Illumination

Sorry but did not follow "great bb advice on wood" ??? Due to finances as I spent my savings on the property and renovations...including the decks...am disabled on fixed income...but want a pretty finish that will protect and keep my deck beautiful with ease of reapplication maintenance. Thank you all for your time.

Beth...would love to hear why AC ranks so well with you and what are its advantages over RS and/or Woodrich? So far it seems RS is garnering more support So please all camps pitch in and give me your whys...thank you all so much

Thank you very much for your words. It is a plus for RS. Your reasoning is sound. Please people do more of this for me...Thanx

I would really like to hear the pros and cons of these stains as all 3 seem to have dedicated users who swear by them. Would really appreciate replies from each fanbase as to why they prefer them, what they don't like about the others. As to ease of application for a novice as I, to ease of maintenance, to beauty. This is an awesome site with great people on it and I truly appreciate and value the info and time you all share with me.

So it seems u r recommending Woodrich Timberoil applied lightly in about three weeks, and then again in spring and then again when? What should I clean the deck with prior to application of the stain? Is Timberoil really as easy to apply as advertised? You know goof proof for an amateur like myself? What is the durability of this stain? Have read that it turns black rather quickly. Is ready seal as easy to apply as Woodrich? There are so many who swear by it that it must be beautiful as well as durable. I also see that you have reservations about Armstrong Clark. What are they and what makes you feel this way? Isn't it also a penetrating stain with high pigment, solids content? Thank you so much for your advice. I Appreciate all of your valuable advice. And you are very observant and honest as you pointed out I am in the position to have a gorgeous deck and have the time to do as you suggest. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Again thank you.

Thanks Adrian and Littlefield, as this seems to be the direction I feel most comfortable pursuing. Also please tell me as to your experiences with ready seal as I am now reconsidering and no one seems to want to explain as to why they would prefer Armstrong Clark over Ready Seal or visa-versa, so I humbly ask your opinion and why. So please if u care to r have the time please tell me all you know about these stains. So clean the new deck with what?? Again thank you all so much

Thank you for the advice and it is much appreciated Adrian and Mike. I hope to hear from others as to the AC stain. Looking at the AC semi-trans Rustic Brown. Would like to hear about ease of application as well as looks and durability. Further what is the stain you two guys prefer and why?? I have the Karcher for many uses so no it was not purchased solely for this. I live on a couple of acres with a lot of fencing structures and decks and a tractor etc. and so on. I am mixed as to waiting until spring because of the snow. I am originally from southwest Louisiana (hence the "cajun" accordion avatar, yes I do play one LOL!) and have no experience with protecting from snow and arid sun. Tired of the humidity and bugs in LA and love everything about the rural NM views of the mountains and big sky!!! Hence the decks front and rear of my home!! I was going to purchase an inexpensive moisture content meter and see if it drops enough before it gets too cold. Which reminds me to ask what is the best temp to apply and what is the temp advised by your experience, not the manu's recommendation as I know actual experience is the reality. I also have an old deck that I am about to strip and re-stain as I do not know what it was stained with, but luckily it is a pigmented stain and not a solid or paint. Recommendations as to stripper and prep would be appreciated. People I know I am asking a lot but I am disabled on a fixed income and have invested the last of my savings on this lil piece of heaven I have found. So I want it to be beautiful and last the rest of my days but limited funds so I must do it myself. Truly it is heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for your time and most valuable advice. Yes the Balloon Fiesta is awesome and is occurring this week. Went to a mass ascension and night glow and love it. I really love this state and area with the ruins, desert, mountain, and culture. And the people are so laid back and friendly. Have only been here about 1.5 years and fell in love with it. Again thank you all so much for your time and help.

Hello all and thank you in advance for your anticipated help and assistance. First the details: New Pressure Treated "weathershield" lumber pro-panel roofed 450 sq. foot deck completed 10-01-09 6500' elevation Some snow thru winter not much precipitation otherwise. (19" avg. yearly) intense sun Now have been reading and reading and reading I am overwhelmed so I humbly ask you professionals for advice. I own a karcher 3000psi 2.8 gpm pressure washer. What clean prep need I do? With what chems to use to clean? How many steps to the prepping? How long to wait after prep before staining? I am leaning to Armstrong Clark rustic brown semi-transparent stain. Is this the correct choice? Should I spray it with my "paint crew plus" wagner airless? Please tell me the hows and the whys... Please excuse all the questions as I know I am asking a lot, but I want to have a gorgeous deck that will last. Everyone on this forum seems very knowledgeable helpful friendly and professional. Please tell me the specifics so I can stop all this reading and get to doing!!! Thank you so very much for your help and valuable time.