Our 10 Step Process

Section 1: Assessing the Wood Condition

• Brand New Decks and Fences: Minimal or no washing may be needed, but a light rinse can help remove dirt or dust.

• Aged or Weathered Wood (No Product): Identify weathered wood that has turned grey and select a mild eco-friendly cleaner like Eco Cleaner (Sodium Percarbonate) to restore its appearance.

• Wood with Existing Products: Assess the existing coatings (oil-based or water-based). Choose the appropriate cleaner or stripper based on this assessment.

Section 2: Choosing and Mixing Cleaners and Strippers

1. Eco Cleaner (Sodium Percarbonate)

• Purpose: Removes organic growth, dirt, grime, and weathered graying. Ideal for unsealed, lightly soiled, or faded wood.

• Mixing Instructions: Mix 4-8 oz per gallon of warm water. Coverage is approximately 150-250 sq. ft. per gallon.

2. Wood Cleaner (Sodium Metasilicate)

• Purpose: Ideal for lifting stains and cleaning decks without heavy stripping. It effectively removes organic growth.

• Mixing Instructions: Light Clean: 1/4 cup per gallon of water | Medium Clean: 1/2 cup per gallon | Heavy Clean: 1 cup per gallon. Coverage is approximately 150-250 sq. ft. per gallon.

3. Wood Stripper (Potassium Hydroxide / Sodium Metasilicate Blend)

• Purpose: Removes oil-based finishes and tough water-based coatings with Butyl Boost.

• Mixing Instructions: Light Strip: 1/4 cup per gallon of water | Medium Strip: 1/2 cup per gallon | Heavy Strip: 1 cup per gallon. Coverage is approximately 150-250 sq. ft. per gallon.

4. Butyl Boost (100% Butyl Cellosolve)

• Purpose: Enhances wood stripper efficacy to remove tough water-based stains like Behr, Olympic, or Superdeck.

• Mixing Instructions: Add Butyl Boost to prepared wood stripper solution (up to 10% Butyl Boost, or 1/2 gallon per five gallons of stripper mix).

Section 3: Preparation and Application of Cleaners and Strippers

1. Pre-Wetting: Pre-wet the wood surface with water to prevent rapid absorption of chemicals and reduce damage risk.

2. Vegetation Protection: Wet surrounding plants, shrubs, and vegetation before and after chemical application.

3. Testing: Test all chemicals on a small, inconspicuous area to confirm proper wood care.

Section 4: Applying Cleaners and Strippers

1. Applying Eco Cleaner or Wood Cleaner

• Method: Use a pump-up sprayer, brush, or car wash brush to apply the cleaner. Keep the area wet to maintain the cleaner's activity. Work on small areas (100-200 sq. ft.) at a time.

2. Applying Wood Stripper with Butyl Boost

• Method: Mix the appropriate amount of Butyl Boost into the stripper solution. Apply using a sprayer or brush, keeping the surface wet throughout. Agitate stubborn areas with a stiff-bristled brush if needed.

Section 5: Scrubbing and Rinsing the Wood

1. Scrubbing: Use a hard, short-bristled broom or brush to scrub the wood thoroughly in the direction of the wood grain.

2. Rinsing: Use a pressure washer at the lowest effective pressure to avoid damaging the wood. Use a pendulum motion to avoid scarring or gouging the wood, and rinse in the direction of the wood grain.

Section 6: Neutralizing the Wood with Brightener

Wood Brightener (100% Oxalic Acid)

• Purpose: Restores the natural wood color, neutralizes alkaline residues from cleaners and strippers, and opens wood grain for better stain penetration.

• Mixing Instructions: Mix 4-8 oz per gallon of warm water. Coverage is approximately 100-200 sq. ft. per gallon.

• Application: Pre-wet the treatment surface, including all nearby areas, and apply the brightener solution with a sprayer or brush. Let it sit for 5-15 minutes or until a visible color change occurs, indicating neutralization.

• Rinsing: Rinse thoroughly with water for 20-30 minutes, ensuring all residue is removed. Do not let the solution dry on windows, siding, or other surfaces.

Section 7: Safety Precautions and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Personal Protective Equipment: Wear heavy-duty rubber gloves, waterproof boots, NIOSH-approved respirators, and eye protection when working with chemicals.

• Handling Chemicals: Avoid direct skin contact and ensure proper ventilation when using cleaning and stripping solutions. Chemicals can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, or lungs.

Section 8: Staining Preparation and Application

1. Sanding: Inspect the wood after cleaning and drying. Sand any rough patches using a floor sander for large areas and a palm sander for railings.

2. Staining: Apply the stain evenly across all surfaces, paying special attention to avoid getting stain on non-wood surfaces. Ensure complete coverage on all cracks and crevices.

Section 9: Clean-Up and Maintenance

1. Tool Cleaning: Clean all tools and equipment with soap and water immediately after use.

2. Drying Time: Allow the wood to dry for 48-72 hours before applying stain. Ensure the moisture content is 13% or less to avoid poor stain adhesion.

Section 10: Final Inspection and Quality Assurance

• Final Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection of the stained wood to confirm even application and address any areas needing touch-ups.

Surrounding Area Check: Verify that all nearby surfaces, plants, and vegetation are clean and free of chemical residue.