How To Restore Trex Decking

It is crucial to know how to properly care for a composite deck and taking the right steps will make all the difference. Composite decking requires a little extra care when cleaning.

This one might throw you a little, but it’s important. If you apply too much sealer to the wood , wipe off the excess. We don’t think twice about wiping off excess stain when we stain interior wood, do the same if you over-apply sealer on exterior composite lumber.

Can You Stain Or Paint A Composite Deck?

Over time if the deck begins to absorb water, that’s when you can apply a sealer. But if your deck is new, that shouldn’t be for a long time.

If you are looking for a more solid top coat, request "Mahogany CX". The alternative to both of these is to put down a good quality stain that has good UV resistance. Lower quality products will not hold up well on any composite since most do not absorb to the depth that is common in natural wood products which will cause them to fade very quickly. Most companies, including Trex, have a waranty on their products. Depending on how long you have had your deck, you might get some help from Trex. Also, there are several cleaners that you can use that will not damage the decking. You can apply them, let it set for a while and scrub with a soft push broom, then rinse off… That will remove some of the dirt and oxidization and brighten it up a bit.

The Disadvantages Of Composite Decking

Woodrich Cleaner & Brightener For Wood Decks

Make sure you're extra careful when pressure washing.This material is softer than natural wood and therefore can be etched more easily. Once it has been damaged, other issues such as chipping, sun damage and mold staining of the interior plastic can arise.

Whenever you spill on your deck, clean it up right away, as this will help prevent stains. However, if you spot grease or grime on the material, wash it using a mild detergent meant to cut through oil. When air circulates under your composite decking, the material will dry faster. For this reason, make sure your deck has at least 6 inches of unobstructed airflow beneath it.

The Best Ways To Clean And Restore Composite Deck Boards

• All composite manufacturers now recommend a periodic maintenance schedule, specific procedures, and even products by brand name for cleaning and maintaining their composite materials.
• Every decking material needs at least a periodic washing.
• Composite manufacturers now admit that there are no "maintenance free" decking materials of any kind.
• Pressure washing composite deck needs to be done correctly using a specialized cleaner which will kill mildew & mold spores completely.
• Routine cleaning and maintenance are required for both wood and composite decks.

You can also try using a wire brush, but be aware that certain types of composite timber have a bad reaction to metal, which could worsen the situation. Try it out on an inconspicuous section of your deck first. Use a plastic shovel.When shoveling snow on your composite decking, make sure that your shovel has a plastic blade, which will minimize the chance of scratching the surface of your deck. Composite decking’s combination of wood and plastic fiber allows for a strong material that is impervious to snow and won’t see its color fade or wear down after constant frigid temperatures. Ten inches of snow over six months will be fine.

If you live in an area where rain is frequent, mold and/or mildew can grow on your wood deck. Left untreated, these fungi will thrive and eventually destroy the wood’s cellular structure, leading to rot and decay. At the first sign of mold or mildew (grayish-white powdery-looking splotches) look for a cleaner containing mildewcide . Note that these cleaners should not be rinsed off. Leaving the solution on the wood allows ample time to kill the fungi and then seep into the deck’s surface to reduce the chance of mold or mildew growing again in the future. Cleaning effectively removes dirt, grime & organism growth. It gets rid the food source of stains at the same time so they don’t get worse.

But, if you stain your deck, you will have to periodically re-stain it to keep it new looking, just as you would a wood deck. So, you end up with a choice, a faded, old-looking but clean deck or the chore and expense of regular re-staining to keep it looking new. Uncapped composite decking is porous and can be stained. Plastic is not porous and will not accept stain. Once capstock decking has faded, that is the color you must live with.

Clean these stains using whichever cleaner is most appropriate for your decking. If you’re not sure about how to clean a particular stain, test the cleaner out on a part of the deck that is not visible.

If using a pressure washer, avoid using a maximum pressure setting, as too much force can damage the surface. In my opinion, solid stain is a waste of good ipe. Ipe is able to stand up to the weather without it. Weather resistant wood doesn't really work well with most solid finishes. Due to the nature of the wood, the "paint" doesn't stick as well.