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Basic Cleaning Recommendations
Although TimberTech products are low-maintenance, TimberTech recommends periodic cleaning of your TimberTech deck to help maintain the beauty of the product. For best results a cleaner like eco-friendly Corte Clean (www.corteclean.com) or Zinsser’s JOMAX (www.zinsser.com) that contains or is mixed with Sodium Hypoclorite. Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.
Power washing will enhance results when cleaning your TimberTech deck. 1500psi is the recommended maximum for TimberTech products. A fan tip nozzle should be used along with the proper cleaning product. Spray in the direction of the brush/grain pattern to avoid damaging your decking. Use caution not to damage the material and always take the proper safety precautions when operating a power washer
To remove product identification printing from the side or bottom of a TimberTech deck plank use Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol).
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Ice and Snow
If you reside in a cold weather climate where ice and snow periodically come in contact with your deck, use calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the ice and snow.
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Painting/Staining/Sealing
TimberTech wood composite products can be painted or stained. TimberTech does not recommend painting and can not guarantee the performance of anything applied to the product.
Stains and sealers that are recommended for use with TimberTech are:
Wait approximately 8-10 weeks or until TimberTech has completed its weathering process before painting or staining. Clean your TimberTech decking surface prior to applying paint or stain. Never paint or stain over surfaces that may contain dirt, or mildew. Be sure paint or stain does not clog drain holes in the TimberTech Floorizon Planks. Once TimberTech is painted, stained or sealed, subsequent applications will be necessary to maintain appearance. TimberTech cannot be responsible for the performance of stains or paints applied to any TimberTech product. Always apply paints and sealers in accordance with the manufacturer’s application instructions.
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Mildew
TimberTech products are formulated to inhibit mildew growth and minimize staining. Wash your deck periodically with a cleaner like eco-friendly Corte Clean (www.corteclean.com) or Zinsser's JOMAX (www.zinsser.com) that contains or is mixed with Sodium Hypochlorite. Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.
Rinse off your TimberTech deck periodically with a hose. Even if your deck appears clean, it is important to prevent build-up of pollen/debris. Mildew stains may occur where moisture, pollens, and/or dirt are present. Mildew needs a food source to grow, which can be grass, pollens, dirt, debris, wood and wood resins.
Maintaining a clean, dry deck surface is the best method for combating mildew. Ensure that water drains effectively from your deck. Keeping weep holes clear and unclogged on TimberTech Floorizon Planks. For TimberTech Earthwood, TwinFinish, ValuPlank, DockSider and XLM Planks, be sure that gaps exist between planks to allow for drainage.
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Tanin Stains
Like any wood-based product, TimberTech’s wood-plastic composite products (Earthwood Plank, Floorizon Plank, TwinFinish Plank, DockSider Plank and ValuPlank) may experience a naturally occurring process called Extractive Bleeding. This process may cause a temporary discoloration that will weather away. In most cases this process takes 8-10 weeks but could vary depending on location and specific application such as a covered porch. To clean these areas on your TimberTech deck, it is recommended that you use a product such as Dekswood, manufactured by Flood www.floodco.com (800) 321-3444, or eco-friendly Corte Clean www.corteclean.com.
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Spot Stains
Oil Eater Cleaner and Degreaser is very effective against oil, grease and other stains. For extra heavy oil and grease stains or other specific stain types, check with your local lumberyard, hardware stores or home centers for cleaners applicable to a specific stain type.
- If stains have set on TwinFinish, ValuPlank, DockSider or Floorizon (in Cedar, Grey or Redwood only) planks, you may want to use fine sandpaper and sand lightly, following the wood grain finish of the plank. The sanded area will weather back in approximately 8-10 weeks.
- Do not apply this method to TimberTech Earthwood and Floorizon planks in tropical colors, XLM Plank, Builder Board or TimberTech Railing.
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Rust, Ground-in Dirt and Grime
Use a cleaner that contains Phosphoric Acid or Oxalic Acid. Follow manufacturer's application instructions.
- If the stains have set on TwinFinish, ValuPlank, DockSider or Floorizon (Cedar, Grey or Redwood only) planks, you may use fine sandpaper and sand lightly followed by a wire brush to re-grain the decking. Always follow the wood grain finish of the plank. The sanded area will weather back in approximately 8-10 weeks but can very depending on location and specific application.
- Do not apply this method to TimberTech Earthwood and Floorizon planks in Tropical Colors, XLM Plank, Builder Board or TimberTech Railing.
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Scratches, Nicks, Cuts and Grooves
For TwinFinish, ValuPlank, DockSider and Floorizon (in Cedar, Grey and Redwood) Planks
Scratches, nicks, cuts and grooves can be eliminated by using a wire brush. Brushing will need to be consistent with the grain of the product and the brushed area will weather back in approximately 8-10 weeks.
For Earthwood or Floorizon planks and TwinFascia Only In Tropical Colors
Surface scratches and abrasions on these planks will fade after weathering. Once they have fully weathered, they are more resistant to visible scratching.
Scratch Repair Guidelines for Earthwood or Floorizon Planks and TwinFascia Only In Tropical Colors
For scuffs and scratches we recommend using MinWax Stain (found at local home centers). Care should be taken during application to buff off excess stain. The excess stain can cause a dark and glossy appearance to the surrounding area.
For Tropical Teak use MinWax Early American # 230
For Tropical Walnut use MinWax Dark Walnut #2716
For Tropical Rosewood use MinWax Red Mahogany #225
For deeper scratches a soldering iron can be used. By applying heat to the scratch with a soldering iron, the damaged area will be less visible.
- Use a soldering iron such as the cordless butane powered LSP-25 manufactured by wall Lenk Corporation and available at most building supply and hardware stores. Standard soldering irons work as well.
- Experiment on a piece of scrap material to determine the optimal heat range, as soldering irons will vary.
- A rounded tip design works best to blend scratches.
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LSP-25
Soldering Iron
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Heat up the soldering iron and slide the rounded point of the tip into the scratch; speed and pressure will vary depending on the depth of the scratch. The scratched surface will melt and return to the original color. On weathered Earthwood planks, the repaired area will appear slightly darker, but will weather to a close match.
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Scratches running across the Vertigrain™ pattern will blend in but may be visible when viewed from some angles.
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RadianceRail Touch-Up
Duplicolor 2 in 1 Automobile Touch-up Paint is recommended:
- Coastal White use "Gloss White"
- Classic Black use "Universal Flat Black"
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