How would handle this? - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

copgib · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-08

I need some wood refinishing advise if possible. I have a 12' X 12' deck with no railing, just a flat deck. It is pressure treated wood that had been stained with a Thompson's light shade of stain. I cleaned the deck with F18 and then sprayed it with oxy. I went back yesterday to look at it and I noticed a couple spots that I didn't see earlier that where small but seem to still have alittle of the old stain on the wood. Tomorrow, Monday I am suppose to seal the deck since it has dryed out. How would you handle this? Should I sand the few spots that I missed or just go ahead with staining? Customer requested I put Thompsons water seal back on the deck. I am putting on a clear stain. Any help would be appreciated. Hugh

Mark · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-08

I suggest you use Wolman's or another good
produst, Thompson's would not be my first choice.

copgib · #3 (**permalink**) 03-16-08

Mark the home owner is demanding I use Thompson's and I just happen to have enough on hand to do the job. The small areas where I see some of the old stain is close up to the siding of the house. I thought about lightly sanding these couple areas and then putting on the seal. What do you think? Hugh

jzox2001 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-17-08

Hugh, even though you will be just putting Thompson's back on, I would still recommend prepping the surface with a good cleaner from Wolman to get rid of the UV damaged wood fibers, remove the old finish, and prepare the wood to abosrb the new coating. Check out the Wolman's Contractor's Manual as they go into step by step.

Wolman Deck and Fence Stain

Jason

copgib · #5 (**permalink**) 03-17-08

Jason, I prepared the surface by stripping it with F18 last week. The surface should be ready for a sealant. If it were up to me I would put a wolman stain or sealant on it but the home owner made it clear that he wanted me to put Thompson's Clean Waterproof Sealant on the wood and nothing else. I tried to convince him differently but he stands firm. This is why I quit doing decks about 1-year ago. I only took this job because I was doing alot of other jobs for the customer and decided a 12' X 12' flat deck wouldn't take much time in order to get the rest of the work. I appreciate your input though. I am a Wolman Certified Contractor. Hugh

5 Star Johnny · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-08

Hugh, you asked "how would you handle this". Those that replied gave you their professional opinion, as I will mine. As far as the "remnant" stain areas, I would probably use a spray bottle or pump sprayer with the stripping agent on those areas, use a harder bristle hand brush (or similar tool) to lift the dead wood fibers and stain, rinse with a water hose then oxalic and rinse. This should minimize the area of deck that will get wet again. As a professional, I don't allow the client to choose the wrong product for the job. Even if they insist, there is still the risk that you will be blamed when the product fails.....and it will! We NEVER put clear on, even though we get the request all the time. My job as a professional is to educate the client and get them to trust my expertise. Once you develop this rapport with them, they tend tp place their trust in your opinion. So.....that's how I would handle it. Good Luck!

copgib · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-08

John, I appreciate your input on that deck. I completed the deck last week. I will point out that I used to restore decks with my pressure washing jobs a few years back. It got to be such a pain in the butt, having to go back after it dried to stain it that I stopped taking these jobs last year. The only reason I took this, is because it was only a 12'X12' deck with no railings just a slab on wood on the ground, and the job included alot of concrete cleaning. So here is what I did, like you stated, I did spot clean with pump up sprayer and brush and then use ox. I would never recommend a clear stain or Thompson's, so I had the owner sign a release of liability before I ever started. The owner was at work as a college professor at UF while I completed the jobs. When I was done I left. When he came home he called me and thanked me and went on and on about how nice it looked again. There was no doubt in my mind that I would have made it look good, just from my past experiences doing decks. But that was the last one for me. When I was doing decks, I had all kinds of stains in my trailer that I would offer to the customers, but doing this again isn't something that interest me. I just completed a house wash, concrete driveway & pool deck area for a lady that also wanted a large wood deck the length of her house restored. I told her up front that I no longer do them and she still hired me for everything else. Now days I am over booked with tons of jobs lined up and more seem to be coming everyday. Since I work by myself I have no time to restore decks. Thanks again everyone you all had good input and the day after I posted it I decided on my game plan and got her done. Good luck and hope that all your businesses exspand throughout the year! Hugh