I have a 12X50 cedar deck that faces South so it gets a lot of sun.
On recommendations from "those who should know" I put Sikkens on it.
It looked great for 1 year and I applied the finishes as per = instructions.
By the second year the finish had lifted in spots and I reapplied the = product as per instructions.
By the forth year most of the deck was again peeling and the spots I = fixed in year 2 were again looking real bad. I cussed Sikkens and let = the deck weather.
By the fifth year the deck was clear of Sikkens and had started to turn = a nice shade of grey.
Since then, I have had opportunity to discuss deck finishes with several = "pro's". =20 The consensus is: 1. Varnish, Spar Varnish, Marine Varnish, etc. do not work and need = lots of replenishing. 2. Sikkens is a fine product for walls as long as it is not is = direct full sun. 3. Nothing works on a South facing deck (except Penofin Oil???? = SHMBO says this is next and if it does not work, natural = grey will be the choice) Even the folk from Penofin say their product need to be re-applied = bi-annually in my case.
All in all, I like silver grey and am willing to use the oil if it will = help prolong the life of the deck. =20
--=20 PDQ
| > We live in New Jersey, which does get snow. The porch faces east | > (morning sun); one side has northern exposure (rain and snow), and = the | > other has southern exposure (sun for part of the day). | >
| > We're having a mahogany tongue-and-groove floor installed. (I'm not | > sure whether it's true mahogany or another wood that's just called | > mahogany. It sure is dense, though!) The lumberyard delivered the = wood | > very dusty and dirty. | >
| > What's the best way to clean the wood and prepare it for = installation? | > Is there a book you could recommend that would instruct us on how to | > seal and stain the wood? Should that be done before it's installed? | >
| > Thanks! | >
| > Anne | >=20 |=20 |