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Deck Stain Questions and Answers
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Topic starter
04/10/2012 5:47 pm
Last fall I stained my then-nine-month-old pressure treated deck with Armstrong Clark deck stain (a 4:1 blend of Amber and Rustic Brown). I'm pleased with the color but am disappointed that i have some surface mold and that the stain has worn down generally and completely disappeared in a few spots, where I thing the wood might be resinous. The deck is on the south side of the house in central Massachusetts.
I'm considering re-staining the deck now with TWP 1500 stain. What preparation do I need to do? Can I go over the old stain or does it need to be stripped? Also, can you advise on color - I'm looking to avoid the orange hue of many cedar-colored stains, which is why I used last year's blend of amber and rustic brown.
If I stick with Armstrong Clark, is the required preparation any different?
04/10/2012 8:54 pm
Any preciously applied finish must be removed before TWP is applied. The deck surface should be cleaned with either 1 part bleach to one part water or oxalic acid then thoroughly rinsed with water. The old finish can be removed with an appropriate deck stripper, sanding with 60-80g sandpaper, or by power washing 2500+ psi. If sanding the surface needs to be completely rinsed with water 2-3 different days after sanding. The stain can then be applied after 48+ hours of GOOD drying weather. I hope this was helpfull!
06/10/2012 11:28 am
I agree that if switching brands it is always best to remove the previous coating. This will ensure proper penetration and adhesion.
New wood when stained does not last nearly as long the first time. The easiest thing would be to clean and prep the deck then give it another coat of Armstrong.
BTW, mold can grow on top any surface. The key is to see if the mold is growing on top of the stain or in the stain. AC does have a good amount of mildewcides that reduce the chance of "feeding" growth in the stain.
If you have any question on Armstrong, I would suggest calling them. They are excellent at customer service. Another reason we like their product and use it.
