Journey of a Jersey Girl : DIY Edition (Deck Refinish)

[_Jersey Girl]

So, the sanding is DONE! I got up on a ladder and survived it. I still HATE ladders.

I took a little trip over to Lowes and looked at Cabot stain colors. Here's a link to Cabot's website:

http://www.cabotstain.com/colors-and-finishes/families/Semi-Transparent-Colors.html

I'm thinking of going with Cordovan Brown. It's very dark but dark was the plan. And I don't care what JB says, I am going semi-transparent. I can always slap on some semi-solid in spring if I need to.

I picked up a new extension pole, a deck pad (honest, you could use a rag for this job, but accessories are fun) and a disposable (cheap) paint tray. I'm going to sleep on the color until tomorrow, then get the stain and get 'er done!

Just as a matter of including more useless information, you can get the same or similar products at Home Depot.

But Lowes is just cuter inside.

:-D

[_Jersey Girl]

If I had it to do over again...

and I will because don't forget there is a second deck, I would rent the big Floor Buff Sander from Lowes and give that a whirl. I didn't appreciate using the Belt Sander at all. It definitely does the job, but it's a pain in the butt to use. I will not be buying my own Belt Sander any time soon.

After trying the floor buff sander, I would go over the whole thing with the Random Orbital sander and then touch it up with the Mouse sander.

So yeah, in spring I will rent the Floor Buff Sander so I can get some experience with that.

Fav Sander: Mouse Sander

I love my little Mouse Sander, it's light, versatile and Ladies, it operates just like one of these:

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2234519&productId=xlsImpprod3530021&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80184%20cat1100001

Only instead of exfoliating your skin, it exfoliates wood.

You still can't beat the Random Orbital Sander for a smooth finish. Plus you get a purse to carry it in!

:-D

[_JAK]

So, the sanding is DONE! I got up on a ladder and survived it. I still HATE ladders.

I took a little trip over to Lowes and looked at Cabot stain colors. Here's a link to Cabot's website:

http://www.cabotstain.com/colors-and-finishes/families/Semi-Transparent-Colors.html

I'm thinking of going with Cordovan Brown. It's very dark but dark was the plan. And I don't care what JB says, I am going semi-transparent. I can always slap on some semi-solid in spring if I need to.

I picked up a new extension pole, a deck pad (honest, you could use a rag for this job, but accessories are fun) and a disposable (cheap) paint tray. I'm going to sleep on the color until tomorrow, then get the stain and get 'er done!

Just as a matter of including more useless information, you can get the same or similar products at Home Depot.

But Lowes is just cuter inside.

:-D

How about Rocky Tundra?

JAK

[_Jersey Girl]

JAK

How about Rocky Tundra?

Oh, I know. I love the Rocky Tundra however, it won't work with the color the house is now. It used to be a more natural cedar stain, but last year at this time, we painted it with a solid latex stain (it's PAINT) that is sort of...golden. When we first did it, it looked orange to me. I HATE orange (and ladders). I mean, I used to drive up the long drive way and think, "OMG, my house is a pumpkin. We're living in a pumpkin". But it's toned down now from the sun fading it a bit. Thank goodness.

It's a little more like the golden color of construction boots now or a faded pumpkin. ;-)

So, we're going to have a golden house with Cordovan Brown decking. The intention is to go more country/rustic/primitive. Since the latex stain isn't going away any time soon, we have to make the best of it, you know?

So yeah, two toned. Golden house and dark deck.

It'll probably look ugly as heck but "it is what it is".

I'm going out to Lowes to pick up the stain later today and get it done. I am procrastinating because I'm SO tired today.

Procrastination is one of my many gifts.

I do it at mastery level.

:-D

[_Jersey Girl]

So...I worked on the deck again and have a little sinus infection that is leaving me feel like c.r.a.p. I am certain it's the dust from sanding. Yes, I wore a mask (and goggles), but somehow it still manages to get in and make me feel rotten.

But hey, guess what?
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



(Okay, there's a little touch up to do, but it's "close enough for goverment work"!)



I walked out of Lowes with Dark Slate, semi-transparent (in case I hate it). I can't decide if I love it or hate it. I will have to look again when it's dry tomorrow.

It is VERY country/rustic/primitive. I think when the kids come over they're going to wonder if we had a deck fire. It's kinda the color of charcoal.

Except where it's dry and looks okay to me. But VERY country/rustic/primitive. It actually looks like the color of the barn star near the front door.

It's black. Therefore I am doomed.

But some brown is poking through. That counts for something, right?

Well you know what they say, be careful what you wish for, you just might get a sinus infection and a...

DONE DECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-D

And thus ends, another installment of Journey of a Jersey Girl: DIY Edition.

Cya!

[_JAK]

JAK

How about Rocky Tundra?

Oh, I know. I love the Rocky Tundra however, it won't work with the color the house is now. It used to be a more natural cedar stain, but last year at this time, we painted it with a solid latex stain (it's PAINT) that is sort of...golden. When we first did it, it looked orange to me. I HATE orange (and ladders). I mean, I used to drive up the long drive way and think, "OMG, my house is a pumpkin. We're living in a pumpkin". But it's toned down now from the sun fading it a bit. Thank goodness.

It's a little more like the golden color of construction boots now or a faded pumpkin. ;-)

So, we're going to have a golden house with Cordovan Brown decking. The intention is to go more country/rustic/primitive. Since the latex stain isn't going away any time soon, we have to make the best of it, you know?

So yeah, two toned. Golden house and dark deck.

It'll probably look ugly as heck but "it is what it is".

I'm going out to Lowes to pick up the stain later today and get it done. I am procrastinating because I'm SO tired today.

Procrastination is one of my many gifts.

I do it at mastery level.

:-D

I was looking at the picture posted of your house when I suggested the color. Why did you paint it to look like a pumpkin? :-)

JAK