While building our new home ourselves, it looks like we made an error
in selecting deck stain. In spite of good success with Olympic
several years earlier, we let ourselves be convinced that Sherwin
Williams semi-transparent was a great stain.

We built the deck two years ago this coming June. after construction
we let it set through about three months of hot Kansas summer to dry
it out. Then I gave it a light pressure wash, let it set for a few
days and applied two coats of the Sherwin Williams product.

Mistake. After barely 15 months the traffic areas started showing
wear. Now, after about 20 months the finish is starting to crack and
come off of rails and other areas not subject to wear. Obviously I
have a pretty good job ahead with removing and/or repairing the first
job. Does anyone have suggestions regarding getting the original
finish to re-stainable surface or am I looking at a strip and start
over job.

RonB

On 5/19/2012 4:29 PM, RonB wrote:
While building our new home ourselves, it looks like we made an error
in selecting deck stain. In spite of good success with Olympic
several years earlier, we let ourselves be convinced that Sherwin
Williams semi-transparent was a great stain.


Unless you're a masochist, rip that ****ing wood off and replace it with
composite decking.

On Sat, 19 May 2012 13:29:30 -0700 (PDT), RonB
wrote:

While building our new home ourselves, it looks like we made an error
in selecting deck stain. In spite of good success with Olympic
several years earlier, we let ourselves be convinced that Sherwin
Williams semi-transparent was a great stain.

We built the deck two years ago this coming June. after construction
we let it set through about three months of hot Kansas summer to dry
it out. Then I gave it a light pressure wash, let it set for a few
days and applied two coats of the Sherwin Williams product.

Mistake. After barely 15 months the traffic areas started showing
wear. Now, after about 20 months the finish is starting to crack and
come off of rails and other areas not subject to wear. Obviously I
have a pretty good job ahead with removing and/or repairing the first
job. Does anyone have suggestions regarding getting the original
finish to re-stainable surface or am I looking at a strip and start
over job.

RonB

I've yet to find a deck stain that is durable. I can get a few years
out of the rails, but only a year out of the deck surface. I'm
thinking of replacing it all with some other wood not needing stain.

I'd consider composite, but most need more support than the 16"
centers I have.

"RonB" wrote in message
...
While building our new home ourselves, it looks like we made an error
in selecting deck stain. In spite of good success with Olympic
several years earlier, we let ourselves be convinced that Sherwin
Williams semi-transparent was a great stain.

We built the deck two years ago this coming June. after construction
we let it set through about three months of hot Kansas summer to dry
it out. Then I gave it a light pressure wash, let it set for a few
days and applied two coats of the Sherwin Williams product.

Mistake. After barely 15 months the traffic areas started showing
wear. Now, after about 20 months the finish is starting to crack and
come off of rails and other areas not subject to wear. Obviously I
have a pretty good job ahead with removing and/or repairing the first
job. Does anyone have suggestions regarding getting the original
finish to re-stainable surface or am I looking at a strip and start
over job.

Strip it and use Shaker Milk Paint. It's easy, cheap, and you can make it
any color you want. Pretty much lasts forever except on stairs. But...it
just fades away, no peeling, etc. Just clean the steps and make more paint.