Finishing my deck

[TC18guy]

I guess in order to make this a tractor related post, I'll show a few pics of my project. I started in the fall of 2004, I stripped topsoil and and pulled some dirt away from the foundation with FEL. Of course the FEL was invaluable for hauling materials and mixing concrete for the 4x4 supports. I dug down 42" and filled the post holes with concrete. I believe I dug about 13 or so all together.

 

[TC18guy]

Mostly done with the framing. I used 2x10's for the joists on 16" centers. The beams are double 2X12's. Once again the FEL is invaluable for moving these around. The treated wood was really wet and those double 2X12's were heavy. I spread some crushed stone underneath in an effort to keep the weeds from growing underneath.

 

[TC18guy]

The last picture I have with me. The deck is completely covered in Cedar, I finished it last mother's day. The cedar when first applied was awesome with lots of grain and color in it. As I was waiting to get a railing up I never treated the boards so now they are kind of dull and grey. After more thought I decided I want to treat it before I get the railing on so that I don't have to work around it.

My question is, do I need to sand it down before staining? My dad thought I might be able to power wash it instead. That would sure be alot easier. Any ideas?

 

[Bill_in_MI]

I would try one of the commercially available deck "brighteners" before sanding or power washing. Power washing especially can very easily damage the wood surface...I learned this the hard way. If you try the chemical approach be sure to test on a small section. My experience with this is that it will make badly weathered wood turn from grey back to its natural color. It will not, however, affect any cracking or checking that may have occurred.

 

[Highbeam]

The pressure washer will ruin the soft cedar. It will make it hairy as it blasts the wood apart. Commercial cleaner chemical and then seal with a tinted product. The tint will be more readily absorbed in certain parts of the grain and bring back that varied look.

 

[Scozz]

I've always prepped my decks with bleach water ... read the active ingredients on the deck washes ... chlorine bleach ... Scozz

 

[TC18guy]

Well.....

I got an Olympic brand deck wash that did an awesome job of bringing the wood back. As I was rinsing, this gray filmy junk started peeling up from all of the boards. I couldn't tell if this was stuff that the deck wash brought to the surface or what. There is something on the vinyl siding of the house too, couldn't tell if it was the same stuff. It was coming up a little bit with the hose and I could scuff it up with my shoes. I finally broke down and got the pressure washer out. I tried
not to blast the deck too bad and I was able to spay the film off. It didn't look like I was getting any immediate damage so I kept on going. I'm a little nervous about it due to the warnings I got here. Should I expect some problems later on? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Bill_in_MI]

I'd say uf it looks fine to you when it dries out, you are good to go with a top coat of something that will protoect it and keep it looking good.

 

[Jagmandave]

I never could get anything to really "stick" to cedar, except paint, I hope your sealer works better than mine did. What diection does the deck face? Mine faced southwest, so it got a ton of sun in the summer...........

 

[TC18guy]

Bill,

I hope so. I couldn't see any damage as I was going. Occasionaly the water would dent the wood a little bit but thats it.

Dave,

Mine is open mostly from the South and West. The house is on the East side. It doesn't get any shade from trees, etc. I'll try some Thompsons or something along that order to seal it. The cleaner seemed to absorb pretty well.