Deck cleaning

No, rain does not harm the prep. 

Hello,

I previously posted some questions last fall and got my answers. The deck has been stained in the past so I know that I need to use the RAD stripper first, then the RAD Brightener, then the RAD cedar deck stain I bought. My  question is:

Is there anything special that I need to do in addition to following manufacturer instructions on the products? Not sure given amount of mildew on it. I know it’s important to try to keep water off it, keep it clean, and keep leaves blown off to stop mildew from forming. I plan on power washing with water quickly and scrubbing with stuff brush, then doing deck stripper, then brightener, then stain. I’m thinking of trying to do all 3 today because it’s a 70 degree day and we have rain in the forecast starting at 3pm tomorrow. 

Nothing else is needed.

So my dad wanted to come help me out and I gave him instructions to keep the 25degree setting to lightly clean deck AND keep it about 2 feet from the surface. He started cleaning and did about 12ft and “realized” he could get it way cleaner if he brought nozzle about 2inches away from the wood. I about murdered him because he literally peeled back the entire top layer. I think I’m going to have to power wash the rest of the deck aggressively so that it matches, then going to have to sand it. Worried about timeline required after sanding it for “curing” again because I only have about 3 weeks until weather is rarely going to be above 50 degrees  with no rain in forecast (that’s what’s recommended) for optimal stain setting. 

1) should I power wash the rest of the horizontal surface if deck aggressively so that it “matches”

2) what kind of sander and what level grit should I use? I tried using the floor buffer last time and it didn’t go well. Just chewed though the expensive pads and was hard to control (probably user error). 

3) how long do I have to wait after sanding to then use A) deck stripper, B) deck brightener, and C) deck stain? Thanks so much! I’ll try to post better pictures in the morning. 

1. At this point we would just sand it all evenly and remove all previous coatings.

2. https://www.deckstainhelp.com/how-to-sand-your-wood-deck/

3. Clean and brighener whenever you are done with sanding.

So I don’t have the deck cleaner but I do have the deck stripper. I plan on power washing it all the same aggressiveness, then sanding it all, applying the RAD deck stripper, then RAD deck brightener. How long do I have to wait after sanding with 60 grit then 80 grit sandpaper before staining? 

You should not do this. Just sand and then clean and brightener. Do not use the stripper and trying to overpressure wash to match would just waste your time since you will have to sand anyhow.

@administrator

Thanks for the feedback. Some additional questions/issues. 

Issue #1- I didn’t realize until reading article on sanding that although I had originally asked if I should AGGRESSIVELY pressure rest of deck (and was told no), I should pressure wash the deck entirely before sanding with 2 days in between.

Issue #2- I forgot that I’ll need a cleaner and don’t have one. The LAST thing I want to do is to go get an inferior cleaner and have to re-do the work again. I previously had already purchased the RAD stripper (because I stained this deck 3 years ago with semi-transparent stain) RAD brightener, and RAD stain.

If I wait for the RAD cleaner to come in or if I have to power wash and then wait 1-2 days before sanding, the temps will consistently be below 45 degrees, which is not recommended for the stain application. 

Because of all these issues, I’m really considering just trying to make it last one more winter and just keep it as clean as I can and attack the project in the spring. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Specific questions:

1) since it has a good bit of algae growth, should I just pressure wash the deck aggressively and scrub it to get the growth to go someway away? 

2) what is the best way for me to try to keep deck in good shape/clean until I can tackle the project in the spring? Thanks!

Forgot to ask:

3) do you think I can just skip the power washing step and just sand the entire deck?

4) I know you said no need to do stripper if I’ve already sanded but since I don’t have the RAD cleaner but DO have the stripper, couldn’t I just use the stripper? If all I have to do tomorrow is sand it, then strip, then brighten…..I can stain later in the week when it’s above 45. But like it said in my last post, if I can’t skip the power wash before sand step and if I need to use a cleaner specifically and not a stripper, then it’ll have to wait until next year.  Thanks!

@dealhaggler

1 and 2. It is fine to leave until spring. No issues. Just leave it as is. Do not aggressively pressure wash your wood, ever.

3. You can sand with 60-80 grit but you will need to clean and brighen after the sanding.

4. No, do not use stripper on bare wood. It will fur it up.

Okay thanks! One final question: should I at least get a deck cleaner of some kind (or even wash lightly with pressure washer and a stiff bristle brush) so that it’s not all moldy and conducive to rot forming? 

No need. It will not rot over the Winter.