A few people in this world know the qualities of Sikken's products, as the Sikken's Company spends the least amount in marketing, knowing they have the best products hands down, while others spend millions each year, having the worst, not even lasting 6 months, such as Thompson's Water Seal Deck products.
Most deck stain products are of an average quality, and a medium price, say around $25.00 a gallon, depending on what part of the country you live. Not wishing to disscredit Thompson's, I'm just giving an example of what I've seen as the worse, also working wtih the best as Sikken's. Sikken's products typically cost anywhere from $50-75.00 a gallon depending on exact product choice, and location.
Price in one of the major items that drives up the cost of deck stain job, but not the only one. On the back of the can, detailed instructions are given, explictely stating all material must be hand brushed. Not rolled, not sprayed, and not ragged. A fine oil finish brush should be used, and can clean up with Mineral Spirits or Laquer Thinner. Large sufaces such as floors, I would strongly recogmend a 4" wide brush, cutting down the stroke time. Speaking of strokes, the amount of brush strokes will make you go crazy if very large. Each sq. inch should be brushed 3-4 times, working product in to a smooth consistant level. Better to go thin, and apply several wet on dry coats, than to overload one, risking a default in adheasion. Just plan on getting use of that elbow, like you've never done before. My trick on brush storage is using a new empy plastic Maxwell House coffee container with built in handle, cutting an X in the middle of the lid. Pouring solovent a few inches into container, and when brush is finished for the day, place the brush in the can, running handle through X, snapping lid shut. Still store container safely away from animals, and small children, as this can be quite harmfull, if not fatal is induced. Great thing is brush will not harden up, and be ready when you are. This technique also saves and conserves solovents to properly dispose. (Talk to your local waste management site for exaxt instructions)
Sikken's products are made in Sweden, developed for extreme climates as in the Alps. Sikken's have coined the word unlike any otther deck stain out there, either being "Solid body" or "Semi-transparent" Sikken's word is "TRANSLUCENT". Which I describe as a deep varnished finish, the more coats that is applied over the years. Mine looks like a baby grand piano attached to our home. Protection is second to none, providing a hard finish, that makes all wood surfaces slick and bullet proof. A cryesoak without the smell. Noticed I said slick, and can be dangerous with ice or snow on it. In Denver, and getting a few feet sometimes, I like the slick surface for removal purposes. I can take a shop broom out and sweep 1 foot at a time, with the upmost ease. However, with a lot of foot traffic from either animals or man during ice and snow, this would not be recogmended.
Sikken's comes in 15-20 color choices that cannot be tinted, which is a good thing in a sence. Remembering which shade used, you can always get more later on in a select few places in town. Typically Ben Moore Paint locations carry, but you may need to check with your local paint companies.
Having used a solid body, semi-trans, and now Sikken's for the last 6-7 years, I can honestly say I would not put nothing else on my persoanal deck than Sikken's. When I re-coat, which I did this past summer 08', I was shocked how little I used coating twice, two different days. Looked like a millon dollars without having to powerwash. Just a light rinse is needed if you maintain it, catching before it degrades beyond repair. On a deck that takes 3 -4 gallons first coat, second application may only take 2-3. Third application only takes 1-2. I was on my 4th. and used a 1/2 gallon!!! You can see it pays for itself in the long run, not having to use near as much, but labor is the same, whether you do it, or hire it out, on any product your choosing. Hiring out, labor is typically 4-5 times as more than spray method, brushing till the cows come home, but is well worth the added expense for duration, and enjoyment. When we have friends over, out on our deck, everyone notices what a fine looking finish it is, but has no idea what was used.
addtional info.
We also stained this home's new deck in the back with Sikken's Dark Mohagany translucent deck stain, brushing 2 coats using a wet on dry application.
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