our fields.
I still stand behind The "Smartseal " introduction to driveway restoration..not perfect but it's ok.
How many people slagging them off have actually attended one?

In fairness... nice post, the bottom line is they are trying to sell sealers, what I find and it effects my business directly is the roof cleaning side, from a marketing view they simply saturate the web. To try and push the 'newbie' (hate term but gets to the point) pressure washer into roof cleaning from the start is frankly reckless. You develop methods for floor cleaning over time, be it decking, natural stone etc but then stick someone on the roof, without using booms is dangerous.
 I would be very interested to see this so called 'training' ...a one day roof cleaning course, there is no way I could cover even the basics in a day, again this is the op for Mr Smart seal to stand up and sell himself.

"So from a marketing point of view they saturate the web."


There are a couple of options available to you...please call my personal number 090000000 all calls charged at £25 per minute from landlines ..calls from mobiles could cost significantly more

[Roger Oakley]

Chris
I'm not destroying your decking restoration skills at all, I haven't seen them
As I stated I understand why you would use a FSC, but start getting into some of the more exotic hardwoods and they ain't very forgiving when you use a FSC, seen the evidence of either home-owners or other PW companies attempts.
For me decking is a 4 step approach, not a splash & dash, and I don't mean you with that comment before you get over sensitive 

I clean decking to what i consider an acceptable standard (my standards are high ).
You I would imagine would clean and restore decking to such a standard that it would make mine look like an amatur attempt !
Nobody can teach me to restore wood like you (short term). I could come and do your "decking restoration" course with you over a couple of days. You could show me all of your tips and secrets..but ultimately it is the experience of doing it long term that would bring me to your level of service.
It is your understanding of the process coupled with your experience that sets our "finished products " apart.
The Smartseal course helps us to understand the process's involved in each aspect of the "pressure washing " business (there are elements that could be improved) but basically it's pretty comprehensive.

I don't run a decking course, but might be something to think about in the future though.
After the basics, then experience & technique are what counts really.
I don't have an axe to grind with Smartseal (I have said this before on here) but what I do find poor for both the people that have invested & their potential customers is the fact that the websites just show stock before & after photos along with the "folder" you get or can buy, has images that the said person/investor has not completed themselves so a bit misleading wouldn't you say?

[Rob_Mac]

I worked on the Olympic Park, with Sainsbury's, Tesco and the other three of the top five.

I have a phenomenal CV. All of this will be pushed on the residential client base I will be hitting this year.

We all have the same opportunity to impress the client, impress them by the whole of your service.

Smartseal fall at the first hurdle by showing the flip flop footed pressure washer and outdated, American, pictures. I am sure they aren't worrying about me!

Get them in and stack them high. I want 50 in my hometown!!

Do I worry about any other pressure washing business?

Smart who??

Rob

[chris scott]

Chris
I'm not destroying your decking restoration skills at all, I haven't seen them
As I stated I understand why you would use a FSC, but start getting into some of the more exotic hardwoods and they ain't very forgiving when you use a FSC, seen the evidence of either home-owners or other PW companies attempts.
For me decking is a 4 step approach, not a splash & dash, and I don't mean you with that comment before you get over sensitive  

I clean decking to what i consider an acceptable standard (my standards are high ).
You I would imagine would clean and restore decking to such a standard that it would make mine look like an amatur attempt !
Nobody can teach me to restore wood like you (short term). I could come and do your "decking restoration" course with you over a couple of days. You could show me all of your tips and secrets..but ultimately it is the experience of doing it long term that would bring me to your level of service.
It is your understanding of the process coupled with your experience that sets our "finished products " apart.
The Smartseal course helps us to understand the process's involved in each aspect of the "pressure washing " business (there are elements that could be improved) but basically it's pretty comprehensive.

