What Can I Use To Clean My Deck Before Staining

If your deck has visible mildew stains add 1 cup of.

What can i use to clean my deck before staining.

Cleaning your wooden deck is part of its annual maintenance. Lack of preparation is the most common reason why deck stains and sealers fail so don t skip this very important step. Then wash the deck using a power washer to scrub the surface clean. Furthermore since dish soap is safe enough for your delicate dishes it will not harm your deck s stain or the surrounding plant life especially if you look for a soap that is biodegradable.

Before you apply stain make sure the surface is clean no dust dirt wood fibers or grease dry and free from mildew. The same product you use to keep your dishes cleaned can also remove dirt dust and grease from your deck. Use the fan tip and spray at an angle leaving two or more feet between the nozzle and the deck. The process removes decaying organic material that might erode the deck surface and prepares the wood for staining.

Banish mildew with borax. However if you have no idea if the stain on your deck was water based or oil based you will need to perform a quick test. A wood deck cleaner can help remove dirt nail stains algae and mildew. To use the pressure washer to clean your deck read and follow the manufacturer s instructions to avoid damaging your deck or the equipment.

Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove all leaves and other debris. Knowing how to clean a deck before staining helps ensure that your experience with deck preservation is a smooth one. When a surface is not clean stains and other finishes have trouble sticking and may end up peeling. Power washing a deck is a quick and efficient way to get it ready for painting or staining but it isn t a necessary prerequisite.

Do you need to use a power washer before staining a deck. Holding the nozzle too close can gouge a hole in your deck. If your deck isn t brand new always use a cleaner before applying finish. To test the stain.

When you re comfortable with what to use to clean deck before staining the staining process will be painless. Apply a small amount of deck stripper to a small area on. Cleaning the deck also gives you the opportunity to check the wood for loose nails or rough spots that could cause tripping or splinters. Allow to dry for 24 hours then sand the surface with between a 60 to 150 grit sandpaper or sanding disk.