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Message |
    
MittenReckitt
Citizen
Username: Mittenreckitt
Post Number: 43
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 7:56 am: | 
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Is this a do it yourselfer type of project - buy a powerwasher or rent one from home depot and then stain yourself?
Or should I hire someone and pay $450? Let's assume I'm willing to devote a few hours to powerwash and a few more to stain.
The deck can't be more than 6' x 16'.
Thoughts? |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6029
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 8:22 am: |
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You can definitely do it yourself. Hubby does it all the time. Powerwashing is the easy part. Staining is the tough part  |
MittenReckitt
Citizen
Username: Mittenreckitt
Post Number: 44
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 2:50 pm: |
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Thanks Red....what is tough about staining and can you provide some tips to the first timer?
Also, any recommendations on power washers to buy or rent?
Thanks! |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 6046
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 9:10 pm: |
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Sorry, no help with the power washer. We borrowed it from a friend. For staining it can be tough to get every spot, so just be careful |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 295
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 7:10 am: |
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Just so you are aware....Rich has a 3200 PSI power washer and it weighs a bloomin' ton. Be careful. Also it is actually dangerous. It was shut off and he thought he'd wet his hands with what was in the hose. He ripped off the skin of his thumb down to the bone. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11952
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 7:44 am: |
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You can buy an electric powerwasher for around $125-$200 that will do the type of job you want. As Sherri says, the more powerful ones can actually damage the wood, not to mention your foot should it get in the way.
If by staining you mean either covering the grain completely with an opaque stain or a semi-transparent stain there is some work and attention to detail needed. If you are just going to use a clear sealer it can be applied with a garden sprayer or a paint pad, the latter being what I use. |
MittenReckitt
Citizen
Username: Mittenreckitt
Post Number: 46
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 8:12 am: |
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Thanks for the insights -
When powerwashing, is it the force of the water alone that cleans it, or do I need some sort of cleaner mixed into the water? How many PSI does a deck require?
Bob, I'm looking to do a toner color. From what I understand, this will protect the wood the best.
Thanks |
Me
Citizen
Username: 1972
Post Number: 17
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 8:26 am: |
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We had a cedar deck installed 2 years ago. I powerwashed it myself last year (rented a power washer from HD) and stained it with Cabot oil-based stain. This is supposedly the best stain out there, but it's already coming off on the walking surface. Is this normal? Do I need to powerwash and stain each and every year? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11955
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 8:43 am: |
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Mitten, I usually mop on a deck cleaning product before powerwashing. Remember to wear eye protection.
See the current issue of Consumer Reports for recs on deck stains and sealers.
Me, my guess is that the deck wasn't completely dry before you stained it. Again, see the Consumer Reports article. A lot depends on the type of stain/sealer you use. |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1843
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:50 am: |
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I bought one for about $100 a few years back. If you are just going to use it for small jobs like the one you describe, you won't need to spend much more than that. Once you have one, you'll look for things to clean. It's actually kind of fun. |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 233
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:53 am: |
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$100 or so is on the money.Too much psi tends to fuzz up the wood and holding the nozzle too close gives you variations in the wood.Granted,were not talking fine cabinetry here,but I would suggest taking your time and being as thorough as possible meaning also wash your balusters[spindles].Cabot 3000 clear is the stuff I use on my cedar deck and have always been happy with the results.Be sure to allow plenty of time for the deck to dry before staining.I use a brush for close work and a paint pad on a long handle for the field.Remember to always work to a wet edge. |
MittenReckitt
Citizen
Username: Mittenreckitt
Post Number: 49
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 12:14 pm: |
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Thanks for the tip everyone.
George H, what does work to a wet edge mean?
Thanks |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11966
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 2:55 pm: |
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Making sure that the area you are painting (or staining) remains wet when you paint next to it. This is one of those things that is hard to describe.
Basically, don't get half way done with the job and break for lunch. If you do, you will end up with an uneven colored section where the new and old work join. |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 234
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 4:05 pm: |
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The best way I can describe working to a wet edge would be if you are using a 6" pad to stain 5 1/2" decking,1/2" will lap onto each sucessive pc.When you go over the next pc.completely,the 1/2"will blend in but will lap onto the next pc.and so on.When and if you want to stop,just finish one pc.without the 1/2" lap and you'll be fine.Re-reading this post,I'm not sure Ive done such a hot job explaining.Anyone else want to have a go at it? |
Jason
Citizen
Username: Jason
Post Number: 137
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:39 pm: |
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There's a good article on Family Handyman about cleaning and staining a deck:
http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/articles/200004/deck/main.html
This is one of the things on my never-ending todo list... just waiting for that nice sunny weekend to start the process!
Jason |
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