Pete Marentay
Distinguished Professors
Just stripped my sister's Ipe deck this last weekend. Its always fun to get back out on a deck and show off.
One thing that struck me was that my brother-in-law had already used a stripper to remove some of the old sealer in a small section of this 1200 sq. ft. porch. The wood looked dull and a little grayish, and I was concerned if it had been damaged somehow.
I took a minute to go over that area with a little brightener and checked it after the wood was dried by the sun about an hour later. The wood looked rich, very light, and reddish in color (like it was just milled yesterday). Using brightener is a huge step for professional results.
I talk to a lot of wood guys every day and I think too many guys tend to skip this step. I'm sure they think I am just trying to get them to spend a little more money when I tell them that brightening is one of the keys to beautiful wood (a vendor trying to sell more stuff? :thumbup2 .
Ipe contains a lot of tannins that turn the wood dark during the washing/stripping process. That is why my brother-in-laws wash job looked gray and dull.
So, if you aren't currently brightening every deck you clean I recommend that you re-think your process. Brightening isn't optional on my work. It is mandatory on every wood after every cleaning.
Anyway, the entire deck looked brand new (literally) when I finished, and ready for sealer. No need to tell you what sealer I'll be using:dirol:.
One thing that struck me was that my brother-in-law had already used a stripper to remove some of the old sealer in a small section of this 1200 sq. ft. porch. The wood looked dull and a little grayish, and I was concerned if it had been damaged somehow.
I took a minute to go over that area with a little brightener and checked it after the wood was dried by the sun about an hour later. The wood looked rich, very light, and reddish in color (like it was just milled yesterday). Using brightener is a huge step for professional results.
I talk to a lot of wood guys every day and I think too many guys tend to skip this step. I'm sure they think I am just trying to get them to spend a little more money when I tell them that brightening is one of the keys to beautiful wood (a vendor trying to sell more stuff? :thumbup2 .
Ipe contains a lot of tannins that turn the wood dark during the washing/stripping process. That is why my brother-in-laws wash job looked gray and dull.
So, if you aren't currently brightening every deck you clean I recommend that you re-think your process. Brightening isn't optional on my work. It is mandatory on every wood after every cleaning.
Anyway, the entire deck looked brand new (literally) when I finished, and ready for sealer. No need to tell you what sealer I'll be using:dirol:.
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