A deck question and overspray question (yes I read Deck 101)

Newbie Questions
1

Hey all,

This month I’m doing some side jobs for friends and family before my site goes live and I’ve got a few questions. Obviously things like OX,Citric,Sodium Hydroxide and SH cannot be applied to just anything but overspray happens its just to what degree. I’m doing a pretreated pine deck that has some stain(I’m assuming oil based)left on it after the owner power washed it. From what I’m reading F-18 is my best bet(Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carbonate) to strip.

  • Do I need Citric to brighten or will the Sodium Hydroxide take care of that?

After, I’m assuming due to PH differences a good rinse in between will be needed if I need Citric Acid. Moreover(this is question in general not just for decks but those cleaners are harsher so it applies more to them),We know SH,OX, Sodium Hydroxide and Citric can do damage to things they aren’t intended for.

  • For harsh cleaners like F-18,obviously overspray happens but the consequences are worse with strippers, will spraying his vinyl siding with water provide protection from the stripper should some minor overspray occur?

That being said I will be diligent on what I’m spraying. I know the answer’s to these questions can be learned by trial and error, I’m just trying to pick up as much advise as possible so I can save myself and customers hassle in the near future.

Big thanks to @Racer for Deck 101.

2

Why do you want to strip the stain off?
If you know what’s on there, clean it properly and reapply the stain.

1 Like
3

did you use denatured alcohol to test it? If not, you are assuming.

I spray strippers around, but I cover anything that I don’t want stripped. I prewet the entire area. I use tape or painter’s plastic. How do I put this, when you fill up your gas tank do you spray gas all over your vehicle or do you put it only where you want it?

I wouldn’t buy F-18, sounds like a plane, I would just buy either sodium or potassium hydroxide (if your stripping). Use something else if you are just cleaning. You have to use a neutralizer after the cleaner/stripper.