Hi Everyone,
We live in a townhouse with wooden front stairs and a small landing area (5′ X 5′) in front of the front door, made of decking materials (I believe cedar, not pressure treated). The former owners stained the balusters and the landing only(!) an ugly rust-red. I’d like to take the stain off and treat the whole thing with a proper finish.
What’s the best way to remove the stain and expose fresh wood? I’m trying to refrain from sanding out of consideration to our neighbors. Would scraping be a viable alternative, considering the small area? I saw a floor scraper tool in Lee Valley’s catalog, and thought I’d ask before I buy.
Thanks!
Replies
Scraping might be the best way to go, but first try a small inconspicuous area to see how deeply the stain has penetrated. Many stains don't go in much deeper than the surface, but cedar is not only soft, but quite porous.
Jeff
I don't know that you'll get all the old stain off, short of more man hours of labor than you're likely willing to invest. If you have to have it off, you may be better off just replacing the decking, especially as it is a small area. That said, most deck cleaners contain a percentage of oxalic acid, which is pretty good at your average stain removal (meaning mold & mildew rather than Thompsons or Olympic) and would serve as a good cleaner. I have had some success in removing light colored man made stains with straight bleach. I put it in a garden pumper and spray away. Let it sit and watch things fade. Rinse thoroughly, and put plastic over any plants you care about. But I've always recoated things, and if another color is an option, then Sherwin Williams Cuprinol line of solid color deck stain is solid enough to obliterate old stain or even paint jobs. And you can have it tinted to your liking. You'll still want to clean things first. Hope that helps some.
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