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It rains a lot here and the back yard is very shady- the wood I believe, on the deck, was untreated. What sort of finish or lacquer do I need to buy? Thanks!
There is alot to consider when refinishing a deck. I am just completing the restoration of one that was ignored and it has been a huge job.
Generally you must do wood repairs, strip old finishes, and use a cleaning solution before applying a new finish. Mine was so bad with cupping and splintering that I actually used a floor sander to save the horizontal surface. Keep in mind that preparation of the surface before applying any finish is the key factor in look and longevity.
There are a number of deck finishes to choose, some traditional oil based and some of the newer acrylic water based stains. Do the research to find the look you want and choose a high quality deck stain. Do not use house paint or a finish not designed for decks. Home stores and paint stores will stock a variety of deck products.
As much as I like having a deck, it is relatively high maintenance. Yours may be easier as sun exposure is very hard on the surface and your shady conditions will help.
pressure wash it and notice if there certain areas are darker than others or have some type of build up. This is more likely tree gunk so it may take longer to clean. I made mistake this time and went with a light shade stain and everything shows up alll the time.
I used Paint roller on the deck and regular brush on the railings. As above poster mention, find a good waterproof stain.
I don;t have a deck, but on This Old House, they are constantly pushing non wood deck made of enigneered products. If the wood badly rotted, that might be a way to go.
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