I don't run a decking course, but might be something to think about in the future though.
After the basics, then experience & technique are what counts really.
I don't have an axe to grind with Smartseal (I have said this before on here) but what I do find poor for both the people that have invested & their potential customers is the fact that the websites just show stock before & after photos along with the "folder" you get or can buy, has images that the said person/investor has not completed themselves so a bit misleading wouldn't you say?

We have all used other peoples images for various reasons....Roger you should see my Iroko decking portfolio

The cost of becoming a Smartseal registered installer costs nothing up to about £ 5000 if you want the full hit and they cater for all budgets in between. Not a lot of your retirement fund in the grand scheme of things ...It would cost £2000 to set yourself up if you did it yourself.

What about all the poor f*****8 who bought this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Business-Start-Up-Pack-Power-Pressure-Washer-Driveway-Cleaning-Diesel-/280854230576?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item4164377630   and there are plenty of them. It's got 95 watchers on ebay....Better prepare youself Rob ..I think all the watchers are from stoke!

[Rob_Mac]

Thanks for the ones off your site love

Rob

[chris scott]

Thanks for the ones off your site love

Rob

Dont understand the question.

[Simon@Pristine Pathways]

I worked on the Olympic Park, with Sainsbury's, Tesco and the other three of the top five.

I have a phenomenal CV. All of this will be pushed on the residential client base I will be hitting this year.

We all have the same opportunity to impress the client, impress them by the whole of your service.

Smartseal fall at the first hurdle by showing the flip flop footed pressure washer and outdated, American, pictures. I am sure they aren't worrying about me!

Get them in and stack them high. I want 50 in my hometown!!

Do I worry about any other pressure washing business?

Smart who??

Rob

Rob I think you need to work on your confidence!   

[Rob_Mac]

Chris

The pictures I have from your site

Simon

Feeling a little unsure at the moment

Rob

[chris scott]

I have loads more if you require some. All high res.

[Simon@Pristine Pathways]

If anyone wants to send me some commercial cleaning pics to add to the services I haven't done, please feel free.
Simon

[Roger Oakley]

Chris
I'm not destroying your decking restoration skills at all, I haven't seen them
As I stated I understand why you would use a FSC, but start getting into some of the more exotic hardwoods and they ain't very forgiving when you use a FSC, seen the evidence of either home-owners or other PW companies attempts.
For me decking is a 4 step approach, not a splash & dash, and I don't mean you with that comment before you get over sensitive  

I clean decking to what i consider an acceptable standard (my standards are high ).
You I would imagine would clean and restore decking to such a standard that it would make mine look like an amatur attempt !
Nobody can teach me to restore wood like you (short term). I could come and do your "decking restoration" course with you over a couple of days. You could show me all of your tips and secrets..but ultimately it is the experience of doing it long term that would bring me to your level of service.
It is your understanding of the process coupled with your experience that sets our "finished products " apart.
The Smartseal course helps us to understand the process's involved in each aspect of the "pressure washing " business (there are elements that could be improved) but basically it's pretty comprehensive.

I don't run a decking course, but might be something to think about in the future though.
After the basics, then experience & technique are what counts really.
I don't have an axe to grind with Smartseal (I have said this before on here) but what I do find poor for both the people that have invested & their potential customers is the fact that the websites just show stock before & after photos along with the "folder" you get or can buy, has images that the said person/investor has not completed themselves so a bit misleading wouldn't you say?

We have all used other peoples images for various reasons....Roger you should see my Iroko decking portfolio

The cost of becoming a Smartseal registered installer costs nothing up to about £ 5000 if you want the full hit and they cater for all budgets in between. Not a lot of your retirement fund in the grand scheme of things ...It would cost £2000 to set yourself up if you did it yourself.

Would be happy to see your decking portfolio. I can honestly say I have never used anyone else's images, never needed to.

[Aqua Power Solutions]

Simon , you can use one of my gutter cleaning ones . But please don't take all the praise !
   

[chris scott]

If anyone wants to send me some commercial cleaning pics to add to the services I haven't done, please feel free.
Simon

Ha ha nice one Simon I nearly fell for it.