[Sticky] Deck Staining Help

Morning is okay.  We do not use Flood anymore due to changes in formulas and poor results so not sure about the amount of coats needed or the time between coats. Sorry.

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Haven't prepped these at all yet.  Driftwood grey is the old stain would like to keep it that color.

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Thank you. So you would not use the RAD stripper & booster or the stronger Paint Stripper product?  Just sand this one?  (Is an orbital sander best?) 

Looks like a solid stain. Strip off what you can and then brighten the wood. Reapply a solid stain. RAD products would be best.

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Hello, We have another 17 yr old pressure treated deck to maintain, it is under a porch canopy so not full sun/faces North, and has 4-yr old semi transparent stain Behr. To minimize more work (after just sanding bare an entire back deck) I thought I'd just restain with same product-- a water based stain.  The Behr stain/build up proves almost impossible to remove on other projects, but have not used RAD stripper yet (have used Cabot stripper on other back deck). So if staying with same type -- water based semi transparent, don't I just have to clean and brighten?  

What would you suggest I do? Thank you for your help-

You answered: What you have on the wood is more solid/opaque than semi-transparent. Behr lies about their opacity. We would power sand it off and go with a true penetrating stain. Clean and brighten over the top with the same will result in compounding your issues with the Behr.

So you would not use the RAD stripper & booster or the stronger Paint Stripper product?  You would just sand this one first?

Thank you much for your insight

@franz Yes, you could use the RAD PaintStrip first to remove as much as possible (it may remove it all) and then sand the rest if needed. Brighten all wood after.

@administrator Curious why you are suggesting to apply a solid stain?  Thought the semi transparent was better for easier maintenance.

@administrator

<What you have on the wood is more solid/opaque than semi-transparent. Behr lies about their opacity. We would power sand it off and go with a true penetrating stain. Clean and brighten over the top with the same will result in compounding your issues with the Behr.>

What is the best sander for such a job? To make it quick and easiest? Currently have a 6" orbital Rigid.  Super appreciate your insight and help.  Square feet of this deck is 400.

@franz For the gray deck you already have a solid stain so the easiest is to reapply our RAD Solid stain in gray after prep.

@franz Use a belt sander or rent a drum sander. Orbital sanders leave swirl marks.

Okay we will buy the Paintstrip, is 4 gallons right for a 380 sq ft deck? And apply with a roller it says? Then their notes say no brightener needed after paintstrip product?

@franz Coverage can vary so at least 4 gallons, maybe more. Make sure to do a test spot to determine how thick to apply and how long to let it dwell. You do not have to brighten but you can.

@administrator Hello Here is RAD Paintstrip on the BEHR transparent stain for 1 hour, covered and misted.  It is is the low 80s here and humidity around 79%  Left side thin application about 2 mil.  Right side more like 1/8  inch.  i did have to use putty knife and stiff then wire brush then a 1400psi power washer to accomplish this.  Do you think the right side is considered enough removed? And how long should I let it dwell?

thank you so much

Yes, the right side looks good. Leaving it on longer will make it easier to remove. Try another section of say about 3 sq feet. Leave one for 3-4 hours. Cover with plastic to keep from drying out and then pressure wash off.

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Also there is some white film here and there, I know you say thats oxidation but I forget your recommendation, is that okay to eventually stain over?  The white bubbles never stopped coming from this RAD Paintstrip product. Rinsed many times.  

And we have a wood piece of trim around the deck edge which was painted with exterior paint over the years.  What should we use on that to restore?  It is a solid creme. The same paint? or a Solid stain?

Thank you!