dogs...not man's best friend

[dazzam]

Just finished oiling my deck with Feast & Watson decking oil- merbau tint- and after the required 24 hrs, decided to let man's ex best friend (2 x german shepherds) back onto it . Dogs have been running through road base path that I laid to keep them out of the mud. Deck is now consequently covered in grey paw prints, which contrast badly with the rich red brown of the deck . Mother in law arrives in 5 days for Christmas . Minister for war and finance not overly impressed with the condition of the deck. Nasty allegations made regarding my legitimacy and pedigree. Short of laying carpet over the the whole lot, can someone suggest the best way to remove the grey stains withoutr stripping and re-finishing the deck. Afraid if I use too stronger a product it will lighten the colour of the deck too much.

[astrid]

It might just be dust, try rubbing a small unobtrusive patch with damp cloth
or very fine steel wool or sand paper.
Astrid

[ubeaut]

It's a deck. If the dogs can do that so will kids, you, the minister for war and the MIL. Are you going to rush out and clean it off every time someone steps in the road base or anything else that you get on the soles of your feet.

Try a bit of soapy water and a broom. Then get rid of the dogs or anyone who complains.

[dazzam]

No worries with that...The deck had only just been oiled at it appeared that the grey dust from the roadbase had stained the deck, which wouldn't be a problem except the deck was done in 2 stages so one half looked great and the other didn't. I wasn't talking about a bit of surface dirt, the whole half they had been on looked like it had been sprayed with slurry. Solved the problem with sugar soap to remove the stains and thena quick wipe over with a diluted natural oil to give both halves the same finish colour. Thanks for your help, this a great site!!