Trade Secrets & the Internet

Users who are viewing this thread

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
I'm curious if plumbers have trade secrets they keep to themselves and if so, has the Internet been responsible for broadcasting those secrets.
I just want to know your feeling on this.

I just curious because of a situation where Im trying to gain some knowledge about applying Italian "Venetian" Plasters. I only want to do a couple rooms in my house.
The big dog on the block (Plaster Importer) won't sell to you if you don't attend their 1 week school which is not cheap.

Their message board is pretty restrictive as well.
Mike
 

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
Additionally and AFAIK Terry Love was one of the first guys to "get it"-that encouraging community discussion drives commerce. John Bridge is very successful as many of you know regarding Tile etc.. In fact I don't think I've ever seen a restricted board like (Italian Plaster) with any large degree of success. Not that they don't exist--I'm just not aware of them.
 

Cass

Plumber
Messages
5,947
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Location
Ohio
Mike50

We do have trade secrets but we are sworn to secrecy.

If any one reveals them when they shouldn't the closest plumber living near them has to do away with them and their immediate family and anyone in the room at the time.

The secrets are given when we become Masters.

So you see we can't reveal everything.:) :D :)

I guess plasterers are the same.
 
Last edited:

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls
Messages
5,533
Reaction score
354
Points
83
Location
indianapolis indiana - land of the free, home of
Website
www.weilhammerplumbing.com
call me "worshipful master"

the greatest secret that I can reveal


thier is no secret .......crap is crap

always has been .....always will be.......



also .....no body really wants to work hard.....

nobody wants to get their hands dirty.......


thats why I charge so much....

I actually NEVER get dirty on jobs

and I usually just cover myself with dirt
ONLY if the customer shows up
on the job


I got a set of really dirty work overalls in my truck
that I put on every evening when I come home....
to trick my wife too....
 
Last edited:

Cass

Plumber
Messages
5,947
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Location
Ohio
Yes I have a few of those.

1 pair is covered with dried mud when I want her to think I was in a ditch, another pair has sewerage all over it. That one is when I want her to think someone flushed a toilet when I was under a house.
Another pair has burned holes in it when I want her to think I was doing a lot of soldering.

What other tricks do you do.

I make my truck a mess so she won't know I was sitting and drinking coffee and eating doughnuts all day.

I also put flux on my hands from time to time, just to make it look good.
 

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
Cass said:
Mike50

We do have trade secrets but we are sworn to secrecy.

If any one reveals them when they shouldn't the closest plumber living near them has to do away with them and their immediate family and anyone in the room at the time.

The secrets are given when we become Masters.

So you see we can't reveal everything.:) :D :)

I guess plasterers are the same.

LOL.

These plasterers are people just like me who took an expensive course
and overnight they are "artists" who dont want to tell anyone (for example) how much
tint or additives to add to the plaster unless you are one of the chosen few.

It's an Artists or Plumbers Talent and Heart that makes him great or mediocre imo.
 
Last edited:

Randyj

Master Plumber
Messages
1,060
Reaction score
2
Points
36
Location
Alabama
Hmmm... plastering is something I will admit being ignorant about. Once upon a time I worked in a upholstery shop for a guy who taught upholstery at the local trade school. I found it funny that he was teaching me and paying me to do what he was charging others to teach them to do. So, one suggestion, if you don't want to pay for this expensive course is to go to work for a plasterer for 6 or 8 weeks... you'll be the grunt for sure...but you can ask lots of questions and get a pay check and free lessons!
 

RioHyde

Plumber
Messages
339
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Since I too am in the Cincinnati area, I have been contracted to fulfill the obligation of keeping an eye on Cass. Seems he's come very, very close to revealing those trade secrets (muddy overalls, sewer"ie" overalls, et al). No offense of course Cass. Business is business you know.....but I wont go farther north than Middletown. :D

LoL

Cheers!
 

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
Randyj said:
Hmmm... plastering is something I will admit being ignorant about. Once upon a time I worked in a upholstery shop for a guy who taught upholstery at the local trade school. I found it funny that he was teaching me and paying me to do what he was charging others to teach them to do. So, one suggestion, if you don't want to pay for this expensive course is to go to work for a plasterer for 6 or 8 weeks... you'll be the grunt for sure...but you can ask lots of questions and get a pay check and free lessons!

I don't need to be paid.
I thought about doing some free grunt work for a plaster guy--no problem with that. Trying to find a guy that knows these unique venetian/Italian techniques is about as easy as finding a one armed paper hanger. I'm still working on it...

Mike
 

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
Cookie said:
Mikey,

I have one idea. What if you hired someone to do one room, then you could watch, and if the person is agreeable, you could lend a hand.

Hands on training. Plus, one room would be done.

Cookie many of these guys get 5-10 dollars a square foot. I'm not paying someone 1200 dollars to plaster my kitchen. lol :eek:

Bob thanks for that link. As you see one of their secrets is that your trowel must be sanded with 800 1000 git sandpaper to get the shiny marble finish. (even if it's new)
look at this:
http://216.193.252.74/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1690&cat=511

Mike
 
Last edited:

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
got_nailed said:

Great minds think alike. I'm renting that whole series of DIY DVD's on line.


