I am going to start powerwashing and staining decks in the spring and would like some hints on the best way of doing them.
I bought a Kartcher 2600psi 2.3gl, and I have seen most of you would use bigger but I am not going to be doing anything more than decks for now on top of my full time job.
If you are staining a new deck for the first time how many coats of stain would you use, and how many for a deck allready stained in the past.
I am considering doing most of my decks by hand (meaning brush) but am not sure if Iam crazy for thinking that way. If It is a little advice would be appreiciated, I don't have a ton of money for fancy equiptment.
I have done a lot of painting and have stained four large decks in the past two years,one new and three pretty neglected. I did use a very small powerwasher on those but no stripper, I didn't know to, I was doing them as a favour for my boss.
ANY HELP OR ADVICE WOULD BE APPREICIATED,THANKS.

First off you don't need an elaborate machine for doing decks because you should only be using around 500 PSI .. . I have learned a great deal from Mr Pressure Pro on the whole deck subject (man this is like a bad nightmare that keeps reoccurring lol ) but i like to use a product KO makes called HD cleaner for cleaning the decks some people use diluted bleach but i'm not a big fan on that.

Do not use chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) or any product that contains chlorine bleach to clean your deck! Chlorine bleach breaks apart the glue that holds together your wood fibers in the deck, it also can/will remove the natural wood color, and it can corrode metal deck components like any brackets or such you might have used or the customer might have used to build the deck.... THAATS FOR CLEANING AN UN FINISHED DECK

As far as stripping a deck that already has seal on it i just use a product from the local hard ware maybe Mark might have a better product in mind but its simply the same steps just another one thrown on top. .. sweep the deck apply the stripper let it sit for 8 to 14 min (mpo) use a deck brush to scrub the tough areas rinse with like i said around 500 Psi let dry use your cleaner/brightener and do one more rinse and the thing should look brand new . . .i forgot to mention make sure to keep you tip about 10 to 12 inches from the deck and make a back and forth swooping pattern if not you will do what they call tiger striping it.

As far as staining goes i normally let the customer decide i give my input but ultimately its their deck and they are going to be the ones looking at it everyday lol but i use an epoxy stain and i brush or roll it on takes a little longer but you don't waste near as much product


Hope this help and guys (Ken, Scott, John, Richard & DAFF) hope you see i've done my research not gonna let it happen again

AllSurface, feel free to contact us at any of the methods in the signature

Celeste

Carolina ProWash

Here comes trouble.....

We use a bleach solution for all of our maintenance washes, works awesome.
Call Celeste and do more reading on the subject. I cannot stress this enough: DO NOT take only one persons opinion on how to perform wood care. Its an art, and many just dabble in it.

Your equipment will work fine for part time use. And staining by hand is our preferred method. Don't make it harder than it has to be when beginning. Learn a process, and expand from there. Quality prep work and quality stain are the keys to a nice finish.

Mike Schoeben
A-1 pressure washing, LLC
Champlin, MN
763-300-7128
http://www.a-1pressurewashing.com

SORRY I FORGOT TO SAY THAT . . .LOL . .. . i'm still not perfect lol

There is nothing wrong with using bleach and a little soap on maintenance cleanings. As long as the sealer is inact and the sodium hypo is not hitting bare wood.

Ken Fenner
PressurePros, Inc
Havertown, PA
www.pressure-pros.com
pressure washers in PA