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Ezine ready page
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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle.. | Posted under Landscaping Gardening
Deck Coating Tips
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1. Start by covering anything in the surrounding area that might get sprayed or splashed such as grass or plants. 2. Remove everything off the deck including patio furniture and planters. 3. Clean the surface using a proper wood cleaner. Never use chlorine bleach as it will damage the wood and interfere with the ability of your coating to adhere properly to the wood. 4. Cedar and redwood bleed dark stains that are the result of tannins. They can often be cleaned with just a mild soap and water solution. If you have stubborn tannin stains use an oxalic acid based wood cleaner. 5. Before using any product on your wood always do a spot test, preferably in a place thats not very noticeable. 6. Weathered wood will have open pores which will more easily absorb the coating. Coatings that are clear do not provide UV protection. For a finish to block UV rays it must have a pigment. 7. Oil based products provide a much deeper sheen than water based which have a much flatter finish. 8. If wood is exposed to continuous shade where mildew can become a problem coat with a water repellent preservative. 9. If your deck is exposed to direct sun all day long you will want to use an acrylic stain. May sure it has a transparent iron oxide pigment which will help retain the color long by reducing fading. 10. Before applying any coating be sure to remove any grease from the BBQ that has made it to the deck surface. Use one of the automotive degreasers for a quick and easy clean. 11. You should always do a test patch of the coating youve chosen in an obscure place. Let it dry completely and then see if you like the finished look. 12. You need to wait at least 48 hours after it has rained to give the wood a chance to dry out properly. Applications go on best if the wood has been dry for a week or so. 13. Dont apply your product during the hottest period of the day because it will dry unevenly looking very splotchy. 14. Never over apply the coating. Your wood is like a sponge absorbing the coating until it becomes saturated with the excess sitting on the surface of the wood which will cause the product to fail early. 15. You dont have to worry about coating the bottom side of the wood because it is not exposed to the elements of nature. 16. If you drip or slop remove it before it dries. 17. Never mix water based products and oil based products as they will lift and peel. 18. To help extend the life of your coating dont let water pool on the deck. Instead use a broom to sweep it away. 19. Use a plastic shovel rather than a metal shovel so as not to mark up the deck 20. Only use sodium chloride based salt on a sealed deck These twenty tips on deck coating should have your deck looking great all year round. Your neighbors will be envious! About The Author: Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on deck ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com |
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