Cleaning and Staining Decks

Welcome to the 71st Metamorphosis Monday!
A few Met Mondays back, I shared this blue hour pic showing a candelier that hangs from a pergola over one of the decks off the porch. Well, something got ticked off with me and decided to take it out on my candelier. I’ve been bringing in the bird feeder that hangs off this deck area because something cleans it out every single night. And apparently, something or someone got mad about it! A few months back, I found one of the globes from the candelier all the way down on the deck floor, amazingly unbroken. Joe, the owner of the nearby Wildbirds Unlimited, told me he thought it was the work of a raccoon. He says that’s the only thing with the dexterity to do that and not break the globe.

Well, apparently a few nights ago, something came back for a visit and he/she wasn’t too happy to find the birdseed missing. This time, I wasn’t so lucky. I found a table covered with glass.

And here’s how my candelier looks now. 🙁 This is not a metamorphosis that I’m happy to share. Unfortunately, Smith & Hawken, where I bought this candelier, is out of business…and I can’t find a replacement globe anywhere online. I’ve looked and looked…to no avail. If you see them anywhere online, please let me know! Now, don’t look too closely inside…that’s an upcoming tablescape in there.

Here’s a close-up of the globes. I love the shape!

Another Metamorphosis…this one more pleasant:

I’ve been cleaning decks here at BNOTP! Kathleen  at Cuisine Kathleen told me about a fabulous deck cleaner made by Olympic…and I’ve been using it to clean, clean, clean! This stuff is great! You just spray it on, let it set for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it off. My deck was pretty yucky so I had to apply it 3 times. If you clean your decks more than once a year, or if your decks are not underneath trees, one cleaning might do the job.

When my decks were initially stained, the painters did a rather poor job. They put on a thin first coat, with plans to apply a second coat. I explained to them that the store where I bought the Cabot Heartwood stain told me, you positively can’t put down a second coat. Even the can states it in bold letters. It would never dry and would be tacky. So, the stain has, unfortunately, always looked a little splotchy/thin. It’s been two years, and the water just didn’t appear to be beading up so well anymore. Here’s what the deck looked like after I gave it a thorough cleaning.

 

I actually cleaned it about 3 times to make sure I removed all the mildew and moldy stuff that had formed over the past year…not to mention the stuff that falls out of the trees.

Cleaning Deck with Olympic Deck Cleaner

 

 

Today, I dragged all the furniture over to the other section of deck. Fortunately, there’s a nice divider between the two decks so I can stain one side and then the other.

Then I got busy staining. I’ve never done this before, so this was a first.

The first section is starting to dry…second section is complete. I like the color, Heartwood, because it isn’t too dark and isn’t too red. It’s also a close match to the tongue and groove flooring of the screened-in porch, so it makes a nice transition when you walk out of the porch onto the deck. Yes, I notice that stuff…I’m sick that way!

I put it down with a 4 inch brush…just the way I read online. You can use a roller…but it’s not the same. AND, the Cabot can said to use a brush…nothing on the back of the can about a roller. I actually enjoyed the process…kind of fun watching the transformation…messy, but fun.

Ta-da! All done!

One deck down, two to go. The others are all washed and cleaned…just gotta stain them.

The pergola over the deck located on the other side of the porch, got a good cleaning, too…

This section gets stained tomorrow…oh, my aching back!

Not the most exciting metamorphosis, but a necessary job! Thanks, Kathleen for the tip on the Olympic Deck Cleaner…it’s good stuff!

UPDATE for Monday morning:
Finished Phase II this morning…second deck is stained (still drying in the pic below) and the legs are jell-o. I feel liked I’ve just finished 20 runs down a black diamond slope in Breckenridge.  Okay, maybe not that bad, but climbing stairs is definitely no fun right now. Stinks being out of shape…blogging does nothing for the legs or posterior. Let’s just say, I’m WELL AWARE that we have muscles in our sitting down spot, today!  I feel every one of them!

Moved the furniture/plants back onto the deck that was stained yesterday. Probably rushing it a bit, but it felt really dry…so far, so good.

Phase III: But NOT today! This final section will probably get done next weekend…if my legs and back side recover by then.

Looking forward to seeing your Before and After!

If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday: Please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the “url” box for the picture linky. You’ll also need to put your e-mail address in, but don’t worry, it will not be visible to anyone.

