Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
11/06/2018 6:10 pm
Hi all,
I bought my house last year and have no idea what type of wood the deck is. I’ve been researching on here and figured l’d post. I want to buy the right stain for it. I dont know if its hardwood, PT, previously stained, etc.
My plan is this:
ID wood. Buy stain accordingly.
Strip previous stain. I believe it was stained but l know NOTHING about decks so it may not have been. I figured it cant hurt to strip what isn’t there anyway since it will clean it, too.
After stripping, sand it down w a orbital sander and apply brightener.
Apply Armstrong Clark semi transparent stain. Two coats. Haven’t decided color since l dont know the wood type.
l’ve attached some photos(l hope!)
Any and all help would be appreciated!
Topic starter
11/06/2018 8:56 pm
Ahhh o.k.
Glad I didn't order a softwood stain before knowing.
Does it being PT make any difference in sanding it? Should I pressure wash it?
Topic starter
11/06/2018 9:02 pm
Also,
Is pressure treated pine considered a 'hard wood'? or can I use any stain on it?
Topic starter
12/06/2018 1:38 am
I'm reading conflicting information everywhere. Some say strip, power wash, sand. Some say strip only. Some say sand only. I'm really confused.
I do understand that whatever is on there, if anything, needs to be stripped to a blank slate. In my mind, I think at least sanding will provide a better surface for the stain to penetrate and 'grip'. Is there a reason that it does not need sanded or power washed?It looks pretty dirty/moldy/mossy to me. What should it look like after stripping?
Then again, I've never stripped a deck so I have no idea how powerful the stripping agent is. I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm just trying to understand more of the why's and how's. If I don't have to spend time sanding and still achieve the same outcome then great. However, I'm willing to put in more effort for a better outcome. But if it all boils down to preference, then that's fine, too.
