Blue Star 5/4 x 6 Dark Red Meranti Select & Btr. Decking

Ring’s End Finishing Guide: Blue Star Dark Red Meranti Steps: 1. Clean the deck/deck boards with a deck brush (medium bristle) using a mixture of water and cleaning solution (EZ Deck Wash or 30 Second Cleaner) 2. Once the deck is dry, sand using 60 or 80 grit sandpaper a. Extra credit: wipe the deck boards with acetone before staining 3. Apply a translucent stain (either Preserva Premium Timber Oil or Benjamin Moore Translucent Oil Finish) a. Load up your stain brush enough to do an entire board with one “dip” of the brush. This will help avoid lap marks b. Do not let stain pool on the surface; wipe off excess using a t-shirt rag c. You may apply a second coat “wet-on-wet” while the first coat is still wet to achieve a slightly darker appearance. It is very important to wipe off any excess stain using a t-shirt rag 2. IF sanding is necessary: a. Wait until the deck is completely dry before sanding. b. *For light sanding, start and finish with an 80-grit sandpaper. c. *Where heavier sanding is required, begin with a 60-grit and finish with an 80-grit sandpaper. d. Vacuum or sweep the surface clean. e. **Tack with acetone to remove the finer sawdust particles (do NOT tack with water as this will open the pores of the wood). f. Allow the surface to dry prior to applying your stain or finish products. *Note: follow all required safety procedures to prevent the inhalation and exposure to wood dust. Information is available at www.osha.gov/wood-dust **Note: follow all required safety procedures listed on the manufacturer’s label to prevent the inhalation and exposure to acetone.