I’d love it if you would include the MM button in your post, to let others know you are participating. To do that, just copy and paste the Met Monday button to your computer or grab the code from underneath the MM logo on my sidebar.

Please include a link in your MM post back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. Why is this important? When you include a link back to BNOTP, it ensures your regular readers/visitors will find the other awesome “Before and Afters” linked for this Metamorphosis Monday. If everyone links back, this maximizes the opportunity for visits for all who participate.
Please do not add your link below, until your MM post is actually published to your blog.

Let’s try something fun today! Please visit the person who linked before you and after you…that way everyone will get at least a few visits. Hope you’ll visit more, of course. 

 

*If a post is sponsored or a product was provided at no charge, it will be stated in post. Some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. *



 Never miss a Between Naps on the Porch post! 

*Subscribe to have updates delivered to your Inbox. 



Comments

  1. SouthernGal says

    Bummer about the candleier, but your deck looks fabulous!

    Christi @ A Southern Life
    http://asouthernlife.com

  2. One Cheap B*tch says

    Your deck looks great! I can't believe the difference! Thanks for hosting another great party!

    Jeanine

  3. Stephanie Lynn says

    Oh how I love the nice refreshing feeling of a cleaned deck. I love the natural flooring – gorgeous! Beautiful Blue sky photo too! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Thank so much for hosting! ~ Stephanie Lynn

  4. It does sound like the work of a racoon. Sorry about the globe though. There was a site online that has replacement glass for lamps, I'll see if I can find it for you.

    The deck looks great! 🙂

  5. So sorry about the fixture but WOW that deck cleaner and sealer job!!!

  6. Hi Susan! Oh, what a great pretty deck you have and it sure did clean up good! Love your stain color!
    Oh, I captured The Blue Hour and have it up with my post!
    Thanks again for hosting Met Monday!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  7. Your home is always so beautiful and put together! Even when it is "being cleaned" it is still so bright and cheery!
    Your decking turned out fabulous… just like new!
    Looking forward to many more wonderful tablescpaes this summer!
    Dee Dee

  8. Richella says

    I'm so sorry about your raccoon trouble. . . they are amazingly intelligent animals, but boy can they do a lot of damage! Can you use your candelier without globes?

    Your deck is looking wonderful–and it's great to know about that cleaning product. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us. And may your back feel better soon. Sounds like it's time for a nap on the porch!

  9. Dumb raccoons. Don't they know this stuff is tough to replace?
    Maybe you could replace them with all new glass holders that you can buy extras of.
    The deck looks great. Hard work paid off. I relate to the aching back. Working in the garden will do that to you.

  10. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    Hi Susan…Thanks to you and to Kathleen for the tip on the cleaner. I'm thinking about trying it on my fence. Too bad about the light. We don't have raccoons here…but a little bit of everything else! I have actually seen a deer cleaning mine out! lol Happy week!…hugs…Debbie

  11. Dumb raccoons. Don't they know this stuff is tough to replace?
    Maybe you could replace them with all new glass holders that you can buy extras of.
    The deck looks great. Hard work paid off. I relate to the aching back. Working in the garden will do that to you.

  12. ourlifeinaclick.blogspot.com says

    naughty raccoons!!! Your deck is looking great. All that hard work is paying off!

    -heather
    Thanks for hosting!

  13. Michelle says

    Sorry about your candelier. I hope you can find a replacement globe with no problems.

    Great job on you decks! They look absolutely beautiful! :o)

    Thanks for hosting!

  14. Chari at Happy To Design says

    Hi Susan…

    Ohhh no…so sorry about your broken chandelier glass! It does sound like the work of a racoon…naughty little rascal! I say…if he can't behave himself when coming by for a visit…he should just stay away! wink!

    Girlfriend, what a job…deep cleaning and restaining your deck…but it looks gorgeous! I love the color…so very pretty!!! Sure hope that you're being able to give your back and knees a rest! Well Darlin', thank you so very much for hosting your fabulous Met Monday party! I was happy to get to join in today…even though it was kind of a mini-metamorphosis! Hope that was okay! Sure appreciate you and all of the hard work that you put into this, Susan!!!