I think we all know that the nature of trade secrets is alot different than it was back in the 70-80's.
The Internet happened. Open Source software issues happened.
If my business was dependant on trade secrets I'm sure I would feel differently about this issue.

This particular school/importer is telling people that they produce a quality
second to none and all others are inferior in some way.
IMO I think they are in for a rude awakening sooner rather than later.

I guess I'd hoped they would give me professional courtesy as I've worked in a closely related field of work imo.

Like I said it's the technician/artist that makes the difference.
I obviously don't have any plumbing secrets however:
In the spirit of an open source internet I will reveal a closely guarded Holiday cooking ingredient secret.

When making a holiday turkey:
Use 1 teaspoon of Lard (pork fat) in your marinade/seasoning mixture before buttering the bird. It adds a lot of body to the flavor but it's subtle and no one can identify it.

And one more thing-don't tell anyone-it's a secret. :D
 
Last edited:

Got_Nailed

DIY Senior Member
Messages
276
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I can plaster, but I have never learned how to do venation plaster. I have seen it done but all it ever looked like was drywall mud with paint in it. After that they used some kind of wax. But I was doing other finishes so I couldn’t sit and watch.
 

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
got_nailed said:
I can plaster, but I have never learned how to do venation plaster. I have seen it done but all it ever looked like was drywall mud with paint in it. After that they used some kind of wax. But I was doing other finishes so I couldn’t sit and watch.

Orazio is the man in this field. He makes all his plaster from scratch-and you can learn a lot about the formula by watching this little clip.
http://www.oraziostudio.com/press.html
(Click on 2nd picture from left-"Find 2005")
He's in all the mags and charges accordingly.

No way in hell would I make my own plaster. That's crazy. There are some good products available if you spend the time and do your research.

Mike
 

Cal

In the Trades
Messages
228
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Northern Virginia
As I am sworn to FULL secrecy at the time of our MASTER'S INDUCTION and at the possable cost of one of the Master hit squads visits ,,,,,,,, We do keep MANY secrets !

I will share this bit from the ," 1968 Master's secret handbook" ,,,

" When needing more money for the evenings drink , be sure that customer CANNOT actually see what one is working on . At this time begin using phrases I.E. " Oh , geez THAT's not good" // " Crap , there goes MY schedule"
and " How did they get away with THIS on the original inspection !"


Fellas ,,, do we have a secret handshake ??

Cal
 

Mike50

DIY Senior Member
Messages
698
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Southern California
got_nailed said:
I can plaster, but I have never learned how to do venation plaster. I have seen it done but all it ever looked like was drywall mud with paint in it. After that they used some kind of wax. But I was doing other finishes so I couldn’t sit and watch.

Alright lets post some "secrets" most people are unaware of when using these exotic finishes.
If you use Italian Plaster and are planning on "waxing" the final finish-
you might want to look into adding mica powder to your particular wax or glaze.
Various effects can be achieved from a subtle sheen to a metallic shimmer.
One property mica has is that it is seen differently as lighting changes.

Mica can also be added in some other ways as well. Do the research.
Mica is also included in some high end formulas-waxes-glazes and plasters.
 

santanaf

New Member
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Did someone say Chili?

Speaking of being in the Cincinnati area and being sworn to secrecy.

My wife's family is from The Nati, and I went to College at Miami University. Seems many years ago, way back in W-W-2, my wife's veteran grandfather, who was a pipe fitter by trade, won a game of P-O-K-E-R (Edit due to filter) against one of the owners of the original Cincinnati Chili joints. Mr. Chili had put his secret recipe for the chili on the table, and now it is being passed down in our family. Some people tell me that I lucked out marrying my wife, I agree if only for one hellofa Cincinnati Chili recipe.

On to the actual topic. Many people with "trade secrets" don't realize that they are keeping the secrets because they fear for their job or somehow feel under appreciated. When you go to one of these boards and everyone responds with "Hire a Pro," regardless of the question, it is a bread of people who fear for their usefulness. The high quality pros will always share, as they know that regardless of what they divulge, they will always have plenty of work to keep them busy.

I am a computer programmer by day, and IMO I am pretty good. SO love teaching people and talking to people about what I do and love to share. If I can teach one person something about computers, I feel empowered, like I can contribute to someone elses life in some small way. I know my previous Master Plumber and Master Electrician boss felt the same about his trade.

Plasterers are a dying bunch because there is less work to go around, so naturally they may be more protective, but if they open their eyes, they will notice that helping others learn may revive their industry's heart attacked body.
 
Last edited:

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls
Messages
5,533
Reaction score
354
Points
83
Location
indianapolis indiana - land of the free, home of
Website
www.weilhammerplumbing.com
secret handshake.....

another secret of the trade.....

if the customer is not in the room

and no matter how easy the job is, and how quickly

you make the repairs,

you MUST bang and rap on the pipes

for a while....to make it sound like you got yourself into

a fight......


that way they dont squeal about the bill so much...
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks