Stripping wood - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Jeffrey Kirby · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Stripping wood

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Sodium Hydroxide will remove most of the stain sealer but may be inconsistent and blotchy. Using a barrel sander after stripping gives the absolute best result.

AC

Jeffrey Kirby · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Thanks AC. I've been advised likewise before. Was hoping, but doubting, I might get some other advice.

Chad Eneix · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

My personal opinion is to leave deck restoration like this to a company who does only that. Find a good company that does wood restoration, develop a relationship, and refer them with the agreement that they will refer you.

This sounds like a full day or more job, especially accounting for the learning curve. If you do it, it should be priced as much as at least two, maybe three or four roofs or siding jobs, because that is what you could be selling or doing during that time.

I didn't even do decks until I found SoftWashing, as they were too time consuming with not enough profit. Now, I will SoftWash a deck for maintenance cleaning or stain prep, and I may look in to the new Wood Restore product that has been discussed lately on this forum. However, I refer people to a full-on wood restoration company for stripping, sanding, etc.

If this is part of a big job, and you feel the job hinges on doing this, then I suppose it might be worth it. Maybe the market for this is better where you are, and it could be big for you, I don't know. Personally, I would probably sub the deck out. I usually tell the customer that I don't want to be a Jack-of-all-trades, master of none, and I know an excellent company who does this. They usually appreciate that more.

Also, if you do it, make sure you have it down pat before you show up. If the customer feels like you are learning as you go, or you appear to be fumbling around, they will tell people about it. I had one job in particular go bad, and I spent days fixing my own mistakes with the customer looking over my shoulder. I was lucky they were super nice people.

I hope this post did not come off as rude, that was defiantly not my intention. I am just giving you my thoughts based on experience. We have done stripping, recoloring, and sealing of decorative concrete before. I personally hope to be so busy SoftWashing soon that I never have to do this again. I might still apply sealer, but I certainly never want to strip or recolor it again.

Jeffrey Kirby · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Thanks Chad. No offense taken.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Chad Eneix wrote:
My personal opinion is to leave deck restoration like this to a company who does only that. Find a good company that does wood restoration, develop a relationship, and refer them with the agreement that they will refer you.

This sounds like a full day or more job, especially accounting for the learning curve. If you do it, it should be priced as much as at least two, maybe three or four roofs or siding jobs, because that is what you could be selling or doing during that time.

I didn't even do decks until I found SoftWashing, as they were too time consuming with not enough profit. Now, I will SoftWash a deck for maintenance cleaning or stain prep, and I may look in to the new Wood Restore product that has been discussed lately on this forum. However, I refer people to a full-on wood restoration company for stripping, sanding, etc.

If this is part of a big job, and you feel the job hinges on doing this, then I suppose it might be worth it. Maybe the market for this is better where you are, and it could be big for you, I don't know. Personally, I would probably sub the deck out. I usually tell the customer that I don't want to be a Jack-of-all-trades, master of none, and I know an excellent company who does this. They usually appreciate that more.

Also, if you do it, make sure you have it down pat before you show up. If the customer feels like you are learning as you go, or you appear to be fumbling around, they will tell people about it. I had one job in particular go bad, and I spent days fixing my own mistakes with the customer looking over my shoulder. I was lucky they were super nice people.

I hope this post did not come off as rude, that was defiantly not my intention. I am just giving you my thoughts based on experience. We have done stripping, recoloring, and sealing of decorative concrete before. I personally hope to be so busy SoftWashing soon that I never have to do this again. I might still apply sealer, but I certainly never want to strip or recolor it again.

Chad is right. SoftWash for maintenance cleanings but refer strip, sand and stain to the wood professionals.

AC

Bob Riddick · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Jeff, your question sounds like you're wondering if SWS has a chemical or cleaning process to make this project simpler for you. And I guess you've found out we don't.

So unless this is something you've done on a regular basis, I agree with Chad and AC that you turn this deck over to a pro.

SWS has some awesome programs for treating and cleaning a wide array of surfaces, but stripping paint and stain are not part of the program.

And I thought Chad was being a little bit rude. LOL

Jeffrey Kirby · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

I'm working a lot with a local painter. We are doing his paint/wood prep & he is doing our wood sealing. I suggested to him that he stear them to prep & then apply a similar seal as opposed to stripping to wood. If they want the natural wood restored, that he will need a wood restoration company.

Good advice. Thanks.