Mud-stained cedar deck

[drlynes 14]

I need to find a product to clean a mud-stained cedar deck already treated with a tinted Thompson sealer. Homeowners have tried scrubbing with detergent to no avail, TSP which cleaned it somewhat but removed the Thompson Sealer. Some of the mud spot stains remained after that even. Any suggestions? They want to clean all of the mud and mud stains off without having to re-seal the whole deck as it is large.

[RPetry 564]

drlynes,

Homeowners have tried scrubbing with detergent to no avail,

Are you sure it is mud? If a detergent with water and scrubbing does not remove it, must be something else aside from dirt, like dirt from the ground.

Either that or you have some amazing mud in Texas!

Another thought comes to mind. Is it possible that this "mud" was sealed over by the Thompson's "stain"? If so, its a strip and recoat.

Edited August 7, 2008 by RPetry
addition

[drlynes 14]

It is just basic mud from around their garden, it was tracked on long after the sealing process was completed.

[Tracy Handl 108]

If the "mud" seems like red clay, an acid will do the best. Acids take up red clay the best. It has to have a surfactant with it and it won't need to be too strong. Products used for concrete cleaning that are as weak as will effectivly remove the mud, may get those are up well. Then wash with a normal wood cleaning product to even everything up if needed, neutralize, and then seal. My 2 cents. Hope it helped.

[MMI Enterprises 289]

Sounds like the Earth done went and minerally stained the wood right on through the seal.. stain pigements come from the ground afterall.

Likely an acid such as Oxalic could get it but at same time any previous stain as well as the Thompsons may fail or get muffed. HO should plan for the likely strip and restain rather than just counting on a light shot of Thomspons.