WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG? Dennis & Maralyn's Deck Stain

Q: What's in the bag? Looks like a big project coming up?

Dennis: Deck stain. We're cleaning and refinishing the deck.

Q: That sounds pretty in-depth. Why did you decide to take it on yourself?

Dennis: Because I have pride in our home. I have a sense of accomplishment doing it and I'll save money.

Q: Will you both be staining and cleaning?

Dennis: I don't think so. Maralyn picks the color.

Maralyn: I will be doing a lot of observing. I'm good at observing.
I don't like that color, honey. <laughs>

Q: What kind of tools will you need to complete this project?

Dennis: A hammer and screwdriver to drive and screw in the fasteners, since the wood has dried and risen up. Also, a strong push broom with stiff bristles.

Maralyn: I came home one day and there was Dennis--not sure if he had cleaned out the slots recently--out on the deck using a kitchen knife. I said, are those my kitchen knives?!

Dennis: For the slots, they work the best.

Q: For those of us that have a deck to refinish and don't know where to begin, what do we have to do? Besides investing in a few good butter knives?

Dennis: First, you have to clean the stuff between the slots, which takes about two hours. Next, I will clean the surface of the deck with chemical cleaner to remove all of the grime and tree sap. This prepares the surface for the new stain. That should take about an hour and then a full day to dry. Lastly, I will spray on the stain, which should only take about an hour.

Q: What will be the easiest part of this project?

Dennis: Doing the stain at the very end. I have a garden sprayer. I can go around and apply a thin coat of stain.

Q: And the most difficult part?

Dennis: Cleaning out the slots between the boards. The boards used to be right up against each other, but as they shrink, leaves and dirt get in there.

Q: What are your hopes for the finished result?

Dennis: A better than new-looking deck that stays that way for a couple of years!

Q: Are you both do-it-yourself types?

Maralyn: Yes. We are the type of people that have always done everything ourselves. I grew up partly in Jamaica, partly in Toronto with a Scottish mother and grandmother. They didn't believe in sitting. They believed in doing.

Q: What's your overall working style? How do you go about getting it done?

Dennis: I take a look at a project and see what it needs. I like to analyze and solve problems.

Q: In your opinion, how can these types of home improvement projects benefit and build a sense of community in L.A.?

Dennis: We do live in a neighborhood. We're all aware of the neighbor's homes and we all love it when it looks nice. It builds esteem and a sense of contributing, well-being and pride by doing our part.

Q: Any advice for those that want to become more proactive in projects at home?

Dennis: Look online. Google what you want to do, so you can learn from other's mistakes, rather than make your own.