Need help in Wisconsin!

[bluefish 15]

I have some very long and steep stairs made out of pressure treated that were installed about 5 years ago and abandoned.  They have never been treated at all and are full of mold, leaves and dirt etc.  The stairs go into a clean lake and out onto a dock.  I am the new owner and want to clean them and apply the product that will preserve the wood for the longest time. I do not care about color, transparency or looks.  My goal is just preserve the wood with a super coating, so as not to replace for a long time.  My plan for now is a one time thing just to give them the longest life possible.  Something penetrating with little film coating.  Ideas were either 50% thinned oil porch paint, Ready Seal, semi or solid oil stain or..?   

 

I was thinking of using a box of Oxy Clean, hand scrubbing and lake water for cleaning.  Whatever cleaner is used will go straight down the bluff into the lake so it HAS TO BE SAFE and biodegradable.  It is a very small clean lake and we want to keep it that way.

 

The stairs are very close to the ground, so no way to do the underside.  This will just be end grains and tops.

 

Any recommendations on cleaners and coatings?  I will try and upload a pic.

 

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Beth n Rod 1,278]

I have moved your post to the DIY area.

This is the area for home owners.

 

Thank you.

Beth

[bluefish 15]

Sorry about the double post Beth.  Wasn't sure which thread to post in.  I am an interior painting contractor who knows everything about interior work but very little about decks, exterior forces, mold and pressure treated wood.  I now use AC stains on my own cedar deck after many mistakes in the past and am happy now due to the information gained from this website. 

 

This project is for myself so I am a DIY.  If you have time to expand on why you think acrylic would work best, I would appreciate knowing.  Acrylics do work better for mold and breathing, maybe that's the direction for your thinking?  Also, are you thinking solid or semi?  I think I would prefer penetrating the wood and not something that could peel but I could be wrong.  Also is Oxy Clean a good idea?  Again we are not looking to win a beauty contest here, unlike my deck.  Longevity and minimal maintenance is the goal. The stringers may be the first thing rot.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Beth n Rod 1,278]

Looking at the area the steps are installed on and the algae around them, made me think the climate is better for the acrylic. If you are a painting contractor, you understand the why of that. You would also get why the oil might be less favorable. As for brand, well, do you have a professional preference? Go with what you know.

 

Beth

 

p.s. stringers are a pin in the butt. if you have to replace a step there is a good likelihood they crack and break if they are older......