Recoating cedar deck with Cabot's ATO without stripping last year's application

[john_ertw]

Last year I did a lot of research on this site before refinishing my deck. I used a stripper to remove Behr semi-transparent (what a pain), followed by a deck brightener, and finally sanding with a belt sander to remove any fuzzies or remaining stain.

I applied Cabots Australian Timber Oil which looked way better than the Behr did.

Following the winter, the snow finally melted and I found that the stain faded in some areas (on knots and near existing cracks in the wood).

I want to touch up the stain this year without removing it (I'll do that again next year). I contacted Cabots who said it is possible to apply the stain to areas that have faded. They suggested washing the deck, letting it dry and then applying.

I washed the deck using my deck broom and a small drop of detergent in a large bucket of water. I then rinsed really well. Three days have passed without rain and the wood is nice and dry. I want to apply the stain tonight once the house provides shade on the deck.

Are there any crucial steps I must take before going ahead and touching up the deck? I plan to only touch up areas as needed.

I will be using the remaining Cabots ATO and a Shur Line pad. Would using a disposable sponge brush be better since it will provide more control to ensure I only apply stain on bare spots?

I’m guessing this may make the deck look a little splotchy since the new stain will be brighter than the old, but I want to get something on the bare spots to protect the wood this season. Is it a good idea?

[RPetry]

John,

Your prep sounds fine and the wood should be dry enough.

To be honest, I think you would be better served in both appearance and longevity to just apply a single coat of ATO to all the horizontal wood. Get a 2" and a 6" natural bristle brush and go to town. It's fast, just dip and swipe. Knee pads for cutting in and a pole attachment for the large brush also help.

[john_ertw]

Thanks Rick.

I currently have about 1/4 to 1/3 gallon of the stain left from last year. Neither my wife nor I are crazy about the colour so I do not want to purchase more of the same. As mentioned, I plan to strip it next year and pick a different colour or product. In the mean time I want to help protect the bare spots of the deck using up the remaining product.

I know what I'm planning isn't ideal, but I guess I'm trying to make sure my plan is not a really bad idea.

[RPetry]

... I know what I'm planning isn't ideal, but I guess I'm trying to make sure my plan is not a really bad idea.

John,

If you are stripping and changing stains next year, your plan is ideal! Just get 'er done before the rain starts again!

You do not mention what kind of wood you have, but consider Armstrong-Clark or Ready Seal stains as a "giant leap forward" in quality from Cabot's ATO. A shame, it use to be a very good stain for hardwoods....

[john_ertw]

I have red cedar. Being in Canada those stains are a little difficult for me to get for a reasonable price (I looked into it last year). I may switch to Sikkens SRD next year as Cabots ATO has limited colour selection.

I'll be sure to post next spring in anticipation of the big job.

[RPetry]

I have red cedar. Being in Canada those stains are a little difficult for me to get for a reasonable price (I looked into it last year). I may switch to Sikkens SRD next year as Cabots ATO has limited colour selection.

I'll be sure to post next spring in anticipation of the big job.

John,

Ask around this board about Sikkens on cedar. I have no direct experience, but you may want to reconsider.

[john_ertw]

Thanks for the advise Rick.

Last night I tried touching up a test board that is in the corner of the deck. I decided not to go ahead with my plan because it looked way to splotchy. I'll either consider purchasing another gallon of ATO to coat the entire deck or I'll just wait until next year and do a proper job.

[john_ertw]

I wanted to update this thread so others know how it turned out:

I ended up purchasing another gallon of Cabots ATO and applied it over last years coating. I used a deck pad to apply the stain. This was at the end of June. So far it has held up great.

A few things I noticed:

I used the same colour stain, but it came out darker this year. I am guessing this is due to being a second coat. I'm happy since it's the colour we wanted when we first applied the Cabot's last year.

The stain soaked in fairly well even though the wood had colour from last year's application.


I'm very happy with the results. If it holds up as well as last years application I do not see myself stripping the deck very often (maybe every 5 years if that). However I may have to use a lighter colour stain, possibly natural which will not darken the colour of the wood, but only provide protection against water.

[Beth n Rod]

I came out darker because the stain has pigment and you have added to that, as well as the oil based resin systems, well, some of them darken with UV exposure. Cabots is mostly drying oils, so I would bet that like Sikkens, yes that does happen.

Try Armstrong Clark next time. It's a breeze to maintain.

Beth