Once you are satisfied that you have removed all dirt, mildew, grease and algae: [links]
See full version: Use RESCUE IT; Resurfacer
Once you are satisfied that you have removed all dirt, mildew, grease and algae: [links]
Renovating worn or weathered concrete or wood surfaces comes down to three steps — the preparation, the application of fresh stain and the regular maintenance of your surface. Learn how Olympic's RESCUE IT! MAX Resurfacer & Primer & Sealant can help you save money by updating your concrete or wood rather than having to do a costly replacement. Just follow this 3-step process.
Prep matters! Deep clean your surface so that it is ready for RESCUE IT! ® MAX Resurfacer.
Wash - Pressure wash your surface using LOW to MODERATE pressure. Allow wood to dry completely (minimum of 24 hours). Then, remove any loose wood fibers with coarse sandpaper.* Remove all sanding dust. [links]
Follow these simple steps to prepare your worn surface:
Clean - Using a premium deck cleaner like Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner or Olympic Premium Deck Brightener & Wash, thoroughly clean and rinse well to remove cleaning product residue and contaminants. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to remove all dirt, mildew, grease and algae. here
NOTE: “on center” means from the middle of the joist and not the edge. When we say 16” or 12” on center we mean from the middle of one joist to the middle of the next. more
Quarter sawn lumber would be ideal, but it’s very unlikely you’ll find it in softwood as it’s a lot of work and most mills won’t cut their lumber this way (it is also expensive to cut lumber this way).
Try to avoid long grain lines through your deck boards. Like the image at the top of this diagram.
The image on the right shows that putting bark side down will cause the board to try cupping downwards (concave). This is more difficult to do if the deck boards are secured properly.
Finally, sweep or vacuum thoroughly. Even a brand new deck will need at least a brief washing and drying to banish any dirt and grime accumulated during the initial 30 drying period. here
Consider this a general rule, depending on climate and the age of your deck. In sunnier regions, adhere strictly to a once-a-year schedule to protect the wood from powerful UV rays. Northern regions may get away with a two- or even three-year cycle; however, these regions are more susceptible to moisture damage, so be vigilant about sanding the deck before sealing to ensure that the sealant is able to soak into the wood to provide long term protection against melting snow and other moisture damage.
Applying sealant to a damp or frosty deck will lead, at best, to an uneven, splotchy seal that can’t effectively protect your deck. At worst, the sealant will bead up on the water and fail to be absorbed, creating a messy, dangerous slipping hazard. Always allow the surface to dry for at least 24 hours after a rainfall before sealing a deck. here
Proper prep is key to successfully sealing a deck. Repair or replace any loose or broken boards, so that future breaks or cracks won’t create hazards. Then, wash the deck using a power-washer to scrub the surface clean. Allow to dry for 24 hours, then sand the surface with between a 60 to 150 grit sandpaper or sanding disk. Use a powered sanding tool to remove the top layer of wood, which could act as a barrier to the sealant. more
Sealant, stain, and paint can all be applied to a deck for different degrees of protection.
It's labor intensive, but prying up the boards and flipping them so that the weathered side is down and the less-aged side is up can give you years more service out of the same old materials. You'll be out some hours of manual labor and—depending on the size of the deck—around $50-60 for new deck screws and some buckets of stain.
Decking planks aren't cheap. If your deck looks rough, don't rush to replace the wood just yet. Shine a flashlight underneath and see how the underside of the planks looks. Most likely, the side not exposed to the beating rain and scorching sun probably still looks pretty darn good. here
If your deck is looking a little weathered and you're considering replacing the boards, you might want to try this simple trick to see if you can squeeze a few more years of service out of them. [links]
Check out the Flickr pool of subsixstudios, frugal deck recyclers, to see how their deck-flipping turned out, and judge for yourself whether a totally new deck is really necessary.
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Tired of being cooped up in the house all winter, I was eager to get my outdoor space ready for the warmer weather.
My deck looks renewed, all the splinters and cracks are sealed and I feel comfortable letting my kids walk on it without shoes. [links]
So far, I've loved this product. It was easy to apply and the results were exactly what I hoped for. As long as you put the effort into preparing the deck, I believe you will have good results like I did. more