Bob M wrote:
I have a natural cedar deck that I pressure washed and then stained with
semi-solid this past spring. Came out quite nice.

A good portion of this deck in under a maple tree on one side and oak trees
on the other. Over the past few months, even though I kept blowing the
leaves off the deck, there has been a buildup of a black residue on the
deck. I tried scrubbing this with a soap and water solution without
success.

Is the black color simply darkening, or is there something gummy/stick?
If it is sap from trees, mineral spirits and stiff brush should take
most of it off. If it is simply staining from tannin in leaves, it
probably won't come off (unless bleach works on it).

Can anyone recommend a solution that will soften/emulsify this residue
hopefully without harming the stain below it?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

B

Why do people use good wood like cedar and then paint the stuff? Kind
of like buying gold jewelry and having it tin plated )