byrdiblack 14 Report post Posted October 18, 2012 Hi everyone! I have a 1200-sq-ft, 2-story deck behind my building in Chicago. I noticed the wood was greening earlier in the summer (it hadn't been sealed for 7 years), and purchased TWP 1500 in a dark color, after speaking with OPWDecks/The Sealer Store (they suggested it would hide any flaws and look great, i think it ended up being too dark and muddy looking). After waiting months for a good weather window to power wash, let dry 48 hours, and then stain the deck, I thought I had a clear week but ended up with rain 6 hours after application. What's more, I think it was applied incorrectly. The power washing went great, and Restore-A-Deck Cleaner was used to remove most of the dirt and green. They applied the stain on the top deck and stairs, it seeped through the cracks and looks horrible on the underneath deck boards, and there are drip spots all over the unstained portions of the lower deck (see photos), but they said it was half done and planned to come back the next day to finish the bottom deck. Then it rained. I now have water spots, greasy tacky stairs, and everything looks muddy, uneven and horrible. PHOTOS here: https://picasaweb.google.com/107996769051250485397/Deck?authuser=0&feat=directlink I hated the color, but not as much as I hate the ugliness of a half stained ruined deck:( So now what should I do? I'm thinking of re-power washing this weekend to strip all of the ruined stain, and then letting the unstained deck sit through the winter until I have the muster to restart this project in the spring. After all, the weather in Chicago is nothing but rain and cold now, and soon enough snow! But I just can't leave it the way it is, half done and ruined. Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks so much! I'm having so many panic attacks about getting this fixed before the winter! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigchaz 157 Report post Posted October 18, 2012 Well...I don't where to start but unfortunately not a lot of good news for you. Do you know what was used on the deck the last time it was stained? It appears from the picture of the steps and the picture of the ceiling (picture 7and8) that you have a tan or beige colored stain on the deck that was not fully removed during the cleaning process. I can see where you powerwashed on picture 7 and it looks like the powerwashing didn't go all the way to the edge of the step, so you can see some of the old stain on the right side. That old stain needs to be fully stripped before you put another stain on top or you have what happened to your deck where the old stain is visible through the new stain. Drips on the underside of the floor are going to be unavoidable, when you stain the cracks on the floor it will run down. If it bothers you a lot you would have to strip and clean all the joists and the underside of the deck and restain that as well with the new stain in order to have it match The stairs are tacky because the stain you applied over the old stain wasn't able to penetrate into the wood. It needs to be completely clean and clear of any old stain or dirt in order to soak in. The stain is probably just sitting on top which is why it became tacky. Depending on what stain was used the drips that fell from the upper floor could blend in when you stain the lower deck, but it would be better to put plastic down first when working from the top down so no stain gets on the wood below until you are ready to stain that section. The biggest key with wood restoration is the prep work. It wasn't done properly and that entire deck needs to be fully stripped properly to remove all the old stain and the new stain and get it back down to bare clean wood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
byrdiblack 14 Report post Posted October 19, 2012 Do you know what was used on the deck the last time it was stained? Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I dont. It was a company hired by my mom at the time and she lost the name:( I know it was a beige/tan color that was a little more opaque, maybe an acrylic mix. I feel terrible because the deck supplies store had me believe that with 7 years, it would have been worn off and just needed to be power washed. The biggest key with wood restoration is the prep work. It wasn't done properly and that entire deck needs to be fully stripped properly to remove all the old stain and the new stain and get it back down to bare clean wood. That's what I figure. Now my question is, how can I hire professionals to come in and fix the damage with the bad weather? There's nothing but rain in the forecast and the temperature is dipping below 40 degrees often. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adrian 155 Report post Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) Yep, I agree with Charlie. It's a do over. Do some research in your area to find a reputable contactor who specializes in wood restoration. Not someone who occasionally does it, but, someone who does this for a profession. It CAN be stripped and neutralized in the inclimate weather you described. However, below 40 degrees it should not be re-stained. Also go ahead and stain the underside of the second floor deck to get a uniform flow of tone and avoid the run off issue all together ( as mentioned). It will cost you more $$$ but really will be worth the extra cost in the end result. Strip it now and if weather is too bad to stain, wait until spring to stain. It may or may not hold up dirt wise, but at least you wont be looking at the current mess. Edited October 19, 2012 by Adrian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Phillips 14 Report post Posted October 19, 2012 Hi Robin, You definitely have a mess on your hands, but don't panic. It can be fixed. Charlie is right (as he usually is). Your first step is to remove all the old coatings and get the wood prepped right. Even if it looks like all the old stain has weathered away, the pores of the wood are usually still clogged with old sealer just below the surface. This doesn't allow the new stain to penetrate properly and bond to the wood. Find a professional contractor in your area that specializes in wood restoration. They will know what to do, and a true professional will never compromise the job if the weather doesn't allow for the best results possible. Even if you do have to wait until Spring, the results will be well worth the wait. Keep us posted! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
