Deck Stain Problem need advice

[George]

Hi Guys,  The deck on my own house is 25 years old. It is 5/4 x 6" pt deck floor boards. I have always taken care to prep and clean correctly before finishing. I have used Cabots acrylic latex solid color deck stain (light gray color), which I have always though was great stuff for this.

The deck takes a big snow load in the winter BTW. Every year there are large pieces of stain that have flaked up/peeled up right down to the wood. Every spring the deck looks terrible. I need to refinish and need advice.

Should I use some kind of oil primer under the Cabots? Should I not use Cabot's? Maybe SW A-100 oil type in order to get a better grip underneath? Then topcoat.

Advice appreciated, Thanks

PS I have not yet done that bath job from last post ...to report on how the Gardz worked on that ceiling. Maybe this month.

[rmichael]

George,
You won't get this advice at a paint store ( I didn't, in fact I was told not to do it ) but I have used oil primer on problem decks with good results. The last one was a cedar deck that had peeling solid deck stain on it, the owner said the finish lasted only one season. We stripped the deck and applied an oil based primer then applied the acrylic deck stain, after five years there is still no peeling but there is wear ( four or five years and it's a very old man anyway     )
I will say that I am in the South and snow is not a problem... 

Best Luck,
rmichael

[George]

Thanks rmichael, Always appreciate your great advice. My instinct is to do this so I'm going to.

SW Oil primer really bites into the surface IMO.  I've got nothing to lose really. There is not heavy traffic on this deck.

Now to get 5 or 6  sunny days which is asking for a lot in New England.

Peace