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Porches & Decks

HELP - cedar deck stain peeling badly!!

15 years ago

I'm a single mom with an ugly deck! The stain from last year is peeling in many areas. Last weekend a friend power washed my deck and applied new stain. It looks awful! The areas that were peeling are lighter in color than the rest of the deck. I now have a multi-colored ugly deck!

What the heck can I do to fix this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

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Comments (4)

theporchguy
15 years ago
laurie1212,
"Stain from last year is peeling?" Stain doesn't peel off. Was something like a sealer or Clear finish put over the stain last year?

Is it a regular southern yellow pine PT Deck? What kind of decking is there?

The PorchGuy

Here is a link that might be useful: My Album
Faron79
15 years ago
Yeah, we've gotta know more about the "history" of your deck first...
1) Age of deck,
2) Species of wood,
3) Height off ground,
4) Pressure-treated or "Regular" lumber,
5) Its stain history (previous coatings used). Solids or Semi-transparents-exact brands.
6) Has it ever been sanded?

>>> How close did the tip of the pressure-washer get to the wood?!??! Quiz your friend...this may be 1/2 the reason!!

Faron
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I have almost the exact same problem as you. I too stained my deck on a hot day. I did not sand it properly before hand, and I ended up with blotchy areas as well as water stains just two days later when it rained. I used a stain remover followed by a neutralizing agent. The brand I used was Benjamin Moore; it can be found at just about any hardware and paint store. You live in Canada but you don't say where. I live in southeast Alaska; lots of rain where I live. I've successfully removed all the stain along with the water stains and blotchy areas, and am now looking for a stain that will bring out the natural beauty and protect the wood. I was told to only use a latex based stain and NOT an oil based one. Maintenance was the main reason. Anyway, I would recommend the Benjamin Moore stain remover and neutralizer. It worked great for me.
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If it'll do the job, best way to remove is sanding with a floor sander. But if it's really stubborn, you might have to go the way of using chemicals to remove it. Try sanding with a 60- or 80-grit sandpaper. If it takes just a bit of elbow grease, a floor sander should work well. If you can't get it all off, you'll have to go the way of chemically removing it. You'll have to apply a chemical stripper, power wash it off, then apply a neutralizer to make sure the wood gets back to the right color & the chemicals won't interfere with the new stain. No matter what, you're looking at a solid weekend's worth of work to remove the peeling stuff. As for stain types: try to find a good hybrid that both penetrates and leaves a very slight film (I'm talking maybe 1/2 mil thick) for UV protection. There are several out there. The plain oils tend to darken over time, but the pure film formers peel, as you've experienced. A quality hybird will give you the best of both worlds. Hope that helps some. -- Charis w/ Sashco
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laurie1212
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the responses. I am out of my element on deck stuff. Okay, here's my deck history:

1. Age of deck: 4 yrs old
2. Species of wood: Cedar
3. Height off ground: It's on an incline. Lowest point to ground is about 3 feet; highest point 5 feet.
4. Pressure treated cedar
5. Stain history: Stained when built with Thompson's semi transparent stuff. Restained 7/06 with Cabot's semi transparent stuff. Restained a couple weeks ago with Behr Deck Plus semit-transparent deck wood stain.
6. It's never been sanded.

I sure appreciate any help. It really looks dreadful. Thanks!
adamt
15 years ago
This is very common for this BEHR product to fail within the first few months. Actually it is usual rather than unusual. I have never seen it last on a deck the length that they suggest. Behr is the issue here and it will only get worse.

There are several topical acids (acid 'salts') that you can apply and then pressure wash (yes, I said pressure wash, depending on your level of failure it may get most of it off). Next you can sand the areas that need to come up. The newer silicone based products tend to remain topical rather that 'penetrate' as advertised. Third you may try a stripper, there are several on the market that can help. Many contractors who have to deal with the "Behr stain problem" have tried these methods with varying degrees of success.

Go back to Cabotor use Sikkens, they usually give around two good years and does back it up with a realistic warranty.

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