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Porches & Decks

Questions for Steve about Penofin

15 years ago

I plan to finish the Ipe floor (220 sq.ft.)on my screened in porch this week with Penofin as you sugggested.

The Penofin should sit for about 30 minutes before wiping it dry. Do you put it on in sections, wait 30 minutes, wipe, and go on to the next section, or do you do the whole floor and then walk back on it to wipe it down?

My wife prefers the finish color to be less red, more brown. Does the Hardwood formula finish with a reddish color? If so, is it OK to use instead the Red Label Penofin with wood stain on Ipe?

Next year, when I put down a new coat of Penofin, how do you prepare the floor? Do you sand again, use a cleaner or just power wash?

Thanks again for your advice. Phil

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Comment (1)

brooklyndecks
15 years ago
Phil,

As I've said before, I'm not much of a finisher, but...
I Penofin the entire project, and then wipe dry. My decks aren't too large, and it doesn't matter much if you wait 45 minutes or an hour...as long as it's not a sunny day. Since you have a porch, sun isn't an issue. I've used a few of the Penofin formulas, and I don't remember which one is less red. When I buy Penofin, I buy what's available. If I have a choice, I go with the blue can...western red cedar. You can go to penofin.com to see the different tones. My clients seem to like whichever one I use, and since it'll fade (in the sun) before long, it's not an issue. Since you're sealing a porch, it'll last alot longer...and since you've got to appease your wife, you better get it right :-)
Let her pick the tone she likes, and that'll get you off the hook.
You should be able to wait a couple of years between applications. I don't ever go back to reseal the decks (and I don't have a deck)...but you won't have to sand. Penofin has some prep products, but I just don't know. Better to ask someone that finishes for a living. Me, I make sawdust.

steve
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