Staining Composite Decking!

          When the composite decking manufacturers state that your deck is maintenance free, you were probably very pleased. They are truly great structures. Over time they all do in fact fade. The cheaper materials, even more quickly. This may not have an effect on you, if your deck is positioned so it weathers and fades all as one. But if you have an overhead and just the edge of your deck is exposed to the suns rays and you end up with 2 foot of your deck faded, it's not good. Depending on the manufacturer they are made from a combination of wood and plastic. Some are made from recycled materials. They are tough, very resistant to wear and tear, and becoming more popular and affordable. After a while like any color you may want to change it. Do a little planning and think about if you plan to change you house colors also.

We consider Sikkens
 the Number 1 stain.
 It's all we use on our
log cabin jobs.

          Due to dirt, grease, grime, mold, and mildew it will have to be Professionally pressure washed. A Deck wash is the easiest way, but you can mix your own,
just add 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Then add in some house hold soap to make a good cleaning foam. We prefer Dawn - it really does cut grease. You can spray on with the pressure washer or use a broom or scrub brush to spread. Allow mixture to work on the surface for 10 or 15 minutes keeping the deck wet all the time. Pressure wash the deck and rinse. And rinse, and rinse. Ensure you do not allow the bleach or soap to dry on the deck and rinse it all off. Allow the deck to dry for a day before staining and allow to dry for at least 48 hours, rain free, after the staining. Make sure your stain is for use with Composite decks, not all of them are.

Wooster 4 inch Brush

        The most important part of applying stain is to keep it stirred and mixed. Make sure that all the pigment stays mixed into the stain. Be vigilant in this! Solid color stains are recommended for composite decking. Acrylic Latex is the type of stain to use. Decks, and Porches take a beating from foot traffic, temperature, moisture, and the sun. It is important not to go cheap on the stain you buy. Another reason to buy the best products is that you won't have to do this as often. Remember every time you re-stain you must also pressure wash, and sometimes strip. So lets go with a quality long lasting product. Most cans say you can apply stain using either of 3 methods, the Spray rig, brush or roller. For decks, we use the brush method only. We use the big 4 incher, polyester of course. Watch for shiny spots, and brush them out. I like to start at the house and work outward. Work fast to prevent lap marks. That's part of the reason for the big brush. This is best done by a home owner on a cloudy day. A pro should be able to complete it on any day. Never paint yourself into a corner. Just apply one coat for decks. When complete, tape up the entrances so it cannot be walked on.

        Notes: When using bleach around bushes, be sure to water the plants thoroughly before hand. They will soak up all the water they need prior to any bleach being used. This works like a charm, every time. Just rinse the bush itself, and its leaves, as you go. 

Stains we use, like and recommend:

Sikkens:

http://www.paintsource.net/pages/products/sikkens/sikkens_MAIN.htm

Sherwin Williams - Deck Scapes:

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/products/shelf/exterior_paint_coatings/deck_products/finishes/

Home Depot - BHER:

http://www.behr.com/Behr/home#vgnextoid=b086f11390a59110VgnVCM1000006b0910acRCRD;channel=HEADER_NAV;view=13

Cabot Deck Stain:

http://www.cabotstain.com/

        Now re staining your deck is a totally different system.........