1st Deck Cleaning/Staining Project - Step-by-Step

[jmyrick11 16]

Deck is PTW about 5 years old previously "sealed" with Thompson's

Before:

Edited April 10, 2009 by jmyrick11

[jmyrick11 16]

Cleaning and Brightened (Percarb & Citric):

[jmyrick11 16]

Half Finished: Top deck rail, decking and steps with AC Cedar Semi-Trans

[Bryan C 14]

Looks good. How did you clean it? You own a powerwasher?

[jmyrick11 16]

I used percarb on everything and let it dwell about 15-30 minutes and rinsed it off with a powerwasher with a very large fan spray...not high pressure at all...only encounteered some furring on the spindles really, which I hear is very common. I did have to do the decking twice with percarb though. I followed that with citric to neutralize and brighten then washed that off per Jake Clark's recommendation at Armstrong-Clark

[Bryan C 14]

Looks great. Seems like you spent a lot of time researching everything prior to the work. Not very common for DIYers.

Spindles will fuzz a lot of the time. You're right, pretty common.

[Chappy 138]

Very nice job. whats your opinion of the AC semi trans. It looks good in the pics, but how does it really look from close up?

[jmyrick11 16]

Thanks for the feedback...I spent weeks researching after finding this and other sites for feedback. I wanted something better than the Thompson's I used last time which grayed very fast and didn't weather very well. If I'm going to do something I want to to at least try to do it right instead of trying to fix it after I've messed it up...

The AC semi-trans applied really easy I thought. I used a Wooster 6" on a pole for the decking and a 2" for the tops rails. I'll finish the spindles with the 2" and use the 6" for the other areas big enough for it. I also did it in half dark so I was very happy with it once it did get light out. No areas that I missed or so it seems. The rain today has confirmed this as it beads right up.

Up close it does look more like the traditional cedar stain look. A hint orangey I would say but not too drastic. The pics do make it a bit darker than it really is

[Scott Paul 164]

It's nice to see a Home Owner do the research and use quality products instead of running up to Home Depot.

[jmyrick11 16]

I am still in the process of trying to finsih of the rest of teh rails/spindels...what is the min dry time for verticals before they can be sealed? I know 48 hours is required for the horizontals but figured the verticals would dry much faster

[814jeffw 71]

Your neighbors will be searching you out after that project. Nice job!!

Jeff

Edited April 14, 2009 by 814jeffw

[jmyrick11 16]

thanks...and believe me, my neighbors could use it. My wife said I should just do everyone's and leave a bill on their doors!!!

[jmyrick11 16]

And it really does bead like I have read (evidentally not very common with other products?!?!)

Maybe now that the rains have subsided for a few days I can finish the railings!!!!

[814jeffw 71]

I'm not a deck guy,(although I've done a few),... but don't set yourself up for disappointment. The beading is common at first even with something like Thompson's water seal,... but then the beading stops after a certain amount of time. I could be wrong, and maybe your product of choice will bead forever,..but don't be disappointed if the beading stops after a period of time. I say this because it doesn't mean the protection has gone,..just isn't beading.

Jeff

Edited April 16, 2009 by 814jeffw

[jmyrick11 16]

Yeah not too concerned...I have read that AC does bead though while others "spread out" the water instead of beading on top. As long as it keeps looking good I don't care what it does with the water, just keep it away from my wood!!!!!

[RPetry 564]

thanks...and believe me, my neighbors could use it. ...

Careful. That is exactly how I got started in this business years ago.

[jmyrick11 16]

Don't think I'll be going down that road...think the wife and kids would kill me!!!!