    Have a marvelous Monday, sweet lady!
    Chari @Happy To Design

  15. I bow to you for doing your own decks! You go girl! I love the color of the stain, it looks perfect!

    I guess your critter was thinking there would be food inside the candle globe. I hope you can find a replacement 🙁

    Mary
    From Virginia

  16. Thanks for the information about the deck cleaner. I need to clean and stain mine so bad. As soon as it quits reaining here I might be able to get on that. Oh, sorry about the globe.

  17. Thanks for hosting another fun party! It's been awhile since I had a project to post and I am happy to join in today!
    We use to stain our deck in our first house and it is fun to watch it "come alive" again! Although it is tough on the back! Your decks and screen in porch is just beautiful 🙂
    Thanks for helping us have a fun start to a new week!
    Wendy

  18. Here is the site I mentioned earlier, you might find a replacement globe there.

    http://www.specialtylampshades.com/

    (not advertising, just helping, it's not my site!)

    Good luck! 🙂

  19. Rosie@Journey to Charm says

    What a devil, that raccoon! That sure looks like a lot of hard work, but boy it looks great! Hang in there. Thank you for hosting this fun party.

  20. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says

    Boo! Bad raccoon! What a shame!

    But I love how the stain looks! Thanks for hosting!

  21. Email the guy who you sent the apothecary jar to–ask him to find you a globe 🙂 That is backbreaking work–I've done it, but the rewards are great!

  22. Susan, you are one energetic lady. I'm impressed. The deck looks terrific. It's so nice to have a clean start. I pull out the power washer to clean our stone terraces, but haven't taken on that project yet.
    Sorry about the broken globe. So frustrating when animals get in the way in our spaces. LOL We have a squirrel who tore up our cushions this winter and had done considerable damage to our Japanese Maple. It is chewing the bark off and has caused two limbs to die. Not sure what to do about this critter. ~ Sarah

  23. miss corner cape says

    deck looks great! thanks for hosting.

  24. Hi Susan,
    I think there is still and Smith and Hawken store near here, I will check and see if they have a replacement globe for you! I hate when stuff like that happens!

    Your deck is looking fabulous. I almosts didn't post the pics I took of my chair transformation, because our grungy deck shows in the pics. I will have to add "refinish deck with Olympic Deck Cleaner" to the list!
    Thanks for hosting us each and every week!
    Have a good one.
    XO
    Heidi – Heart and Home

  25. Kathysue says

    Susan you are doing some really hard work. Iknow after the winter all these things are necessary. The deck looks amazing. We put a clear coat of cabot on my fence this year and it looks so much nicer, Cabot makes a good product. Can't wait to see it all dressed for the summer months, Kathysue

  26. Bummer on the broken globe! But thanks for hosting!

  27. Kansas Amy says

    Susan your hard work on the deck is paying off. It turned out wonderful! I am now motivated to play around with my little deck and see if I can have it looking great too!

  28. I have a deck that requires re-staining every other year. I learned early on how to apply stain and yes, it is back-breaking work. However, it always looks great when I am finished. You did a great job and I am so glad to know there are other women out there doing their own work. I sometimes feel like the only one. Congrats!

  29. Mary Ellen says

    Oh my have you been busy! The deck is looking great!!

    Could you show a close up of the globe? I am always seeing globes at the thrift stores and just might come across one! Hope to go out this week actually for some thrifting-

    bee blessed
    mary

  30. The stained floor looks really good. Sorry about you candelier, Susan. I hope you find a replacement for the broken part…Christine

  31. raggygirlvintage says

    thanks for hosting, I have fun looking at lots of fun projects. Feel exhausted just reading about your deck scrubbing though…
    Tracey

  32. Jax @ AlyandAsh says

    Sorry to hear about your pesky raccoon! You're sundecks are beautiful though! I'm jealous!

  33. The deck looks great! So sorry about that glass globe. Hopefully another one will be available somewhere. Thanks for hosting Met Monday.

  34. FineArtPainting says

    Congrads on your deck, Susan. that's a marvellous job you did.

    I can sense the satisfaction in the pictures and also that it was a huge job!!

    You'll enjoy it all summer long…
    good for you!

    I also stained decks before, and I know just how much work it is. At least you have white fences… I had to do those too and those are really tricky with that stain….

    Hugs to you!

