Adventures in Deck Maintenance

We had initially planned to go to Petersburg, WV today for a train fair. However, since our deck was in dire need of maintenance, we opted for that instead. David had pressure-cleaned the deck about three weeks ago, and I was despairing that we'd get it fit for guests by Veterans' Day at the rate we were going.

So we had breakfast, went to Lowe's and returned with semi-transparent cedar deck stain, and began our travails about 12:30. Fact: 90°F. Fact: deck dimensions 12' x 42'. Fact: application of said stain accomplished with roller and brush. Accessories: Diet Coke, ice water, ice tea, and 800mg of ibuprofen. I came in at 4:30 to shower and deal with the dogs, who were completely distraught at having been ignored all day. Bruno started the chorus several times during the afternoon from his perch on the back of the couch. David finished about 5.

When he came in, he announced that duh, we had a paint sprayer thingy that is designed to be used with our modestly-honkin' air compressor. Fancy that.



The line of discoloration is where the hot tub sat last year, so that area actually has the cedar color now. The rest of the deck is darker, because the last time we stained it (4 years ago now I think) we did the redwood thing. Ugh. As it turns out, the vertical rails don't seem too weathered, so David can probably touch them up with the compressor sprayer thingy. We stained the horizontal top rails.

It was so hot that I started out with wearing a baseball cap. David insisted I needed more protection, so I ended up wearing the Colombian sombrero vueltiao. It sure helped!

¿Aha y tu que?


The sombrero back where it should be, with a Colombian scarf and a corner balconcito.

If I don't sleep well tonight, something's very wrong! But at least this week I can arrange the deck so we can entertain next weekend.