Product preparation

• Dissolve approximately 1/3 cup of powder in one gallon of hot water and mix well. Mix in a plastic bucket. Once mixed, products should be used promptly.
• WDA (Cleaner): Mix according to label directions. Apply with a garden sprayer, mop or brush. Allow product to soak on wood briefly. Agitate with a stiff brush or push broom. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• WDB (Brightener): Mix according to label directions. Apply to cleaned and rinsed wood. Allow product to dwell on wood surface for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. After application and rinsing, immediately flood surrounding vegetation with generous amounts of water.

Clean the deck – Hardwoods, Pine or Pressure Treated

Use Wood & Deck Cleaner (Part A):

• Sweep excess debris (dirt and leaves) off the deck. Dissolve Wood & Deck Claner (Part A) in warm water at the recommended strength.
• After waiting for several minutes for product to dissolve and activate, apply with a mop or sprayer. Let the product sit on the deck surface for 10-15 minutes, making sure to keep the deck wet with more product if it begins to dry out.
• Scrub the deck boards with the grain of the wood. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow the deck to dry for at least a day or two in good weather before applying any stain or finish.

Clean and brighten the deck – Redwood, Cedar, Ipe, and other hardwoods

Use both Wood & Deck Cleaner (Part A) and Wood & Deck Brightener (Part B):

• Sweep excess debris (dirt and leaves) off the deck. Wet the deck surface down with clean water from the hose. Dissolve Wood & Deck Cleaner (Part A) in warm water at the recommended strength.
• After waiting for several minutes for product to dissolve and activate, apply with a mop or sprayer. Let the product sit on the deck surface for at 5 to 10 minutes, making sure to keep the deck wet with more product if it begins to dry out.
• Scrub the deck boards with the grain of the wood, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• Mix Wood and Deck Brightener in warm water according to label directions. Apply to the wet wood previously cleaned by Wood and Deck Cleaner. Allow the Brightener to sit on the surface for 5 to 10 minutes, keeping the deck wet with more product if necessary. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow the deck to dry at least a day or two in good weather before applying any stain or finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is it important to clean before applying stain to a deck?
A: If you apply UV Plus or other penetrating oil stain to a dirty wood surface, the wood will go dark and dingy. The oils and resins in the UV Plus will entrap the dirt and make it impossible to clean until the product wears away with the top surface of the wood. By cleaning the wood with a good quality wood cleaner like Messmer’s Wood and Deck Part A, you are properly preparing the deck for staining with UV Plus.

Q: Are your products hazardous to people and animals or to plants?
A: When used in accordance with label instructions, all of our products are safe to use. As with any cleaning chemicals, keep them out of the reach of children and away from pets. It’s always best to wet down the lawn and vegetation area around your project, and rinse thoroughly afterward to dilute any cleaning products you may use. We also suggest covering sensitive plants to minimize contact with any cleaning chemicals.

Maintenance

All exterior surfaces collect dirt, dust and contaminants. It is necessary to clean them periodically to keep them looking good. We suggest using Messmer’s cleaning and/or brightening products at least twice a year for periodic maintenance cleaning.

In addition to maintenance cleaning and brightening, it is important to clean and brighten before applying any UV Plus wood stain, or any other wood finish. Cleaning the deck surface before applying finishing products insures a clean, beautiful look that’s not dingy or gray.

Precautions