Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9

    Default Deck refinishing steps - need to do them all?

    Hello,

    We have a four year old merbau deck that desperately needs refinishing. I don't remember what we used on it when it was new, but it has faded so the boards are somewhat gray with reddish speckles remaining from the tint in the decking oil.

    My first question is, since we will definitely need to sand, can we skip power washing the deck?

    My second question is regarding the colour. Since the wood has faded and we are not very good at keeping up with caring for stuff, I would like to let it just go natural silver. If we use a good untinted product after sanding, like Sikkens Deck in Natural (assuming that doesn't have any tint - not sure about that), will the wood suffer from lack of UV protection?

    Thanks for any advice you can offer.

    Cheers, Dorothy

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Indonesia
    Posts
    45

    Default

    I think better you strip your old finish and start to refinish it.
    Use a chemical stripper to do it.

    You may apply clear coat on your old finish, but it will give you uneven color since your color is already fade in some part.
    You can use the finishing material that is designed for outdoor purpose. There are some type you can use such as : spar varnish, or outdoor polyurethane, outdoor water based, etc.
    I think the sikken deck is also okay, but you better ask your finishing supplier to get the right material. Just to make sure that the material is designed for outdoor uses.

    EDIT: Link removed by moderator.

    Good luck

    wisno
    Last edited by Moderator; 26th August 2011 at 09:52 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9

    Default I did it

    Thanks for your advice Wisno. I bit the bullet and did it by the book. Power washed, sanded, 1 coat of Sikkens Cetol HLS in Teak and 2 coats of Deck in Natural - all by brush. My hands and back are never going to be the same!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Warrington PA USA
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Just be sure to do the recoats as per Sikkens or you will have real problems in the future. Sikkens is great stuff but requires more maintenance than other products. Not sure if you have original formula as in the USA they were EPA required to reformulate.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9

    Default

    CaptRandy, what kinds of problems are you referring to? Do you mean do the recoats as advised time-wise, technique-wise, both?

    Did the reformulation for the US make the product better or less effective?

    Just looking for some details on all you've alluded to in your post.

    Thanks, D

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Warrington PA USA
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Recoat as recommended or sooner. Like 9 months between coatings. Our formula is much worse than it was because of EPA regulations on volatile oils. The formula we had available back in 1990's held up about 18 months but the new stuff fails after 12 months.
    We use a new product here called Ready Seal or Wood Tux.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9

    Default

    Thanks Randy. I'll see if I can find out if the formula was changed for Australia. When I spoke to the distributor about which products to use and how, the guy said I should be able to go up to 2 years before recoating. I don't think I'll take that chance though after all the hard work I've invested. I'll keep an eye on it and hope I can manage with a recoat once a year.

Similar Threads

  1. Coo Koo Clock Refinishing
    By Ken Weekes in forum RESTORATION
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10th August 2009, 04:14 PM
  2. Covering old concrete steps on deck?
    By HotChips in forum DECKING
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 29th October 2007, 09:51 PM
  3. deck ontop of concrete steps
    By oricenap in forum CONCRETING
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 25th June 2007, 09:25 PM
  4. Steps from deck onto pavers.
    By Sir Stinkalot in forum BRICKWORK, CONCRETING, PAVING, RENDERING, etc
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 1st April 2006, 11:33 AM
  5. Deck refinishing
    By jimj in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 20th April 2005, 07:33 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •