[Sticky] Deck Staining Help

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you feel that the TWP 1500 and Restore A Deck are more robust than the Defy Extreme for my conditions?

Is the TWP 1500 Oil based? Does is put off a lot of fumes? (Not a deal breaker, just want to know what I'm looking at...

Thanks again!

>>Is it possible to edit my previous photos? There doesn't appear to be a way to edit.

Defy Extreme would work just as well.

TWP 1500 is oil based and does have a stronger odor than the other two. Goes away in a day or so.

We moved into our house almost 7 years ago, and I believe our deck was stained just prior to that.  It has held up remarkably well, but time and dogs have warn some areas.  There is a can of Sherwin Williams Deckscapes semi-transparent in the garage, so I'm pretty sure that is what is on it.  I'd like to change the color, but our deck is pretty high off the ground and I'd prefer not to strip if possible.  Could we clean, brighten, and re-stain with a solid stain without stripping first?  

1. NC

2. South-east facing deck gets morning and early afternoon sun.

3.  Assume PTP but not positive

4.  Some mold and mildew, not horrible

You can cover a semi-transparent with a solid stain without a full strip. Just make sure to remove as much as possible of any loose or peeling. Any stain that is left will need to be intact and not peeling.

Any reviews for Structures NatureColor^® Basecoat and Recoater?

Posted by: perryb24

Any reviews for Structures NatureColor^® Basecoat and Recoater?

No. Never heard of it.

I live in San Diego, CA about 6 miles from the coast. I have a marine layer that comes in frequently overnight and in the early morning. I have a douglas fir trellis structure with vertical and horizontal pieces, as well as douglas fir wooden windows and doors (with wood on the outside and wooden window sill, threshold). Part of my trellis structure fell apart due to dry rot and I have rebuilt it with new douglas fir and used some of the old douglas fir beams that were still in good condition. It was all just sanded down as my builder thought that was the best way to get the stain to absorb. After it was sanded I read that it is better NOT to sand new wood. Ooops. Part of the trellis structure was not rebuilt (or sanded). It was originally painted gray. About 6 years ago we sanded off the gray paint and used TWP 1500 series on it. 

All of the exterior wood needs to be done again. I am trying to figure out the best way to prep the wood (both the new wood and the old wood that still has stain on it) - and what stain to use to keep it looking good and to have the minimum long term maintenance. 

1. New douglas fir trellis structure - just sanded and now it is smooth. Do I need to wait a few months before applying a wood stain? What product to you recommend that will hold up and require the least amount of long term maintenance? I am considering the Armstrong-Clark, TWP 400 series or 1500 series, or Messmer's UV Stain. 

- Old trellis structure that has TWP 1500 on it - but it is old and faded. How do you recommend I prepare the wood (sanding, or other prep product)? What product will give me the best long term results? 

- Exterior wood doors and windows - some has Messmer's UV Stain, some has old TWP 1500. How should I clean and then stain these? Which products? 

I have read through your reviews. We used the Messmer's before I found your site and your reviews of it. I now realize that we may have been doing things wrong. I do not know if you have other recommendations for douglas fir compared to pressure treated pine (which you use for your tests). 

Thank you!!!

Wait a few months for the new wood to weather. Clean and brighten the new wood. Strip and brighten the wood with the old stain on it.

Stain with TWP 1500 Series.

First timer here from Missouri

Have a covered cedar deck 10 x 15 with an unknown stain on it (I'm guessig  a semi transparent latex ).... wrapped around this and in partial sun is a pressure treated deck and stairs approx 1 year old  never been treated. 

What are your suggestions for prepping the surfaces as well as staining. I would imagine a semi solid to get some uniformity? 

Hi,

i live in nj. Almost all of the day in the sun. My deck is 3 years old pressure treated pine. Never been stained or sealed. Do get a lot of mold and mildew on the deck. I just cleaned and brightened with restore a deck two days ago and am going to stain it on Monday. In your honest opinion do you think I should go with the defy extreme or the restore a deck stain? I’m thinking of going a little on the dark side with the color. Also after cleaning and brightening there seems to be a lot of fuzzies on the wood. Should I do a quick sanding before staining ? Thanks 

Posted by: Dave5052

First timer here from Missouri

Have a covered cedar deck 10 x 15 with an unknown stain on it (I'm guessig  a semi transparent latex ).... wrapped around this and in partial sun is a pressure treated deck and stairs approx 1 year old  never been treated. 

What are your suggestions for prepping the surfaces as well as staining. I would imagine a semi solid to get some uniformity? 

Please post a picture so we know how to prep.

Posted by: Matthew1623

Hi,

i live in nj. Almost all of the day in the sun. My deck is 3 years old pressure treated pine. Never been stained or sealed. Do get a lot of mold and mildew on the deck. I just cleaned and brightened with restore a deck two days ago and am going to stain it on Monday. In your honest opinion do you think I should go with the defy extreme or the restore a deck stain? I’m thinking of going a little on the dark side with the color. Also after cleaning and brightening there seems to be a lot of fuzzies on the wood. Should I do a quick sanding before staining ? Thanks 

Honestly, both brands are excellent. Lightly sand the fuzzies only if needed.

I live in Pennsylvania.  Deck gets full sun from about noon on, and lots of snow.  Unsure of the wood.  I have some green mold (I think that's mold?) on a few areas, as we've had a very wet year.  The wood on the deck is starting to crack.  The current stain (done by previous owner) is Olympic Elite solid color.  I don't love the color, or the flatness of it, but it seems that the best thing is to redo with more of that, filling the cracks, maybe change to a color I like more.  I can't sand it all down, there's over 500 square feet of deck and I know I'll never get that done.  Better suggestions than using more of the same?  

Use the same or try the Flood Solid Stains. Pressure wash well to remove the loos or peeling stain.

I’ve never used forums so not real sure about what I’m doing but here goes. I live in the Chicago suburbs & have a large deck, approximately 1000 sq ft that is at least 25 years old, perhaps 30.  We intend to sell our home in the very near future & the deck is an eyesore. It requires a solid stain & the least amount of money to make it look decent. If we were going to stay, I would tear it off & start fresh but... Any advice would be appreciated.