try these steps for either vinyl / PVC siding or decking (as I did) *latex paint - when paint is wet: start with 100% rubbing alcohol and dilute with tap water at max 50/50 on a white cotton rag and wipe surface when paint is dry: use 100% acetone (e.g., nail polish remover) and dilute with tap water at max 50/50, with same type rag vigorously wipe then - since paint will have been spread around (looking like a stain) - use Goo Gone and finish the rest until clean, is now nearly spotless *oil-based paint - for wet or dry oil-based paint, start with 100% acetone (e.g., nail polish remover) and dilute with tap water at max 50/50 on a white cotton rag, vigorously wipe surface if stain from paint is still apparent, use Goo Gone (what I had) and finish the rest until clean nearly spotless I tried a lot of different solutions, literally, except for those that research had informed would be ineffective for what I was doing or would damage the surface (powerwashing, abrasive scrubbing with fine steel / plastic type scrubbers) This post was edited by craig1721 on Sat, Oct 18, 14 at 15:58

Thanks for the explanation

We did a 20x16 deck with TimberTech's Terrain line. It is a relatively simple low deck, and we built it ourselves. I've had treated wood decks in the past, and I know how bad my track record is with the upkeep. We decided to bite the bullet and pay more upfront for something low maintenance. We've been in our new house 18 months, and so far, I love the deck. My only complaint was that they don't offer post coverings in a 6x6 size. Our county code requires the railing posts to be continuous into the ground and 6x6, but the TimberTech covers only came in 4x4. We ended up just using a deck stain and painting the posts instead. Not what I wanted, but it worked. Our lumberyard recommended a fastener system called Camo, which is an angled guide that allows you to drive special composite friendly screws into the sides of the boards down into the joists, so they don't show. It was a lifesaver, and I love how the screws are not visible from the top. Sorry for the dirt on the first picture, it needed a bath.

We painted a few planks today to test them - cedar and butternut solid stain. They are very different with the cedar being a bit lighter and brighter and the butternut richer and darker. Any experienced with these stains, will they cover up my reddish deck?