gt2003

Dang, tough to tell if that's a solid, semi-solid or semi-transparent. The middle 2 pics look almost as if you can see the texture/grain of the wood. Any ideas on what was put on there?

wjr18, I don't see the pics. Post them and let us see what you are dealing with.

Thanks Beth. I actually sprung for "the good stuff" when I built the deck. I was amazed at how flimsy the cheaper lattice was. I've power washed it before (ignorance, close distance at that time, didn't know) and it held up fine. I've also got it framed in all the way around with 2x2's so it's pretty sturdy. My power washer is nothing fancy or hardcore. Just a Karcher that my Dad gave me. Just one standard tip, 1.6 gal/min, 1650 PSI max. I won't get it super close, just enough to wash off the cleaner. If I have any doubt, I'll use the brush just to make sure I don't destroy it. Thanks for the input, Greg

McKenzy, I just checked out the Olympic website. Is the stuff you bought in the blue can, see the link below? If so, it looks like you'll be just fine with the EFC-38 as your cleaner. I was worried that you might have applied some sort of polyurethane on top of the wood. That would have been a nightmare. OK pros, here is the link to the product McKenzy used. Will EFC-38 do the job? Olympic Stain - Clears

OK McKenzy, the big guys and gals seem absent for some reason. Let me tell you what I've come up with from the info. I've gathered over the last few weeks. First off, I'm not familiar with the water sealant you used. So, the EFC-38 may not be the right choice. Maybe I can get someone else to chime in on that aspect. If it was an oil or water based stain then you should be OK. If it actually formed a clear film on top of the wood that is peeling now, you'll need something different. Please, post pics! Now, If the stain is simply fading and doesn't look good I would venture to say that you are OK on the sanding part. After 8 months, the wood is probably worn enough to open up the pores so it will take a stain better. From what I've heard, the EFC-38 will also clean out the wood pores making them more accepting to stain. I would go ahead and replace the screws before you do anything else. Then, clean with the EFC-38 and some type of deck brush (this should take care of the "bleeding" from what I've heard), brighten with the oxalic then apply your stain of choice. Either brush it on with a China bristle brush or spray it on, your choice. Personally I ordered the Armstrong-Clark stain. Look at page 10 of the Armstrong-Clark thread and see the job just completed with their cedar stain. Come on ladies and gentlemen. Help this fella out. Let me know how things go McKenzy, and be sure to post pics of the deck now so the big boys (and girls, Beth) know what you are up against. I'll go try to find some more info. on your sealant and see if I can help out a little more. Take care, Greg

Would a power washer be the easiest and best way to clean the lattice? Or, would the scrub brush be better?

No problem Scott. I can't wait to get the product and get this thing rolling. I think it will look great once it's completed.

Oh yeah Charlie, wait until I actually start my project, lol, pictures galore!!! The deck looks great. Take care, Greg (by the way, it's a landscape timber, hehehe. I did stain some leftover deck boards and they look the same though)

The approximate square footage of both levels combined is right around 350 square feet. That does not include rails, lattice etc. I chose the product amount based off info. on the RAD website. I plan on cleaning in the early mornings, like 6am or so to avoid the heat. Later in the day here it is usually 95ish and very humid. Not fun weather to work in but that's what I've got to deal with. How much cleaner do you think it will take? Will 4 lbs of Citralic be enough? No Rick, I'm actually a Dietitian and begin a new job on August 4th so I'm taking advantage of the down time. I love to do home repair and other DIY projects as much as I can. But, I like to do things right so I try to find the best resources available when I do them. And, that's how I found my way here. To me, there is nothing like the reward of doing something and doing it right. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment. (both deck levels were built by me and my brother-in-law)

Here are a couple of pics that may help you get a better idea of how the deck is laid out:

Here are a few more shots of the rustic brown (left) and sierra redwood (right). The stain had dried for a few hours and the sun had gone down to where it wasn't causing too much glare. You can see the difference between the PT pine and the stained area. The top part of the stain area is darker due to some concrete that I knocked off the wood prior to staining.(OK, I'll quit posting pics now)

Yes, this site is great. Otherwise I'd have been at Lowes buying BS off the shelf and wondering why my deck didn't turn out right. Now, hopefully things will be easier and go smoother. What the heck, I don't start my new job until August 4th, so hopefully the cleaning/brightening and staining will be done in a week or so. I'll start a new thread then 'cuz I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions. Thanks, Greg

I got my samples of the A/C stains today. I received 4 oz. each of the semi-transparent stains Sierra Redwood and Rustic Brown. Here are a couple of pics of each. The wood is pressure treated pine. I'm leaning towards the sierra redwood but like the rustic brown more than I thought I would. Both were applied by brush. The left two are the sierra redwood, the right two are the rustic brown.

