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Need Advice DIY Deck Refinishing Tips & Tricks?

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by wahoogeek, Aug 19, 2014.

  1. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    I'm about to refinish our aging pressure treated wood deck one last time, trying to get a few more years out of it before replacing. The deck itself is in rather good shape (lots of shade) but hasn't been touched in 5 years. I do realize given the age, I won't achieve a like new deck, just looking for the best bang for the buck (including time) here.

    For those who DIY'd your decks, what did you find that worked or didn't work? Specific products, tools, etc.?

    What HD/Lowes products worked for you or didn't work?

    How to avoid splintering or damaging the wood (raised fibers, etc.) that would then require sanding? Or sanding an inevitable and must-do step?

    Tips for staining the railing and balusters? (large deck, seems like these may consume the most time)

    thanks in advance
     
  2. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Friendly reminder... if you are changing the color of your deck stain, you will need to submit and application for approval from the Modifications Sub-Committee.

    Bob T. - Mod Sub-Comm member
     
  3. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    We're about to do something similar... we kept the bones of the deck and put down new PT wood and new railings and now want to stain it but forgot about the modification process (we just used the same color as our neighbor). We used a Behr wood restorer that worked very well and didn't require hard-core pressure washing that could tear up the fibers in the wood.

    I heard at one point Sikkens stains were really good (We were looking at semi-transparent stains -- I don't like the look of solid stains) .. I think you can get them at Tart Lumber. My wife wants to sand/smooth down the new decking so we might do that.
     
  4. ceis

    ceis New Member

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    We used a Behr semi-transparent on an older (15 years) deck and it turned out pretty well. Hand brushed on- did it with my daughter and we didn't kill each other. Note that my lovely wife also wanted me to sand the deck but I did not- for two reasons. Mainly I was lazy, and there is the following from Consumer Reports which I used as justification.

    Prep decks carefully. Washing and sanding are typical first steps to staining a deck. But remember that sanding a wood deck treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) releases toxic arsenic into the air and surrounding soil. Call a pro if your deck was built before 2004
     
  5. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    T8erman: roger.

    boomertsfx: Was it Behr's Premium all-in-one wood cleaner that you used? Spray on, scrub, rinse off? I've read reviews of other brands that caused raised fibers which then requires sanding...

    ceis: yes, exactly on the sanding! How did you apply the stain to the railings? just paint brush? We have a fairly large deck and I can see the railings being the most time consuming.... looking for a faster way. thanks.
     
  6. ceis

    ceis New Member

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    Well, the very first time I did the deck I bought a spray gun and ended up with stain all over the house. The next time I hired a contractor and told him the only reason he was being hired was to keep the stain off the house and our new patio- yep, he got stain all over the house and the new patio. So, this time- just used a brush and some small rollers. Hired my daughter, turned on the tunes and got to it. Might have been a few adult beverages involved at some point . . .
     
  7. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    Yeah -- it did a better job on the old gray bones of the deck than a pressure washer did, I was pleasantly surprised. I'll have to check on any raised fibers...
     
  8. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    spent the weekend cleaning the deck. I unfortunately had the opposite experience than you boomertsfx with the Behr cleaner -- pressure washer was needed to remove the dirt/mildew/etc. Maybe my deck was too much, maybe I should have used it full strength? User error? LOL.

    Now to find a stain ..... sigh, more mixed reviews.
     
  9. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    thought I'd give some tips now that I've completed the job:

    1) HD sells a 5 inch staining brush that screws into a broom handle. You can stain the deck standing up versus on your hands and knees, not only does it save your back, it's easier and faster. I did a single board, from end to end, rather than doing an area at a time; this prevents lap marks. Spraying or rolling the stain still requires you to brush it in so easier to just go with brushing.
    2) Either HD or Lowes (forget which) had staining/paint "gloves". These mitts made staining the balusters a breeze. A little stain on the fingertip areas of the mitt and then rub the stain in on all sides. Much faster than attempting to use a brush. This may not work as well with a solid stain but great for semi-transparent.
     
  10. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    What stain did you end up using?
     
  11. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    Used Sikkens -- seemed to have the least number of horrible reviews and a neighbor said that he's tried all of the readily available brands and this was the best out of all. Note that "best" doesn't mean great. We'll see how it holds up. While time consuming, it was a relatively easy one-coat appliation with the tools described above.
     

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