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Get Estimate Locally

If you live in Seattle Metropolitan Area, and interested to get an estimate for your deck refinishing project, please contact us with some information about your project by submitting a simple form. Click the “Get Estimate” button below to proceed:

 

We serve Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Seattle and around. If you prefer live conversation over the phone, call us at (206) 355-3838 but if it’s in the season, we might be busy working on one of our clients projects, and will not be able to pick up the phone.

 

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Welcome

Here is blog from a woody. I know how to refinish wooden decks, cedar siding, fences, and anything staying outside and have wood in it. Cedar, Redwood, Exotic Hardwood, Pressure Treated, Composite, etc. I’m very good in what I’m going, and my clients can say many more about my service. If you have questions, I got answers. The most valuable pieces of information are for sale for very reasonable few bucks.

No Cabot’s ATO for us

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We stopped using Cabot’s products on our decks. Cabot known as a great stain manufacturer for a long period of time. We used to use Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil on our ipe deck projects, because this sealer last longer on exotic hardwood, then other sealers.

Cabot changed their formula again (they did it at least 3 times in last 7 years, probably to be VOC compliant), and Cabot’s ATO became a very difficult product to work with. Cabot’s ATO still shows best performance in our test lab, but after understanding that the application cant be done with best quality, we decided to switch to another product.
ipe deck drying on sun

ipe deck drying on sun

For Sale: NEW Trailer Mounted Pressure Washer

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NEW Trailer Mounted Pressure Washer - $4500

Brand New, Never Used
2500 PSI Cold Water Gas Trailer Mounted Pressure Washer with 6.5 HP Honda Engine
This brand new trailer stored in the garage, never been on road, never used, the protecting film is still on. Bought for $5,500, asking $4,500 cash.

Features:
Heavy-Duty Trailer
Triplex plunger pump with ceramic plungers, stainless steel valves
Mechanical thermal relief valve
Adjustable pressure
Trigger gun
Two piece wand with multi-reg zero to sixty degree pattern tip with Hi-Low for chemical injection
Powder-coated frame trailer with 14″ wheels, 3500# axle and road ready lighting
Roto-molded 300 gallon water tank with automatic shut-off if machine runs dry
Hose reel with pressure hose

Specifications:
Maximum PSI: 2500 PSI
Adjustable pressure: 172.5 PSI — 2500 PSI
Engine: 6.5 HP Honda
Water tank capacity: 300 GL
Engine tank capacity: 3.9 quarts
Water flow: 3.0 GPM / 11.4 Ipm
Water temperature: cold water
Chemical injection: yes
Hose: 100 feet
Nozzle: multi-reg 0 — 60 degree pattern tip
Dimensions: 60″ H X 74″ W X 136″ D

 

Sanding

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This what makes the difference between quality deck restoration and just deck refinishing, Most of the time you don’t need to bring heavy-duty equipment, like floor drum sander, on the deck during deck refinishing, but light sanding will do the trick. You’ll need to get rid of dead fiber attached the the deck surface, some kind of wood hair, sticking from the wood, as a result of stripping-brightening procedure. There are few different ways to do it, and if you choose hand-held random rotation sanders, be easier on the sandpapers grid. Remember, pressure washing opens wood pores, sanding – closes. If you choose fine sandpaper, it’ll create problems with sealant penetration.

Brightening

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Here is a good question: What is the difference between brightener and neutralizer?

After stripping you need to neutralize surface with brightener, otherwise the surface will look dark, because of high pH of stripper was used. This is the best time to show to the customer the project: it’s shiny, bright and very beautiful. Unfortunately, it looses its shine when it dries, and if it’s not sealed in next couple of months, it’ll turn grey.

Pressure Washing

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Pressure washing is the process step, following the stripping. Using light pressure is the right thing to do. Do not try to use water force to scrub the old stain or paint. If stain is strong enough, you’ll break the wooden surface around first, and stain will laugh at you.

Don’t use too much water power, reduce pressure if you can, get bigger nozzles, and keep your distance. Also important to keep the same pattern  and speed across the project, but that technique comes with experience.

Stripping

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Stripping is a process when you get rid of everything on your surfaces using chemicals, following by mechanical scrubbing, or pressure washing. Most of the time we use pretty strong chemicals, which could be harmful for our health, but if diluted and properly neutralized they safe for people and animals around.

Most people think of deck refinishing as simply pressure washing. But there’s no way to get rid of old stain with just a pressurized water. You must first dissolve the old finish, dirt, and mold on the wood surface. If you try to skip stripping step, you’ll at least create deep, ugly marks on the wood surface, which very difficult to hide.

Chemical Cleaning

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Depending on what you have on your deck, you need to find a good cleaner for your specific needs. We clean wood with few different types of cleaners. Good questions to ask before start cleaning are: What type of wood do I have? What type of stain currently have on the deck? Am I going to strip, or wash the wood? What I’m trying to clean (dirt, derbies, mold, algae)? If you know answers cleaning the deck will be fun. Just watch for correct concentration and neutralization schedule if applicable.