new mahogany covered porch & mahogany fully exposed deck

[buck1s 14]

Complete amateur here. Just about finished with some adds to the house and want to start out right by choosing a good stain. From what I've read, there seem to be a few good options - AC, ReadySeal, maybe Defy? As none of these are available retail locally (Charlottesville, Va) that I know of, I'm spending more time agonizing over stain/color choices since I only want to buy once.

I was able to go online get a sample pack from Woodrich of their hardwood wiping stain. Following the directions that came with the samples, I wasn't able to see much color difference between the samples on my test mahogany. It makes it impossible to commit to that brand, let alone a specific color, if I can't tell what's what.

I was also interested in the AC Hardwood Stain in Amber color. Anyone tried that? All advice would be appreciated, including what if anything I need to do to prep a new deck.

Thanks,

Chris

[Adrian 155]

Please complete your signature line. House rules. Thx. and welcome.

[buck1s 14]

Sure thing. But they should put that in the Forum Rules section. As it is, a signature is only required for people in the biz. Unless I'm missing that fact that I shouldn't be posting here if I'm not in the biz. Haha...

[seymore 90]

Homeowners post in the DIY section Mr. Junkie.

[buck1s 14]

Thanks. I figured that I missed something.

[seymore 90]

Thanks. I figured that I missed something.

Not a problem the thread will get moved.

I don't see hard woods or use AC so I can't help you with experience of hardwoods but someone will chime in.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Welcome to TGS. Enjoy the stay! :-)

Beth

[buck1s 14]

Thanks, Beth, Shane, and Adrian. Looking forward to learning a lot. :)

[seymore 90]

Thanks, Beth, Shane, and Adrian. Looking forward to learning a lot. :)

Not a problem ....How big is the deck? You have any pics? Mahogany is some beautiful wood it would be a big change from the pressure treated pine I see here in Texas. How old is the deck sounds like it's pretty new?

[buck1s 14]

Shane, the covered porch is 12x10 with T&G mahogany. The exposed deck above is 7x10 5/4 mahogany decking. And let me just add that these two types of mahogany seem nothing alike. But I've learned lots of stuff can get lumped under "mahogany". All brand new.

Chris

[seymore 90]

Chris,You might want to get all the stain samples you like make a sample board and let them cure to the final color and choose what you like. I'm thinking mahogany is no different than all other hardwoods and need to cure to accept the stain. So leave enjoy that new deck look for a while before cleaning and staining.

[buck1s 14]

Thanks, Shane. So, any stain brand recs? TWP, Armstrong-Clark, ReadySeal? I've read that while you might choose one stain for new wood, you might not use it for older, weathered wood.

[Adrian 155]

Bga..........

[RPetry 564]

... I wasn't able to see much color difference between the samples on my test mahogany. It makes it impossible to commit to that brand, let alone a specific color, if I can't tell what's what. ...

Chris,

Like ipe', true red mahogany does not vary much in color with real semi transparent oil stains. Case in point, the pic below is a maintenance job we completed yesterday.

The floor and top rail are newly stained with Ready Seal Redwood (formerly med. red). The post and bottom rail are stained with 2 year old "Woodzotic". An ESI pigment mix created by the famous Ken Fenner of PressurePros. Two separate manufactured stains, two separate types of oil, and two years between application.

Hard to tell any difference.

[seymore 90]

Nice color Rick :cool:

[buck1s 14]

Thanks, Rick. Now convince my wife :)