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DECK Restoration
using a professional Stripping Chemical
A wood deck is a thing of beauty. How golden and bright a redwood deck can look. However over time a deck no matter what it is build out of, looses it's beauty to the elements of the weather. So how can i restore my once beautiful deck? Should I use a wood stripper, and if so, when and how?
Remember, it's very important to schedule some kind of maintenance each year or two to keep it looking nice and appealing. Still in time this once proud structure is in need of restoration. So here are some added tips and procedures to bring back your deck to near beautiful condition.
You will need a good professional pressure washer, a garden sprayers and some brushes.
Also keep in mind that even if your deck has been cleaned and sealed periodically, if it is not properly done right, your deck will actually feed on mold and mildew and attract dirt. So, it's important to buy the right sealer and apply it according to the directions on the can. Some things to look for; If too much sealer has been applied over and over again, your deck will have a muddy look to it.
Alright, let's get started; Turn on the pressure washer and start washing. This in itself may not restore your wood. Be careful not to gouge the wood with improper pressure and or tip size. So turn off the pressure washer. What you need to do first is to spray over the surface a deck cleaner to lift the buildup ad make it easier to remove it without causing damage to the wood with the pressure washer.
So, now you have a beautiful deck again? Hopefully, buy if the existing finish still looks bad, the deck may need to be stripped. Do a water test to determine this. Just sprinkle a little water on the deck surface if it soaks in then cleaner is all that is needed, but if the water beads up , it indicates there still is some protection on the deck. That means getting a wood stripper and applying it to the wood by following the product's directions. Get a good professional stripper will work the best.
You can use a garden sprayer to apply the stripper. Be sure to pay attention to how much a gallon of stripper covers in square footage. That way you can determine if you are putting the proper amount on. Whether its a cleaner or a stripper that you are spraying on, pay attention to how hot the weather is or how cold it is; it too hot, the water evaporates and the chemical your using stops working. You may have to fine midst the area your working first with water to prevent fast drying and to allow the chemical to work.
How can I tell if the stripper did it's work? If water does not bead up on the surface. Also after using a cleaning agent or stripper, the look of the deck should be lighter in color. If you have some dark areas or spots, you will have to repeat your previous efforts to try to remove those spots. When finished, rinse off your deck with water. The last procedure is to use a deck brightener which through it's chemical reaction will lighten it close to it's natural color. Brighteners can also remove nail stains or iron stains. It also neutralizes the deck thereby not needing to be rinsed with water have the application of this brightener. After using the brightener, let the deck dry for 48 hours before staining or sealing.
You may have to apply brightener again if on the next day if the deck has some dark spots.
Another way to remove any remaining spots of previous sealers or blotching looking areas( before staining or sealing) is to sand these areas with a 80 grit sandpaper and feather out around the spot because sanded wood may absorb the coating differently that will be applied. This helps the deck to look more even. You may want to light sand the deck rails to smooth them out and remove any build up.
As you can see it involves some work but very fulfilling work when you look gaze at your beautiful deck.
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