Category Archives: Uncategorized

Small Bluewater Cruising Sailboats

This site contains a series of articles on boats that we consider to be capable bluewater cruisers.  A bluewater sailboat is a craft that can make safe voyages across oceans.  In other words, that is what the boat was designed to do.  This site focuses on smaller boats that are within almost anyones price range and sailing ability.  These would be boats that a couple or even a singlehander could sail.

Each sailboat has two articles.  The first is a general overview of the boat as well as price ranges and places to find used boats.  The second article outlines the specifications for the boat.  Things like length, displacement, ballast, headroom, beam, hull speed, etc…

If you are looking for a small sailboat either to live on or cruise in then we hope our site will be helpful to you. 

Preformed Melt or Torch Down Thermoplastic Striping Site

Preformed Melt Down Pavement Markings and Striping

When long lasting pavement markings are needed on roads or in parking lots one product rises above the rest in longevity and ease of application.  Preformed thermoplastic has been used for several decades to create long lasting pavement/road stripes, logos, lettering and symbols.  Whereas a painted on stripe or road marking will help delineate traffic for a few months, preformed thermoplastic in the same application will do the same job for years.  The longevity and visibility of preformed thermoplastic has saved countless dollars and lives across America and around the world.

Preformed thermoplastic is very similar to machine applied thermoplastic.  The difference is that preformed is created in a factory environment and then melted down with a torch on site.  For the user this cuts out the need for expensive equipment.  You go from needing a $20,000 melter and handliner to only needing a $100 torch.  Also, preformed markings are crisp and reflective straight from the factory.  No need to add reflective glass beads.

Our preformed thermoplastic website is designed to give you as much information on this amazing product as possible.  You can access our website on this product by clicking here.

Pressure / Power Washing Business Informational Website

Pressure Washing Business Website

The power or pressure washing business is very popular and requires only basic equipment.  As your business grows more equipment and services can be added which will help to make you more competitive and more profitable.  Understanding how the business works and the steps involved in starting a company are important.  Our pressure washing site is designed to help you through the basic steps of starting a successful power washing business.  We also have developed a simple to use pricing and invoicing program that is also available on our site.

It is also important to have plenty of information on the equipment available so that you can make a wise buying decision.  Purchasing inferior equipment can be a detriment to your companies profitability.  On our site we provide informational reviews of the different pressure washers available.  You can click here to access our pressure washing site.

Parking Lot Line / Paint Striping Machines – Information Site

Paint Stripers Main Site

Parking Lot striping is a very lucrative business due to high profits, low entry cost and the simplicity of starting the business.  The first and most important piece of equipment you will need for a striping company is a line or paint striper.  Paint stripers create the stripes that you see in parking lots and on roads.  Since machine downtime can be devastating to profits it is important that you choose the right machine that is both capable and dependable. Having information on all of the machines available to you will help you make a good decision on which machine to buy.  Our paint striping machine website provides information on the Trueline Paint / Line Striper manufactured by Trusco Manufacturing.

The site includes videos on each machine and information on the accessories that are available such as wider stripe boxes and spray guns. Click here to go to our Paint-Stripers.com site.


Business Spreadsheet Pricing, Invoicing & Quoting Programs

Our Business Spreadsheet Download Site is where we keep all of our business pricing, quoting and invoicing programs. All of our Pricing, Invoicing, Estimating and Other Spreadsheets are available here as an instant download. All of our spreadsheets are written in a standard Excel format and are easy to use and simple to edit. A little spreadsheet knowledge is all that is necessary. We make every spreadsheet we create as simple as possible and have used several ourselves in businesses that we or our family own. We have pricing and invoice spreadsheets for the following businesses:

  • Signs and Graphics Businesses
  • Parking Lot Striping and Sealcoating
  • Lawncare Businesses
  • Power Washing Companies
  • Carpet Cleaning Businesses
  • Sublimation Companies
  • Soap Making

 We price our spreadsheets very reasonably and are available to answer any questions you may have. You can Email me at steve@reflectivestore.com

Boston Whaler Website

Boston Whaler Site Summary – Click Here to go to the main site.

Most people are familiar with the commercials showing a Boston Whaler being cut into sections and remaining afloat.  Being unsinkable is only one aspect of this amazing boat and company.  Our Boston Whaler site covers a wide variety of subjects pertaining to the boats history, specifications, the construction, restoration projects and general articles on the different model boats.  New articles will be added over time.

The original 13 foot Boston Whaler Classic was designed by Dick Fisher who also started the company.  The first boat was manufactured in 1958.  Strangely enough, Mr. Fisher had originally set out to create a small sailboat similar to the popular Sunfish.  What he created instead has come to be the most popular small skiff in America.  The boat is created by making two fiberglass shells, bringing those two shells together while still in the mold and then while under pressure filling the  void between the two shells with foam.  This process creates a very sturdy but lightweight boat that is literally unsinkable.  In a world ruled by wooden hulls this was a big deal !

