Problem with staining pressure treated lumber...

[recycled sixtie]

Hi all,
Our deck is approximately 5 years old. It is pressure treated lumber and after 2 years decided that the green bare look was not so good. So I used the deck wash on it and applied as recommended by Home Depot the acrylic natural look stain. What happened is that it started peeling and with snow clearing on the deck in winter the deck looks like a mess. I just this week used the deck wash and a bristle brush to get as much of this coating off. As you can see it is patchy. More work required.

Apparently sanding a pressure treated deck releases carcinogens so I will forget that idea.

2 Questions.
1. What do I use to get rid of the veneer of the old acrylic stain?
2. What is the best stain to get to apply to deck once down to bare wood?
The internet suggests an oil based semi-transparent stain. Keep in mind that I remove snow in the winter so it gets scraped. I need a stain that goes into the wood and does not get scraped.

Any product suggestions and solutions would be appreciated!

[GWN7]

Sorry but you are screwed. What is happening is moisture from below is penetrating the wood and pushing the deck stain off the boards. Nothing you put on there will stay. Put a solid stain down and redo it every year or take the boards off and replace with plastic decking.

[stevej37]

My deck is about 20 yrs old and I was having the same prob. I went with the Behr Deckover covering. It did an excellent job..filled in the small cracks and now I can't even find the deck screw points. (It's thick) You have to do two coats for good coverage and it comes in lots of diff colors. Been on for three years now...still looks the day I applied it. Very happy with it.

[TheMentat]

I had the exact same thing happen to me (same products and everything).

A real piss-off. I'd go with That Deckover stuff, or something similar. That stuff seems like truck bed liner!

[NY65912]

First mistake is using that Behr crap, never again for me.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by NY65912

First mistake is using that Behr crap, never again for me.

Apply per label directions?
The only downside I have seen, the wood grain is no longer visible..it looks like synthetic.

[flatbutt]

I've had very bad luck with Behr. But my deck is in full sun all year so that may be the issue for me. '60, you may need to sand the deck to open up the grain before you stain. I've thought about plastic decking but that stuff get smokin' hot in the sun. Good luck.

[Evans, Marv]

If you decide not to go with the Deckover covering, consider Amteco TWP(Total Wood Preservative). It's the best thing I've found. Used it on a redwood deck years ago and the patio woodwork at my current house. It used to come in an oil based form, but I don't know if it still does. Any treatment needs to be redone over time.

[willtel]

I had the exact same issue. Pressure treated deck, crap Behr acrylic stain.

This is what I did. Stripped the old stain with this stuff, work it in small sections and don't let the stripper dry. Spread it like paint and remove it with a pressure washer.


Once it is all stripped I used this stuff to brighten the wood.


After that was complete I let the deck dry for a few days then I stained it with Penofin for pressure treated wood in the Tahoe color.

The end result was much more transparent than the acrylic stain and looked better. Since Penofin is rosewood oil you can re-apply it without stripping it when it wears.

[911boost]

I have had good luck with Penofin as well on the brazillian redwood deck I built on my last house (now it is the ex's headache).

Bill

[NY65912]

I've used Penofin on redwood with great results. I had to get it shipped to NY from Cali. I have used Wollman stain on pressure treated and it held up for years.

[stevej37]

I don't think the OP has redwood.

[john70t]

Going through the same thing with Cabots (australian oil).

The vertical posts and the covered porch on the north are still quite beautiful, but sunshine and foot traffic quickly wore out everything else.
I re-stained, and now a few years later have a milky peeling finish.

[vash]

Willtel; your place looks amazing.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I don't think the OP has redwood.

I believe the wood is pine.
Yes Willtell your place does look amazing.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Will be shopping around first for stain remover and stains at Lowes and Home Depot.

[ossiblue]

I suspect your deck is fir rather than pine--small but significant difference. I would suggest you stay away from acrylic stains and those with lots of "cover-up" as well.

As stated by some above, and your internet search, you need to use an oil-based, slow drying, deep penetrating, low solid stain--Penofin is one and that's why it works well. High solid stains do not, by definition, penetrate deeply and will peel. You are in the perfect situation, once you remove the remaining remnants of the old stain, to apply a stain that truly penetrates. You just need to be certain the old stain is completely removed and the wood grain is "open." The finish will be much more transparent, but it will not peel. Wear and tear on the wood will eventually remove the stain as the wood itself is worn away and sun fades the color in the solids. Lightly re-applying more stain after years of wear should renew the finish.

[OffCamber00]

If you are looking for a stain, i have had great results with Sikens CETOL SRD.

[dennis in se pa]

I did not see a recommendation for a good power washing. 2 weeks later when dried a good quality (oil based if possible) stain rolled on, not sprayed.