What Do I Stain My Deck With?

jimb317

I am looking to stain my deck and was wondering if I could get some expert advice on what to use.
There is already a colored stain on the deck, I know that I will have to clean it with a pressure washer. Any help would be apppreciated. I live in NY.

paint_booger

More info.

Is the colored stain on the deck now ... fading or flaking? Are you changing colors? From what to what? Is there mildue (from leaves) or rot? What condition is the wood in?

Power wash = yes. KNOW YOUR TIP #'S ON THE POWER WASHER!!!
You can rent a good power washer at the local hardware store. Get a gas operated one ... not electric.
IGNORE THAT 0 TIP!
30 or 40 is better.
Make sure that deck of your's is good and dry before you do any staining!

As far as the product ... I Need More info!

paint_booger

And as long as you have that power washer ... clean off your sidewalks ... the place looks clean and bright when you do that.

PressurePros

Besides spray pattern (0 degree, 25 degree, 40 degree etc) you should get the right size orifice nozzle. On a 4 gpm machine you should look for a number 10 orifice. That would be designated at 4010 (40 degre spray). Pressure washing is just an accelerated rinse. You need to apply a stripper, then apply an acidic based pH balancing agent. Anything over 800-1000 psi and you are just vandalizing the wood and taking life away from it.

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Ken Fenner
Pressure Washing PA
Roof Cleaning Services PA

jimb317

the stain on the deck is a darker one that is fading. I am hopeing to stain it a similar color. There is no mildew and the wood is in good condition.

Is there a brand you would recommend over others? oil or water based?

paint_booger

Stripper sounds a little harsh, dude! I'de need a picture before I sugested that.

paint_booger

I'm all about making sure people know that our buisness is more than "wipe it clean, and brush it on" ... but this guy is a blue collar guy like you and me. He just wants to stain his deck.

GURU

slickshift

I'd recommend the Cabot's
First use the Problem Solving Cleaner
Then PW it off
You probably won't even need the PS Brightener, as it's a dark stain

Let it dry
Then stain
Use a large thick brush like the Besst Liebco Stainers
Put it on a pole to do the decking

Use oil, if it's oil on there now, or if you don't know what's on there

If you know for sure it's latex, then use latex

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

PressurePros

That implies that there are more ways than doing a deck than the right way. By stripping I mean remove whats on there. The process is the same whether you apply a stripper or a percarb cleaner. A stripper can and should be used if he has product on there now and will be changing the product. Many oils are not compatible.
We use stripper on decks that are just gray and mold covered sometimes as well. Its all in the dilution. We downstream the chem on for efficiency in those cases.

__________________
Ken Fenner
Pressure Washing PA
Roof Cleaning Services PA

paint_booger

"220 ... 221 ... what ever it takes." (Mr Mom)

Sparky,

What kind of stain is on your deck right now? Do you know? Any old cans in the garage?

GURU

PressurePros

Damn, I keep forgetting drywall guys and painters know their stuff about wood restoration. My bad.

__________________
Ken Fenner
Pressure Washing PA
Roof Cleaning Services PA

Richard

There is more to staining a deck than what you may think, whether the guy asking for the advice is a rocket scientist or a day laborer, there is a right way and a wrong way...

Jim- I suggest listening to the reputable guys in here who have years of experience. Ken is a wood restoration guy who knows his stuff-when he comments he's not just filling space (like some in here). You want perfection, follow his advice.

John (slickshift) described the way that I personally handle my decks. It's a good method, maybe not the best, but good.

Jim-whatever you do, do it right. Following a guy who is basically saying to 'wing it', is not who I would be listening to, if you know what I mean

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Rich

jimb317

I have no way of finding out what kind is on there.
I was at Sherwin-Williams last week and they told me the only company that has an oil based stain is Thomsan water seal.

gideond

Thats a load. There are plenty of companies with oil based stains. I know Sikkens still sells their VOC compliant products in your area. Sounds like SW may have dropped all their oil products in your area but that doesn't mean everyone has.

slickshift

SW reps and store mgr. employees do a lot of the "You can say that...."

In other words, the regional says "we are not carrying oil anymore"
The sales persons say "What if the customer asks for oil?"
The SW YCST answer:
"If the customer asks for oil, you can say that...it's against the law, it's crap and sucks, it kills puppies, etc..."
So the sales person is not technically lying, they are repeating what they are told by their superiors

SW actually sent out a flyer last week advertising two of their oil based deck products
Of course, I can't get them around here because they cause the sun to stop shinning

The Cabot's cleaner will clean off what you need, short of a stripper, enough so the Cabot's oil based stain will go over what's left no problem, even if it was water based...no worries

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

rara77

I have a similar question. My deck was stained with an oil based stain. Several years ago I stripped it and put on a water based stain (Cabot). I just finished replacing some rotten wood and a slight remodel. The stain seemed to have lasted but was in pretty tough shape so I stripped off the stain from the deck surface. I'd like to go with a lighter color than the cedar color I had on it. What can you recommend? Do I have to use a water based stain or can I use an oil based stain?

ModernStyle

Decks make me nervous, I do them because my kids developed the habits of eating and living indoors, but I prefer painting exteriors over decks any day.

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jimb317

Where do I buy Cabot's stain? Is it available in NY state?

slickshift

Should be
They can often be found at paint stores, hardware stores, and home centers
Try the website for a "store locater"
http://www.cabotstain.com/cabot/

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Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

747

Hey ace hardware uptown has it. I checked out there website. I would think the original poster would have no problem finding it.