[drive surgeon]

hi guys i have been asked to quote some decking for a childerens nursery, it is slippy like ice and very dirty, i have cleaned decking a few times with the rotary washer but not sanded it or sealed it, any help on how to do it? what make of sealer? and what do i need to apply it?  how do you sand it?    :

[steve_doyle]

are you giving them to much credit? they might not know what they are talking about and just repeating an advert they have seen. Or by sanded do they mean as in sand paper?

Think you need to ask them what and why and what finish they are after, afew probing questions should get to the bottom of it.

steve

[drive surgeon]

dont uderstand what you mean steve? try again>

[steve_doyle]

well my ads say clean, re sanded and sealed. maybe they are just repeating an advert they have seen?

Do you think they actually want the wood sanding down?

The reason i think they are confused about what they want is that you wouldent normally sand (with a sanding machine or sand paper) decking, nor would you seal it. you would stain it or apply varnish or oil etc.

So i think they dont understand what should be done and you need to clarify with them what they are hoping for at the end of the job,

you can then tell them how best to go about it and quote accordingly.

Any clearer

[drive surgeon]

dont they mean, cleaned, sanded (to give the wood a key for the seal to stick too) and then sealed?  i thought you always rub it down to give the seal a key!?

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

like steves says ask what they what the job to look lkie at the end i always give people ideas what i can do.

[steve_doyle]

you dont"seal" decking tho' nor do you need to sand it before staining it as it soaks in to the wood, which makes me think they are confused.

one way to find out!

[drive surgeon]

maybe they are confused!  what is the best cleaner fluid to get rid of algae etc from decking befre re coating it? and also what is the best stain?

[steve_doyle]

maybe they are confused! 

That makes 4 of us!!!!

Roger will be along later i'm sure.

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

yes you need roger

[drive surgeon]

will ask roger but im after a good make of stuff to recoat the decking after cleaning and a chemical to use before pressure washing to remove the green algae stains?

[darrenbale]

It seems I am forever recommending this product, but Lightning will clean the algae off without causing any harm to the decking.


... maybe I should just start a Lightning topic, hmmm all the places it will clean.....

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

yes that would be a good idea about your products.

[darrenbale]

Anybody else think its a good idea? don't want to start a topic about my products if it'll upset people.

[drive surgeon]

get it on now! we need to know!

[steve_doyle]

put em on, lets have a look at your stuff.

[drive surgeon]

show us ya t#ts!    i mean lightning!

[billyc]

Cabots australian  woodstain and oils are very good but expensive, the cleaning agent- nettrol they supply is also very good.

I clean decking on low pressure and warm water after applying nettrol wood cleaner
- have used bleached diluted 1-10 and this has done the trick.

regards

Billy

[Roger Oakley]

Jamie,
Not been on here for a couple of weeks do to very large job, which is now completed, I'll call you later today with info.

[Roger Oakley]

Guys,
Different woods need different approaches, softwood is a lighter touch then cleaning hardwood.
Sealing
This is really an american term for oiling
Sanding
Yes we do sand decking if need be, esp handrails & spindels,
you need no more then 80 grit on most decking & furniture, we use either proflie, orbital or our big "boy" sanders, DeWalt and Makita makes of choice.
Choice of stain & oil for us is Cabots as billyc stated expensive but very good, expect to pay around £50.00 per gallon inc vat & del.