Ipe' stain longevity

[RPetry 564]

The more ipe' we do, the more I am convinced that letting the wood naturally age and weather is the best course, prior to applying a finish that will last for any appreciable time.

Case in point. On the way home yesterday, stopped by to look at a small ipe' job we stained 9 months ago. As can be seen in the last two pictures, this ipe' was moldy, dirty, and very weathered to the point of surface degradation. The owner stated that the wood had not been cleaned or stained in at least 5 years.

At the 9 month mark, this ipe' looks terrific. The stain pigment has held up remarkably well. The wood is near perfect. The stain used was Ready Seal medium red, two light applications on the floor and a single application on all vertical wood.

Edited June 5, 2010 by RPetry

[weathershield 14]

The first two photographs are of the original application of The A/C Mahogany (Top half) and The old Cabot 550 Mahogany Flame (bottom half) and the test location.

The next two photographs are the A/C Mahogany alone and the entire test board (A/C Mahogany on the top half and the old Cabot 550 on the bottom half) after one (1) year of testing.

I lightly cleaned the above board with a weak solution of Dawn and water and let dry a couple of days before taking the photographs.

As you can see, The untreated portion of the IPE board is finally turning gray.

Edited November 27, 2010 by weathershield
changes

[MudDuck 20]

The stain is holding up better in the high dessert sun than that fence, it keeps changing.:rotfl:

[weathershield 14]

First photograph is of the test location just as the snow was melting.

Next two photographs are of the A/C Mahogany and then the entire board with the A/C Mahogany on the top and the old Cabot 550 on the bottom.

Edited January 4, 2011 by weathershield

[weathershield 14]

A/C Mahogany on the top half and the old Cabot 550 Mahogany Flame on the bottom half.

There have been two snowstorms and heavy frost every morning for the last month.

[weathershield 14]

A/C Mahogany on the top half and the old Cabot 550 Mahogany Flame on the bottom half.

[weathershield 14]

As you can see from the photograph, the color is starting to degrade. The board was cleaned with Dawn and water and allowed to dry for a day.

[RPetry 564]

Last year's stain test on ipe' was Defy for Hardwoods, a water based "nano-technology" product reputed to be longer lasting than most stains on hardwoods.

Attached are two pictures, taken this spring about 11 months after initial application.

IMO, the stain did not outperform quality oil stains. In fact, the wear pattern on the deck is probably a bit worse, with many bare wood areas that have "greyed" out. As can be expected on a film type coating, Defy also scratches worse than oils on ipe'. On the plus side, Defy easily strips off with a medium strength sodium hydroxide stripper.

[RPetry 564]

This year's ipe' test is A-C's mahogany oil stain.

The previous year's Defy was stripped, oxalic acid applied to brighten, and rinsed. The ipe' was lightly sanded with 60 grit.

Two separate light oilings were applied a day apart on the ipe', with one heavy application on the PT. The spindles, gate, and lattice are pressure treated wood. The teak furniture is stained with Ready Seal medium red stain.

This is a tough test deck for any ipe' stain. In addition to two dogs, the deck gets a lot of use and full sun for most of the day.

[James 625]

Rick, can you put up a 24 hour video camera so we can watch the finish wear away ?

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

The first two photographs are of the original application of The A/C Mahogany (Top half) and The old Cabot 550 Mahogany Flame (bottom half) and the test location.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]16561[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]16562[/ATTACH]

The next two photographs are the A/C Mahogany alone and the entire test board (A/C Mahogany on the top half and the old Cabot 550 on the bottom half) after one (1) year of testing.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]16563[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]16564[/ATTACH]

I lightly cleaned the above board with a weak solution of Dawn and water and let dry a couple of days before taking the photographs.

As you can see, The untreated portion of the IPE board is finally turning gray.

....it's about time! :lol:

Beth

[Jake Clark 17]

Diamond Jim (AKA) James,

How are your tests for the Armstrong Clark Mahogany Stain coming? Or are you just willing to post disparaging words?

