New Wood question

[derslayer1]

Greetings folks....I did a rather large deck today. Washed and cleaned. The customer is wanting it stained also and i,m doing the usual wait (2-4) days for complete drying. Before I cleaned the deck, she had her son install/replace 4 new boards on the top rail, and the 2 rails for the top of the stairs railing. She did this monday july 7th, 2 1/2 weeks ago. I also washed these boards, removing the stamps etc. I am thinking I should wait at least 30 days to stain any new wolmanized wood, so as to ensure its dried sufficiently. The existing deck was untreated and VERY green for the better part of 20 yrs, but it still great shape. Some slight cupping but it washed nicely. Should I wait, or is 2.5 weeks enough drying time? Also, I am worried that I will have a different color on the new boards as to the old ones. Any help from you kind folks is appreciated. THanks....Andy

 

[reedsterstl]

Andy,

Get a moisture meter if you don't already have one. IT will take the guess work out of "if the wood is dry enough". I have a delmhorst and got it from sunbrite years ago. Great piece of equipment.

Did you brighten after washing? Most of the time new boards will blend in, but will show that they are new than other boards. Alot here depends on the sealer/stain used. I have had great results using ReadySeal and blending new boards with the old ones.

Reed

 

[Pete @ Sun Brite]

First: As to the wait, I have used a moisture meter to verify this, and found that most new wood takes a good 6-10 weeks to dry properly. Particularly anything bought from HDepot or similar stores. The stuff they sell is VERY wet.

Second: The new boards will definitely show in the final result, if you are using any kind of semi-transparent sealer. New wood has none of the bleaching that naturally occurs in the sun, and new wood seldom takes very much sealer very deep like old wood does. Hence, different color effects. When this deck is re-done, whether next year or the year after, the color will blend much better.

Always set your customer's expectations - because you can never live up to the ones they set themselves.

 

[Pete @ Sun Brite]

Hey, Reed! Nice to bump into you again!

 

[Pete @ Sun Brite]

Hey, derslayer1, if you want to learn about a moisture meter of Ready Seal, call Tracy at Sun Brite. 866-537-2748

 

[derslayer1]

Thanks for the replys. I will be using olympic cedar tone on this deck. Considering the moisture meter hard. This is not the first time I have contemplated the dryness of newer boards with older ones. This customer is money conservative, basically thinks once stained/sealed, she wont have to do anything again for another 20 yrs or until she dies. (her words) I have explained to her the maintenance on decks, to keep them looking like the day the refinish is done, washing, resealing etc is a must. This deck was severely neglected for more than 20 yrs. I believe I have sold her on the upkeep and maintenance program. I will try to load a couple pics to show how true green this was. Any comments on the greenage (lol) is appreciated.The entire 2 decks was this way. ENTIRE.Thanks again for the replys.

 

[Backbrusher]

Just seal the deck and put a very light coat on the new boards. Of course the new ones will look different but I would not let that hold you up. Finish it before too much time goes by.