Removing fuzzies from floor of cedar deck

[Mike Hughes]

What are you using to remove fuzzies from deck floors.........with a quickness........! (besides scotch brite pads) I have a large cedar deck that I have to scrape these off of tomorrow, and I have to do it alone, so I really want to move.........any suggestions?

Could I use a sander with a really fine grit sandpaper??

 

[JD@747]

sand

mike, I don't know how fine agrit your talkin? i do know i've read that to fine a grit will close grain and allow poor sealer absorbtion.in my notes it say's finish with 80 to 100 grit . for qiuckness you could try stiff bristle brush. hope Icould be of some help.[wsmile]

 

[Dan Flynn]

You can go pretty rough with the sand paper and you wont have much of a problem as far as scratches and such. If the scotch pads work! Have you considered a floor buffer with the big pad. I'm sure the rental fee is low.

Plus if it works the time you'll save would make a big difference.

 

[Deck Man]

You said Tomorrow... Must be nice if only we could stop the snow from falling then we could share in your joy. Just to think I did a deck in Dec. Jan and Feb, now I can't.

 

[tonyszabo]

removing the fuzzies

Mike,

We use pool brushes. They are made to clean the algae from swimming pools. The brushes are made of a soft stainless steel brissle that will not harm the pools liner. They are great tools to keep on your equipment inventory. The brushes are firm enough to nock down and remove wood fuzzies and also help remove the pulp that might be left over if rinsing missed something. They are not big in size so we always use two (for each guy) and cost about $15 for a single brush. The pole is a special pole to fit the brush only, and it cost about the same $15. We replace the brushes yearly because the brissles get out of wack like a tooth brush does. They will not harm the wood, if anything they will help the stains get into the wood.

 

[ron]

ron p

MIKE www.mypool.com 24" stainless steel pool prush's $25
plus they have the tools that hold scotch brite pads.

 

[mhpoole]

belt sander with 100 grit, or if its just in a few spots i would just do it by hand. Have you ever tried going with the grain? you would cut down on the fuzzies on the ground.

Mark

 

[Mike Hughes]

Originally posted by mhpoole
Have you ever tried going with the grain? you would cut down on the fuzzies on the ground.

I have never NOT gone with the grain..............

 

[Tim Smith]

I just had a cedar deck with same problem. Bought broom with stiff brisles (Not the straw type) and it worked great. I even used it after applying ready seal - did a good job - hard on the back.

Low pressure or not - Cedar will fur, especially if cedar has weathered badly.

If you brush deck beforehand - it will really soke up the ready seal.

 

[Mike Hughes]

Well, this deck is finally finished.

I removed the fuzzies from the floor a week and a half ago, and today, I did the top handrail, and washed his vinyl siding.

We have had over 90 degree temps yesterday and today.........its been brutal, because we're not used to it yet.........this guy has a Coke machine on his deck! Perfect job for today. He had spring water as one of the choices..........that really came in handy.

Not too often you have a soda machine on a residential job.....

 

[JD@747]

mike, deck look's great. sorry to hear about the heat. 90's are no fun when you don't have a chance to get aclumated. keep up the good work and keep yourself well hydrated. JD

 

[ron]

ron p

did you move the coke machine?
If so did the finnish look the same where the machine was?

 

[Tim Smith]

Mike

How did you remove the fuzzies & how long did it take?

 

[Mike Hughes]

The coke machine was not there when we stripped the deck. I was aware that is was to be delivered, but I didnt think he was going to put it on his deck, I thought it would be by the pool. So, I show up to seal the deck and there's this Coke machine in the way..........one more thing to worry about getting overspray on!! Basically, I just sealed around it. It being a cedar deck, moving the machine would have mangled the wood.........not worth it.

As far as the fuzzies goes, I was going to buy one of those Makita polishers.........but, no one locally had them.........so, I will be ordering one online soon.

I used a metal brush followed by scotch brite pads. Worked well, and the customer was pleased. I did the floor and the top rail. Took way too long! About 4 - 5 hours (alone).

 

[JR Wood]

Mike,
I found something that works like the scotch brite pads but easier on the hands and easier to use.In the paint dept at home depot they have a stripping pad on a black plastic "D" handle.The pad itself is made of rigid stranded loops of hard plastic or something but they work quick and last a while if you don't rip the pad off the handle by hitting a raised nail or something.

 

[Greg Rentschler]

Follow through with the Makita Sander/Polisher and the 9' 3M pads... That entire floor and rail would take 20-30 mins I would bet at most.

Deck looks great!

Greg

 

[Mike Hughes]

I was looking for the picture of this deck............I'm back at this guys house this week to wash the concrete around his pool................I can't stand the customer, he's way too picky...........but, you gotta love a 25 cent Coke machine right on the job site............

 

[allbritepw]

Hi Mike
Nice job on deck.
We use a electric buffer/polisher and 3m pads that we bought a couple of yrs ago from Jim Bileu out of Oregon or was it Washington. Work well till you snag it on a nail head.
But makes job go quick . Kind of hard on the back bent over doing deck boards. Thought i would just let you know what we use.
Later Tim

 

[Mike Hughes]

Last week I got the Makita sander Greg's been praising for over a year. I should have bought it last year..........works pretty well.