    Rose,
    http://www.FineCraftGuild.com

    (will you please enable your NAME/URL option on comments so I can comment under my own name…
    Now I have to use friends' accounts)

  35. Susan, the deck is looking fantastic. I know how good it must feel to get it done.

    I confess to be a sheet snob, too. For me, it was once you go there, you can't go back.

  36. Susan, the deck is looking fantastic. I know how good it must feel to get it done.

    I confess to be a sheet snob, too. For me, it was once you go there, you can't go back.

  37. The Summer Kitchen Girls says

    Wow! A spray on deck cleaner sounds devine! Turned out great too – the staining & all 🙂 Although, that pergola has us shaking in our boots! This weekend we helped friends prime their new pergola….ummmm, that was a pretty daunting task, to say the least!!
    Enjoy your week ahead Susan!

  38. Rettabug says

    That's one heck of a lot of work, Susan…I bet your back is sore! It looks wonderful though.

    I hope you can find a replacement globe for your chandy. Bummer that S&H closed. I miss that store!

    Maybe you should glue the other ones into place, once you find a new one, or else the culprit will be right back to destroy more.

  39. Condo Blues says

    Can you go without globes on your candleier? I see a lot of them that don't have globes. It looks like the base that the candles sit in is curved enough to contain melting candle wax.

  40. Love Where You LIve, a blog celebrating design, individual style & decorating. says

    Ya know, I love your porches so much that I'd just live there. Wonderful!!

  41. Love Where You LIve, a blog celebrating design, individual style & decorating. says

    Ya know, I love your porches so much that I'd just live there. Wonderful!!

  42. Love Where You LIve, a blog celebrating design, individual style & decorating. says

    oh gosh….either organic or egyptian. Great giveaway!!

  43. Love Where You LIve, a blog celebrating design, individual style & decorating. says

    oh gosh….either organic or egyptian. Great giveaway!!

  44. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    Oh I am so sorry to hear about your chandelier. In my best Dug the dog from "Up" voice I am going to say "Squirrel!".

  45. scribbler-unfocused says

    Well that mean old raccoon! It might be real tempting to get the BB gun after him! It is hard to match globes, and I am still looking for one myself. You might check little specialty light repair shops — often they do have odd pieces. Good luck!

    Scribbler
    http://scribbler-unfocused.typepad.com/

  46. ♥ Sonny ♥ says

    shamie on that racoon~!!
    Your deck looks terrific. I know how much work that taook as we just did out 8 ft. high 40 ft long cedar fence.. Enjoy every moment out there.
    Sonny

  47. The Quintessential Magpie says

    Susan, I am SO proud of you! SO proud! This looks super.

    And if I see a shade like that anywhere, I'll let you know. Sorry that it got broken. I'll keep my eyes peeled for one.

    XO,

    Sheila 🙂

  48. Nina Patricia @ The Adventures of Nina Patricia says

    Forget a house, I think I would live forever on your porch…

  49. I'm SO sorry about your globe…that's such a shame. However, your racoon obviously has FABULOUS taste! Your deck cleaning/staininglooks AWESOME! Amazing how something like that can make it look brand new, although I'm sure you are EXHAUSTED!

  50. The Frosted Gardner says

    Beautiful deck. Absolutely amazing. I want one!

  51. Smocking with Gwen says

    Susan,
    You don't know how much I wish you had done this LAST YEAR! It was recommended by the "expert" at Lowes to use a semi-transparent stain by Olympic. Well, it looks like a thinned down chaulky painted deck. Not happy at all with it. I'm thinking it might be worth sanding the whole deck and trying again. I won't tell my husband where I got the idea.
    Love the look,
    Gwen

  52. Life in Rehab says

    OMG, that looks so rich! Excellent job on that project. I can't wait for the big reveal when it's all done.

  53. Kathleen says

    I am so glad it worked for you, Susan.. We love it! I should have bought stock!
    In fact dh is off to Lowes to get more.
    As for the light..I am missing one globe too..one of the gkids kicked a ball and wham!
    I can't find one, and as it would cost over 50 dollars to replace with new I am looking..either to find one or all new, but cheap!
    Let me know if you have any luck!
    Your deck looks beautiful , good job, Susan!

