Outdoor Living

Take the Guesswork Out of Winterizing Your Deck

(MS) - Smart homeowners know that seasonal changes can wreak havoc on decks and that "winterizing" is key to keeping them beautiful for years. But choosing the right deck care products can be confusing, even for the handiest homeowner.

Today's decks are made of a variety of wood types - pressure-treated lumber, cedar, redwood, exotic hardwood - each with their own special products on retail shelves. But you can take the "guesswork" out of deck winterization by choosing products that work on all types of wood. Whether you have a new, bare wood or a stained deck that has seen better days, here are some tips from the experts at Wolman Wood Care Products:

· Beautify and protect your deck with a water-repellent finish before winter's harsh precipitation sets in. Water repellent coatings like Wolman RainCoat®, F&P® and DuraStainTM stop rain, sleet, snow and ice from penetrating all wood surfaces, thereby minimizing water damage such as splitting or warping. These products guarantee water-repellent longevity and provide longer-lasting protection, so you won't have to reapply a new coat year after year. And, they offer a variety of colors and opacity levels, from clear to sheer, transparent natural wood tones to pigmented semi-transparent shades to help you achieve any look you desire.

Before coating, prepare the wood surface with a commercial wood cleaner or stain stripper so that your new finish will penetrate and adhere properly and give you the longest life possible.

· For uncoated new or weathered wood, clean your deck thoroughly to remove invisible surface barriers such as excess wax or mill glaze, ground-in dirt, grayed surface fibers and stains from mold and mildew, algae or tannin bleed. If you know your deck is made of pressure-treated wood, you can use a product like Wolman® DeckBriteTM Wood Cleaner and Coating Prep, an acid-free, oxygen-powered powder concentrate that is tough on stains yet safe to use near plant life.

· If you don't know your type of wood, don't worry. Wolman® Deck & Fence Brightener for All Exterior Wood will restore all wood types, even tannin-rich woods like cedar, redwood, mahogany and other exotic hardwoods. Both products clean and restore wood to its natural beauty without bleaching or yellowing like chlorine bleach can. Their fast-acting formulas loosen and lift dirt, stains and discoloration in 10 minutes. And they are easy to use - mix with water, spray on, brush in and rinse off with a garden hose.

· For previously coated wood, strip any faded or deteriorating finish before coating with a new product. If you're not sure what type of stain is present, not to worry. Wolman® DeckStrip® Stain & Finish Remover removes oil and latex solid or semi-transparent stains and clear finishes, and prepares wood decks for the reapplication of water-repellent finishes or stains.

For more information on Wolman water-repellent finishes, wood cleaners and strippers, call the company's technical service department at (732) 469-8100. Or, visit www.wolman.com for more helpful deck care tips.

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