Rain,Rain and more rain

[Schmutz Man]

Hi Woodmen,

It's been raining in Ohio since the beginning of May. I don't do decks, etc. and I was wondering how can you make a living in the wood business in the Mid-West and East. This is unusually wet weather! I am sure you can wash a deck but sealing is another story, isn't it? There are a couple of so-called companies that will "wash any deck for $39.00" here. I finally figured out that's all they do; squirt water on the wood. I could probably do that, too. If I didn't have a conscience!
Consumer reports gave a thumbs-up to a lot of Olympic
products that looks good for my deck. I talked with one guy who said he used that R****Y S**L on a bunch of decks last year and has to strip it off this year. I feel for you guys who do wood... The weather can really make it hard to make a living!

Schmutzman

 

[Mike Hughes]

Schmutzman,

Here in PA, we just got our first rain in twenty days! Its been great for deck sealing.

The guy that had to strip the Ready Seal off..........I'd bet anything he either didn't prepare the decks properly, or tried to seal it when it was too wet........or both! I have used it since 1998 with no problems. You have to completely remove any existing finishes on the wood, and it has to have a moisture content of 12% or below for Ready Seal to penetrate properly.

 

[Power Clean]

Mike, I used ready seal for the first time a couple of months ago. Very forgiving stuff I must admit. But I do have a couple of questions for you. Have you had the occasion to re-do one of those decks again? Does the existing ready seal have to be stripped to get that uniform finish or does it just need a cleaning before reapplication? If it just needs a cleaning, I'd be surprised and glad I used ready seal for sure!!! If prepared properly, just how long do you think it'll last? Do you suggest every two years?

Thanks, Roy

 

[Mike Hughes]

Roy,


Yes, I have had occasion to do that. The deck I am sealing tomorrow is a repeat. No stripping is necessary. You can reapply at least two times before it has to be stripped. It does need to be cleaned, but not stripped.

I tell my customers to expect two years out of it, except for those people who have really old decks, or decks that have been left unattended for years..........I tell them they will probably have to do it again sooner the first time, because the older wood will suck it up faster......