Just installed a new ipe deck, and am not to clear on what product to use to prepare it for staining. All the deck cleaners I have looked at mentioned that they are not to be used on new wood as they will darken the wood. Cabot makes a “wood brightener” that says it can be used on new wood.
Short of just hosing down with water and a scrubbing the deck with a long handled deck brush, is there a cleaning product anyone recommends?
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Replies
Ipe is so dense staining is really a waste of time. If it is NEW and you want to keep it looking new, PENOFIN applied 2x a yr is recommended.
Oxcalic acid type cleaners is not a good idea in my opinion. Those bleach the surface layer away, and expose the next layer of raw wood,that will fade away and expose the next layer that is raw wood that will fade away or wash away...see where this is going?
Parolee # 40835
Ipe is so dense staining is really a waste of time.
Boy ain't that the truth, I love Penofin & it works awsome on ceder, redwood, & all the northwests softwoods, but IPE & Jatoba it justs seems to sit there on the surface.If you don't stand behind the troops, why don't you try standing in front of them. Bumper sticker
We use a lambs wool applicator made for floor polying. It puts down a nice, thin coat that soaks in after a few hours. The deck stays tacky for a day or two.
Like others said, penofin or messmers uv are your best choices for finishes. Make sure you read the instructions and do not apply in direct sun or when the surface is too hot.
http://www.penofin.com
http://www.messmers.com
Not yet said, but Anchor Seal is a good end grain sealer for Ipe..it is kinda waxy and WILL stain or discolor the adjacent top side. It also makes an excellent lube for the deck screws.
I like 2" SS trim heads. predrill. Use an impact driver, have a slew of new 5/32 bits , and a few replacement no.1 Sq.drives..the SS is soft and the driver tips out live the screws...but when yer an hour or more to the store, and you snap the last no.1 you have...makes for a day that really gets frustrating.
Lack of Anchor Seal on the end grain, will show as endchecking sooner or later...and once the deck is laid, sealing those end cuts is obviously not gonna happen, that is why Anchor Seal is so waxy, it has a life, when kept outta the direct sun, both adheres and penetrates marginally in the end grain.
Sealing with Penofin on the top, will add some help to the end checking problem, but, it is not a substitute for the proper end grain sealer.
Along the same lines of reason..don't ever think about glue on Ipe endgrain...might as well be talking about Aluminum's porosity.Parolee # 40835