Decking Stain

[FiremanT]

I am about to replace all of our decking.

My wife wants the deck stained Black, as dark as possible.

Has anyone any comments on which is the best and blackest product? Also, if we were to re-stain it after a period, is there a product that won't have to be completely sanded back before being refreshed , if you see what I mean?

Thanks

 

[sparkwright]

Cuprinol do a black PRESERVER stain, which would soak into new wood well, and could be used as a first coat only, or the finish. Water-based.

I'm not actually recommending it, but Cuprionol Anti-Slip Deck Stain is available in Black Ash.
The ONLY reason I have mentioned it is because it's water-based, and shouldn't require too much preparation NEXT TIME you re-paint.
You will have to get the preparation right THIS time, but since you are having new decking, prep may not be an issue.
That said, I would ALWAYS sand a surface such as this before re-painting - it doesn't take long, and it's quicker to sand when the surface is reasonably sound, than it is on a flaking surface that didn't receive much prep last time.

Sadolin Black Superdec is a good product. Opaque solid finish. Water-based, resists flaking, usually requires a quick sand when re-painting. I don't think it has any anti-slip properties.

The point is, you should ALWAYS give the surface a quick sand at least before re-painting surfaces such as decking. It makes the paint adhere to the surface.

Of course, I would normally think to use an oil-based product, because it SHOULD be more hard-wearing, and do plenty of sanding and prep EVERY time to ensure a longer-lasting job.
It doesn't really make much sense using a water-based product that's going to be covered with rain-water, yet there are excellent water-based products ou there. I would rather do the prep every single time and use an oil-based product, or a decent water-based product.
That said, oil-based isn't fool-proof, and could still fail, like the others.

Some products, water-based or sometimes oil-based, can fail in a couple of weeks, and all needs scraping off and sanding well, and it's a complete drama. So you do need to research this well, and read any customer reviews.

 

[FiremanT]

Cuprinol do a black PRESERVER stain, which would soak into new wood well, and could be used as a first coat only, or the finish. Water-based.

I'm not actually recommending it, but Cuprionol Anti-Slip Deck Stain is available in Black Ash.
The ONLY reason I have mentioned it is because it's water-based, and shouldn't require too much preparation NEXT TIME you re-paint.
You will have to get the preparation right THIS time, but since you are having new decking, prep may not be an issue.
That said, I would ALWAYS sand a surface such as this before re-painting - it doesn't take long, and it's quicker to sand when the surface is reasonably sound, than it is on a flaking surface that didn't receive much prep last time.

Sadolin Black Superdec is a good product. Opaque solid finish. Water-based, resists flaking, usually requires a quick sand when re-painting. I don't think it has any anti-slip properties.

The point is, you should ALWAYS give the surface a quick sand at least before re-painting surfaces such as decking. It makes the paint adhere to the surface.

Of course, I would normally think to use an oil-based product, because it SHOULD be more hard-wearing, and do plenty of sanding and prep EVERY time to ensure a longer-lasting job.
It doesn't really make much sense using a water-based product that's going to be covered with rain-water, yet there are excellent water-based products ou there. I would rather do the prep every single time and use an oil-based product, or a decent water-based product.
That said, oil-based isn't fool-proof, and could still fail, like the others.

Some products, water-based or sometimes oil-based, can fail in a couple of weeks, and all needs scraping off and sanding well, and it's a complete drama. So you do need to research this well, and read any customer reviews.

Thanks for that comprehensive response.

On a practical note, how does one actually sand ridged decking? Flat stuff is obvious, but how to effectively get into the bottom of the ridges? Using folded sandpaper sounds like extraordinarily hard and tiresome work.

 

[sparkwright]

Thanks for that comprehensive response.

On a practical note, how does one actually sand ridged decking? Flat stuff is obvious, but how to effectively get into the bottom of the ridges? Using folded sandpaper sounds like extraordinarily hard and tiresome work.

Folded sandpaper yes. You could wrap some around a thin piece of wood.
TIP - work as fast as you can doing the sanding. Because, it is boring. But essential in my opinion.

 

[FiremanT]

Folded sandpaper yes. You could wrap some around a thin piece of wood.
TIP - work as fast as you can doing the sanding. Because, it is boring. But essential in my opinion.

I wondered if there was a sanding pad with the correct profile. The deck area with up stands is about 35sq NYT, so did ask the other half if she would not prefer the flat side

 

[JohnD]

You could use a black wood dye on the bare timber before your stain. It will make it more intense. Use a spirit dye such as Blackfriars or Liberon, not a water based one like Colron.

Ask your wife to apply the stain. She will have to do it every year for the rest of her life because it will wear and look shabby.

Or get a new wife.