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Spring Deck Preps
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It's finally spring! Time to move out the patio furniture and get
ready to enjoy the great outdoors. But, before you do, make sure you
clean,
restore and protect your deck so you can get the most out of it during
the
spring and summer months ahead.
Here are some deck prep tips from the
experts at Wolman Wood Care Products:
- Clean the deck thoroughly to remove embedded dirt, fungus stains and
gray surface wood with a formulated deck cleaner like Wolman* Deck &
Fence
Brightener. The weathered gray wood left behind from last year's sun
exposure, black or green stains from mildew, moss and algae, or
brown-black
tannin bleed common on new Cedar can ruin the look of your deck. Even
newly
built decks can require cleaning to remove invisible surface barriers
like
mill glaze on new Cedar or excess wax on pressure-treated wood. These
invisible barriers can prevent the adhesion of protective coatings,
including colored stains and clear sealers. Wolman* Deck & Fence
Brightener,
removes surface barriers, gray wood surfaces and even the toughest of
stains
and restores the wood to its natural beauty without bleaching or
yellowing,
like chlorine bleach can.
- Strip any deteriorating or unwanted finish. If the colored stain on
your deck has seen better days - or if you want a different look - now
is
the time to strip your deck's finish. Products like Wolman* DeckStrip*
Stain & Finish Remover remove both oil and latex solid or
semi-transparent
stains and clear finishes and prepares the wood for the reapplication of
protective finishes and stains. Deckstrip works fast, and can strip
years
of multiple coatings buildup in 15 minutes.
- Once the wood is restored and your deck is rid of any surface
barriers or unwanted finishes, it should be sealed with a protective
water
repellent finish. You may want to apply a semi-transparent stain to
enhance
your deck's appeal, or a transparent finish to let the natural wood
color
and texture show through. But, even if you are undecided on whether or
not
to stain - or on the deck color - it's important, at minimum, to protect
it
with a clear water repellent. Water repellents stop spring showers from
penetrating the wood surface, which can cause swelling, shrinking,
warping
and cracking. Many water repellents, including products like Wolman*
RainCoat*, also contain a mildewcide that will impede the growth of
mildew
on your deck during the warm months ahead. Look for products like
Wolman
RainCoat, that offer a guarantee on water-repellent longevity, as they
will
provide longer lasting protection so you won't have to apply a new coat
every year.
Preparing your deck for spring will protect your investment in it and
enhance the enjoyment of your outdoor living space. For more information
on
Wolman wood cleaners, strippers and water repellent finishes, call the
company's technical service department at (800) 556-7737. Or, visit the
Wolman web site at www.wolman.com for more helpful deck care tips.
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