Concrete sealer

Does anyone have any knowledge of concrete sealing? I'm exploring ideas to expand our business during the winter months (to keep employees over the winter) and this is one area I've come across. So if anyone as any insights I love to hear them. Thanks Frank

Are you thinking about applying clear sealers for maintenance or are you thinking of getting into grinding floors down and doing epoxy coatings.

Hey Guys, How many of you repair your own Graco Pumps? I am what I consider, mechanically Declined. Is it hard to change the pump packings? Or should I just leave it to the repair center? It's an old Graco 3500. Thanks, Domingo.

Domingo: Have been changing out packing's for years. The pumps are not that hard just have to follow the instruction on the back of the rebuild kit or the ones in the owners manual. Should take about 45 min including the cleaning of the pump from all of the old build up paint. Hope this helps. RF Elwell

Domingo; I to am mechanicly challanged. I took mine to a Sherwin Williams that did repairs, I had the pump kit and they charged me if I remember right about $32.00, so probably for around $100.00 someone else can deal with the headache.

There is an airless repair guy in our area. He is not an authorized dealer, but many local painters use him. I called him for a quote. I have the packing kit. He quoted $ 325.00. My Butt Cheeks tightened and I thanked him for his time. I called SW for a reference or who they use, they referred me to the same guy for local svc. or they could send the machine for repair (1 to 2 weeks). I of course checked my paint supplier first, would send it to the same people SW was going to send it to. Can't wait that long. I was curious to find out how difficult it would be for the mechanically challenged.

Hey Domingo it is not hard at all. But if you really want someone else to do it for you then call Laredo paint and talk to Rick. I think he charges about 125-150ish.

We do our own. Just lay pump out on a old towel and disassemble. Keep the parts in order and easy to see how to put back You should use a torque wrench to put together but a low end one can be had for around $30.00. You ca down load a manual from internet.

Domingo, what kit did you buy? What brand? I need to get one for my old 3500 too. I've never rebuilt or disassembled one either, but what Milt says usually works with most things if too many special tools are not needed! Good Luck, Johnny

Johnny, I bought a Graco kit. I need to get you the part #. Your local paint store should be able to order one for you. I usually keep one in stock. I had not had the machine serviced in 2.5 years. It had been running and striping fine until I got my new 3900. We tried to do the packings yesterday, to no avail. We put the new packings in and it would not pressure up. They were installed exactly like the ones we took off. Going to see the repair guy with astrolube in hand. Can't wait to get the endurance pump to convert it over. That brings up another subject. When those of you who have upgraded your old units to the new pumps, did you install a new engine along with the pump?

I installed the spare endurance pump that I got with new 3900 on my old 3500 with no modifications. Don't know if would work on other machines but is great on the 3500. Better line than it ever shot before. Just turn by hand to make sure is adjusted right and doesn't bottom Out top out. The do take different kits to rebuild.

I sealed a cement sidewalk this past weekend for one of my sealcoating customers. The outside temp was about 40 and it was dry. It was incredibly easy. All I used was a pump-up hand sprayer and about 2 gallons of concrete sealer. I did 2 coats and it dried almost instantly. Afterwards, you couldn't tell I actually did anything though. It's just a waterproofing agent. Even though it was easy and it "can" be done in the winter...so can striping, and we all know how that really goes in the winter time too. No matter what winter time (especially now near the Holidays) sucks for everything. I sleep in until noon this time of year.

Do any of you use a little spanner wrench to tighten the packing nut down onto the throat spacer or do you just grab it with a pair of pliers.

frfghtrchd wrote on Nov 29, 2007:Go to #13

Do any of you use a little spanner wrench to tighten the packing nut down onto the throat spacer or do you just grab it with a pair of pliers.

Just repacked my 3400 yesterday, just grab that brass nut lightly with a pair of channel locks. there is a fat O-ring under mine and it doesn't take much to compress it. (Don't flatten it)

The 3500's are tougher.... The newer 3900 are a breeze.... If you had someone close by that could walk you through it, that would be best... If not, you can always try, and if you get stuck beyond repair, you can take it in for them to finish... My only problem was, we didnt add enough locktite on the valve nut, and it came loose in operation and messed up the piston and a few other things.. that was an expensive mistake...

I repacked mine two years ago, what a difference. I'm not to mechanical either, but it was easy. Like they saidlook at the rod and packing's then follow. My 3500 kit also had a black and white picture on the back Plus Franklin pain or maybe Graco sent me a rebuild manual on adobe. I do think I was the first to ever repack it because the packing's were in pieces, I'm surprised I ever got a prime. Also had to heat up the external nut to unscrew it. But really it wasn't that hard. Off the subject Just saw them striping some line while it was snowing, guys with torches to the ground in front, couldn't get a photo I was at work.

Look at your packing (those gaskets that alternate between plastic and leather) to be sure they are damaged or at least worn. If not - you may have a bigger problem. I have replaced packings (at about 80 bucks) only to find that the cylinder was warped. Rub your finger inside of that cylinder to feel for any defects before repacking.

I've never seen anyone seal concrete (like in parking garages) without shot blasting first.

Pajaro wrote on Dec 15, 2007:Go to #18

I've never seen anyone seal concrete (like in parking garages) without shot blasting first.

I think that's a whole different thing. I know there's tons of different types of concrete sealers out there, but I just use the stuff they have at Sherwin Williams. I've never really looked into the different types, because there's not much of a market for it here.

How many of you guys are full time stripers? Meaning, that's all you do. No sealcoating, paving, etc? I'm just curious. I've often thought about striping full time (instead of patching) in the winter, but I never seriously pursued it. I'm only about 4 hours from snow-free weather even in the dead of winter, and I've considered giving it a try. I just don't know if it would be worth the permits, advertising expense, etc.