When it comes to deck building, we all want it to last a long time. We want the natural wood color to show and sometimes even a gray deck appearance is our preference. However, with time, wood decking gets dirty and loses its’ luster and natural hardwood appeal.
DeckWise® Wood Deck Cleaner (Part 1) and Brightener (Part 2) remove dirt and greying in preparation for re-oiling and applying finishes such as Ipe Oil®. These concentrated powders are formulated specially to cleanse and brighten exterior wood decks, wood fences, patios, terraces, wood siding, benches, chairs, and other outdoor wood items.
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Making sure to clean and brighten your wood before you apply a high quality wood oil finish (Ipe Oil®) allows the finish to bring out the true beauty of the wood’s surface. When you properly prepare the wood before staining, you are completing a very important step to achieve a natural wood color.
DeckWise® Wood and Deck Cleaner (Part 1) is able to clean up to 500 ft2 (46 m2) of wood surface in each 16 oz. jar. One container will make up to five gallons of wood cleaning solution. If you have tougher jobs, they may require multiple cleanings or a stronger mix, so the coverage may be lower.
DeckWise® Wood and Deck Brightener (Part 2) is able to brighten up to 500 ft2 (46 m2) of wood surface per 16 oz. jar. One container will create up to five gallons of brightening solution. If you have a tough job, you can mix a stronger solution, but this will result in a lower coverage rate.
When you use a cleaner, think of it as a detergent. It removes dirt and dust from the wood’s surface. The brightener on the other hand, removes tannin stains from woods that are susceptible to extractive bleeding. Woods such as redwood and cedar fall into that category. Tannins are naturally occurring in some woods and appear as a dark discoloration when the wood has been exposed to moisture.
It’s not recommended that you use bleach on wood. It’s known to destroy the lignin which connects the wood fibers together. It gives the wood an unnatural, pale, washed-out look. The only time that you should use bleach is to remove mildew before applying a wood finish.
Place a drop of bleach, or sodium hypochlorite solution, on the wood. If the discoloration lightens, it is more than likely mildew. You will want to remove it with a solution of one part household bleach, to two parts water, and then thoroughly rinse with water. If the stain does not lighten, then it’s probably just dirt or a wood extract. Use DeckWise® Part 1 or WD liquid to clean the wood.
Place a drop of bleach, or sodium hypochlorite solution, on the wood. If the discoloration lightens, it is more than likely mildew. You will want to remove it with a solution of one part household bleach, to two parts water, and then thoroughly rinse with water. If the stain does not lighten, then it’s probably just dirt or a wood extract. Use DeckWise® Part 1 or WD liquid to clean the wood.
It’s a hard job to keep a deck looking new. If you allowed your car to sit outside for a year without washing it, do you think it would look new? Wood traps dust, dirt, airborne pollutants, and pollen so you have to take the time to remove them with a quality deck cleaner.
The general rule of thumb is to clean your deck at least yearly, but doing it twice a year is better. But you will not want to reapply stain too frequently as that can create shiny spots and blotchiness.
You will want to make sure to follow label instructions and mix the concentrates with water. Then apply with a garden sprayer, brush or mop. Let stand for approximately five minutes and then take a push broom or brush to scrub the wood surface. Allow the product to work for twenty minutes and then rinse with clean water. It’s that easy.
You will want to make sure to follow label instructions and mix the concentrates with water. Then apply with a garden sprayer, brush or mop. Let stand for approximately five minutes and then take a push broom or brush to scrub the wood surface. Allow the product to work for twenty minutes and then rinse with clean water. It’s that easy.
When you follow the instructions on the label, the products are safe to use. They will not harm your plants, wood, or lawn, as they are bio-degradable.
