Dock treatment

Garcia · 05-13-2020, 06:13 PM

What, if anything, do people use to protect their docks? Mine has cedar decking that is looking worn. I would like to put something on to help make it last longer. Any suggestions for something that will require as little prep as possible, be able to be put on when the dock is in the water, and will help protect the boards?

I just refinished a deck which involved cleaning, pressure washing, and stain. I’m hoping there’s something that can be done in one step.

WinnisquamZ · 05-13-2020, 06:28 PM

What you can use and prep required depends on what was used before

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Garcia · 05-13-2020, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

What you can use and prep required depends on what was used before

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Should have mentioned that nothing has been put on in the past.

Barney Bear · 05-13-2020, 07:14 PM

We have used Thompson's Water Seal on our dock, and are satisfied with the outcome. 🐻

tis · 05-13-2020, 07:48 PM

As I recall it's Thompson's that once you use it pretty much needs to be done every year.

ishoot308 · 05-13-2020, 07:55 PM

Marine Seal or Seal Once. Same product different name. Google for specifics.

Dan

FlyingScot · 05-13-2020, 08:26 PM

I use nothing on my cedar decking, and they've lasted for years (20 years for the previous owner). It's only the pilings that take real abuse (I have ipe pilings, which are supposed to last longer than I am, also with no maintenance.) Keep in mind that if you're applying it, it's going to get into the lake, so less is better.

WinnisquamZ · 05-13-2020, 08:31 PM

If nothing has been used in the past then just a light sanding and I prefer a oil transparent stain. Many clears and naturals available. I am a Ben Moore fan. Remove the boards, over water is a no no

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uschisk · 05-22-2020, 10:13 AM

Our cedar dock needs work, I'm in the process of removing each board, sanding it, and replacing it upside down if the board is still sound, or putting in a new board if I need to. Since I am pulling the whole thing apart I'm wondering if there is a benefit to putting some kind of sealer on the boards. So far (10 years) it has been untreated cedar. I certainly wouldn't want anything that is going to be slippery in any way , but since I am pulling it apart wondering if a sealer or stain is recommended? I also have no interest in repeating this process regularly! Thank you!

codeman671 · 05-22-2020, 12:11 PM

We used Superdek stain on our cedar decking. Pressure wash and roll it on. It looked great.

Descant · 05-22-2020, 12:34 PM

We added glass beads to the paint on our deck and ramps. If you're spraying just put the sand on before the paint dries. Works better with paint or stain--sealer may not be viscous enough to hold the non-skid material. I would think sanding makes boards more slippery and could be counterproductive.
Maybe replacing boards is a better long term solution.? What's your time horizon? In 1960, we built docks using pre-stressed concrete. No maintenance for 60 years. This year, we're planning to replace with artificial planks (Trex or similar). Presumably no maintenance until my great great grandchildren are in charge. Other materials? The Atlantic City board walk is redwood 2x4's laid on edge. Crowds,cars, parades, bicycles, roller skates, etc. When you walk a little farther to Marvin Gardens, that city uses aluminum with a non-skid epoxy surface.

LIforrelaxin · 05-22-2020, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia

What, if anything, do people use to protect their docks? Mine has cedar decking that is looking worn. I would like to put something on to help make it last longer. Any suggestions for something that will require as little prep as possible, be able to be put on when the dock is in the water, and will help protect the boards?

I just refinished a deck which involved cleaning, pressure washing, and stain. I’m hoping there’s something that can be done in one step.

You not going to find something with less steps.... If the ceder decking is just looking worn, but overall is in good safe shape, I would take a pressure washer to it, and call it a day. Once you start staining or painting a dock, it is going to become a continual process, that will not end....

Personally, I use preasure treated decking on my dock, and well the oldest sections are now 30 years old or so... Yep a board hear and there gets replaced... and every so often I take a scrub brush to them boat overall things look fine....

05-13-2020, 06:13 PM	#1
Garcia Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 712 Thanks: 149 Thanked 336 Times in 205 Posts	Dock treatment What, if anything, do people use to protect their docks? Mine has cedar decking that is looking worn. I would like to put something on to help make it last longer. Any suggestions for something that will require as little prep as possible, be able to be put on when the dock is in the water, and will help protect the boards? I just refinished a deck which involved cleaning, pressure washing, and stain. I’m hoping there’s something that can be done in one step.

05-13-2020, 07:14 PM	#4
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 961 Thanks: 488 Thanked 274 Times in 175 Posts	Preservation We have used Thompson's Water Seal on our dock, and are satisfied with the outcome. 🐻

05-13-2020, 07:55 PM	#6
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,535 Thanks: 2,455 Thanked 5,468 Times in 2,143 Posts	Marine Seal or Seal Once. Same product different name. Google for specifics. Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

05-22-2020, 10:13 AM	#9
uschisk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NH and Mark Island Posts: 64 Thanks: 37 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts	Same question - is there a benefit to stain or sealer? Our cedar dock needs work, I'm in the process of removing each board, sanding it, and replacing it upside down if the board is still sound, or putting in a new board if I need to. Since I am pulling the whole thing apart I'm wondering if there is a benefit to putting some kind of sealer on the boards. So far (10 years) it has been untreated cedar. I certainly wouldn't want anything that is going to be slippery in any way , but since I am pulling it apart wondering if a sealer or stain is recommended? I also have no interest in repeating this process regularly! Thank you!

05-22-2020, 12:34 PM	#11
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,597 Thanks: 1,418 Thanked 1,705 Times in 1,109 Posts	Non-skid We added glass beads to the paint on our deck and ramps. If you're spraying just put the sand on before the paint dries. Works better with paint or stain--sealer may not be viscous enough to hold the non-skid material. I would think sanding makes boards more slippery and could be counterproductive. Maybe replacing boards is a better long term solution.? What's your time horizon? In 1960, we built docks using pre-stressed concrete. No maintenance for 60 years. This year, we're planning to replace with artificial planks (Trex or similar). Presumably no maintenance until my great great grandchildren are in charge. Other materials? The Atlantic City board walk is redwood 2x4's laid on edge. Crowds,cars, parades, bicycles, roller skates, etc. When you walk a little farther to Marvin Gardens, that city uses aluminum with a non-skid epoxy surface.

05-13-2020, 06:28 PM	#2
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,240 Thanks: 223 Thanked 705 Times in 473 Posts	What you can use and prep required depends on what was used before Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

05-13-2020, 07:48 PM	#5
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,946 Thanks: 795 Thanked 1,493 Times in 1,040 Posts	As I recall it's Thompson's that once you use it pretty much needs to be done every year.

05-13-2020, 08:26 PM	#7
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,548 Thanks: 1,412 Thanked 1,075 Times in 668 Posts	I use nothing on my cedar decking, and they've lasted for years (20 years for the previous owner). It's only the pilings that take real abuse (I have ipe pilings, which are supposed to last longer than I am, also with no maintenance.) Keep in mind that if you're applying it, it's going to get into the lake, so less is better.

05-13-2020, 08:31 PM	#8
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,240 Thanks: 223 Thanked 705 Times in 473 Posts	If nothing has been used in the past then just a light sanding and I prefer a oil transparent stain. Many clears and naturals available. I am a Ben Moore fan. Remove the boards, over water is a no no Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

05-22-2020, 12:11 PM	#10
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,604 Thanks: 223 Thanked 856 Times in 519 Posts	We used Superdek stain on our cedar decking. Pressure wash and roll it on. It looked great.