Tim K

I have read about every thread on every forum about Ipe....at least those I could find (most forum search engines won't let you search for words with only 3 letters!). I realize that there are a million different opinions on which stain/sealer to use and whether to screw, screw and plug or use hidden fasteners. I will make that decision based on what I have read. My question is, how should I pre-treat this brand new Ipe assuming I am going to stain it at some point? I was considering prepping and staining right away but now I am considering letting it weather before staining. I've seen suggestions ranging from stripping with Oxalic or Citric and then neutralizing and then staining....to letting it weather for 6 months and then stripping/cleaning and staining. My other question is about the "fuzzy" texture of the surface. I am used to seeing the smooth dark surface of treated Ipe and I am wondering if sanding is in order here and if I should do it after install or after letting it weather (if that is the path).

Rick, I know that I would have to stain it every year to maintain the look. I'm ok with it. What I couldn't stand was my old deck which cracked and splintered like crazy and needed to be cleaned and sealed every year to keep it from falling apart! At least with Ipe if I get lazy and don't stain it the deck will be fine.

In my HOA we have a large common courtyard that is all brick, and some of the owners also have small enclosed brick patios. On my patio, and in the courtyard, we have a lot of areas where the bricks have collected algae/moss and some of the bricks even just seem to be getting a dark/black stain to them. I used my pressure washer to clean my patio and it did a good job of removing the discoloration (and covering me in muck - but I knew that was coming). However, some of the bricks still have some discoloration. Is there a product that you would recommend for really getting the bricks clean? What about something that will help keep the problem from returning - at least slow it down? I have tried a bleach solution without much more success than pressure washing alone did. I will probably treat my own patio as a test, but if the association needs the courtyard done I would outsource that. What should I expect / ask for from a contractor as far as what services and what cleaners should be used?

Rick, I don't mind the gray look at all....but when I see an Ipe deck out in the rain I just want it to look like that all the time! I know my wife will too and that's what really matters! What about the roughness of the wood? I expected it the surface to be much smoother but I guess I am used to seeing finished samples. Any thoughts on hitting it with an orbital sander to really smooth out the surface? (Its not bad, don't get me wrong). Would sanding dull the color faster or right away? Will it help? If so, any grit recommendations?

Ken, I had actually looked at your Restore-a-deck products as I read about them in another forum. However, it seemed like neither RAD nor the woodzotic products are available for purchase on the website anymore. What's the story there? At this point I am leaning towards installing as-is and letting it weather for a few months, then cleaning and staining in the fall. In your experience, do you think the natural weathering process allows more of the stain to get into the wood? Is it better than just stripping the raw wood and trying to stain it right away? Quite frankly, the idea of cleaning and staining after all of the building is less appealing than waiting! As for the deck, its not a large deck and I plan to do all the work myself....though if anyone wants to volunteer to help me carry 500 LF of Ipe up 3 flights of stairs I may take you up on that offer!!!