2007 deck stain tryouts

[jeffex11]

I have posted here before looking for suggestions on a new deck stain to use since my old money maker Uv Sunblock cedar bit the dust due to new VOC standards in Md. Deckscapes water bourne , its replacement is a joke. Here is my game plan for this year. Ready seal is a popular product here and I have seen its results on websites . I will give it a try. Wood tux wet has my curiosity up since I used to do my jobs wash and stain in a day with Uv sunblock. WTW will go on my deck this spring as a test run for application study to determine pricing. I sprayed everything and followed with a back brush and I understand WTW is thick. I have seen on message boards where WTW can be cleaned with soap and water If done right away. I have been doing decks part time for 16 years and I added a lawn business 13 yrs ago. Workahaulic I think you call it. Diversity of services kept me working even in times of drought when the lawn business dried up. Getting the job done well in a day suited me fine for the market I targeted . 200- 600sq. ft. decks usually got us in and out in a day and we have a good retention rate on our repeat customers. I also am reluctantly going to give UV5 CWF a try as well as selling wash and seals again. I know many of you are full time businesses and I respect your experience . I can see the light at the end of the tunnel to retirement in my full time job and then I will be full time too. i hope you can see from my post that my game plan with decks is a trade off with my schedule and the desire to keep my foot in the door to the deck business. I had a great run with UV sunblock and this year I am experimenting. thanks for all the input here on PWN. www.deckdoctorpressurewashing.com

 

[PressurePros]

Ready Seal, in my opinion, is way over-hyped. Its too expensive in terms of cost of use. I agree it is very easy to apply. It also requires more frequent maintenance. You need three coats to look "finished". I know everyone has their opinion and the mineral oil fanatics will be here to lynch me. [lm] I cannot understand how most parts of the country other than Arizona and Nevada get the wood at 12% moisture ( a must with RS). One rainfall and you are thee days behind schedule again if you live in a humid enviroment.

Wood Tux, its not thick but it also is not the perfect sealer. I'd say of all the compromises one has to make, Wood Tux is where its at for sealers. Its not as watery thin as Ready Seal so is easier to spray. One coat coverage is usually adequate and you can apply it to wet wood. I usually get 200 s/f per gallon as opposed to Ready Seal where I get more like 70 s/f. For a good compromise, the make of Wood Tux makes a product called Wood Rich. Thats the one I like the best.

I like some things about the paraffinics (RS, Bakers etc). I suggest them to my DIY customers because of their ease of application. If you are going to go with a paraffinic, look into Baker's Gray Away. Nicer colors and coverage rate.