OMG, the red cedar is beautiful, but I'll have to pass on the gray Trex.

Ok, now I'm kind of confused (surprise). I'm re-doing my deck soon and was wanting to use the Armstrong Clark stain. However, the color I like most is the transparent color, Redwood tone. So, set me straight, what is the actual difference in the semi-trans and the transparent stain? Is it only the pigment/UV protection? Or, is there some other difference that i need to know about. My deck is about 8 years old and needs some moisture added back to it so guide me in the best direction. I could use the rustic brown in the semi-trans but it is a little dark for my taste. Thanks in advance for the insight. Worst comes to worst, I could use a woodrich product in a color that I prefer. Thanks again, Greg EDIT: My wife isn't too fond of the woodrich colors and thinks she might prefer the AC Sierra Redwood semi-transparent. She is asking if it will leave a little bit of a "shine". Will it do this? The olympic stain or toner or whatever we used last time simply soaked into the deck and left to shine, no nothing. Please still inform me on the differences between the semi trans and the trans. Thanks, Greg

Thanks Beth. I wish I would have know about this place back then. It would have been nice to have had the knowledge to do it right the first time. Well, soon I'll be able to remedy that situation thanks to help from everyone here. Greg

I will tell you that whatever Olympic toner I had was like water, literally. It soaked right into the wood and provided no water protection, no wood rehab, nothing. I won't be using it again. Just my non-professional opinion though.

Just FYI, Jake is out of this world!!! I just received an email from him at 1:16pm on July 4th stating he'll send me samples of whatever he needs. P.S. - I promptly told him to go home and enjoy the 4th. Hope he listens, he deserves it. Looks like I should have samples as well as cleaning/brightening supplies and stain of choice next week. Take care all, Greg

Thanks, that's what I needed to know. I appreciate the input, Greg

LOL, thanks Rick. I really do appreciate the input. Maybe I'm trying to make this too hard. Like I said, samples are on the way and A/C seems to have a pretty good % of parafinnic oil so maybe color isn't that much of an issue. (PS - nice website, on the photo progression pics, what is the stain color you used on the top row, second pic? Nice, nice, nice!!!) the 1st time the deck was stained, I simply powerwashed it (tip too close to wood due to ignorance) then stained. This time I will clean, brighten then stain. So, the results should be much better. I expect a good cleaning/brightening will give the wife the color/shine she is expecting. Let me ask one more time, what are the differences between transparents and semi-trans? A/C has a cedar color in the transparent and the semi-trans, so what is the difference. Boy, I'm a persistant SOB, hehehe.

Thanks Charlie. I'm not trying to be a PITA but an informed consumer. Thank goodness A/C is sending us samples to try on an inconspicuous area of our cleaned/brightened deck. Hopefully they will be here in the next day or two. Maybe the Sierra redwood will be the answer. Even on the AC website there is a tremendous difference between their color sample and their picture of a building with the stain applied. So, what is the actual difference between the semi's and the transparents?

I just looked a little more closely at the A-C website. The color I like most is the Transparent Redwood tone. Does this have enought tint to help protect my deck from UV rays? I've been leaning towards the semi-transparents from what I have read, but don't see a color I truly like in the semi tranparents. The upper half of my deck is about 8 years old and has only had an Olympic toner applied to it about 4-5 years ago. I don't think it was any kind of "stain/sealer" because all it ever did was color the wood. The lower part of the deck is PT pine, about 3 years old with nothing ever applied to it. The upper deck obviously needs the moisture, will a transparent give me what I need?

Greg R, Is it as orange as it appears? My deck is pressure treated pine so I'm not sure what color I should try. Thanks, Greg Thomas

Wow, glad to see all the excitement. Once I decide on a color i will clean, brighten then stain my deck and post pics accordingly. How does the AC stain do when sprayed on? Is there less chance of lap when it's done this way? Thanks again, Greg Thomas

Does anyone know if Ken has RAD steps 1 and 2 available for shipment? I know he's having a tough time with his other stuff but thought I'd check on the RAD. Hope things are going OK for the fella, I'm kinda worried about him. Let me know if anyone has talked to him and how things are progressing. Take care, Greg