peach fuzz

[peevo74]

Hi guys im still very knew to PW did a friends deck it was pressure treated wood.the next day after it dried some, there was peach fuzz on the wood what causes this?
Do i use color stain(sealer) on this wood or just something clear i ask because it has a hue of green to the wood?
When a deck is really dirty how can i tell if there is a stain under the dirt?
when i use stripper to remove old sealer do i apply the stripper then rinse it off then power wash it, or could i apply the stripper and go right into power washing after waiting some time for the stripper to work?
I ask this last ? because i want to know if it is harmfull to the wood if you leave the stripper on to long?
the stripper i used was supplied by ready seal.
thank to you all

 

[charlie]

Since you are using Sunbrites stripper call them up and ask them.


Charlie

 

[CSL Ent.]

Hello,

Welcome to the business. It seems like you have many questions about some semi-complex concepts. I highly recommend you use the search engine from the archives to research a lot of these topics. You can use key words like:
Fuzzies (on the deck)
Wood Stripper
Dwell time
Sealers


Do yourself a favor and get as much information as possible! This board is a tremendous resource. Wood restoration is a lot more involved than people think.
Best of luck,

Chris

 

[ghouchu]

first, that "green hue" may mean that a patina of mildew remains on the wood and there is more cleaning or stripping to be done. sometimes the brightener will get rid of that, sometimes it won't.

as for the fuzz or "furring," it will go away by itself in time; how much time depends on how bad it is. you may need to sand it. i am told that if you seal it with ready-seal, a good stiff broom will get rid of the fuzz after the sealant has had a few days to soak in. i don't know if that's true because my approach is to rely on chemicals and lower pressure to avoid furring. on bad decks, that can require several applications/washings, but i'm just not into sanding.

for your chemicals, consider giving russell a call. i have the memory of a brain-damaged gnat, so i can't give you his last name or the name of his company without my records in front of me, but you can find his number by searching "hd-80" and his name on this bulletin board(or maybe someone will be kind enough to add it to this thread and save you some trouble). don't get me wrong--chris is well respected, as are his products. but the consensus on this board seems to be that russel's stripper (hd-80) is the best to be had. i find his deck-wash to be very effective as well, as have my customers. i know from experience that russel is very patient and willing to devote as much time as you need to answer your questions.

good luck

richard

 

[ghouchu]

oh yeah,

the specific answer to one of your questions is that water pressure causes the fuzzies. i believe some folks hold the view that certain chemicals--especially chlorine--will make the furring worse. i believe the conventional wisdom is to use no more than 2000 psi on wood decks. i don't have a pressure meter but i've had no problems with furring when i use my 40 degree nozzle held about 4 to 5 inches above the wood and shoot straight down, not at an angle.(my machine is 3500 psi, 4 gpm). if you look for it, you will be able to tell if the wood is furring as you wash it, so you can adjust your pressure as necessary as you go.

all that said, there a many contributors to this board who are far more experienced than i. in the event of a conflict between what i've said and what they say, go with them. but what i have described has worked for me.

richard

 

[Mike Hughes]

Sometimes, no matter what you do, fuzzies cannot be avoided.........even with proper chemical, and low pressure.

They're just a fact of life on some decks.

 

[outlaw]

Is this something that is dependent on the age of the wood or the tightness of the grain, or is it just to hard to read before it happens?
Gav

 

[Aplus]

You can't always tell in advance a deck that is going to get the fuzzies. Except.......

When I have to strip CWF, usually with harsh sodium hydroxide, and often two stripper applications, I almost always get the fuzzies. (well not actually me, but the deck) I've learned to at least forwarn the customer that it can occur.

I have used a stiff bristle broom to knock off most of the fuzzies from the deck and larger parts of the railing, and a scotch brite pad works good on the spindles.

 

[outlaw]

well I'm glad you dont get the fuzzies, I think I've had once or twice and always on the 5th of july.
Gav