Wood deck sealant

[Bassy]

We need a bit of advice. My husband built a beautiful deck that we've really enjoyed, but we've had a hard time finding a sealant that stays on it. Every sealant we've put on it has flaked off the next year. We have extreme temps. from below freezing in the winter to above 100 in the summer. My question. Is there a sealant out there that will last a few years? Maybe even 5 years?<br />Bassy

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Bassy, have you tried Thompson's Water Seal? It needs to be applied maybe once every 3 to 5 years depending on weather, but what's nice about it is it won't flake. You can just apply more over the old stuff. Make sure you mix it very well before using, all the goopy stuff sticks to the bottom of the can.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Bassy what type of wood did he use? Different woods require different topcoat and even different application

 

[JRJ]

Re: Wood deck sealant

My neighbor is doing about 4 steps to his redwood deck. I don't remember them all but I can ask him. I built a redwood deck that was fine for over 17 years, without any work in way more rain than you get. Once you start a stain on any wood, you have to keep it up. Good luck

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Wood deck sealant

go to your library and look at the July 2005 issue of Consumers Reports. They have an article and ratings on deck treatments they've tested.<br /><br />if whatever you're putting on is actually flaking off, it sounds like you're using something that is a surface coating rather than something that soaks into the wood like a stain.

 

[Chief101]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Bassy, do the research, every year new stuff comes along for sealing redwood decks, nothing works really great but some will be satisfactory. Don't even wast your money on Thompson's Waterseal.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Bassy, I hate to say this to you now but replace it with Trex. It don't need no stinkin sealant!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Originally posted by shortly:<br /> Don't even wast your money on Thompson's Waterseal.

You right, shortly. Thompson's waterseal is the WD40 of the wood sealers. It is also the ArmorAll of the vinyl preservatives. Grrrrrrr!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Bassy never said it was a redwood deck did she?<br /><br />Also, gotta second the opinions on Thompsons Water seal for use on wood. Consumer Reports tested it awhile back & dropped it cause of poor performence.<br /><br />If you do go to your library, also check out the consumers reports from spring/ summer of 2003. They do deck treatments about every two years. While the data & ratings in this past July issue are what you want to use, I think the previous time they reported on deck tmts. they had more general info on the issues and some of the things to look for.

 

[Chief101]

Re: Wood deck sealant

I hate to disagree with you Boomy but Trex will never be made into a deck that you can call beautiful. It's way too plastic looking.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Wood deck sealant

I've been reading the responses all weekend and decided I better reply. No, our deck is not redwood, its just pine. <br /> I checked out Trex an no that's not they way we would want to go.<br /> I'll be headed to our library this week and see what Comsumer Reports says.<br />Thank you all for your replies.<br />Bassy

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Just pine or treated pine?<br /><br />A very cheap and simple 'soak in' coating is a 50/50 mixture of linseed oil and turps. You can recoat as many times as you like to achieve the desired sheen. And it's mould resistant.<br /><br />Every 12 months, a quick pressure clean and a recoat is all that is required.<br /><br />Did I mention that it's cheap!<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Bassy]

Re: Wood deck sealant

That is just great, Dunaruna! Thanks so much!<br />Cheap is the way we like it!<br />Bassy

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Originally posted by Bassy:<br /> I checked out Trex an no that's not they way we would want to go.

May not have been at the time Bassy. Just check back after a couple of seasons of trying to keep your natural deck in the manner that you have described. I'll bet you'll change your tune.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wood deck sealant

A very cheap and simple 'soak in' coating is a 50/50 mixture of linseed oil and turps. You can recoat as many times as you like to achieve the desired sheen. And it's mould resistant.<br />

Is that Raw,.. Or Boiled Linseed Oil,.??

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Wood deck sealant

In all honestly Bondo, I don't have a clue. I buy it from the local hardware store, the only thing it says on the bottle is 'pure 100% linseed oil'.<br /><br />I have used it for years on a merbu timber deck (hardwood) and a cyprus pine deck. <br /><br />I usually use a roller to apply it, but it can easily be brushed or sprayed.<br /><br />Bassy, I have never used it on treated pine, test a piece first so that you know what it will look like. it takes about a day to soak & dry. The turps does all the soaking, if you use the linseed oil straight, it will skin ( I learned the hard way!).<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Wood deck sealant

I've been looking for some pics of my stained deck but this is all I can find for now. I fitted a cyprus pine bumper around my boat and put 3 coats of the 50/50 linseed/turps.<br /><br />Before.<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />After.<br /><br />

<br /><br />It gives the timber a beautiful dark sheen.<br /><br />I just did a quick google, there are tons of sites relating to the protective properties of linseed.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> Just pine or treated pine?<br /><br />Aldo

Just pine.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Wood deck sealant

If it flakes off it is probably a poly eurothane coating. It is not really meant to last. <br /><br />Use a good deck wash first, then apply a water sealer like Thompsons. I don't care for Thompsons, but something similar. Menards, Home Depot places like that have good stuff to use. Don't use the most expensive but don't go cheapest either. <br /><br />The ket with water sealer is to use wash first to clean it good, and apply the correct thickness and in the right temp.<br /><br />I applied some once too thick on a day thatw as way too cold. The deck was an oily mess for weeks. Looked like a deisel fuel spill!

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Wood deck sealant

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> Just pine or treated pine?<br /><br />A very cheap and simple 'soak in' coating is a 50/50 mixture of linseed oil and turps. You can recoat as many times as you like to achieve the desired sheen. And it's mould resistant.<br /><br />Every 12 months, a quick pressure clean and a recoat is all that is required.<br /><br />Did I mention that it's cheap!<br /><br />Aldo

For my house decks, a pressure clean and recoat isn't quick (lots of railings with spindles, etc.). <br /><br />There are some Cabot products that CR tested that are still doing well after 3 years (and they test in the extreme Florida sun). Expensive (mid to high $20 range per gallon), but for me, the cost of a product that will last more than 3 years easily offsets the 'labor costs' of cleaning/ recoating each year. Of course, that will vary according to each individuals particular application. Dunaruna's boat deck looks like its small and flat; I can see where it would be a quick power wash and recoat job each year.