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NFT: Advice for old deck

GMEN46 : 5/23/2020 2:12 pm
Hey guys I should start off by saying I have no handy skills what so ever. I have an old deck 12 x 10. I need to get 3-5 years out of it before we blow out the kitchen and add a small addition so I don’t want to put too much money into it. A few weeks ago I had my house power washed and the guy said he would to do the deck for an extra $50 so I agreed. He also mentioned that I should apply a sealant within a week once it dries out. After he power washed it he then said that it looks like the deck had been stained at one point and then painted so I will need to stain it in a week with a dark color after it dries. The wood floor boards look like bare natural stripped wood and the spindles and ledges are almost Brownish/reddish looking post power washed. I didn’t have too much trust with this guy so I reached out to a few other people and can’t get a clear answer on what is the best thing for me to do.

One thing I didn’t know was how important it is to stain or seal it shortly after the power wash. I am past that point now, but the few people that have looked at it said the wood is fine. Some have said I should use deck paint and that it will fill in all of the cracks and holes in the wood. I will lose the natural look of the wood but it will be safe for kids to walk bare foot. Someone suggested I use Behr deck over, which is not exactly the same as deck paint.

One guy suggested a semi transparent stain on the darker side or a solid stain, which is similar to a deck paint and then there is an in between that is semi solid. I get the differences are based on how much of the natural grains of the wood would show.

I was told to use aborcoat brand if I go the stain route. At this point given the different colors on the deck between the spindles and ledges vs. the floor boards I am thinking it’s either solid stain or deck paint and I am looking for advice on which I should go with. I wouldn’t mind doing semi solid stain but I’m not sure if it will be dark enough to make up for the mismatched colors of the deck.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and any recommendations for someone in northern NJ would be appreciated as well. I have received an estimate of $300 and another for $1,200. Just seems bizarre to have such a wide range. The $300 was from a handy man/painter that I have used and the $1,200 was from a really good wood floor guy in my area.
I generally avoid...  
Ryan : 5/23/2020 2:34 pm : link
...pressure washing wood - just too many issues with the damage it does to the fibers. There are cleaners that can be applied and simply rinsed off or use a nylon bristle scrub brush to remove most stains. Then rely on sanding for pre-stain prep.

At this point I'd give it a decent sanding with 100-120 grit, vacuum or blow it off good and apply a semi-solid stain. I've used Arborcoat on my own porch and it's a love/hate relationship (and I'm generally a big fan of Benjamin Moore products). It goes on easy with brush and roller, covers well and has been durable - but it's a wax protectant/sealant in it which is like a magnet for dirt. Dusty shoe prints and pollen will stick to it and have to be removed with a hose and brush - a broom or vacuum won't make a dent.
Thank you  
GMEN46 : 5/23/2020 3:57 pm : link
Appreciate the advise.
That price variance is likely due to time  
UConn4523 : 5/23/2020 4:03 pm : link
the local handyman/painter is likely not as busy as the more well known floor guy who is going to share more to take what’s likely a smaller job.
Viagra.  
Pete in MD : 5/23/2020 4:11 pm : link
.
Semi transparent  
Giant John : 5/23/2020 4:25 pm : link
Stain from Home Depot will give a couple years protection. Give a good coating and it will be fine. Word needs to be dry. . At least two weeks after power wash.
That price variance is likely due to time  
UConn4523 : 5/23/2020 4:51 pm : link
the local handyman/painter is likely not as busy as the more well known floor guy who is going to share more to take what’s likely a smaller job.
Do not use Rust-Oleum Deck Restore paint.  
fivehead : 5/23/2020 5:39 pm : link
It looks good when first applied, but then peels like crazy after a year. The places that don't peel will not come off no matter what. I believe that there was a lawsuit against Rust-Oleum over this. It is by far the worst product I have ever purchased. That "Deck-Over" paint that you mentioned may be the same type of stuff, so research it for reviews.
If you're only looking for a couple of years out of it  
oghwga : 5/23/2020 6:01 pm : link
And it looks ok just go cheap. Buy yourself a pump sprayer and some water seal and you're done in hour under $100 even if you're not handy.

Or buy the Behr deck over paint it goes on like mud and gives you a splinter free surface but it looks pretty cheesy. You can also throw down an outdoor throw rug.

I'd hate to spend any money on something I wasn't keeping long term.
you can buy  
JesseS : 5/23/2020 8:49 pm : link
a stain sprayer and stain for around 100, like the previous poster said. You just fill the tank, plug it in, and go. Same thing I did for my kids' playset.
Be good to your deck  
Joey in VA : 5/23/2020 11:40 pm : link
Really good
Be noice - ( New Window )
RE: Be good to your deck  
PA Aggie : 5/24/2020 9:56 am : link
In comment 14909692 Joey in VA said:
Quote:
Really good Be noice - ( New Window )


So juvenile...but I laughed my ass off! I guess I still haven't grown up?
I suggest you lighten up, go easy on folks  
BlueLou'sBack : 5/24/2020 2:58 pm : link
and even easier on friends and family.



Oh wait...

You said "old deck!"


My bad...
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