Jake

[bigchaz 157]

Cubic Zirconia Jim, the one trick Ready Seal pony

Edited May 10, 2011 by bigchaz

[bigchaz 157]

Glad things are thawing out for you there Rick! Deck looks nice. We've been doing a lot of those style chairs like you have lately...seems they are always missing one of the "stopper" bolts on the chair back...very comfy though!

[James 625]

My comment was intended for Rick and to be funny, not in invoke paranoia .

[weathershield 14]

The test board is an IPE deck board that had never been exposed to the elements. The board was cleaned in January 2010 with a very mild stripper solution and neutralized with a very mild acid solution.

The top portion of the board is two coats of A/C mahogany stain that has been exposed to the weather for 18 months at an elevation of 5500 feet.

The middle section of the board is the balance of the top portion which has been cleaned with a mild sodium percarbonate solution and recoated with a medium maintenance coat of A/C mahogany stain (brushed).

The bottom portion of the board is the original IPE.

The board will be placed in a horizontal position for additional testing.

[weathershield 14]

The test board is an IPE deck board that had never been exposed to the elements. The board was cleaned in January 2010 with a very mild stripper solution and neutralized with a very mild acid solution.

The top portion of the board is two coats of A/C mahogany stain that has been exposed to the weather for 19 months at an elevation of 5500 feet.

The middle section of the board is the balance of the top portion which has been cleaned with a mild sodium percarbonate solution and recoated with a medium maintenance coat of A/C mahogany stain (brushed). Now in the second month of exposure.

The bottom portion of the board is the original IPE.

The board is being tested in a horizontal position.

[billbk 14]

I have an old Ipe deck (10+ years old).

I've stained it off and on in that time.

The last couple of times have been with wood tux.

This spring I decided to sand the deck as many of the boards were discolored, wouldn't hold a stain evenly, some areas were greyed out, etc.

I used 40 grit as recommended on many sites (you apparently don't want the wood too smooth).

Took the stain nicely.......but now, only after 2 months max, the stain is basically gone & the deck looks blotchy.

I had done the whole cleaning/brightening process before staining too.

Would you recommend applying more stain before fall/winter hits (I'm in Minnesota), or letting it sit till next spring.

Any ideas why the stain disappeared so fast?

[acegot 14]

Wood Tux holds up well for me in IPE. Next time sand with 60 grit.

[billbk 14]

...and WoodTux held up for me in the past too.

Any response to my questions though?

[James 625]

Spring. Or do it now and a light coat in the spring

[Jake Clark 17]

Hello Billbk,

Why not ask me?

Jake Clark, Pres.

Armstrong Clark Co.

1 209 541 6579 cell

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I'm not surprised at all by the results you are getting. It is your prep. You took off the open wood, went back to new wood. If it had been pine or cedar, your sealer would have performed better. With ipe, it's like applying to new wood. Wood prep on ipe is a very fine line to walk.....

Beth

[billbk 14]

Ok Jake, why did it fail so soon & should I reapply now (I have a lot more stain), or wait till next spring?

[Jake Clark 17]

Hello Bill,

I rarely post as dialogues answer so many more questions than multiple monologues. As a manufacturer, I would suggest you call WoodTux and ask for their advice, though I think Beth nailed the problem. Lyle is well experienced also. If you wish, please feel free to give me a call on my cell 1 209 541 6579.

Jake

[weathershield 14]

IPE test board:20 months exposure on original and 3 months on recoat

The test board is an IPE deck board that had never been exposed to the elements. The board was cleaned in January 2010 with a very mild stripper solution and neutralized with a very mild acid solution.

The top portion of the board is two coats of A/C mahogany stain that has been exposed to the weather for 20 months at an elevation of 5500 feet.

The middle section of the board is the balance of the top portion which has been cleaned with a mild sodium percarbonate solution and recoated with a medium maintenance coat of A/C mahogany stain (brushed). Now in the third month of exposure.

The bottom portion of the board is the original IPE.

The board is being tested in a horizontal position.

We are in the monsoon season, so the test board has been rained on almost every day.