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Deck Stain Questions and Answers
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Topic starter
09/10/2016 6:09 pm
This past summer I decided to remove the water based Sikkens stain from my deck because it failed in the area that was in full sun. I used the Restore-A-Deck kit exactly as it is recommended on this site and on the kit label. The water based stain was too difficult to remove entirely so I decided to sand the entire deck using 80 grit. Being a perfectionist it ended up taking half the summer to get EVERY bit of stain off. I've been researching stains on your site for over a year and decided to go with the Armstrong Clark transparent redwood tone. I used one coat on the railings and two coats wet on wet for the floor. When it was finished, the deck looked ok except I didn't care for how the grain in the wood came out really dark. Now only THREE months later the deck looks horrible!! All the areas in full sun have turned black in only three months! When I was done sanding this deck it looked brand new. I could never sand it again like I did- it's way too much work.
Any ideas on why it happened and what options I might have? I was thinking about staining right over the current stain with another oil based stain like TWP. I'm even considering restaining the deck with Armstrong Clarks semi solid stain because it should help with the direct sun. Obviously I'm extremely hesitant to use AC products again and am leaning towards TWP. I'm ruling out solid stains because I'm afraid of the peeling. Any ideas? I've attached before and after pics. Thank you.
10/10/2016 6:40 am
Looks like you are having dirt accumulate on the deck from the trees. You can see where under your grill, it is still clean. You really cannot stop this from happening and using a different brand of stain would not prevent this either. If you want to switch to TWP, your will need to prep again with the Restore A Deck products.
Topic starter
10/10/2016 7:23 am
Dirt?? I assumed it was sun damage especially since under the grill where it's shady looks ok. Will a semi solid stain help? What stain would you use next?
Topic starter
03/05/2017 3:08 pm
It's now spring and the deck looks a lot worse. Looks like you were right it is dirt possibility from the trees. I can only remove it with a power washer. My question is why did this never happen with the water based Sikkens? Also do you think it will be this bad with TWP 1500? Any other stain you'd recommend besides AC for a dirt/tree problem?
03/05/2017 3:35 pm
Not sure. Could just be your tree was shedding dirt last season? Sounds strange but we have seen decks turn dirty under trees one year and not others. Not sure if using a different brand would have made a difference or not. Would not hurt to try something else like the TWP 1500 this time.
