New Deck - Best treatments and when

Bird · Oct 3, 2005

( Thompson's stuff. Like their cleaner; don't care for their expensive deck sealer )

Almost hate to revive an old thread, but I was looking in Lowe's this morning at the water sealers. I want to apply some in the near future to the treated wood floor in a new trailer I bought about 3 weeks ago, and I'd also like to apply some to an older wood fence. There were so many different brands that the more I read, the more confused I got. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thompson's water sealer was cheaper than some of the other brands, but how can I tell if one is better than another?

jinman · Oct 4, 2005

Bird, I think you have to look at what they say as far as how long before re-treatment: 1, 2, 4 years. Also, if you choose Thompson's, you really need to use it again and again, or something with a very similar formulation. That's true for most of the water treatment sealers because they seem to have an oil that prevents other stains from sticking/penetrating. There's nothing like paying a big price for a stain and spraying it on just to watch it bead up and look like heck. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

For a fence, I think I'd use an opaque stain/sealer. For the trailer, I'd use paint. You can mix the grit in your paint for the trailer so it's surface won't be too slick. I think porch enamel with grit mixed in would be my choice rather than stain. Having said that, I didn't use anything on my trailer, so after 10 years, I have some boards that need replacing. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Freds · Oct 4, 2005

( Almost hate to revive an old thread )
...but since you did /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I just happened to be talking with a friend last night about staining a fence today (while we've got this summerlike weather again) and he mentioned a product called Sikkens that he used on his deck, I think that's how he said it was spelled. He pronounced it like it "sickens" me. He didn't think you could spray it because it is very thick. He mentioned that he put it on the ballasters with a rag. It's supposed to last 4-5 years and he's getting 6 out of it on his deck. He got it at a local paint shop called Paddens, but I don't know who actually makes it or if it's the namesake.

Bird · Oct 4, 2005

Jim, I've wondered how long the boards would last in this trailer if I just don't do anything to them. That's what happened to my last trailer, but the boards were in pretty bad shape after 7 or 8 years.

Bird · Oct 4, 2005

Freds, this house appears to have been recently painted inside, and whoever did it had to be one of the best painters around; did as good and neat a job as I've ever seen, even on a new house. Different colors used for different rooms (my wife likes it, although I probably would have just painted all of them an off white). And there are about a dozen paint cans in the garage; some Sherwin Williams, some Kelly Moore and a gallon can of Sikkens. I haven't gotten around to checking them out yet, but the Sikkens can feels like it's just about full. I guess that's what's been used on the deck (breezeway) between the house and shop in the picture.

Freds · Oct 4, 2005

That's so shiny it looks wet.

tracdoc · Oct 4, 2005

( From what I've heard/seen/used, the Sherwin Williams Deckscape is the best stain out there. ) I agree /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif, based on my own experience and study.

I just finished doing my deck, which is only ~2 yrs old, but was "lightly" treated (??with what) by the builder. I used Sherwin Williams Deckscape with the lightest color tone. The color pigments afford enhanced UV protection compared with a totally clear product. The natural features/grain of the wood still show through completely, so the product does not go on like a paint. I used a 6" synthetic bristle brush and applied after a period of 7 bone dry days so the wood was really receptive.

For cleaning, I would urge caution with bleach and any other strongly alkaline product (such as TSP). The hypochlorite cleans well, and kills mildew, but it plus the alkali also digest the fiber structure (lignin) of the wood. This can lead to the "furry/fuzzy" texture on the surface of a deck. You can avoid this by neutralizing it after it has completed its cleaning by washing down with an acid. Phosphoric acid would be one choice for this step.

My deck was not too dirty and had no mildew to begin with, so I cleaned it with oxalic acid (aka wood bleach). It removes a number of types of stains, but it won't kill mildew very well. You can get it, and other cleaning chemicals, at The Chemistry Store {HERE}

ronjhall · Oct 4, 2005

When I had a boat with Teak wood trim I used a product called Sikkens Cetol. I was great stuff that gave a gloss varnish like finish. The one thing I liked about it was that every year I could touch up the old finish with a new coat. It would melt the old finish and blend last years coat with the new finish. Today I have a boat that has no wood that is open to the elements. I now have the attitude that teak looks great on someone else's boat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You will like the Sikkens products for decks if its anything like their Marine products.

Mark4510 · Oct 4, 2005

I have never used Sikkens but my Dad swears that its the greatest stuff ever made for a deck. His place in VA has a sizable deck that has a lot of exposure and he claims it holds up extremely well.

I could not find it in my area so I went with a Wolmans stain and am happy. I have used Thompsons and others but so far the Wolmans is the best.

Mark

Bird · Oct 4, 2005

Freds, that picture was one the realtor had when the place was for sale, so I have no idea when it was taken. The guy supposedly had moved to Austin 6 months ago, but I don't know how long the place had been listed for sale. So the attachment is what it looks like today.

And Ron, "Sikkens Cetol DEK" is what the bucket of stuff left in the garage is, so I'm assuming that's what was used on the deck and I would guess he found it locally. I like the looks of that deck, so I reckon that's what I'll use in the future.