Begin refinishing a deck or porch by cleaning the wood.
Most wood decks and porches are made from sturdy woods such as cedar or redwood. Decks and porches can also be made with a pressure treated wood like pine. Exposure to the sun can cause graying and erosion of the wood surface. Rain, snow and humidity can cause surface mildew and stain. Refinishing your decks and porches will bring a beauty and strength to their natural woods that will last for many years to come. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Clean out any clogged spaces between the wooden boards that may be filled with dirt, wood rot or mildew by using a powerful garden hose nozzle. Use a putty knife to push out any lingering debris. Let the wood dry completely and then sweep away any remaining debris.
2. Wear rubber gloves and scrub the wood with trisodium phosphate (TSP) following the manufacturer's directions; use a stiff-bristle scrub brush or push broom to clean any large, dark stains. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes then rinse it off thoroughly and let the wood dry. Wear goggles and use a pressure washer that has a 1,200 psi of pressure and a nozzle 25 to 40 degree arc to clean the entire deck or porch. Add trisodium phosphate (TSP) to the detergent tank following the manufacturer's directions. Slowly spray the wood, holding your nozzle at a slight angle, about 6 inches from the deck or porch surface. Rinse the wood and let it dry completely.
3. Apply the wood stain following the manufacturer's directions, using a paint roller with an extension attachment for the handle. Use the roller to stain the wood by rolling back and forth over a few boards at a time. Use a paint sprayer to stain decks or porches with large areas of wood by smoothly spraying the boards following the wood grain.
Tags: deck porch, following manufacturer, following manufacturer directions, manufacturer directions, decks porches, trisodium phosphate
