Big problem on new cedar deck.
I put red postes notes as markers on several boards in preparation to show contractor where there were problems with the decking boards. Before I had a chance to remove these pieces of paper, it rained. When I removed them there were red stained marks where the postes notes were. These would not wash off. I tried fine steel wool and water. This “worked” and I hosed everything off. The next morning to my horror there were blackened areas where I had steel wooled. To make matters worse, there are now areas with light black speckles – probably due to the hosing down of the deck that dispersed the steel wool particles. I have tried TSP without success. I am concerned that even if I get the stains out somehow for now, they will come back because of the steel wool particles lodged within the wood. I can replace all of the blackened boards at a small cost but I would still be left with the rest which are mostly speckled to one degree or another. (I know not to ever use steel wool again!!!)
6 comments so far
patron
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2465 posts in 241 days
posted 108 days ago
outside of sanding everything together ,
or trying some chemical wash everywhere ,
wood is wood and will weather outside .
eventualy it turns to barnboard grey .
even stain will fade ,
and paint will peel .
as it gets used , it will get scared ,
and take on a life of it’s own .
nothing i know of ,
can stop the 24/7 effects of sun and rain .
-- david ,new mexico ,allheart
Robb
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356 posts in 834 days
posted 108 days ago
Could you flip the boards over? That would be free :).
-- Robb
Karson
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25873 posts in 1300 days
posted 108 days ago
Both Patron’s suggestions of forget it and Robb’s suggestion of turn the board over will work. But if you’bve got black specks over the whole desk the option 2 may not be the best solution.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Julian
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698 posts in 425 days
posted 108 days ago
What marks were you using the postit notes for anyways. What problems were you trying to point out?
-- Julian, Park Forest, IL
Mitch1947
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2 posts in 108 days
posted 108 days ago
cracks at the ends of boards seemingling caused by not pre-drilling before fastening down with screws, some minor, some major.
Since the original posting on this subject, I have hand sanded a small section of a speckled board – as an experiment. The spots have come out without going too deep. If I am lucky, I may be able to save most of the deck by sanding. The heavily blackened boards are the ones that have cracks, so they are destined to be replaced anyway.
a1Jim
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17211 posts in 477 days
posted 96 days ago
You might try some naptha first or some oxalic acid in a small test area first
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com