I found some good postings on an old thread with current posts. Search for "Long lasting deck sealer". Two products mentioned in Aug 2011 is Floor Shield (an epoxy which I haven't found out if it will have to be stripped) and Lifeline Endure.

I have also worked with Allback purified Linseed Paint products at http://www.solventfreepaint.com/linseed_varnish.htm The beauty of their products are: they are all natural, they nourish the wood rather than put a sealing coat on the wood that will peel when moisture gets trapped, and to re-coat you just clean and re-coat when you can tell the wood is getting dry 3-5 years. While working with my 125 year old home's exterior they have been very patient with my questions.

If the 15-20 year finish of Floor Shield doesn't check out, I will probably go with Le Tonkinois No. 1 Linseed Varnish, because I want a little sheen. For a natural look, a 50/50 mixture of Purified Boiled Linseed and Pine Tar works good. You could even mix in some of their Linseed Blue paint if you want a blue stain look again. Only go with Purified Linseed Oil as the other stuff breeds mildew. We did have a problem with mildew on some areas of our house, but have been pleased when we followed their directions of washing it with Linseed Soap Xtra. It seemed to breed mildew because we painted too thick and too late in the season for it to get a good cure. Need dry hot days for the Paint. I don't know if that is also true about the Varnish.

Here is a link that might be useful: Silent Paint Remover and Allback Paint

Having built decks for over 35 years, and being relatively knowlegable regarding deck finishes, I have never heard of the products Huberhouse speaks of.

You will definately need to strip the existing finish, no matter what you will replace it with. We don't do much striping because we never use paint or solid stains. Both of these have the potential to peel up. Paint more so. We did just strip a 1750 sq. ft. deck and used a Behr stripper It got most of the old solid stain, but we did have a fair amount of sanding to do, as well. A painting contractor friend of mine recomends Jasco strippers.

If you want to see the grain, seal the deck with a semi transparent stain. We usually use Penofin, others speak highly to TWP, which we cannot get. You will need to repeat every 2 years, no stripping needed, only cleaning.

Mark

I am at a loss to understand any of the Huber post as well Mark.

The few times my outfit has had to strip a painted deck we used md-80 from www.woodrich-brand.com , this is nasty stuff be careful, and it will have to be follow up with an oxalic wash plus sanding.

What kind of wood is the deck/railing ??

JonMon

Yes, I agree with the last 2 posts-JonMon and Mark. You WILL have to strip whatever is on your deck currently.

My goal in life is to work with wood products that don't have to ever be stripped. We are still stripping the exterior of our clapboard house that has 130 years of peeling paint build up. That is how we came to learn about Allback Paint.

Linseed paint has been used for hundreds of years. If you ever tour Mt Vernon, President George Washington used it. However, the new products are greatly improved by purification process. Linseed products protects and nourishes the wood and leaves it breathable so there is never trapped moisture and a plastic coat to peel. The draw back is the slower dry time. There are no chemical accelerators. This fact makes the product "GREEN" for the environment. Hot dry days are a perfect time for painting Boiled Linseed.

To find out more about Purified Boiled Linseed try the link posted or call Soren or Collete at Viking Sales. They have been most helpful to me. Be sure to ask them if your climate will allow the Boiled Linseed products to cure properly. I live in the mid-central states. We had 30 days of 100 degree weather this year.

I am still researching Floor Shield USA and Lifeline Endure at 1-800-548-3554. If I cannot find a longer lasting product that doesn't need stripping to re-coat than the AllBack products, I will definitely be using the Linseed Varnish mentioned in the link.

Strip a deck once and you're desperate to never do it again.

Here is a link that might be useful: Silent Paint Remover and Allback Paint

Way to Go Huber !!! I like a Tenacious Person.

Linseed oil,boiled," purified " roasted or all of the other things they do to it has the bottom line of giving mildew/mold lunch,it has no uv protection and very little water protection after the first few moons or so.

They used it that long ago because they had nothing else. Varnish ??? give me a break that's been proved long ago to peal/lift exposed to the Sun.

But go on and use it Ol Son !! I like your stile,even if it is stuck way in the past.

JonMon