Nucci60...I was hoping that can of worms wasn't going to be open. But since you opened it, I guess I can speak. To be honest with ya, I really think the trachys, sabals and needles are about the ugliest plants alive. I have never said anything when people were talking about them because, I couldn't understand why they like them. To me they don't say tropical, they say ugly tree with weird leaves. So, now you know. I am more of a feather type palm person. I love the madagascar palms the most. You might can tell because I talk alot about bottles and spindles, two of my favorite. I am still learning about palms and what will work for me here in AL and the fact that I understand that the only way I can have a feather leaf plant is to grow it in a pot. Its also kinda like other plants, I am not crazy about your plain ole flowers, but when it comes to orchids, I am all eyes and nose. So now the whole world knows that I hate trachys, sabals and needles. I hope I am not alone but I won't make any bets.

The only reason I was going to Restore it was that there are water marks and some strange yellowish residue on some of the wood. I have no idea what the yellowish residue is. Maybe once the deck is built I will try to wipe it off really good adn the water marks will come off when I sand. My wife and I have quite a bit of time and money invested in this deck and I am up for doing whatever it takes to help preserve it. The restore-a-deck will not harm new ipe wood, will it? If not and I did go ahead and use it would you recommend using it before or after sanding? Thanks again John, Ray

John It is a Brazilian teak. I got it from a friend of mine who used to be a partner in lumber liquidators. It is super hard and dense, we went through a ton of saw blades and drill bits putting the decking on. I don't mind doing routine maintenance every couple years or 18 months, but the deck gets a lot of sun and I would love to be able to maintain the beautiful dark look that it has. I am not too knowledgeable on the subject and only know what I have been reading in all these forums. Does anyone have any suggestions for a restoration process or good sealant. here are some pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/davethedude/0209_yardwork_LKDANCE_DECK# Dave Here is a link that might be useful: deck pics

Many of the finish outfits sell a stripper/brightner I have used the twp brand stripper in the past with an oxalic acid wash. The advanage to Ken's stuff is refinement it is way less harsh. I use a floor machine with a scrub pad combined with the stripper/water to get the gray/old finish off it is possible doing it with a power washer set at very low preasure but Im not a big fan of that.And of course there is always the ol scrub brush in both hands kinda thing. The stripper will darken the wood the oxalic brings back the color acting as a nutural as well. Most of the time using the stripper with out the oxalic will leave the wood unable to take new finish in a good way. I use 1 cup of the acid pure form to 5 gal of water if you do this remember the ol high school chem class add the acid to the water not the water to the acid,dont breath the fumes directley. If you look for a brightner from the shelf if the main content is oxalic that will do as well. John