  54. Wow, have you been BUSY!!!! The decks look awesome! I can relate to the aching back…and posterior:):) But it is worth the work to have them look so good! Thiose darn racoons!!!! We ahve them too, we can actually hear them running around on our roof at night! I have NO idea what the attractin is up there but they use it as a bathroom!!!!!!!!!! YUCK!!!! Am so looking forward to new tablescapes from you too! I haven't gotten one done in awhile. Busy with all the wedding stuff! Have a good week and get some rest! XO, Pinky

  55. Fifi Flowers says

    All set for FAB outdoor dining!!! LOVE it!

  56. Pemberley says

    Ok I'm tired just reading your blog about staining the deck! Your a hard working gal! Looks great. You may have to replace all the globes on that fixture. Sorry about that.

  57. Joy @ Thrifty Parsonage Living says

    Your deck looks great! What a lot of hard work! Sorry to see your beautiful candleier is broken 🙁

  58. Meet Virginia says

    LOVE how the deck turned out!! Thanks so much for hosting!!

    ~Morgan

    Meet Virginia!
    Meet Virginia!
    Meet Virginia!

  59. Love your blog.I'm new to blogging and linked to MM but I only show a frog! ha,ha. I chose an image of my hutch… oh well
    Realllly feel dumb right now the only one out of 221 entries.
    Annette

  60. Your deck looks renewed! Hope you can find another globe for your pretty chandelier!

  61. Love the pictures of your deck(s)…the container flowers are gorgeous. My post is about a homemade "candelier"…love that! I called it a chandlier, but I like your name much better. Thanks for hosting.

  62. Wow…sorry about the chandelier! We had a S&H store in Charlotte that closed when we were there and they told us that the retail stores were closing but the cataloge was still going to be operating…so maybe soon the site will be working as well:
    http://www.smithandhawken.com/
    Hope this helps! Great job on your decks and thanks again for hosting, fondly, Roberta

  63. Rustique Gal says

    An awesome job on the decks. After you recover, you will be so excited! It's so easy to overdo it when the results are so great. Good luck on the candelier-I'm betting you'll find one somewhere!
    Sherry

  64. Hi, Susan! Wow, you sure are a trooper doing all of that work yourself! Your deck look fantastic. You are giving me some inspiration to do some work around my house. One of these days, I will buck up and join M-Monday or T-Thursday!! Until then, I enjoy your blog so much, and a lot of others I am discovering. And too bad that naughtly little racoon broke your glass. I hope you are able to find a replacement. That little racoon said to himself: "Hmmm, she took away MY thing, I am taking away something of HERS!" When he dropped it, he probably said, "Oh, sh*t! I didn't mean to actually BREAK it!" 🙂 Take care, Susan!
    Best regards,
    Gloria

  65. Lady Pamela says

    I'm a first time participant at MM. I made a few goofs, but hope to get better as I find my way around. Thanks for hosting.

  66. Neil and Susan Brown says

    Great job on the deck. Its very hard to find the right product to use. The wrong stain on a deck can be discouraging. I'm about to build one and so your product info was so timely. Lovely job!! Susan 🙂

  67. Wow your porch looks great! I have put (almost) the exact same post on my blog! The people that stained my deck did the same thing and the trouble I had with it was a mess! Now it is beautiful!!! I can't wait until next week to do the met Monday, I will have pictures of the deck last year and the completed deck this year, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. You did all that by yourself My husband and I did our, however, it is over 1,000 q feet of deck, It was a lot to do!!

    Love your blog, I am definitely a fan!

  68. Hi Susan!

    This is Lynda, Angela (The Tassel House)'s mom. She just taught me how to leave comments on blogs!
    So sorry that a raccoon got your globe! Your deck looks so great now – would you like to come clean mine?! 🙂

    Lynda

  69. laurie @ bargain hunting says

    What a huge job this is, but how wonderful it looks when you've finished! You have more energy in your finger than I do in my whole body! What a menace some animal is at your house! I'd probably remove all of the globes, because I'd be afraid he'd come back and destroy the replacement and the others. laurie

  70. Heaven's Walk says

    Hi Susan! Your deck looks so cozy and welcoming! Loving spending time on your blog, too!

    I'm having an absolute ball looking at all the Befores & Afters photos everyone sent in. Wow! Great job, everyone! What a huge difference a little bit of muscle will do.

    Have a great day!

    laurie@heavenswalk

I'd love to hear from you! Please leave a comment!

*