Servicing the Raleigh/Cary Area

......Since 2001

DECK CLEANING, STAINING & SEALING

 

       

           Deck Sealing with TWP transparent oil       

   

    (Click to Enlarge)

                                     CUSTOMER PREPARATION:

Grimebusters will remove, work around or cover all large objects on your deck. We ask that you remove or take inside all small and/or delicate things such as wind chimes, hanging items, small pots, art work, etc. Also, if you have a sliding glass door or an older wooden door that opens to the deck you may want to put a towel down on the inside to prevent water from leaking in during pressure washing. Do not put objects back on the deck during the night as they will keep moisture underneath them and prevent adequate drying prior to sealing.

                                               COST:

A 10x 12ft. untreated deck with 3-4 steps can be sealed for about $175-200 including labor and material. The treatment will last 1-3 years depending on sun/shade conditions and age of wood. Add $75 for powerwashing if removal of grey oxidized wood surface is desired. (This is recommended to give the brightest final appearance)

STAINING VS SEALING:

By common understanding when some one says, "Seal"  referring to outdoor wood projects they usually mean seal and stain; at the same time with the same product. This is because of exposure to water as well as sunlight. Sealing is for water exposure and staining is for sunlight exposure (as well as cosmetic appearance). Sunlight oxidizes and 'grays' the surface cells of the wood.

WHEN TO SEAL:

Sealing wood can be done immediately; even new wood that is pressure treated can be sealed sooner than you might think. You can test the readiness by pouring a little water on the surface of the wood and rubbing it in to see if it will absorb into the wood fibers. If the wood fibers are too full of chemicals the sealant won't absorb and the deck needs to dry out longer. The waiting period is totally dependent on how porous the wood is and how long the wood was sitting before it was purchased. If the surface of the wood is beginning to gray then it is past the optimal time to seal. Double-dried wood is the best (available at Capital City Lumbar as 'Cox' lumber). It can be sealed immediately and won't warp and bend as much as some wood found in home stores.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

TWP will last about 2-3 years on horizontal surfaces in direct sunlight (3-4 yrs in the shade). The pickets will not need resealing for about twice as long as the horizontal wood (steps, handrails, and decking).

WHY SEAL:

Water ages wood. Sealing fights aging by treating the wood fibers with something that will prevent contact with water.  This can be done with a surface coater like paint and many solid colored stains, or with an oil-based product.  "TWP" is one of the latter; it seals the wood by sealing individual fibers instead of the surface of the plank of wood.  It lasts 2-4 years.

SEALING PRODUCTS:

I use penetrating oils, such as TWP 200 series, as my preferred products. Unlike inexpensive surface waxes, penetrating oils sink deeply into the wood. They are completely different from the popular and expensive "colored glues" commonly found in home stores the last several years. Almost all the new products are Alkyd/Acrylic (water/oil) combinations; they can crack and peal or turn wood permanently dark in direct sunlight in only a few years. Beware of the phrase "Easy water clean-up". The water/oil combo products are difficult to apply evenly. You must keep a wet edge of 20-30 seconds in hot weather, or you will have permanent color/lap marks. You must apply only one very thin coat and never let it run.  It is also nearly impossible to get off of anything after only a few minutes in the hot sun! Penetrating oil sealants go on evenly and wipe off like vegetable oil from newer painted surfaces and vinyl. Drips and runs will simply evaporate about 75% leaving little trace!  Re-sealing requires only minimal pressure washing, which will keep your deck surface looking new compared to decks that need heavy washing and stripping (due to the heavy polymers found in surface coaters)  ...so your deck will look better and better over time instead of worse.

Solid colored stains have both paint pigments and stain and sealing chemicals in them. The advantage is that you can add colors other than natural wood tones found in true stains. The disadvantage is that even application is a little more difficult and walking wear will show as a color difference after a short time. TWP 200 series can be purchased at Capital City Lumber in Raleigh near Blue Ridge Rd.& Hillsborough St.

 

 

                               HOW TO SEAL IT YOURSELF:

Deck must be dry for at least one day prior to sealing. The handrails and pickets can be sealed with a natural bristle staining brush or a 3x6 styrofoam "Handy Painter" from Lowes or Home Depot. The decking (boards you walk on) can be sealed with a 9"exterior deck staining sponge.  You may also spray TWP with a small electric or pump-up sprayer to do the pickets/slats more quickly. TWP is a very forgiving product; to a large extent, over-spray and runs will evaporate on their own when you forget to wipe them off. When it gets on a painted surface, the product will either wipe right off or come off easily with a little mineral spirits. Old rough and oxidized vinyl surfaces may need mineral spirits mixed with acetone for best results. Plants must be covered when using a sprayer.  As soon as product looks dry, you can walk on it and rain will not affect it. 

CAUTION!  Although TWP will not track when it appears dry, it will show on light colored fabrics (like white socks!) when walking on it until several weeks or a few good rainstorms pass.