Prepping a wood deck can be fairly easy if you have the proper cleaners. Never pressure wash a deck with just water. This can cause sever damage to the wood. It is okay to use a pressure washer at a low pressure as long as you utilize a deck cleaner. The cleaner will do most of the work making it easier and reducing the chance of any damage to the wood.
How to deck cleaning tips:
- First decide if you should be using a deck cleaner or a stain stripper. Typically a deck cleaner is used if the wood is new, dirty, oxidized gray, of if a previous stain has faded evenly. A stain stripper should be used if the old stain has failed unevenly or peeled. In addition if you decide to change brands it might be best to use a stain stripper.
- There are many different brands of deck cleaners. We suggest using the same brand as the wood stain if possible. See here for a full list of Deck Cleaners
- Remove all furniture off the deck so that it is at least 20 feet away.
- Following the manufacturer instructions, mix the cleaner to the proper ratio. Best to apply the cleaner with a pump sprayer. You can also apply with a bucket and scrub brush.
- Saturate the deck with the cleaner in sections of about 200-300 square feet. Lightly agitate all wood with a stiff broom or scrub brush,
- Lightly pressure wash or heavy scrub all dirt and grime. Make sure to clean with the grain of the wood. Take extreme caution with the pressure washer. If using a pressure washer make sure to use a fan tip, not the red tip!
- Repeat until finished. Make sure that when you are done that you thoroughly rinse all decking, railings, house, etc to remove the loose dirt and grime that may have accumulated.
- Apply a wood brightener to neutralize the deck cleaner and restore the natural pH balance of the wood.
- Let the deck thoroughly dry for 48 hours before applying a deck stain.
If you have any questions on how to clean a deck please ask below. All questions are typically answered within a day.
Comments (8)
Subscribe to this comment's feedAsk a Question or Write Review
Show/hide comment formShow/hide comments
re: How long should I wait and what method of cleaning is recommended for new deck
,
September 29, 2011
-
- +0
-
-
How long should I wait and what method of cleaning is recommended for new deck
Just finished building my deck 2 days ago and have been researching stains. So far I like what I've found with One Time stain products. My question is with the preparation before applying. My deck is exposed to sun for basically the whole day, how long should I wait before even thinking about staining it and when it's time to stain it since it's new pressure treated pine is anything else needed done to it besides applying a deck cleaner and rinsing it off?
,
September 29, 2011
-
- +0
-
-
re: Is powerwasher necessary?
Yes on new wood or lightly gray wood you can use a scrub brush and spray nozzle.
,
August 25, 2011
-
- +0
-
-
Is powerwasher necessary?
On wood that is either new or not badly 'degraded', can you use a hose with spray nozzle instead of a powerwasher?
Thanks
Thanks
,
August 25, 2011
-
- +1
-
-
Does Messmer's make a brightener?
I use Messmer's Deck Cleaner. Do they make a brightener that you recommend?
,
July 19, 2011
-
- +0
-
-
re: ipe deck
Any wood deck cleaner will work.
For the stain you might want to look at the Armstrong Clark in the Mahogany color.
For the stain you might want to look at the Armstrong Clark in the Mahogany color.
,
June 17, 2011
-
- +0
-
-
ipe deck
mom of 4 boys single parent - i have large ipe decks - i have oiled previously with Australian Timber Oil - 3 years ago. Decks no longer red - near to trees so covered in green grime and oil coming off - i have power washed but still needs to be cleaner. what would you recommend to clean so i can re oil - is the Aust Timber oil the best thing to use to oil once clean thanks???
,
June 16, 2011
-
- +0
-
-
One Time will not live up to its claims and the warranty is not going to cover color retention. It is also known to turning black. We will not carry it because we do not believe in BS warranties/guarantees.