Not Knots!

[Tonyg 14]

Ok, I know there isnt much I can do about knots but - is there anything I can do about knots?

Ive had a couple of decks Ive gone back to and the knots seem to be a problem. Horizontals are prepped right and usually always have 2 coats.

Is there any trick that can be done before, during, or after a deck is completed?

This deck did not have problem knots throughout but here and there and really on these six boards.

Edited June 17, 2009 by Tonyg

[PressurePros 249]

Tony, looks like you have sap vein issues. I've noticed any product containing deep diving oils exacerbate (love that word) the issue.

One way we combat knots drying is to coat the floor as soon as we get prepped. The rails then get done and then the floor is given its final coat. There are some decks you can put on twenty coats on those knots and two days later they are whitish again.

[Tonyg 14]

Before staining there was no indication there would be this appearance. If I used something like a lacquer thinner to wipe down knots before staining would that help? Lacquer thinner would not leave a residue like mineral spirits. Or maybe use the mineral spirits?

Would it help if I go back and wipe them with a solvent and rub some stain on them?

Edited June 17, 2009 by Tonyg

[bigchaz 157]

Wow thats some of the worst I've seen.

If you are sanding the knots down before staining, lacquer thinner helps clean it up some more. On really old wood Ill do something similar to Ken, but we go around with a brush and dab stain right on the knots before starting anything else.

After its already leaking I think ive read turpentine is best to remove the residue

[PressurePros 249]

There is nothing you can do but replace the boards. It comes back. I was at a property four times in three months before I figured that out. Its now a disclaimer in my contracts.

Maybe D-Jim has figured out a solution?

[James 625]

Planters, chairs or when they dry out buff them shiny . They have to run there course ?