Deck Cleaning Chemical

[Peak Mobile Wash 14]

I have a job with a deck that is covered by a large shade tree that drops all sorts of leaves, flowers and pollen on the deck. The stain on the deck is fairly new (HO just moved in, does not know how old) and does not need to be redone. I am looking for a good cleaner that will remove the stains from the tree droppings but not remove the seal from the deck. Any suggestions on how to approach this job?

[bigchaz 157]

Bleach/soap if its an oil based stain. You could probably get away with a precarb if the sealer is an acrylic and you dont have to worry about accidentally stripping it then. Bleach/soap would be the safest bet

[MMI Enterprises 289]

In case some the droppings relate more to pitch/sap....For what it's worth off the Wolman site:

"Pitch stains, or crystallized sap, found mainly around the knots of pressure-treated wood, can be removed with turpentine or simply scraped away. Turpentine will not harm an existing coating. Pitch is a non-water soluble, organic wood extractive material found in species such as Ponderosa, Southern and White Pine."

Since your case may differ somewhat.. just maybe try a mild neutral ph cleaner like a car wash.

What Charlie says should also be correct unless too much is used or other additives are in the mix.

[PressurePros 248]

Be careful with your bleach solution. Sodium hypochlorite will strip stain.

[bigchaz 157]

Be careful with your bleach solution. Sodium hypochlorite will strip stain.

At what percent?

[PressurePros 248]

I have seen four percent take off half the color from an oil based finish. It depends upon what stage of failure the finish is in.

[MMI Enterprises 289]

..similar example being the two gallons spilled all over one of my interior concrete jobs last night the day after stripping it. Was waterbased acrylic and oxidizers ate a good coat or two in like a few minutes flat..

[bigchaz 157]

Well how about this then. If you use a light bleach and the stain is failed and starts to come off, then the deck should be stripped anyway and redone.

[PressurePros 248]

Well, that depends.. I look upon stain as "failing" the day after it is applied and the sun first hits it. The finish is sacrifical so it begins a decline right away. The product choice will determine how rapid that slope is re: fading, oxidation etc and the determination has to be made by the professional doing the cleaning.

[bigchaz 157]

How do you handle your maintenance coats then? If even the lightest cleaning takes stain off, should you be wary of applying additional product? I realize this depends a ton on the stain, but Im assuming oil based here (or no risk of flaking, peeling)

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I have seen four percent take off half the color from an oil based finish. It depends upon what stage of failure the finish is in.

Yep....and so will a plain percarbonate. I've done it on purpose to test it, on Wood Tux.

Beth :cup: