New Cedar deck, Best sealer? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Steampiper · 05-18-2006, 11:30 AM

Just built a Cedar deck, I want to keep the original color, but I don't want to re-seal it every year.
What product will protect it best and longest while changing the color the least.

Big Dave · 05-18-2006, 12:09 PM

Sikkens is the best that I know of. They should have a color that would suit your needs.

Dave.

DecksEtc · 05-18-2006, 12:14 PM

I've always used Ben Moore but on advice from others here I am trying out Flood on some cedar arbors this week.

As to the wear and tear, your high traffic areas are going to take the most beating. Using a semi-transparent tint or what BM calls "natural" will make the high traffic areas show less. Regardless of the stain you use, you need to prep it properly.

Mike Finley · 05-18-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steampiper

Just built a Cedar deck, I want to keep the original color, but I don't want to re-seal it every year.
What product will protect it best and longest while changing the color the least.

I might be of the only opinion - but if you aren't going to seal it every year then don't even bother starting. I have never seen a product that lasted more than a year.

Steampiper · 05-18-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

I might be of the only opinion - but if you aren't going to seal it every year then don't even bother starting. I have never seen a product that lasted more than a year.

I think you might be right, Mike. Most people I spoke with about it say no matter what the can says, it will only last a year.

Mike Finley · 05-18-2006, 04:35 PM

That's always been my experience... but there are guys here who know a lot more about that stuff then I do.

I've always been under the school of thought that since you are going to have to reapply, pick a product that is going to be easy on you when the time comes. - one of the resaons I have like the Penofin products since all you need to do is scrub the deck off with a bucket of water and some Simple Green in it. Then the next coat of Penofin goes on and it looks brand new again.

George Z · 05-18-2006, 08:12 PM

I heard great things about

http://www.flood.com/Flood/Products/...ood+Finish.htm

Never used it yet.

AAPaint · 05-18-2006, 08:26 PM

The problem with going with a clear sealer is they don't have any UV protection for the wood. I would recommend Ready Seal in natural cedar color to protect the wood properly. Ready Seal will only need a cleaning after the first year, and at worst, clean and re-seal after two to three years. No stripping necessary, just wash lightly with bleach and apply another coat...same as penofin that George mentioned. One problem with penofin is the way it looks after a year. The rosewood oil in penofin is believed by many in the wood care sector to make an excellent food for mold causing it to look crappy in short order.

George Z · 05-18-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAPaint

The problem with going with a clear sealer is they don't have any UV protection for the wood. I would recommend Ready Seal in natural cedar color to protect the wood properly. Ready Seal will only need a cleaning after the first year, and at worst, clean and re-seal after two to three years. No stripping necessary, just wash lightly with bleach and apply another coat...same as penofin that George mentioned. One problem with penofin is the way it looks after a year. The rosewood oil in penofin is believed by many in the wood care sector to make an excellent food for mold causing it to look crappy in short order.

I mentioned penofin? That was Mike.
Flood Spa 'n Deck is what I mentioned.
Seal coat applied "soaking" wet.

http://www.flood.com/Flood/Products/...ood+Finish.htm

AAPaint · 05-18-2006, 08:58 PM

Sorry George. I went through it quickly and got you mixed up!

RobertCDF · 05-18-2006, 09:13 PM

If you dont want to stain it every year.... use a product called.... "Correct Deck"

But thats just my opinion. Wood looks nice and all but who wants to maintain it???

Mike Finley · 05-18-2006, 09:24 PM

Can I staple that over the top of my current deck?

asbestos · 05-19-2006, 01:33 AM

one thing to keep in mind with any of the oil finishes. Watch your rags! they can and will catch on fire. just in my small town there have been 2 fires in the past 10years caused by this. one was a timber frame house about 90% built. the garage was left. another almost set an entire industrial building on fire. Also a major warehouse fire in seattle was caused by rags and an oil finish.
But they do work well and are easy to maintain

snapper21 · 05-19-2006, 05:31 AM

I have to agree with the Sikkens choice. It's a little more labor intensive than the norm since you have to brush it on, but in my experiences it has lasted 2 years at the least and it looks great.

Steampiper · 05-19-2006, 06:50 AM

Thanks for the info.

A+Carpenter · 05-19-2006, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertCDF

If you dont want to stain it every year.... use a product called.... "Correct Deck"

But thats just my opinion. Wood looks nice and all but who wants to maintain it???

You build these decks for customer and they spend BuuuKU bucks and they never take care of it. BAFFLES ME.

CDF you ever run into that?????

Bone Saw · 05-19-2006, 08:44 AM

when i get someone that wants a "no maintainence" deck, I let them know thier 2 options: build a uv filtering plastic dome over their property, or titanium framing, decking, railing and fasteners.

RobertCDF · 05-19-2006, 03:58 PM

I tell my people that they have to wash thier deck a couple of times a year at least. Even more if they go with a lighter color composite. But its not real hard to do. I called one of my past customers to get some more pics of his deck. When I went it was dirty and he said hold on a sec. Turned on the hose and hosed it down in less than 5 mins... Looked as good as new (minus the color fade that wasnt that bad anyway).

asbestos · 05-20-2006, 11:35 PM

here in the Northwest we get moss alge and mold like crazy, it does not do too much the first year, by year two it is looking bad the third year it looks gross bad. year four it is out of hand- 'is there a deck under that?'. and this is with composite. cedar will get slicker then snot on a doorknob. I'll tell HOs whether it's me or someone else get that deck cleaned. Then they say "oh, we don't use that much it's to slippery"

kapena · 05-21-2006, 12:31 AM

I also agree with those recommending Sikkens. Its expensive, but it seems to spead further than the other brands that I have used. It definitely seems to last longer, and I'm talking about under pretty bad weather conditions for a clear sealer.