mrmichaeljmoore

Thanks!

Rod -- Thanks for responding......to each question..... Didnt know about the strainers for the garden sprayers....very helpful! thanks. mm

Summer deckwork in NJ, eh??? Thanks for the compliment....and the job offer....but I when I drive down to Jersey, I head to LBI for sun and relaxation. My deck was enough.....ha!

Well, I used Penofin again.... To my surprise, the wood soaked up a lot more than in had the past two years. I used the whole gallon. Usually I had a little left over. Maybe it was the chemicals opening up the wood.....or maybe it was the sanding...I dunno. I like the way it looks though....and so does my wife...everyones happy. I think at the end of the season....sometime in late August, early September, I may clean the deck with a Dawn/bleach and water solution, then put on a quick maintenance coat. to see how it does over the winter.... Pics of the finished product attached. thanks for everyone's help. mm

after the sanding, I see what you mean by not clean enough..... thanks.

Just completed the sanding..... About 3 hours total with my Ridgid ROS....60 grit, as RPetry suggested. Used 2 sanding discs for whole deck. About 290 sq ft total of decking. Got rid of a lot of leftover that the cleaning didn't get...... The sanding also gave me a chance to sand down some problem areas, i.e. areas where the boards had checked/splintered a bit. Now, to go mow the grass..... Gonna stain with the Penofin for Hardwoods in the early evening, after the sun has passed over the house, and the deck is in the shade. Quick question: Now that I have cleaned twice, brightened once, then sanded the whole thing......is there any Penofin stain left in the wood? If I wanted to, could I go to a different brand stain at this point? I was considering the DEFY for Hardwoods....I can get it locally. Opinions? Pictures attached. Thanks for the help.

I think I am gonna go with this plan. I have my Random Orbital Sander and paper ready to go...... I will post pictures after it has been sanded. Rick- could you explain what you mean by 2 more cleanings and stainings in the next year? I have used Penofin for Hardwoods on the deck for the last two years already.... Thank you.

Nope....never had a pressure washer used on it.

I'm confused......Why wouldn't you be comfortable??

This is the thrid year with my IPE deck. And I am looking for the best plan to restain. The first year I sanded the deck after the build was copmplete, then stained with Penofin for Hardwood. The 2nd year I used Penofin's One Step Prep (I think it is some sort of acid cleaner) to clean the deck, then stained with Penofin for Hardwood. This year, I am not sure what to do.....clean and restain OR sand and restain. My deck is not big (12x24), so it is not a big deal to run my ROS across it. It doesn't take that long. The one thing I didnt like about using the Penofin One Step Prep is that the IPE got real fuzzy/splintery. [Not good for my 2 year old who like to run around without shoes one.] From my reading on the boards, I guess that can happen with chemicals.....and pros get rid of the splinters by running a defurring pads across it or something........but that is beyond my homeowner knowledge.... So, what is the better choice? Sanding or cleaning? Or does it matter? If I clean, how do I prevent the splinters/fuzzies? If I clean, should I use an acid product or a percarb prodcut? or both? I know the pros on the boards are not the biggest fans of Penofin.....but I am unsure what else to try.....if I even need to try something else. The thing I like about Penofin (other than the color) is that is real easy to apply. No lap marks to worry about. Just wipe it down after 20 minutes or so and you are good. I already realize I am probably gonna have to restain every year, so I am not looking for that "long-lasting" product.....but if there is something easier, better, etc., let me know. Thank you.

Thanks for the explanation, plainpainter..... But I just need some details on how to "clean" the deck....... bleach, dawn and water solution? simple green solution? or something else? I am gonna stop by one of the local paint centers/hardware stores in my area (and probably Lowes and Home Depot too) to look at the options for cleaners. Is there an off-the-shelf brand that you recommend? thank you.

Man, sorry for apparently misinterpreting your response. I apologize; it will never happen again.:( I interpreted you stating that cleaning and stripping of old deck stain as if you were planning on using a different stain than the stain that is currently on the deck. I was under the impression that stains like Penofin do not need to be stripped before restaining, that's why I thought I could skip the cleaning step and go straight to sanding.....because I intend to use Penofin again. oh well.

plainpainter -- so if I read you correctly.....If I am planning on using Penofin again, there is no need to clean.....just sand and restain, right? thanks.

Does anyone have any opions or experience with CretoWood?? I have a cedar privacy fence that we want to let naturally weather and gray. But I dont want to sacrifice fence longevity.....so I was thinking CretoWood may be a good investment. Anyone?

I have a large cedar privacy panel fence that was installed about 3 years ago. My wife and I have not done anything to the fence so far. We prefer the fence to naturally weather and gray. But it has gotten a bit dirty over the last few years... What should I use to merely clean the fence? We are not looking to remove the gray, merely just "freshen" it up and remove the mold/dirt/grime. Water? Dawn dish soap and water solution? Bleach? Or some other pro product? I have access to a power washer as well. Thanks. (I will post pics of the fence if that will help.)

Jim -- We did talk about a year ago. And I never did anything to the fence. Unfortunately, the fence fell a little lower on the house "to do" list...... Back when we talked, I was considering maintaing the fence with Ready Seal. But now the wife/boss, like I said in the orig post, has decided she doesn't want to stain it at all. She couldn't decide on a color she liked. So, as the fence has weathered, she seems to prefer the look of the natural gray weathered look....an added plus to the natural look is it will be cheaper (no stain to buy) and easier (no staining). In fact, we will be adding some additional fencing with an arbor and gate this year......so I am kinda glad she has decided on the natural gray look. So, do you think I should clean it annually or just let it be? Thanks for your help Jim. mike

Wouldnt a clear oil require reapplication at some point? yearly? every few years? The advantage to the CretoWood, supposedly, is that it claims to be a one-time application.........

Thanks for the response, bigchaz......I think. but I do want to take care of the fence....that's exactly why I posted a question on this forum. I do not think choosing to let it gray naturally is not taking care of it. It is merely my preference. The fence is long and tall, and if I were to stain it, it would stand out. My wife and prefer to have the fence blend into the landscape....and by letting it go gray accomplishes this. I also posted a question regarding CretoWood in another thread. I am looking to see if CretoWood will help my fence last longer...... So I don't think it is fair to say I do not want to take care of it. I also have a beautiful IPE deck that I stain annually. We prefer the stained look of IPE, not the silver patina. There are many people that let their IPE decks go gray. I do not think that is not taking care of it. It is just their preference.