Deck cleaning and staining

Eddy,

I just redid my deck using Cabot's driftwood gray #1444. I get 3 years per application. This is a deck stain that allows the wood grain to show through. The solid color stains which hide the grain are supposed to last longer. Be careful with the deck cleaner. The cleaner I used caused a chemical burn. Wear gloves and goggles. Follow directions.

Good luck, Dave M.

Save your money on the power washer. (they aren't good for soft wood)

Use Jomax, bleach and water in a garden sprayer. You can also use a long handled car wash brush on any bad spots. After 20 minutes rinse the deck.

Now you can use a deck brightener product if the deck looks too gray.

After several days of drying, stain it using a lightly pigmented semi-transparent oil based stain. (Sikkens, Olympic, Benwood, Cabot) Use a natural bristle brush and apply it thin and only work on cool shady surfaces. Repeat in 2-3 years.

Yeah I can vouch for the powerwasher. I let my son do my deck and it blew apart alot of the wood surface. Will have to replace it sooner or later.

Brian in MI