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Deck Stains and Wood Preservers |
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I have a composite deck that is already beginning to gray out…can I use stain on it to keep it looking new? John, Berkley, MI
Yes…Defy has recently introduced a new product, Defy Deck Stain for Hardwoods, works well on most composite wood surfaces. Just follow all of their directions in the same way that you would if you were staining regular wood and the results should turn out great!
What’s the best time of the year to stain my deck?
The Spring and Fall certainly offer the easiest conditions to work in. The key is to stay out of direct sunlight, as it can make any stain dry to quickly, and to try stain when the temperatures are below 80 degrees or so. - Murray
How do I know when I have applied enough stain to my deck?
If using a semi-transparent stain, like Defy, apply only as much stain as the wood can easily absorb and take care to brush out any puddles that may form. If you put enough stain on to form a gloss on the surface, it has been over applied and will, more than likely, in time, peel.
Does the wood need to be completely dry before I apply the stain?
If you are using an oil-based stain…definitely. I recommend using Defy, a water-based product that can be applied even when the surface is slightly damp.
Is a roller a good way to stain the deck?
Not really. Rollers were developed more with paint in mind. Using a roller will often times simply push the stain around on the surface and not force it into the pores. It can also leave a stipple effect in the finish when the stain has dried.
What’s the best way to apply the stain?
The best way is always going to be to use a brush. Spraying the stain on first will certainly speed the job up but brushing the stain as well helps to work it deep into the pours of the wood and makes your project last longer. - Murray
I have a pressure treated deck…what’s the best stain to use?
If the pressure treated lumber is brand new…let it weather for six months, or so to dry out, clean it and then treat it with Defy Deck Stain for Hardwoods. If it is older and weathered, it will be much more porous. In that case I recommend after properly cleaning it that you treat it with Defy Epoxy Fortified Wood Stain. - Murray
I have a cedar deck…what’s the best stain to use?
Cedar can sometimes be difficult to stain…it has a lot of natural oils, or tannins, in it. I recommend using a fairly new product from Defy that is especially formulated for use on cedar…Defy Deck Stain for Hardwoods.
My deck is stained and starting to look weathered. What can I do to “spiff” it up while it’s still in descent shape? Bill - Detroit
Bill that’s easy…just clean the deck off with some Defy Wood Brightener and apply a light maintenance coat of the original stain that was used. - Murray
Should I use a pressure washer to clean my deck?
Sure, it makes cleaning a lot easier and faster. Just limit your pressure to no more than 1,000 or 1,200 p.s.i. and use caution to work with the grain and never against it as it will damage the wood if you do. Please remember be careful with the pressure washer. - Murray
Is there a safe cleaner that I can use on my deck that won’t harm my plants?
Yes…Defy Wood Cleaner. It’s a safe and effective bio-degradable product that is extremely effective at cleaning weathered wood and removing weathered semi-transparent stains. - Murray
I’m getting ready to re-stain my deck and noticed that some of the stain that’s on now is peeling. What should I do?
Make sure that you use Defy Wood Stripper and a power washer, if necessary, to remove all of the old stain. Stain that is left on will not only cause the finished product to not look as nice, it will probably result in some future peeling down the road. And remember, when ever you use a stripper you must use a brightener as well. - Murray
I have a composite deck that’s starting to look old and weathered. How do I clean it?
Simply use Defy Wood Cleaner. It’s safe to use, bio-degradable, won’t harm your plant life and vegetation, and it will make your composite look brand new again. - Murray
My deck is brand new…do I still need to clean it?
This a question is very important. I have been asked this one my radio shows over the past 18 years. Great question.... Yes! New wood can have “mill scale” which is a crushing of the grain that occurs during the milling process. When you clean it you not only remove this “mill scale”, you also clean off contaminants, such as dirt, mold and mildew that the lumber can pick up during the building process. - Murray
Can I protect my deck without changing its natural appearance?
Sure! you can Most clear finishes aren’t really clear; they are amber and darken the wood when applied. Defy has a product, their U.V. Resistant Clear Finish, that will protect the wood while causing little, if any, change in the woods appearance. - Murray
I cleaned my redwood patio furniture and it turned very dark. What should I do to make it look like redwood again?
I asked this question at the Defy lab and they said due to the PH levels in Redwood it can often time darken during cleaning. Don’t worry…simply treat it with Defy Wood Brightener and it will return the redwood to its’ natural beauty. - Murray
What’s the best way to clean mold and mildew off of my deck?
Use a diluted bleach solution to clean it off. Mix the bleach about 10:1 with water, spray it on, let it set for 5 or 10 minutes and rinse it off. The mildew should die off in the process. - Murray
I continually get mildew growing on my deck. Why does it grow there and how can I stop it? Bill from Troy, Mi
You may never be able to eliminate mold and mildew completely if you have a shady area with a lot of moisture present. You can improve your chances though by using a synthetic stain, such as Defy, instead of an oil based product. Oils are a huge food source that the mold and mildew will feed on. - Murray
Do I really need to stain my deck or can I just let it weather naturally?
I certainly recommend always maintaining a fresh coat of stain on your deck. It not only keeps the deck looking good but protects the wood from the harmful effects of the sun and rain. - Murray
My deck needs re-stained…do I need to remove all of the old stain first?
To look its’ best you should. Old stain left on will show through the new stain, leaving blotchy dark spots in the finish. - Murray
My deck is gray and weathered looking…what should I do to fix it?
The graying is caused by the weather and ultraviolet light damaging the woods fibers. It will easily clean off with Defy wood cleaner. Use their brightener afterwards and the wood should look brand new again.
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