Cedar rails

You can wait a week or two for the staining. It will not matter. As for having a "two-toned" deck, it does look very nice. You could use the Defy Extreme for the floor and a darker color/brand for the railing.

Thanks so much, I felt so panicked yesterday when I read to get something on hardwoods as soon as possible. The rails look better than new after sanding them and I don't want to lose how good the look (and feel) by waiting. I picked up a small can of Olympic maximum at Lowes so we shall see!

Thanks for helping everyone. I have a similar question. Two tone porch, previously used Cabot decking stain. Dark Red vertical posts and rails, cream colored spindles. The porch and deck is cedar. I did not coat the decking material on all 4 sides prior to installing unfortunately.
A couple of questions:
The vertical surfaces did well but show weathering, the porch rails did poorly with grayish exposed wood surface on the worst spots.
Wisconsin
partial sunlight, front of a north facing house
definitely had mildewing, especially on the section that gets the least sun.
I powerwashed and then floor sanded the deck so I have clean tops. The sides, somewhat visible in the cracks are still grayish. I was going to gluestick some sandpaper to an ice scraper to try and hit those, necessary?
I let the deck go to long previously so I did not try and recoat.
Best deck stain? leaning toward semitransparent just due to maintenance but could do clear or clearer if I just have to wash and then recoat.
Can I go over the weathered Cabot with another product and if so, which would be best?
Thanks very much.
Bart

Bart,

I am confused. What is on the vertical railings? Is it a solid color? Are all the horizontals know completely free of coatings?

You can add pictures in here if that helps.

Back to the op, got the deck stripped, rails sanded and went and picked up some Olympic stain for the rails while waiting on the samples from Defy. Hate the Olympic, so got that off the small portion, received samples last night from Defy. It took one full week to get them, they are shipped USPS. Instructions say to brighten before sampling so I just did that. Called Defy to see exactly how long it will take after I make my decision, ships next day and 3 days in transit (FedEx). I was trying to get this down for a June 2nd party but with the weather forecast I'm really worried. I'm trying to follow the advise about being patient but it's going to be such a bummer if I have to move all the stuff back to the second floor deck without the stain on for the party.

Can I try the samples with only a few hours (4) in full sun and get a good idea of the color?

What is the best time lapse from cleaning/brightening and staining?

Thanks, Amy

How anyone looking to order cedar tone extreme by Defy - they are out of it today.

Can I try the samples with only a few hours (4) in full sun and get a good idea of the color?

What is the best time lapse from cleaning/brightening and staining?

Thanks, Amy

Yes you can get a good idea on the color within a few hours. 24-48 hours after washing to wait for staining.

Morning,
Here are photos of the deck in progress.
Sorry about the confusing post.
The railing sections are in the garage in pieces.
Weathered Cabot deck stain on the porch posts and the porch siding as well as the lattice sections below the porch as skirting, that same color was also on the top and bottom rails of the railing sections. The railing spindles are Cabot deck stained as well, in a cream color, the same as the accent pieces on the porch posts.
I would do a transparent or semi-transparent on the cedar decking if I just have to wash and reapply in 2-3 years. I don't want to strip or sand again and that is why I was leaning toward the solid color.
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Thanks.
Bart

I tried to copy and paste the photos and that did not work.
Here are the photos.
http://s1067.photobucket.com/albums/u434/Pocwave/porch/
Bart

Bart,

The only way to get pictures to post is to hit the "reply" tab at the top.

I would do a solid color on the railings and a semi-transparent on the floor. Two toned decks look really nice and future maintenance is easy as well. Just clean and re coat the horizontals as needed. I would strongly suggest this.

Post some pictures when done!

BTW, a nice cedar or golden color for the floor would look really nice with your bricks on the house.

Now, I'm completely frustrated. My Defy stain has still not arrived. Ordered on the 24th, with the holiday expected delivery of May 30th. Two calls to FedEx have gotten me nowhere. Party was yesterday, I had to get help to move my enormous pots and deck furniture back up to the second level deck.

Moral of the story, plan ahead and have all your products before you even begin to start stripping. Thank goodness I didn't waste my time brightening on the 27th as planned or I'd probably have to repeat that process. Now I have an unprotected deck taking the sun and rain 🙁

Tomorrow I will call Defy and probably cancel the order and go with either TWP or Armstrong Clark.
I'm not going to move everything back off the deck until the stain is actually here.

Amy

That is frustrating! The deck will be fine if left untreated for a little while.