Dock cleaning question.

[jafo9]

I know this is a bit off topic, but i value your opinion. This group is a lot more helpful than a lot of other forums i frequent.

I have a floating galvanized steel dock with wooden decking. it's probably 30x30 with a 28ft x 10ft slip. i stained it 2 years ago and it needs it again. i've heard conflicting reports on how to clean the dock. i have a decent gas pressure washer but i've been told it will damage the wood.

what i'd like to do is buy one of those round disk attachments for the pressure washer they sell at home depot and wash it down with just water before i stain it again this year.

my questions is - how do you guys clean your wood docks prior to staining.

thanks.

[lakerunner]

I am 60 friggin 4 and my dock don't get wood anymore and if it did I would use dial

[GregF]

You can use your pressure washer but use a real soft nozzle and don't go nuts. Seal it again as soon as it is dry. I use a penetrating sealer.
I am with LR, next time I deck, it will be plastic.

[Ron Burgundy]

We use a pressure washer, but it can damage the wood (slightly) if you get too close. Take a look at home depot or lowes. They have a heavy duty paint/stain product designed for docks. We used it last year and it's great so far. I'll see if I can find it online if you're interested.

[Ron Burgundy]

This is what we used. It is heavy duty, slip resistent, and comes in a varity of colors. After re-staining several times my father in-law decided to try it, and so far it works great. It will also cover any damage that might be caused by powerwashing.

The Deck Restore 2-Gal. Tint Base Liquid Armor Resurfacer Kit is a great way to help revive your outdoor wood and composite surfaces such as decking, stairs, docks and more. This water-based product offers resistance to moisture and slipping and is designed to fill up to 1/4 in. cracks. It includes a roller for application.



http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... ogId=10053

[Bamaman]

I start with a water/bleach solution sprayed out of a garden sprayer. Let it rest 1/2 hour, and then hit it with your pressure washer. Just be aware that there are veins that the wood can be blow away--and watch carefully that you're just getting the mildew, etc.--not the wood.

If it's one of those 3500 psi washers, they're not for wood--for cleaning tractors, concrete, etc.

Let it dry 100%, and go after it with a penetrating wood sealer. Ask the guys in the paint dept. @ Home Depot what's the best stuff to use. You may have to re-stain it if you've used stain in the past.

Good luck!

[lakerunner]

Man you guys are slow

[HandymanHerb]

If you use the dark stain, does it make it make your dock look bigger ?

[jafo9]

thanks for the replies. i've looked at the home depot deck armor stuff. i was worried it might be painful to walk on, especially for little kids.

my washer is 3000+ psi, thats why i was thinking about using this...

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... ogId=10053

and then re-staining. we use a behr 2 year deck stainer/sealer. i just don't want to damage the wood. i'd love to switch to the synthetic, but i need the funds for other stuff.

maybe when i go to sell the house, i'll stain it darker to look bigger.

[SoapPeddler]

Before making a career change I worked in a paint store for 14 years. Cleaning a wooden deck is not hard if you use a power washer that has at least 2000 psi. The chemical is almost not needed unless you have serious staining or discoloration.

IMHO the best deck sealer is Super Deck by Duck Back. Yah, the product and the company have hoky names, but the product is top notch. They make several versions of Super Deck to match up to the type of wood you are staining and the look you are after.

[GregF]

Man you guys are slow

You can get a plastic solution for that "dock" too.

I was just trying to give you the benefit of the doubt.

[PlaynDoc]

gosh, seems like the OP has a much bigger dock than the rest of us.... washing my dock is rather simple... heck I do that all the time - and even wash it extra if I think my wife's going to be spening much time eating on it. I guess since he's asking about providing care for his dock, it just makes sense that having a average sized dock makes washing it much easier than having a huge dock.

[GregF]

It seems the more I scrub my dock, the bigger it gets.

[HandymanHerb]

One time I had 3 girls on my dock at the same time, but don't think I have the wood to handle that anymore.

[Ron Burgundy]

I'm going to try and find a picture of my dock so you guys can see my wood.