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Discussion Forum

Deck Staining ?

danusan10 | Posted in General Discussion on August 24, 2009 04:03am

Have a client that needs some decking and rails replaced on womanized deck, no big deal for me, however she mentions that she would also like to restain decking.

Deck is approx. 7 yrs. old and has been stained twice already(solid redwood color almost red barn color).  Full southern exposure. rails and spindles have been able to retain color, deck surface has tints of gray and red.  Deck surface  is extremely dry, appears that it will need some sort of conditioner.

My thoughts

1. pressure wash entire deck, what red comes out so be it, what stays -stays.

2. apply oil based clear finish or lite tint to deck surface, so deck has a mottled look, but will have some contrast to rails and spindles.  Think I’ll call it french country, yea that sounds good.

What I need to know is whats best product out there to recondition deck (ie:looking for 1 step application in finish and recon). I will be rolling and brushing product on. New wood for repairs I’ll figure out some method to match existing, but will take any suggestions. Thanking all you fine gentleman and ladies in advance

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Dinosaur | Aug 24, 2009 07:11am | #1

    decking and rails replaced on womanized deck,

    Okay, I'll bite. Is a 'womanized' deck one with pink curtains around it?

    Dinosaur

    How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
    low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
    foolish men call Justice....

    1. danusan10 | Aug 24, 2009 07:14pm | #3

      no curtains, just a speedo!!!

      1. User avater
        Dinosaur | Aug 25, 2009 03:41am | #7

        Jest for dat, I oughta tell ya to strip the deck with a brass toothbrush and use a Dremel to clean the screw heads, too. Then you could stain it with Q-tips.

         

        Solid stain is a bugger; I've never seen it last on a deck more than a year or two at most. My (serious) suggestion: prep the deck properly and paint it with epoxy floor paint. I wouldn't use a pressure washer unless you plan on waiting two weeks at least for the wood to dry out again before you paint; see if you can rent a small sandblaster cheap for half a day.

        Dinosaur

        How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

        1. danusan10 | Aug 25, 2009 04:03am | #8

          Thanks Dino, hit it with power wash today and removed 97% of solid color and some stripper from big box made for said application,  took care of the tough spots.  Wood has somewhat of a red gray tone to it, not like wolmanized thats just weathered gray.  Apparently deck has been stained 2-3 times in last 7 years so I quess your dead on when you say solid color doesnt hold up.

          Gonna go over with a clear oil based product and a solid color for rails and spidals. Gets to the point where ya just cant justify stripping it all doesnt make sense dollar wise.  Areas that I wash in morning where bone dry by end of day. Its a freakin wolmanized deck, its only gonna look like a refinished wolmanized deck, nothing more nothing less.  However it will look better than it did and customer will be happy as there will be a change.

          Things like this just cant mentally masterbate, do the best you can let customer know up front the expectations and move on.

  2. YesMaam27577 | Aug 24, 2009 03:25pm | #2

    My opinions........

    Yes to the pressure washing, though many here will probably disagree. Their reason will be that pressure washing is likely to damage the wood -- and this is true. So be quite careful with the nozzle.

    Certailnly yes to the replacement of the bad wood -- but be clear with the homeowner. The likelyhood that you will be able to color-match the new to the old is small. And if it matches this week, then it won't match next spring.

    And don't (not ever, never, not even once) pick the color for the client. Have them pick the color, so you won't be responsible when it does not meet theri expectation. I would get their ideas, and then make up a sample board with some possibilities. Let them choose one, and go with that.

    As for what's best...... Pennofin if you can find it. Otherwise, an oil-based brush-on product that has UV protection. I like Flood's CWF-UV, but the home centers aren't carrying it anymore.

    I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone,
    And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone;
    I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
    So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. (Phil Ochs)

  3. Piffin | Aug 24, 2009 10:21pm | #4

    Sounds like a disaster in the making to me!

    And I don't mean wearing the pink speedo while you work

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

  4. User avater
    Matt | Aug 25, 2009 02:38am | #5

    >> apply oil based clear finish or lite tint to deck surface <<

    Like what kind of oil based clear finish?

    1. danusan10 | Aug 25, 2009 03:14am | #6

      thats the question I was asking

      1. User avater
        Matt | Aug 25, 2009 05:15am | #9

        Don't use anything that forms a film like varnish, poly, etc. unless you wana create a mess a year or 2 down the road.  It's gotta be some kind of penetrating oil based protectant.

        1. danusan10 | Aug 26, 2009 03:33am | #10

          yes I know thank you, trying to get out of one mess not create another. 

          seen that happen before and guy was just beaming with pride at his finish, didnt have the heart to rain on his parade!!!

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