Restore-a-deck process is complete, now timing the staining step?

20 years ago

We used our restore-a-deck kit on Saturday to prepare our new ipe deck for staining with TWP 116. We found the kit easy to use and effective and the deck now looks "squeaky clean" and ready to stain. I'm looking for guidance on the timing. The day we did the cleaning steps (Saturday) was a hot dry day and yesterday was as well - temps around 90 and sunny. The forecast for today (Monday) and tomorrow is continued hot sunny weather but with the usual chance of isolated or scattered thunderstorms each day. You can't seem to get away from that during the summer. Wednesday and Thursday look like rain is a greater possibility, but Friday and for many days after the forecast just says "sunny" and projects mid-80's. We had wanted to get the stain applied over the 4th of July holiday so we'd have the whole process completed prior to going on vacation in mid-July.

So the question is - with the forecast information should we even be entertaining the thought of staining tomorrow (Tues)? For one thing, that will only have given the deck 2 full days (albeit very hot and sunny ones) to dry out after the RAD process. For another, there is a chance of a stray thunderstorm tomorrow and a greater chance of rain Wed and Thurs. Didn't someone say we needed to be rain free for 24 hours after staining?

The forecast looks pretty good for next weekend but that could certainly change between now and then. By next weekend the deck would have had a full week after the RAD process, but it may have been rained on. If we can't get it done next weekend, then we run the risk of not getting it done before we go on vacation for a week in mid-July, and by the time we got back from that I believe the RAD treatment would have "expired".

Any guidance from the sage advisors would be greatly appreciated!!!

Karen

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Comments (5)

pressurepros
20 years ago
It would probably be fine to do it today. Tommorrow for certain. I know what you mean about summer evenings and the "chance of T-storms". Check the weather channel's local online forecast and look at the possibility percentages for precipitation. (poetic alliteration not intended :)
karenmaness
Original Author
20 years ago
There is a 30% chance of rain today and tomorrow, with a 60% chance tomorrow night. Supposed to be about 90 both days. Wed and Thurs it says scattered thunderstorms possible (no percentages) and temps about 80, so sounds like maybe a slight front coming through to cool things off.

Sounds like the deck is dry enough now as it is, even though it's only been about a day and a half since we finished with the RAD?

How long do we need to be rain free after we put on the TWP? The 60% chance of rain tomorrow night and greater likelihood of rain Wed and Thurs concern me a little about putting the stain on tomorrow.
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pressurepros
20 years ago
Ipe dries very quickly in the sun. When you apply the TWP make sure you really work it into the wood as much as possible. Don't over apply it. You can coat heavily but don't leave puddles of sealer. If you do this I think you will be fine with 6 hours of dry time. I do not use TWP, but I know I have had it rain 1 hour after applying similar products and have had no consequence.
karenmaness
Original Author
20 years ago
Other people have talked about using a lambswool pad on a stick to apply the TWP. Lambswool looks awfully hairy, though, and I wonder about leaving hairs behind on the wood. I wonder why lambswool is recommended? The TWP can didn't mention using a pad, but instead indicated using a brush, roller, or sprayer. The paint pad on a stick idea is appealing because we have some high places to get to. When you say "work it into the wood as much as possible", do you mean rub it in really well? What I had in mind to do was to apply the stain rather generously with the paint pad, let it soak in for a few minutes (maybe 10?), then rub off excess with a rag to avoid overapplication problems. We'd work in small sections especially since it's so hot and sunny right now. I didn't plan to try the wet on wet approach. The can specifically says only 1 coat on new wood, and with us being novices I was afraid of messing things up and getting a sticky result trying to put on two coats one after the other.

Assuming all goes well and we get a coat of TWP on successfully, I'm assuming we'll need to reapply the finish yearly to maintain the nice color and UV protection? Will we have to go through the full RAD process every time?
pressurepros
20 years ago
If you want the greatest longevity from your sealer you should do the process every time but.. It is much easier the second time around. You can spray the whole deck quickly and unless you have heavy duty mold issues (which is unlikely) you can rinse off with garden hose.

Next year you can actually get away with just using the brightener to clean and then re-apply the TWP. I would think after you build another coat of the TWP on the deck you will get two years on your horizontals. By using the RAD cleaner every time you reseal (after next year) you will prevent the deck from over darkening. Which is going to happen over a span of 3-4 coats.