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I think this topic was discussed loads of time before at this forum

Update!

We still have no Ipe how to video.

It usually works best to apply both the cleaner and the brightener.  If anything, you should only have to give it a very light sanding afterwards.  In most cases you don't have to sand at all.  We have two stain colors that look very natural on Garapa, Honey Gold and Brown Sugar.  I would think one of the two should help you keep that natural look you like.
 

I have recently installed a Garapa deck and am preparing to apply a finish to it.  The deck has been finished for a couple of months now and has started to grey.  It does not have any stains/finishes on it.  I would like to restore the color to as close to the original honey brown color as possible.
 
Is the Citralic acid brightener the best way to achieve this?  Do I need to sand the entire deck in addition to using the brightener for best results?
 
Any other advice you can give would be appreciated.
 
Thanks

Sure Marty, if that's what you want, I will get started on it this week.
I will put together a series that covers everything from building an Ipe deck using the hidden fastener system to how to finish and maintain exotic hardwoods with the Woodrich-Brand Wiping Stain.

I will build a small deck so that I can show the entire process when done by hand (no sprayer)

With building, filming and editing and such, this project will take about 30 days.  If I am able to pull some raw video before I send it to final editing I will post it or e-mail it to you.

Hi Russell,

Any thoughts of creating a video specifically for an Ipe or other hardwood deck?  Most homeowners don't spray but use a brush or pad to put down the finish so it would be instructive to see how to apply it and wipe it down to prevent over-application.

Marty

If you have not had a chance to watch the Woodrich-Brand demo video, it is a great place to start.  This video details the three steps in the wood restoration process as well as how to use the deck cleaner, deck brightener and deck stain.

You can watch the video here
http://www.woodrich-brand.com/Deck_Cleaning_How_To_Video_s/31.htm

I would recommend that you go through the first two steps and then consider if you still need to spot sand.

With the first two steps you should not have any concerns with your siding or baulsters, just try to avoid letting either the deck cleaner or brightener to dry on the surface.  You want to wipe the stain off of anything you get it on immediately.  If it is allowed to dry on siding for example, it can be difficult to remove.

I bought your product at the end of last year for a new IPE deck with covered gazebo, but construction ran into too cold temps to apply last fall. Now I have the time to go through the three step process. My deck is against vinyl siding, and has dekorator powdered aluminum balusters, and white vinyl trim. For application of the three step process, which of the products (EFC-38, Citralic, Wiping stain) can damage/stain the vinyl siding/vinyl trim/dekorator balusters? I am largely asking to see how careful I will have to be when applying the EFC-38 and Citralic using a sprayer to the deck. I know the stain is something I will have to be careful about discoloring the vinyl and balusters.

Additionally, I have some pencil marks, excess wax from end sealing, glue from cove molding around the deck posts, and some stained areas on the deck (presumably from power tools used on the deck, I mainly only see these stains as difference in the boards during rain). Should these be sanded with a multi-tool prior to the three step process, or should the combo of the cleaner and brightener take care of these issues.

Thanks in advance

Russell,

Thank you for the advice.  I can get the deck clean with just water.  I plan to clean it with water, apply a brightener, wait for it to dry, and then use the stain pad to apply the wiping stain.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Brad