Ipe Deck Cleaning and Brightening in Wild Dunes

This Ipe deck on the Isle of Palms had turned gray. We brought back its brown color with a gentle clean and a brightener. We used no harsh pressure and took no shortcuts.

Location

Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms, SC

What we did

Ipe deck cleaning and brightening

Material

Ipe hardwood decking

Method

Low pressure wash plus wood brightener. No oil on this job.

The problem

Ipe left out by the coast turns gray over time. This Wild Dunes deck was no different. Its rich brown had faded to a dull silver gray. Sun, salt air, and damp Lowcountry weather do this to even the best wood. The gray is normal and does not harm the wood. But most people buy an Ipe deck for the color. The brown wood is still under the gray.

What we did

Ipe is hard, costly, and easy to damage. The strong pressure washing used on normal decks can rough it up. So we cleaned this deck gently at low pressure. That lifted the gray top layer. Then we put on a wood brightener. It brought back the Ipe's brown color and evened it out. The owner chose cleaning and brightening only. So we did not oil the deck after.

Before and after

The result

The gray lifted. The deck's brown color came back, even across the boards. An honest note: this brings Ipe back to its best, not to brand new wood. With no oil, the wood will slowly turn gray again. Want to keep the color longer? We can oil the deck after a clean and brighten. That is a separate service.

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