[Sticky] Deck Staining Help

Posted by: Random Bunny

 

I did a poor job with cleaning the deck to prep for staining- had posted pictures earlier. You advised I get stripper and brightener and power wash again. Per your advice, I bought RAD stripper & brightener subsequently.

- My question is if it is OK to wait until April/ May to do this now because temps are falling. Highs next week are all in mid to low 50s and lows in the low 40s- turning to low 30s towards late next week. 

- If I decide to wait, then will it harm my semi-cleaned/ powerwashed deck now? I think you said its pressure- treated pine.

Thank you

   

You can wait. Just do all the prep in the Spring.

Hi-

• 1. State you live in - Sacramento, CA  (HOT HOT HOT)

• 2. Full Shade, Partial Shade, or Full Sun -  Partial Shate

• 3. Type of Wood -Mahagony

• 4. Mold or Mildew Issues - none

• 5. Main Issues with Previous Stains - This is a new (6 mo old) deck under a gazebo.  Immediately after it was installed we used Thompson's Timber Oil on it.  Already it has faded and looks bleached and doesn't bead water.  We've had great luck with Sikkens on a different house that sees lots of sun and snow so we would like to use it instead.  

So my question is, how to prepare the deck to apply Sikkens since it already has the Timber Oil on it?  I'm only finding info on how to apply Timber Oil and my local hardware store suggested paint remover but that doesn't seem correct.

Thank you!

Use a deck stain stripper and pressure washing for the prep.

The main challenge when we stain any deck are protecting from weather and foot traffic!

Hello,

I am restoring a 30-year old redwood deck using your cleaner, brightened, and Armstrong Clark cedar transparent product.  So far so good.  Question:  Should I use the same process and products on hemlock garage doors?   Thanks

Yes that is correct.

1.  Live in northern Illinois

2.Partial Shade

3.Pressure Treated Pine

4.  Some Mold and Mildew Issues  There is a tree in the center of one of our decks that covers a good portion of the decks.  But it is a honey locust tree so it's not heavy shade.

5. 15 year old deck.  Has likely had different products on it at different times.  The last 2 or three applications however have been: powerwashed then something the company called hydroscrub and lastly waterborne products.  I believe it was Sherwin-Williams Deckscapes.

We have always hired  a company to do our deck cleanup/staining.  We are contemplating doing it ourselves this year with the best products out there for our deck.  Not what the hired company uses for everyone.  We would appreciate any advise on products based on the above information.  

Also, we will be replacing a board or two soon, due to wear and tear.  How long before the new boards should be covered with stain and products?

Removing or striping the old (discontinued) SW Decksapes is not easy. You may want to hire it out. This is what we would do:

1. Strip off as much as possible with the RAD Stain Stripper and pressure washing.

2. Power sand the rest that does not come off with stripping.

3 Apply wood brightener and let dry for 2 days+

4. Try the TWP 1500 Series stain or Defy Extreme.

I forgot to mention, the rails and such that surround the flooring of the deck do not necessarily look like they need to be refinished.  When we do the suggested refinishing of the floor with the new products you suggested, would we possibly be able to come close to having the old rails and new floor look fairly similar in color/texture?  Or will we have to do everything over?

Thank you for all your recommendations.

No you will not be able to match the floors and railings unless you remove all.

I am located in Northern New Jersey.  I have a mahogany porch that is covered.  It gets sun about 6 hours a day.  The porch is not covered on the sides.  Only has a railings that are white vinyl.  So it does get wet from the rain and snow.  Last year I used Penofin for Hardwood.  When it was done it looked great.  Then as you told me it would start to blacken and it did.  So I used the Penofin cleaner to clean it last weekend.  The cleaner removed almost all the stain from the porch.  Not really sure why.  So what I would like to know is what type of Stripper, Cleaner, Brightener and Stain you would consider?  I know some stains will not be shipped to NJ but I am not worried about that.  I can have it shipped to another state and then shipped to me.  Let me know what you think.  Thanks for your time.

Try the RAD Stripper Kit to remove all the Penofin. As for a better stain that does not turn black on your wood type, try the Armstrong Clark or the Defy Hardwood stain. Both are allowed in NJ.

Thanks for the response.  What about a stain that is not allowed in NJ?  LOL

Hello! Thanks for providing this Web site. Really helpful resource. My wife and I just bought our first home in November. Now that we're almost through with winter, we want to start tackling some outdoor projects. We don't know much about the existing decks except that there are two of them built at different times. 

• We live in Northern California - Sierra Nevada Mountains at snow elevation. (4500 ft)
• Partial Shade

• Type of Wood: Unnkown (Tw0 different decks built: 1993 and 2013)

• Mold or Mildew Issues: Fungus was present on underside of older deck. Otherwise pretty good.

• Main Issues with Previous Stains: Harsh conditions up here in winter. Hot summers with partial shade. Deck finishes appear to be dirty, and not repelling water. Would like both decks to match better and to most importantly be protected from the elements.

Here's the old deck which appears to have a different type of stain on it as well as the wood needing some TLC/Sanding/etc.:

The deck that was built in 2013, appears to be in much better condition. 

Here's some of the elements we deal with in the winter:

Ideally, We'd like to strip, clean, brighten and then apply the best stain for our location.

We would prefer to not have to put on maintenance coats more frequently than 3 years, and would love it if the old deck and the new deck "Matched" a little better.

The plan is to use our power washer and the Restore a Deck Stripper and Brightener. 

But we're unclear about the best stain for us. 

Thanks in advance for the advice!

FYI, the best stains will last 2 maybe 3 years. Nothing lasts longer. The old stain looks like Super Deck or Penofin as they both can turn dark or black in color.

After the prep, try the TWP 1500 Series or the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stains.