The company has had 5 owners with the first being Dick Fisher.  Mr. Fisher sold the company to the CML Group in 1969.  CML owned the company until 1989 at which time the Reebok Shoe Company purchased business.  In 1994  Meridian Downhill Slalom Company purchased the company but quickly sold it to Brunswick in 1996. Bruswick owns Mercury Motors and Sea Ray boats as well and they own the company to this day.

Reflective Tape and Sheeting Information Site

All About Reflective Tape – Click Here to go to main site.

For many decades, reflective sheeting has played a major role in enhancing night time visibility and safety. It has saved countless numbers of lives and will continue to do so.

Reflective tape or sheeting is also called retro-reflective sheeting in that it collects and returns light back to the source of that light.  Regardless of which direction the light comes from, the reflective material collects it, focuses it, and returns it back to the light source.  This is what makes it so unique.

Reflective tape is used voluntarily all over the world to help objects to be seen in low light conditions.  Also, there are several government regulations that mandate the use of retro-reflective tape in certain situations.  These include the :

  • NFPA 1901 regulations for Chevron Striping on Fire Apparatus
  • Federal C-2 DOT regulations mandating the use of reflective tape on tractor trailer rigs.
  • FRA 224 regulations for train marking
  • State and Federal school bus reflective marking requirements.
  • ANSI/ASAE S276.7/S279.15 standards for agricultural equipment.
  • Coast Guard SOLAS regulations for offshore applications.
  • MUTCD standards for Sign Sheeting on DOT regulated roadways.

The site includes diagrams, pictures and videos to help you understand how this amazing product works and how it helps us every night to get where we are going safely.

Selling to the Government, States and Municipalities

Sell To States Site Summary – Click Here to go to the main site.

The federal government, states and municipalities spend in excess of 6 trillion dollars a year on goods and services.  Much of this budget is spent with small businesses.  By tapping into this stream of revenue a business can grow at unbelievable rates.  Even in a down economy.

The purpose of selltostates.com is to help small businesses tap into this market.  Selling in the private sector and selling in the public sector are similar.  The main difference is in how you find the sales opportunities.  Selling to the goverment, states and local municipalities often involves a bid process and in many cases you are required to register in order to participate.  The process is much more organized and systematic than selling to regular businesses and individuals.  In some ways this makes the process easier.

The website covers the following subjects:

**  Business Information – In this area the site discusses the steps of registering as a state vendor, preparing a quote, and invoicing your customer.   It also address some of the business identification numbers that may be required by the state vendor registration forms.  This includes information about and how to register for a FEIN number, DUNS number, and CAGE Code.

**  QPL/APL – What are QPL (Qualified Products Lists / Approved Products Lists) or State Standards and Specifications? In this section the site explains what QPL/APL and Standards and Specifications are.  It also helps you find the QPL or Standards for your state.

**  Procurement – There are many procurement companies.  All of the State Purchasing Agencies use an online system that simplifies the bidding process.  Some states maintain their own online procurement systems, however, many states contract with Procurement (or eProcurement) companies.  These online systems organize the entire bid process for both the purchasing and vendor side of the relationship.   In this category the website will discusses information about some of the online procurement services.

** Selling to States –  The goal of this category is to provide specific information tailored to each state.  Such information will include the State Purchasing Home Page, QPLs, vendor registration, and many others.  The site provides the basic requirements and instructions for vendor registration.  This area is a good reference page for quickly identifying and finding important information for doing business your state.

Complete Guide to Natural Soap Making

Our Natural Soap Making Site is designed to teach almost anyone how to easily make their own soap at home.  This can be done for fun or for profit.  Store bought commercial soaps are harsh on skin and are often made from petroleum based detergents. Natural soap is gentler on your skin and contains about 25% glycerine which moisturizes your skin.  When you make your own soap you get exactly what you want in the fragrance you want and the shape you want.

Our soap site also contains plenty of free soap recipes and formulas that you are free to use.  We have posted a wide variety of recipes.  Our recipes are unique in that they are always calculated in 16 ounce batches.  We do this so you can make the batch using a simple blender or stick blender.  To make more than 16 ounces you simply double, triple or quadruple the recipe. You can create custom soap recipes with our Soap-Calc program.  This program allows you to enter your oils and then calculates the lye and water you will need for a batch.  It also gives you a 16 ounce version of the formula.

Soap Making has been a popular hobby for many many decades and is only becoming more popular.  People have gotten tired of not getting what they want in their skin care products and are learning that they can create everything they need right in their own home.