byrdiblack 14 Report post Posted October 19, 2012 Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm going to go with Roof-to-Deck Restoration, here in Chicago. They have stellar Angieslist ratings and though I will be paying for this one for a while, I'm determined to get this done right. Thanks so much for your pro opinions. I'll keep you updated with new photos when it's complete. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steven 37 Report post Posted October 20, 2012 Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm going to go with Roof-to-Deck Restoration, here in Chicago. They have stellar Angieslist ratings and though I will be paying for this one for a while, I'm determined to get this done right. Thanks so much for your pro opinions. I'll keep you updated with new photos when it's complete. refrences are a must, get a customer with a project that is a couple years old that way you can see the real end result. pay the extra dollars, when done correctly by a reputable wood specialist your deck will look spectacular for years to come. you will find exccuses to sit out on the deck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,278 Report post Posted October 20, 2012 I know the folks at Roof-to-Deck. You're in good hands. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steven 37 Report post Posted October 20, 2012 I know the folks at Roof-to-Deck. You're in good hands.Beth nuff said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NAPWO 21 Report post Posted October 22, 2012 Roof-to-Decks uses Ready Seal wood preservative and since it is not temp regulated, they should still be able to seal your deck this fall using it. It will have to be dry, but temps won't effect the application! Your in great hands with that company! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seymore 90 Report post Posted October 22, 2012 Roof-to-Decks uses Ready Seal wood preservative and since it is not temp regulated, they should still be able to seal your deck this fall using it. It will have to be dry, but temps won't effect the application! Your in great hands with that company! So you could put RS on below <40 temps? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigchaz 157 Report post Posted October 22, 2012 Even if you could put the stain down that cold, biggest problem will get getting the wood to dry enough before staining if it was under 40 out. Unless that deck faces straight into the sun, it's covered on 3 sides by houses Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seymore 90 Report post Posted October 22, 2012 Even if you could put the stain down that cold, biggest problem will get getting the wood to dry enough before staining if it was under 40 out. Unless that deck faces straight into the sun, it's covered on 3 sides by houses I agree it's just going to sit on top and not soak in... Decks I'll stain at a minimum of 60 deg for newer decks "1-2 yrs old".Older decks that are super dry might stain better when colder but newer wood it just won't soak in. The Gray Away is a minimum 40 and above but i'm not a fan to be working in 40 deg to be honest. Here in Texas we don't usually have a winter so a few weeks a year it gets cold but we could be in the 80's for Christmas. I think you will be good to just get the deck cleaned and wait till a warmer and dry Spring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NAPWO 21 Report post Posted October 23, 2012 Yes you can put it down so long as the wood is dry. as Charlie mentioned. Most other stains I would not want to try to put down under those temps. You may have to increase the time for it to soak in as the cold can make the pores of the wood a litle tighter, but I have peronally applied RS in those kind of cool temps with excellent results. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 624 Report post Posted October 23, 2012 Honest answer . Cedar is very difficult below 50 and if the wood is less than a year old a waste of time unless you thin the oil. Pt between 40 and 50 temps on the north side of the house will take time to dry. Below 40 on old wood in the sun is ok but still take time to dry? Trick is spirits to speed dring. If u decrease solid content and increase applications it will work and better to get the job done. Still doing wood and it's brutal! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPetry 564 Report post Posted October 24, 2012 Honest answer . Cedar is very difficult below 50 and if the wood is less than a year old a waste of time unless you thin the oil. ... I agree. Old weathered cedar will take RS in the mid to high 40 temps, but needs a lot of time to cure out/dry. We've stained aged PT wood in the high 30's using RS without problem. But getting the wood to dry out at those temps takes a long period of dry weather, low humidity, and preferably a windy day or two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 624 Report post Posted October 25, 2012 I bought a heater to blow under the deck. Pretty neat. Speeds drying of the wood in the morning and helps the with the oling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 624 Report post Posted October 25, 2012 Heating the oil up helps too .. One wood job left to finish. Cedar roof. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,278 Report post Posted October 25, 2012 To be clear.....I think when James says heating the oil up, he's talking about storing it in a room in a house so it is warmer than it would be if garage kept for example. We are not talking about putting it on a pot and heating it on the stove. Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James 624 Report post Posted October 25, 2012 Yes , I heat it up. Industrial blow drier and a stainless pot . You can buy heaters with a probe that goes in the fluid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coachcollins42 14 Report post Posted November 8, 2012 Great info here! I had the same problem and this helped. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Clark 17 Report post Posted November 10, 2012 Somebody best call the fire department! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
