Blotchy stain on ipe...

[Sarah 14]

This is going to be lengthy and I apologize, but I want you to know the whole story to get the best advice...

We finished building our ipe deck on Sunday (42'x13'). We didn't know much about ipe except for what we had read, so after all of the decking boards were down I lightly sanded with an orbital sander, swept all the dust off, and applied Messmer's UV Finish with a roller (I didn't know any better at the time). I let the deck sit for about 30 minutes before I began toweling off any stain remaining on top of the boards. It was around 5pm on Sunday afternoon and it looked great!! Well, around 11am Monday morning an unexpected rain shower came through leaving puddles here and there on the deck. When I got back in the afternoon, the deck was blotchy and has a oily filmy look on top of many of the boards. I assumed (I know, bad idea) that this would go away with a little more rinsing, and since I needed to pressure wash the house anyway I figured now was a great time! (wrong) After pressure washing the siding and gutters with Krud Kutter, I tried to spray off water/soap remaining on the deck. So herein lies my problem, especially on the boards closer to the house I think the Krud Kutter may have lightened he stain on the boards. There are splotchy spots on the boards closer to the house and toward the middle of the deck. I am so upset. I know the potential of this wood and it is absolutely stunning (and was for a short while anyway), so I will do whatever I need to do to get it back like it is supposed to be... minus all of the splotchy spots and oily looking stuff on the surface. We're having friends and family over next Friday and I REALLY want it to look like it should. Thanks so much for your time and help. Please help! :( asap

[PressurePros 248]

We can fix this! Tonight go to PowerSolve Products | The Sealer Store and place an order for hose end stripper and hose end brightener. They are very homeowner friendly. Spray on the stripper, let it sit for ten minutes and fire up the pressure washer. In even strokes from board end to board end wash off the Messmer's (which is ruined). Follow that with the brightener while the deck is still wet. Do a quick rinse down with your garden hose. Let dry for a day and restain. That store also sells Messmer's. If they have your products in stock they will ship tomorrow.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Assuming you have the correct weather to seal it between now and then.....personally, I would let that ipe age a year before sealing, after you strip that mess off of it.

Beth

[RPetry 564]

.....personally, I would let that ipe age a year before sealing, after you strip that mess off of it.

Beth

Agreed.

[bigchaz 157]

If the ipe is brand new just strip it and leave it. Will still look good when people come over. The wood has some great color by itself

[Sarah 14]

Thank you all very much for your help. I will give this some more thought and see what other options I might have... I also called Messmer's to get thier opinion today too. They too recommended that I leave it alone for at least 6 months, and then power wash it, use the cleaner, and LIGHTLY restain. OR for a quick fix I could get some paint thinner and a cloth or a brush, and try to "blend" the blotchy spots. And to put a thin coat of the rest of the deck with a sponge mop or something similar to get the other lightly "tacky" spots out... this seems to be the most appealing/simple option thus far. Anyone else ever tried or heard of doing this? Thanks again for your help with this.

[bigchaz 157]

The surface was't prepped or weathered properly, so covering over an already bad finish isn't going to help you. You'll see less of the wood and you'll make your job down the road even more difficult stripping all the old stain off

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Ignore the nice people at Messmers.

Strip the deck and let it age a year.

Beth

[Adrian 155]

+1 , also please go to "my controls" and complete your signature line.

Good luck.

[Celeste 341]

Ignore the nice people at Messmers.

Strip the deck and let it age a year.

Beth

I lost count but I will third or fourth this professional opinion! You have a board full of professionals that deal with this ALOT. The nice folks as Messmers have reason to tell you what they did.....and I bet not ONE has ever done what WE all do :)

Good Luck!!!