bluefish

Sorry about the double post Beth. Wasn't sure which thread to post in. I am an interior painting contractor who knows everything about interior work but very little about decks, exterior forces, mold and pressure treated wood. I now use AC stains on my own cedar deck after many mistakes in the past and am happy now due to the information gained from this website. This project is for myself so I am a DIY. If you have time to expand on why you think acrylic would work best, I would appreciate knowing. Acrylics do work better for mold and breathing, maybe that's the direction for your thinking? Also, are you thinking solid or semi? I think I would prefer penetrating the wood and not something that could peel but I could be wrong. Also is Oxy Clean a good idea? Again we are not looking to win a beauty contest here, unlike my deck. Longevity and minimal maintenance is the goal. The stringers may be the first thing rot. Thanks in advance for your help.

Why Acrylic Beth? And what type? I understand there is nothing maintenance free. I was just thinking about giving it a few coatings in it's lifespan to postpone rotting. Looking to get 30 years before it rots. If it means every 5 years I re-do, I am okay with that. Thanks!

I have some very long and steep stairs made out of pressure treated that were installed about 5 years ago and abandoned. They have never been treated at all and are full of mold, leaves and dirt etc. The stairs go into a clean lake and out onto a dock. I am the new owner and want to clean them and apply the product that will preserve the wood for the longest time. I do not care about color, transparency or looks. My goal is just preserve the wood with a super coating, so as not to replace for a long time. My plan for now is a one time thing just to give them the longest life possible. Something penetrating with little film coating. Ideas were either 50% thinned oil porch paint, Ready Seal, semi or solid oil stain or..? I was thinking of using a box of Oxy Clean, hand scrubbing and lake water for cleaning. Whatever cleaner is used will go straight down the bluff into the lake so it HAS TO BE SAFE and biodegradable. It is a very small clean lake and we want to keep it that way. The stairs are very close to the ground, so no way to do the underside. This will just be end grains and tops. Any recommendations on cleaners and coatings? I will try and upload a pic. Thanks for your suggestions!

Questions for the experts. I have some very long and steep stairs made out of pressure treated that were installed about 5 years ago and abandoned. They have never been treated at all and are full of mold, leaves and dirt etc. The stairs go into a clean lake and out onto a dock. I am the new owner and want to clean them and apply the product that will preserve the wood for the longest time. I do not care about color, transparency or looks. My goal is just preserve the wood with a super coating, so as not to replace for a long time. My plan for now is a one time thing just to give them the longest life possible. Something penetrating with little film coating. Ideas were either 50% thinned oil porch paint, Ready Seal, semi or solid oil stain or..? I was thinking of using a box of Oxy Clean, hand scrubbing and lake water for cleaning. Whatever cleaner is used will go straight down the bluff into the lake so it HAS TO BE SAFE and biodegradable. It is a very small clean lake and we want to keep it that way. The stairs are very close to the ground, so no way to do the underside. This will just be end grains and tops. Any recommendations on cleaners and coatings? I will try and upload a pic. Thanks for your suggestions!

Cedar deck stained with 50/50 mix Armstrong Clark Amber and Mahogany.

Cedar deck stained with Armstrong Clark 50/50 mix Amber and Mahogany. file://localhost/Users/fox/Desktop/IMG_3644.JPG file://localhost/Users/fox/Desktop/IMG_3649.JPG file://localhost/Users/fox/Desktop/IMG_3646.JPG

Want to mix Amber with either Mahogany or Sierra Redwood to get a darker/richer color than straight Amber. Anyone have a description or photos? Hoping someone can describe the main difference between Mahogany and Sierra Redwood. Not finding a lot of photos online. I have a sample of Amber already on a super cleaned cedar deck. Appreciate your help!

Does anyone know how the new Amber color compares to the old Super Cedar? Is it a little lighter, darker or about the same? I know colors can be hard to describe but thanks.

I currently have Ready Seal on cedar. Looking to switch to AC. Do I need to strip or will Percarb suffice? Also, thinking about a little TSP to clean the oils? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks James, How would you recommend cleaning prior to going with Armstrong Clark?

Seems like I am getting different answers on this one. New cedar deck last year (Chicago), 2 coats ready seal. It took it nice, looked great for most of the Summer. For the 1st month I had the non drying oils tracking in the house. It was dry to the touch after the first day, no signs of any wet look. I tested by wiping my shoes on a white towel, no signs of oil, but every time I walked on my tile floor it felt like I had WD-40 on my shoes. Scrubbed it with a little Dawn dishwashing detergent, oils still there. By the Fall the deck looked real worn, dirty and moldy but the oils were gone I want to try Armstrong Clark this Spring because of the non drying oil problem and overall disappointing look after 1 year. My question is what do I need to do to prepare the surface? Some have said TSP, others Restore Deck (sodium percarb), others that I need to strip with DSR-50. Any advice would be helpful. The Ready Seal has done a good job of protecting the wood by the way. Thanks for your help!

Mechanically sanded 5 yr. old cedar deck (chicago) which had Sikkens Dek (failed). Looks like brand new cedar! Tarp is covering, it's bone dry. What products should I consider? Looking for semi-transparent look. Considering possible Ready Seal, Arborcoat or Defy Extreme. Thanks for you advice! Also, used a professional "edger" to sand (36 grit). Thinking of keeping it a little rough for penetration?

Mechanically sanded 5 yr. old cedar deck which had Sikkens Dek (failed). Looks like brand new cedar! Tarp is covering, it's bone dry. What products should I consider? Looking for semi-transparent look. Thanks for you advice?