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| TIPS & INFO: Decks > Do It Yourself Finish & Maintenance |
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Cleaning a previously finished deck (finish 1-4 years old)--
Deck cleaning should be done once or twice a year, depending on the
algae and grime build-up. Do not wait until grime and algae get very
thick before you clean off deck surface. We recommend cleaning your
deck every spring and every fall .
We recommend Behr’s No 63 Wood
Cleaner-Brightener-Conditioner (or equivalent available at Home Depot)
diluted about 5 to 1 with water or a good detergent like 409. DO NOT
USE household bleach and laundry soap on cedar or natural wood decks! Add a mildew cleaner to the mix
if you have mildew on surfaces. These products are save to plants and
animals.
DO use bleach with the cleaner if cleaning a composite type deck like TREX. Use the bleach about 1-1 of water.
Put chemical mix into a large bucket and used a long handled
brush to apply to a wetted surface. Let stand for 5-10 minutes. Wash
off thoroughly with a high pressure nozzle or a 1500 psi or less
pressure washing machine. If you use a pressure washer, don’t get too
close with the wand or you may remove the finish or damage the wood.
Use standard water pressure if you don’t have a pressure washer and it
may or may not work well. Rinse the surfaces thoroughly and surrounding
plants. After dry, sand lightly any flaking or weathered, broken finish
and then apply finish coat
When cleaning a TREX deck be sure to ADD bleach, but no bleach on natural wood surfaces.
Cleaning a badly grayed with little or no finish left on deck--
You may want to consider retrofitting the deck with new wood - either
2x6, 2x4, or 5/4 cedar, redwood or treated wood if conditions warrant
it.
If the deck has a lot of paint on it, it will be very
difficult to remove, but these methods will work, but not remove the
paint from the grooves or cracks.
Your cleaning process will be very much the same as listed
above, but using a stronger dilution of chemical and definitely using a
pressure washer up to 2200 psi. You will probably want to use Behr’s No
65 Deck Stripper or equivalent product.
You may need to use a stripping chemical to help remove the
finish. Be sure to wear gloves and boots and let the chemical stand for
as long as possible. Covering the deck with a plastic tarp overnight
may be necessary. Be sure to flush surrounding plants with LOTS of
water when finished.
If the first two methods above do not remove all the gray
and old finish, it may be necessary to power sand. We recommend a half
sheet orbital sander with 50 grit or 80 grit sandpaper. For more
aggressive removal we recommend a 5” disk sander with 36 grit sanding
disks. Practice before starting this procedure.
Application of Finish Materials--
Let surface dry at least 1-2 days after washing. Don’t apply finish on
days colder than 45 or above 95 degrees. An intensively hot, sunny day
may make the stain dry too quickly.
The material we recommend is an oil based light stain that
contains water repellent, wood preservative and UV blockers. It won’t
ever crack or peel.
Apply a liberal coat of TWP 101 (cedartone or rustic color are our 2
favorites) or Wolman F&P to the needed surface with a garden low
pressure sprayer. Spray about 3x3 area and back brush out completely,
getting it into the cracks too. Be careful of the surrounding surfaces
for overspray. Never do this on a windy day.
Use a natural bristle (China) brush if possible or a good
synthetic brush. We like 3" long handled brushes for this job. If you
don’t have a large deck, you can skip the spray method. Brush about 2-4
lengths of boards working from one end to the other without stopping.
If you stop mid-board, you may end up with unsightly stain overlaps.
Stay off the deck for 3-5 days and never slide any object back
onto the deck when dry. Pick it up and place it. We recommend no
furniture back for a week to let the stain thoroughly harden.
Be sure to clean your brush thoroughly with mineral spirits (paint
thinner) and then wash with water and dry with clean rag. Be sure to
rewrap the brush in original cover to protect and shape it.
Maintaining a finished deck--
You need to clean deck once or twice a year, following instructions listed here on cleaning with Behr 63 Deck cleaner.
Restain application is necessary every 2-3 years depending on color fading and minor deterioration.
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